Multi-band Endfire Antenna Arrays with Nested Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wireless devices, especially those operating in 5G networks, face challenges with millimeter wave signal propagation due to attenuation around or through obstacles and limited form factor constraints, which affect antenna size and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An antenna assembly with multiple antenna elements and subarrays, each resonating in different frequency bands and oriented in an end-fire direction parallel to a ground plane, utilizing different shapes and types of feeders to enhance signal isolation and gain, and stacked in a multi-layer substrate to minimize footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If antenna elements are stacked in a multi-layer substrate to minimize footprint, then the antenna assembly becomes compact and suitable for portable devices, but signal isolation between different frequency bands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested antenna elements where a first antenna element is disposed within a second antenna element in a stacked configuration. The first antenna element operates at a first frequency band while the second antenna element operates at a second frequency band. This nesting approach minimizes the overall footprint of the antenna assembly while maintaining signal isolation through the use of different feeder shapes and ground plane configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different feeder shapes for different antenna elements. Specifically, the first antenna element is coupled to RF circuitry via a first feeder with a first shape, while the second antenna element is coupled via a second feeder with a second shape that is different from the first shape. This differentiation in local structures enhances cross-band signal isolation while maintaining the compact stacked configuration.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If different shapes of feeders are used to enhance cross-band signal isolation, then signal isolation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feeder structures into distinct shapes for different antenna elements. The first feeder has a first shape and the second feeder has a second shape, allowing each feeder to be optimized for its specific antenna element and frequency band. This segmentation enables improved signal isolation while managing complexity through modular design where each feeder segment is independently configured.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If antenna elements are disposed on different layers to reduce interference, then signal isolation improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested antenna elements where a first antenna element is disposed within a second antenna element in a stacked configuration across different layers of a substrate. This nesting approach minimizes the overall footprint while maintaining signal isolation through the use of different feeder shapes and ground plane configurations, and can be manufactured using standard multi-layer PCB techniques.
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 solution provides a compact, efficient antenna assembly that maximizes cross-band signal isolation and antenna gain, suitable for portable devices, improving millimeter wave communication performance by effectively radiating signals in multiple frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
The first antenna element and the second antenna element radiate in different frequency bands and in a direction parallel to a ground plane
Implementation Method 2
The first antenna element and the second antenna element radiate in different frequency bands
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna assembly includes a first antenna element coupled to RF circuitry via a first feeder, and a second antenna element coupled to the RF circuitry via a second feeder. The first feeder and the second feeder have different shapes. The first antenna element and the second antenna element radiate in different frequency bands and in a direction parallel to a ground plane. The ground plane is disposed on at least one layer in a substrate that includes a plurality of layers parallel to one another. The first antenna element is disposed on first one or more of the layers and the second antenna element is disposed on second one or more of the layers, which are different from the first one or more of the layers. Another antenna assembly includes a first subarray of the first antenna elements and a second subarray of the second antenna elements.