Millimeter-Wave Antenna Slot Structure for Compact 5G Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millimeter-wave antennas for 5G applications face challenges with signal reflections due to conductive elements acting as ground planes, leading to reduced transmission quality, and existing solutions that increase the distance between radiating elements and ground planes result in larger, more costly antennas, making them unsuitable for vehicles with limited space.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer structure for millimeter-wave antennas comprising an upper outer layer with spaced radiating elements, a first inner layer with through slots for signal conveyance, a second inner layer with conductive lines on a dielectric sublayer, and a further layer with through openings corresponding to the slots, which reduces signal reflections while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between radiating elements and ground planes is increased to reduce signal reflections, then transmission quality is improved, but antenna dimensions and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground plane is segmented by introducing through slots that divide the continuous conductive surface into separate regions. This segmentation allows the ground plane to maintain its signal reflection suppression function while reducing the continuous conductive area that causes harmful mirror effects, thereby improving transmission quality without increasing antenna dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive elements are selectively removed from the ground plane structure by creating through slots and through openings. This extraction eliminates the harmful mirror effects caused by continuous ground planes while preserving the essential ground plane functions, achieving better transmission quality within compact dimensions.
2Reliability
If the distance between radiating elements and ground planes is increased to reduce signal reflections, then transmission quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground plane is segmented by introducing through slots that divide the continuous conductive surface into separate regions. This segmentation allows the ground plane to maintain its signal reflection suppression function while reducing the continuous conductive area that causes harmful mirror effects, thereby improving transmission quality without increasing antenna dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive elements are selectively removed from the ground plane structure by creating through slots and through openings. This extraction eliminates the harmful mirror effects caused by continuous ground planes while preserving the essential ground plane functions, achieving better transmission quality within compact dimensions.
3Reliability
If multiple antennas are installed in different vehicle positions to overcome metal shielding, then communication reliability is improved, but vehicle integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful mirror effects caused by ground planes into beneficial signal directing effects. By strategically positioning through slots and through openings in the ground plane, reflected signals are redirected constructively toward the radiating elements, transforming what was previously a harmful interference into a useful signal enhancement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the ground plane's physical parameters by introducing through slots and through openings with specific dimensions and positions. These parameter changes alter the electromagnetic characteristics of the ground plane, enabling it to suppress unwanted reflections while maintaining compact antenna dimensions suitable for vehicle integration.
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
The multilayer structure effectively minimizes unwanted signal reflections, maintains compact dimensions, and reduces costs, making it suitable for use in vehicles by optimizing signal transmission quality without the need for extensive spacing between radiating elements and ground planes.
Implementation Method 1
a first inner layer arranged below the upper outer layer and comprising a plurality of through slots suitable for conveying, towards said plurality of first radiating elements, feeding signals to be radiated
Implementation Method 2
a second inner layer arranged below and adjacent to said first inner layer, said second inner layer comprising at least one dielectric sublayer on which there is arranged a plurality of conductive lines suitable for conducting the feeding signals to be radiated towards the plurality of first radiating elements
Implementation Method 3
an upper outer layer comprising at least a plurality of first radiating elements arranged spaced apart from each other on a first dielectric sublayer
Data Source
AI summary
A millimeter-wave antenna for 5G applications is provided which includes an upper outer layer with a plurality of first radiating elements arranged spaced apart from each other on a first dielectric sublayer, a first inner layer arranged below the upper outer layer and having a plurality of through slots for conveying, towards the first radiating elements feeding signals to be radiated, a second inner layer arranged below and adjacent to the first inner layer having a dielectric sublayer on which there is arranged a plurality of conductive lines for conducting the feeding signals to be radiated towards the first radiating elements, a further inner layer arranged below and adjacent to the second inner layer, and a plurality of first through openings each formed on the further inner layer in a position corresponding to the position of an associated through slot.