Millimeter-Wave Antenna Layout to Prevent Window Glass Cracking
Solution Overview
Problem
Antenna units operating in the quasi-millimeter wave or millimeter wave bands generate significant heat, posing a risk of cracking window glass when installed near it.
Innovation Solution
The antenna device is connected to a digital control unit via multiple wires, including optical cables, with components like array antennas, analog beamformers, and frequency converters, spaced apart from the window glass to prevent heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna unit is installed near the window glass to enable communication in the quasi-millimeter wave or millimeter wave band, then the communication functionality is improved, but the window glass may crack due to heat generated by the digital control unit
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna unit is divided into two separate devices: an antenna device that can be installed near the window glass and a digital control unit that is positioned away from the window glass. This segmentation allows the heat-generating digital control unit to be separated from the heat-sensitive window glass while maintaining communication functionality through wireless connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital control unit, which generates harmful heat, is extracted from the antenna device and positioned separately. This extraction removes the harmful heat source from proximity to the window glass while the antenna device retains its communication function through wireless communication with the separated digital control unit.
2Device complexity
If the digital control unit is integrated with the antenna device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat generated causes window glass cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated antenna unit is segmented into separate antenna device and digital control unit. This segmentation increases device complexity but eliminates the harmful effect of heat generation on the window glass by positioning the digital control unit away from the installation location.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital control unit is extracted from the antenna device and positioned separately to remove the heat generation problem. The extracted digital control unit can be placed in a location away from the window glass, eliminating thermal damage while maintaining system functionality through wireless communication.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an antenna device that can be used in the quasi-millimeter wave band or millimeter wave band, and can suppress cracking of a window glass even when the antenna device is installed so as to face the window glass. The antenna device is configured to be connected to a digital control unit via a plurality of wires including a first wire and a second wire, the antenna device including: an array antenna; an analog beamformer; a frequency upconverter; and a frequency downconverter, wherein an intermediate-frequency signal that is input to the frequency upconverter is input from the digital control unit to the antenna device via the first wire, an intermediate-frequency signal that is output from the frequency downconverter is output to the digital control unit via the second wire, and a control signal for controlling the analog beamformer is input from the digital control unit to the antenna device.