Multiband Antenna with Parallel Conductive Strip for Compact Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless devices face challenges in achieving wide low band and ultra-wide high band coverage with compact, passive antennas, as current solutions either increase cost and complexity with active components or require additional space with separate antennas, leading to SAR issues and increased real estate needs.

Innovation Solution

A multiband antenna design featuring a conductive meander structure with a parallel conductive strip and tabs, coupled to a finite ground plane, which supports frequencies from 690MHz to 960MHz for low bands and 1700MHz to 3000MHz for high bands without requiring active components or additional antennas, maintaining a compact form factor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a passive antenna is used to achieve wide low band bandwidth, then the device complexity is reduced, but achieving ultra wide high band coverage becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna system complexityVSAvoidfrequency band coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple resonant elements (first resonating element, second resonating element, and resonating meanderline) into a single integrated antenna structure. These elements are magnetically and/or capacitive coupled to achieve operation across multiple frequency bands (low band 690-960MHz and high band 1700-3000MHz) using a single passive antenna, eliminating the need for separate antennas or active tuning components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides wide low band bandwidth coverage (690-960MHz) and ultra wide high band coverage (1700-3000MHz) through a single passive multi-resonant structure. The antenna serves as both a low band radiator and a high band radiator without requiring active switching or tuning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate antennas are used to cover low bands, then the frequency coverage is improved, but the device real estate and SAR issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidantenna real estate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of two separate low band antennas into a single integrated antenna structure. The bottom antenna (covering 850/900 bands) and top antenna (covering 700 band) are combined into one multi-resonant antenna that provides continuous low band coverage from 690-960MHz, reducing the number of discrete antennas and associated components by 50%.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If active solutions (RF switch, tunable capacitors) are used to tune resonance frequency, then the frequency adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonance frequency tuningVSAvoidRF chain complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is designed to be self-tuning across multiple frequency bands through its inherent multi-resonant characteristics. The first resonating element, second resonating element, and resonating meanderline naturally resonate at different frequency ranges, eliminating the need for external RF switches, tunable capacitors, or software-controlled tuning mechanisms. The antenna serves itself across the entire frequency range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient coverage across multiple frequency bands with a single antenna, reducing costs, complexity, and SAR risks, while maintaining a slim form factor, achieving significant cost savings and simplified design compared to existing solutions.

Implementation Method 1

An antenna for a wireless device includes a conductive meander structure formed from a plurality of meanders; and a conductive strip connected in parallel to the meander structure and including a plurality of tabs projecting toward the meander structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of tabs comprising a first group of tabs connected to a first group of said meanders corresponding to the first group of tabs, the plurality of tabs further comprising a second group of tabs disconnected from a second group of said meanders

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

One or more of the first resonating element, the second resonating element and the resonating meanderline are coupled by magnetic and/or capacitive coupling to provide operation in the plurality of frequency bands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2842196B1Wireless communication device with a multiband antenna, and methods of making and using thereof
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2842196B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2842196B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2842196B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

An antenna for a wireless device including a meander structure formed from a plurality of meanders and a conductive strip connected in parallel to the meander structure and including a plurality of tabs projecting toward the meander structure, a first group of tabs connected to a first group of meanders corresponding to the first group of tabs, a second group of tabs disconnected from a second group of meanders corresponding to the second group of tabs. In an embodiment, the antenna is incorporated into a wireless device having a transceiver and a finite ground plane.