Modular Antenna PCB Layout for Signal Isolation in Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna systems face challenges in optimizing performance by separating high-frequency and intermediate/low-frequency signal operations, leading to inefficient use of installation space and potential interference, especially when integrated into vehicles with varying body panel thicknesses.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a housing with a main board for low/intermediate frequency electronic circuits and a separate antenna board for high-frequency antenna elements, allowing for flexible connection using plug connectors to optimize spatial arrangement and reduce interference, while the main board is shielded from high-frequency signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If antenna elements are arranged directly on the circuit board with electronic circuits, then the structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but high-frequency signals interfere with intermediate/low-frequency operations and shielding requirements increase complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the circuit board into two distinct functional areas: a first circuit board for intermediate/low-frequency electronic circuits and a second circuit board for high-frequency antenna elements. This segmentation physically separates the two frequency ranges, preventing mutual interference while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the high-frequency antenna elements from the main circuit board containing electronic circuits. By removing the antenna elements to a separate second circuit board, the harmful high-frequency signals are isolated from the intermediate/low-frequency electronic circuits, eliminating interference while preserving the overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If antenna elements are positioned to protrude above body panel for optimal signal reception, then transmission/reception characteristics are improved, but installation flexibility is reduced due to fixed positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission characteristicsVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible connection between the first circuit board and second circuit board, allowing the antenna elements to be positioned at optimal heights above the body panel while accommodating variations in body panel thickness. The flexible connector enables dynamic adjustment of the antenna board's position relative to the main board, maintaining optimal transmission characteristics across different installation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the positional parameter of the antenna elements by allowing the second circuit board to be flexibly positioned at different distances from the body panel surface. This parameter adjustment optimizes the antenna elements' height above the body panel for best signal reception while adapting to different vehicle body panel thicknesses through the flexible connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding plates are added beneath the circuit board to prevent high-frequency emissions, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic emissionsVSAvoidshielding structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts high-frequency antenna elements to a separate second circuit board, eliminating the need for complex shielding plates beneath the main circuit board. By removing the source of high-frequency emissions from the first circuit board area, the patent simplifies the overall shielding requirements while still preventing electromagnetic interference through physical separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the system into two frequency-dedicated boards, allowing intermediate/low-frequency circuits to operate without complex high-frequency shielding. The segmentation naturally reduces electromagnetic interference by spatial separation, reducing the need for additional shielding plates and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If antenna elements are integrated into the housing with fixed positioning, then assembly is simplified, but adaptability to different body panel thicknesses is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of varying thicknesses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible connection between the first circuit board and second circuit board, enabling the antenna elements to adapt to different body panel thicknesses. This dynamic positioning capability allows the antenna board to be positioned at optimal heights while accommodating variations in installation environments, maintaining assembly simplicity through flexible rather than rigid connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3192126B1Antenna module
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 HIRSCHMANN CAR COMMUNICATION
  • EP3192126B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3192126B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3192126B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an antenna system (1) having a housing (2), in which a printed circuit board is provided, and at least one antenna element (8), the at least one antenna element (8) being arranged inside a cover. A motherboard (11) without an antenna element (8) is preferably arranged inside the housing (2), an antenna circuit board (12) is provided at a distance from the motherboard (11), outside the housing (2), and the at least one antenna element (8) is arranged on the antenna circuit board (12).