PCB Antenna Offset Structure for Predictable High-Frequency Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Antenna design is affected by factors outside its physical dimensions, such as placement on the circuit board and proximity to other electrical components, leading to unpredictable performance and a lengthy design process.
Innovation Solution
The antenna design includes a sheet of metallic material with a triangular notch and offset planes, featuring exterior and interior standoffs, feed spacers, and a spine, which are mechanically and electrically coupled to the circuit board, providing structural and electrical offsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional antenna design methods are used, then the design process becomes lengthy and unpredictable, but the antenna performance cannot be optimized for high-frequency operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the offset distance between the antenna element and the circuit board ground plane. By establishing specific offset ranges (e.g., 0.3mm to 1.5mm), the invention transforms the unpredictable antenna performance into a predictable function of the offset parameter, enabling reliable high-frequency operation without lengthy iterative design processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional parameter - the vertical offset distance between the antenna element and the circuit board - that was not traditionally considered in planar antenna designs. This third dimension (height/offset) provides an additional degree of freedom to control antenna performance, enabling predictable operation at high frequencies while simplifying the design process
2Volume of moving object
If antenna is placed close to the circuit board, then the device size is reduced, but the antenna efficiency decreases due to parasitic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by establishing an optimal offset distance range that balances device size reduction with maintaining antenna efficiency. By specifying that the offset should be between 0.3mm to 1.5mm (or 0.3mm to 1.0mm), the invention identifies a parameter window where parasitic effects are minimized while keeping the device compact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure - the offset plane or spacer - that mediates between the antenna element and the circuit board ground plane. This intermediary maintains an optimized distance that reduces parasitic coupling while allowing compact device integration
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna includes a sheet of metallic material and a notch defined in an interior portion of the sheet of metallic material. The notch is defined by a base that includes an inner edge of the sheet of metallic material, a first leg that intersects the base and includes a first edge of the sheet of metallic material, and a second leg that intersects the base and includes a second edge of the sheet of metallic material. The first and second legs extend from the base and toward each other to define an open apex region on an outer edge of the sheet of metallic material. The antenna includes a first exterior standoff that extends from the first edge, a second exterior standoff that extends from the second edge, a first feed spacer that extends into the notch, and a first crossover spacer that extends into the open apex region.