Multimode Antenna Design for Terminals Using FPC and PCB Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal products face challenges in achieving larger antenna bandwidth while maintaining miniaturization, as printed antennas have limited gain and require additional space for wider frequency band support.
Innovation Solution
A terminal design incorporating a printed antenna on a circuit board and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) antenna on the housing, connected to a control circuit, allowing for different antenna configurations and frequency band coverage without occupying additional circuit board space, using detachable CHIP FIXED resistors for switching between antenna forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a printed antenna is used on the printed circuit board, then the terminal achieves miniaturization and simple fabrication, but the antenna bandwidth is limited due to small gain
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into two independent parts: a printed antenna on the PCB for certain frequency bands and an FPC antenna on the housing for other frequency bands. Each antenna type is optimized for specific frequency ranges, allowing the terminal to achieve multi-band support without increasing overall size. The FPC antenna is connected to the PCB through a flexible connection, enabling independent optimization of each antenna's performance characteristics.
2Area of stationary object
If the FPC antenna is disposed on the housing instead of the printed circuit board, then the circuit board area is preserved for other components, but additional connection structures are required
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible printed circuit (FPC) is used to connect the FPC antenna on the housing to the control circuit on the PCB. The FPC provides a flexible, thin-film connection solution that requires minimal space and can be routed through the terminal structure without adding significant complexity. This approach preserves the PCB area while enabling the FPC antenna to be positioned on the housing for optimal radiation characteristics.
Data Source
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AI summary
A terminal having a multimode antenna includes a housing, a printed circuit board, a printed antenna, a flexible printed circuit FPC antenna, and a control circuit, where: the printed circuit board is disposed inside the housing; the printed antenna is disposed on the printed circuit board, the printed antenna is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the printed antenna is configured to implement first antenna performance; the FPC antenna is disposed on the housing, the FPC antenna is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the FPC antenna is configured to implement second antenna performance; and the control circuit is disposed on the printed circuit board, and the control circuit is configured to control the printed antenna and the FPC antenna to receive or send an antenna signal. Embodiments of the present invention make a terminal device have larger bandwidth; and the FPC antenna uses an area of the housing of the terminal, and does not need to occupy an area of the printed circuit board, which can effectively reduce a size of the terminal.