mmWave Antenna Patch Layout With a Shared Tuning Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size of radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) and antenna modules increase due to the need for multiple tuning circuits corresponding to each conductive patch in mmWave antenna modules, which are used for 5G communication.
Innovation Solution
An antenna module design that includes a conductive structure connecting multiple conductive patches to a common tuning circuit, reducing the need for individual tuning circuits for each patch and allowing a compact RFIC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual tuning circuits are provided for each conductive patch, then frequency band adjustment capability is improved, but the size of RFIC and antenna module increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conductive patches (first, second, third patches) are electrically connected to a single common tuning circuit through conductive structures, merging the function of multiple individual tuning circuits into one shared circuit. This reduces the number of tuning circuits from three (one per patch) to one common circuit, thereby reducing RFIC size while maintaining the ability to adjust frequency bands for all patches.
Solution Approach 2:
The common tuning circuit is designed to serve multiple conductive patches simultaneously, making it a universal circuit that performs the tuning function for all patches. This multi-functional approach allows a single tuning circuit to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate tuning circuits, reducing overall component count and module size.
2Area of stationary object
If a common tuning circuit is shared by multiple conductive patches, then the size of RFIC and antenna module is reduced, but the complexity of conductive structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive structure is divided into distinct segments: individual conductive structures connect each patch to the common tuning circuit, while a common conductive structure provides the shared connection path. This segmentation organizes the complexity into manageable parts, making the design easier to implement and analyze despite the multi-connection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The common conductive structure acts as an intermediary element that facilitates connections between multiple patches and the common tuning circuit. By introducing this intermediate connection structure, the patent simplifies the overall architecture compared to providing direct separate connections from each patch to separate tuning circuits, as the common structure serves as a shared interface point.
Data Source
AI summary
An example electronic device may include an antenna module including a printed circuit board, a plurality of conductive patches including a first conductive patch and a second conductive patch, an RFIC which is disposed on the second surface of the printed circuit board and includes a first tuning circuit, and a first conductive structure which includes a first portion extending from the first conductive patch, a second portion extending from the second conductive patch and connected to the first portion at a point positioned at one end of the first portion, and a first common portion connected to the first tuning circuit and connecting the first conductive patch and the second conductive patch to the first tuning circuit, a ground, and a wireless communication circuit, and the wireless communication circuit may be configured to feed the plurality of conductive patches to receive a signal in a designated frequency band.