Multi-Side Antenna Arrays for Millimeter Wave Signal Directionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to efficiently arrange antennas for millimeter wave frequency bands in electronic devices without increasing the mounting space, while supporting multiple frequency bands and ensuring effective signal radiation in different directions.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a housing with conductive plates on multiple sides, each with dedicated antenna arrays and RFICs, allowing signals to be radiated in specific directions, including a first antenna array on the back surface and second and third antenna arrays on the side surfaces, which are connected via interfaces like coaxial cables or FPCBs, enabling improved antenna gain and directivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple communication devices are embedded on one side of the electronic device, then the signal transmission in millimeter wave frequency bands is improved, but the mounting space of the electronic device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes communication devices across multiple sides (front, back, sides) of the electronic device housing instead of concentrating them on one side. This spatial redistribution in three dimensions allows maintaining signal transmission reliability while preserving mounting space on each individual surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple separate communication devices, each with its own antenna elements, mounted on different sides of the housing. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for specific frequency bands and transmission directions, resolving the conflict between signal quality and space utilization.
2Area of stationary object
If communication devices are arranged on multiple sides, then the mounting space is preserved, but the signal radiation directionality becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each communication device is configured with antenna elements oriented to radiate signals in specific directions appropriate for its location on the housing. For example, devices on side surfaces radiate laterally, while devices on front/back surfaces radiate forward/backward. This local optimization simplifies the overall system by making each component's function straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs RFICs and antenna structures that can operate across multiple frequency bands (sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave bands), allowing the same hardware platform to serve multiple communication functions regardless of its position on the device, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna elements are configured for different frequency bands, then the multi-band support is improved, but the antenna structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple antenna elements with different radiation patterns into unified communication devices. Each device combines antenna elements suitable for both sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave frequency bands, reducing the total number of separate components needed while maintaining multi-band capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structures are designed to be reconfigurable or adaptable across different frequency bands through parameter adjustments such as element spacing, geometry, and impedance matching, allowing the same physical structure to serve multiple frequency ranges without requiring completely separate antenna systems.
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
This configuration allows for improved antenna gain and directivity by radiating signals in the same direction from different locations, preventing a decrease in mounting space and enabling efficient support of multiple frequency bands from 3 GHz to 100 GHz.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna array disposed on the first conductive plate and configured to radiate a signal in a first frequency band toward the back surface; a second antenna array connected to the conductive plate, the second antenna array configured to radiate a signal in a second frequency band at least partially different from the first frequency band toward the side surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a housing forming an exterior of the electronic device, and including a front surface, a back surface facing away from the front surface, and a side surface substantially perpendicular to the front surface and the back surface; a first conductive plate positioned towards the back surface having a first antenna array disposed on the first conductive plate, the first antenna array configured to radiate a signal in a first frequency band toward the back surface; a second antenna array connected to the conductive plate, the second antenna array configured to radiate a signal in a second frequency band at least partially different from the first frequency band toward the side surface, and having an antenna element at least partially different from the first antenna array, a second conductive plate positioned towards the side surface having a third antenna array disposed on the second conductive plate, the third antenna array configured to radiate the signal in the second frequency band toward the side surface, and a fourth antenna array connected to the second conductive plate and configured to radiate the signal in the first frequency band toward the back surface.