Millimeter Wave Antenna Module With In-Phase Reflection Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased number of antennas in electronic devices due to 5G technology development leads to millimeter wave signal attenuation and reduced radiation performance, as antennas on circuit boards are blocked by back covers, causing signal reflection and loss.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an in-phase reflection structure on at least one of the back cover or circuit board to reflect millimeter wave signals in phase, ensuring the same phase of the received and reflected signals, which allows for multiple reflections between the circuit board and back cover, reducing overall return loss and enhancing radiation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the antenna is disposed on the circuit board and blocked by the back cover, then the antenna can be integrated into the device structure, but the millimeter wave signal experiences reflection and loss, resulting in large attenuation and poor radiation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful back cover into a beneficial in-phase reflection structure that actively reinforces the millimeter wave signal. By transforming the back cover's reflective property into a controlled in-phase reflection mechanism, the previously harmful signal loss is converted into signal reinforcement, directly resolving the contradiction between integration and signal attenuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the reflected signal from arbitrary/antiphase to specifically in-phase (0 phase difference). By controlling the reflection phase parameter to match the incident signal phase, the system transforms the back cover from a signal-blocking element into a signal-enhancing element, resolving the attenuation problem while maintaining integration
2Reliability
If the in-phase reflection structure is disposed on the back cover or circuit board, then the phase of the reflected millimeter wave signal is the same as the received signal, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the in-phase reflection structure only in the specific local area where millimeter wave signals interact with the back cover, rather than modifying the entire device structure. This localized application maintains the necessary radiation performance while minimizing the impact on overall device thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the phase control problem in the electromagnetic wave dimension rather than adding physical thickness. By manipulating the phase parameter of the reflected signal through the in-phase reflection structure, the system achieves signal reinforcement without necessarily increasing the mechanical thickness of the device
3Power
If multiple reflections occur between the circuit board and back cover, then signal reinforcement can be achieved, but the return loss needs to be precisely controlled to maintain phase consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the in-phase reflection structure continuously adjusts the reflected signal phase based on the incident signal characteristics. This feedback control ensures that multiple reflections accumulate constructively, achieving signal gain while automatically maintaining phase consistency without requiring extreme manufacturing precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration improves antenna radiation performance by maintaining signal phase consistency during multiple reflections, resulting in a high gain effect and reduced electromagnetic wave energy loss across the back cover, while also reducing the device's thickness.
Implementation Method 1
the in-phase reflection structure is used to reflect a received millimeter wave signal
Implementation Method 2
phases of the millimeter wave signal transmitted each time are the same, and millimeter wave signals with same phases are reinforced and gained each other
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide an electronic device with a millimeter wave antenna module, including a circuit board, a back cover, and a millimeter wave antenna module. The millimeter wave antenna module is disposed on a surface of the circuit board facing the back cover and is configured to send a millimeter wave signal. At least one of the back cover and the circuit board is disposed with an in-phase reflection structure. A phase of a millimeter wave signal received by the in-phase reflection structure is the same as that of a reflected millimeter wave signal. The millimeter wave signal sent by the millimeter wave antenna module is reflected a plurality of times between the circuit board and the back cover, so that a distance between the circuit board and the back cover satisfies that phases of a millimeter wave signal reaching the back cover each time are the same. According to this application, at least one of the back cover and the circuit board is disposed with the in-phase reflection structure, so that the phases of the millimeter wave signal reaching the back cover each time are the same when the millimeter wave signal is reflected the plurality of times between the circuit board and the back cover in a shorter distance. This reduces a thickness of the whole electronic device and improves radiation performance of an antenna.