Multi-band antenna array with nonparallel grid configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-band antenna designs face challenges in achieving compactness while maintaining effective radiation patterns across different frequency bands, particularly in the limited form factor of wireless devices, such as mobile phones, which require support for advanced wireless functionalities like 5G communication.

Innovation Solution

The design arranges low-band and high-band antennas in a specific geometric configuration where the directions of their grids are nonparallel, allowing for nested placement within a constrained area, with distances between antenna positions optimized to match the frequency ratio, enhancing both low-band and high-band radiation patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multi-band antennas are arranged in traditional overlapping or concentric configurations, then frequency coverage is improved, but antenna module size increases and compactness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidantenna module size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional concentric or overlapping antenna arrangements to a three-dimensional configuration where low-band and high-band antennas are stacked vertically at adjacent locations. This spatial dimensionality change allows multiple frequency bands to be accommodated in a compact footprint while maintaining proper radiation patterns and minimizing mutual coupling through optimized vertical spacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If antenna elements are placed closer together to reduce module size, then compactness is improved, but mutual coupling increases and radiation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna module sizeVSAvoidradiation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different spatial separation strategies to different frequency bands: low-band antennas are positioned with larger horizontal spacing optimized for their longer wavelengths, while high-band antennas use smaller spacing appropriate for their shorter wavelengths. The vertical stacking distance is specifically optimized to minimize mutual coupling between bands while maintaining individual element performance, creating locally optimized conditions for each frequency band within the compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional interleaved or concentric antenna arrangements are used, then frequency band coverage is improved, but device form factor constraints are violated due to increased antenna module area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-band coverageVSAvoidform factor compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested configuration where high-band antenna elements are positioned within the vertical projection area of low-band antenna elements, creating a hierarchical arrangement. The high-band antennas are stacked vertically adjacent to low-band antennas at different heights, allowing the high-band structure to be 'nested' within the overall footprint defined by the low-band antennas, thereby minimizing the total antenna module area while supporting multiple frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3457495B1Multi-band antenna array
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP3457495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3457495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3457495B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A multi-band antenna array includes a plurality of first antennas for resonating at a first band, and a plurality of second antennas for resonating at a second band. A frequency of the second band is higher than a frequency of the first band. Locations of the plurality of first antennas project to a plurality of grid-one positions on a surface; locations of the plurality of second antennas project to a plurality of grid-two positions on the surface. Among the grid-one positions, a second grid-one position is nearest to a first grid-one position by a first distance along a first direction. Among the grid-two positions, a first grid-two position and a second grid-two position are closest two to the first grid-one position. The first and second grid-two positions are separated by a second distance along a second direction; and, the first direction and the second direction are nonparallel.