Multi-Radiator Antenna Unit for Wider 5G Millimeter-Wave Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional millimeter-wave antennas in terminal devices cover limited frequency bands, leading to poor antenna performance due to their narrowband nature, which is inadequate for the multiple frequency bands required in 5G systems.
Innovation Solution
An antenna unit is designed with an insulating groove, M feeding parts, couplers, a first insulator, and radiators, where the couplers are coupled to multiple radiators and a first radiator, and an isolator is used to enhance radiation directionality and frequency coverage by isolating electromagnetic waves, allowing the antenna to cover a broader range of frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a narrowband antenna is used in a millimeter-wave antenna module, then the antenna structure is simple, but the coverage frequency band is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single antenna unit to operate across multiple frequency bands (n257, n260, n261) through the use of multiple radiators with different resonance frequencies. The first radiator resonates at a first frequency while the second radiator resonates at a second frequency, allowing the antenna system to serve multiple communication standards and frequency ranges without requiring separate antenna structures for each band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple independent radiating elements (first radiator and second radiator) that can be independently tuned to different resonance frequencies. This segmentation allows each radiator to be optimized for specific frequency bands while collectively covering a broader spectrum, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and frequency coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radiators with different resonance frequencies are used, then the coverage frequency band is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple radiators with different resonance frequencies into a single integrated antenna unit that is encapsulated together with the RFIC and PMIC using AIP technology. This combining approach allows multiple frequency-coversing elements to work together as one unified structure, reducing the overall system complexity compared to using separate antenna modules for each frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nesting by placing multiple radiators, feeding parts, couplers, and insulating structures within a compact encapsulated module. The radiators are positioned at different locations (first radiator at bottom, second radiator at top) and nested within the same structural envelope, allowing frequency diversity without proportional increases in external dimensions or system complexity.
3Reliability
If an isolator is disposed around the couplers, then the radiation directionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing isolators specifically around the couplers where electromagnetic wave isolation is most needed, rather than enclosing the entire antenna structure. This localized approach to improving radiation directionality targets the critical coupling regions, enhancing performance while minimizing the addition of isolating structures and maintaining relative structural simplicity.
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 increases the frequency bands covered by the antenna unit while improving radiation intensity and directionality, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the antenna unit.
Implementation Method 1
M couplers, each of the M couplers is coupled to the at least two radiators and the first radiator
Implementation Method 2
resonance frequencies of different radiators are different
Implementation Method 3
an isolator disposed around the M couplers... the isolator may isolate electromagnetic waves radiated by the at least two radiators and the first radiator in a direction of the isolator
Implementation Method 4
the at least two radiators and the first radiator can generate electromagnetic waves of a specific frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an antenna unit and a terminal device. The antenna unit includes an insulating groove, M feeding parts disposed in the insulating groove, M couplers, a first insulator, at least two radiators carried on the first insulator, a first radiator disposed at a bottom of the insulating groove, and an isolator disposed around the M couplers, where the M feeding parts are insulated from the first radiator and the isolator, the M couplers are located between the first radiator and the first insulator, each of the M feeding parts is electrically connected to one coupler, each of the M couplers is coupled to the at least two radiators and the first radiator, resonance frequencies of different radiators are different, and M is a positive integer.