Inner Layer PCB Antenna with Dielectric Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printed circuit board antennas are limited by space constraints as devices shrink in size, requiring a reduction in physical size while maintaining similar electrical operating parameters.
Innovation Solution
The antenna structure utilizes the printed circuit board material as a dielectric element, placing conductive elements on inner layers connected by vias, with a higher dielectric constant than air, allowing the radiation field to pass through the board, reducing physical size while maintaining resonant frequency, and employing capacitive loading to further minimize size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional printed circuit board antennas are used, then the antenna can operate at the required frequency, but the physical size of the antenna is too large for shrinking communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dielectric parameter by introducing a dielectric layer with higher permittivity between the antenna elements and ground plane. This parameter change allows the antenna to maintain its resonant frequency while reducing the physical dimensions, directly resolving the contradiction between size reduction and frequency stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure is nested within the printed circuit board layers, with conductive elements on inner layers connected by vias. The dielectric layer is nested between these elements and the ground plane, creating a compact integrated structure that reduces overall antenna volume while maintaining electrical performance.
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced to fit smaller devices, then space constraints are satisfied, but the resonant frequency changes and electrical operating parameters are affected
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the dielectric parameter (permittivity) of the material between antenna elements and ground, the patent compensates for the frequency shift that would normally occur with size reduction. This allows precise control of the resonant frequency despite the smaller physical dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining conductive elements, dielectric material with specific permittivity, and ground plane layers. This composite approach allows tuning of the electromagnetic characteristics to achieve the desired resonant frequency in a compact form factor.
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 results in a smaller antenna size with unchanged operating frequency, improved efficiency, and reduced resistive losses, suitable for frequencies below 2.5 GHz, such as in Wi-Fi applications.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna structure utilizes the printed circuit board material as a dielectric element, placing conductive elements on inner layers connected by vias, with a higher dielectric constant than air, allowing the radiation field to pass through the board
Implementation Method 2
employing capacitive loading to further minimize size
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An antenna structure (300) is described. The antenna structure (300) includes a first set of conductive elements (305, 310) that form a first portion of the antenna structure (300), the first set of conductive elements (305, 310) being formed on a first layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board, and a second set of conductive elements (306, 311) that form a second portion of the antenna structure (300), the second set of conductive elements (306, 311) being formed in parallel to the first set of conductive elements (305, 310) on a second layer of the multi-layer printed circuit board, wherein the first layer and the second layer are inner layers of the multilayer printed circuit board. An apparatus that uses the antenna structure (300) is also described.