Open-loop GPS Antenna Using Flexible Printed Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS antennas, particularly patch type antennas, face challenges in reducing size and weight while maintaining performance, and are costly, limiting their integration in slim and lightweight electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
An open-loop GPS antenna design featuring a high frequency circuit and a low frequency circuit on a flexible printed circuit board, with a capacitance effect generated by parallel coupling, allowing for impedance matching and flexible configuration to resonate at 1575.42 MHz, reducing occupied space and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patch type antenna is used for GPS, then the antenna can resonate at 1575.42 MHz with right-hand polarization, but the antenna occupies large volume and has significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) as the substrate for the antenna elements. The FPC allows the antenna to be made thin and flexible, dramatically reducing the volume compared to traditional rigid patch antennas while maintaining the resonant frequency and polarization characteristics needed for GPS signal reception at 1575.42 MHz
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the traditional monolithic patch antenna into separate high-frequency and low-frequency circuit elements that are coupled together. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently and facilitates integration on the FPC, reducing overall volume while maintaining the required resonant properties for GPS operation
2Reliability
If a patch type antenna is used for GPS, then the antenna can provide stable signal reception, but the production cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the antenna design by transitioning from a ceramic dielectric patch structure to a planar FPC-based open-loop structure. This parameter change enables the use of lower-cost manufacturing processes such as standard PCB fabrication techniques, thereby reducing production cost while maintaining signal reception stability through proper impedance matching and resonant frequency design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive materials and manufacturing methods, using the FPC and standard conductive traces instead of expensive ceramic dielectric materials and precision-machined components. This approach significantly reduces production cost while achieving the required GPS signal reception performance through clever circuit design
3Reliability
If the high frequency circuit and low frequency circuit are coupled in parallel, then a capacitance effect is generated to transmit signals, but the configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the high-frequency and low-frequency circuits into a single integrated structure on the FPC, with the coupling between them achieving the capacitance effect needed for signal transmission. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to using separate discrete components, as the coupling is achieved through the physical proximity and geometric arrangement of the circuit traces themselves rather than additional coupling components
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 open-loop GPS antenna achieves a larger signal reception and transmission range, meets the slim and lightweight requirements of GPS devices, and provides flexibility in configuration while maintaining effective GPS functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the third end of the low frequency circuit is disposed parallel to the second end of the high frequency circuit so as to couple to the second end of the high frequency circuit and generate a capacitance effect to transmit a signal
Data Source
AI summary
An open-loop GPS antenna configured on an insulation object is provided. The open-loop GPS antenna includes a feed, a high frequency circuit, a low frequency circuit and a ground. The high frequency circuit includes a first end, connected to the feed, and a second end. The low frequency circuit includes a third end and a fourth end. The third end is disposed parallel to the second end so as to couple to the second end and generate a capacitance effect to transmit a signal. The fourth end is connected to the ground.