PCB Antenna Split Ring Resonator Low-Cost Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas for wireless communication devices are difficult to manufacture at a low cost due to the need for magnetic materials and complex manufacturing processes, especially when integrating split ring resonators with ground planes on printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A small antenna design featuring conductive radiant elements, branch parts, and a connection element forming a split ring resonator on a printed circuit board, which allows for low-cost manufacturing without the need for impedance matching circuits, using copper foil patterns or other conductive materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a magnetic material is added to downsize an antenna, then the antenna size is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive magnetic materials with inexpensive copper foil patterns that can be manufactured using standard PCB processes. The copper patterns serve as both the antenna elements and the resonator structure, eliminating the need for costly magnetic materials while maintaining the downsizing effect through the split ring resonator configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from magnetic material to conductive copper foil, and changes the structural parameter by introducing the split ring resonator configuration with capacitor parts. This allows the antenna to achieve size reduction through electromagnetic resonance without requiring magnetic materials, thus resolving the contradiction between size reduction and manufacturing cost.
2Volume of moving object
If a split ring resonator is disposed vertically with respect to a ground plane, then the antenna size is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the split ring resonator structure with the ground plane by forming both as copper foil patterns on the same PCB substrate. The resonator and ground plane are integrated into a single manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate vertical disposition and complex assembly steps while maintaining the size reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical vertical disposition of the resonator with respect to the ground plane with an electromagnetic field-based solution where both structures are planar copper patterns on the PCB. This substitution of mechanical arrangement with electromagnetic field configuration simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the same size reduction effect.
3Reliability
If conventional antennas are used, then impedance matching is achieved, but the antenna size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electromagnetic resonance in the split ring resonator structure to achieve impedance matching without requiring large antenna dimensions. The resonant frequency of the split ring structure provides the necessary reactance cancellation for impedance matching, analogous to how mechanical vibration at resonance provides maximum energy transfer in mechanical 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
The design enables the production of small, low-cost antennas that can be integrated into wireless communication devices, reducing size and manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective impedance matching and radiation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a different end of the first branch part and a different end of the second branch part face each other and form a capacitor part
Implementation Method 2
a first radiant element that is conductive and connected to the first terminal; a second radiant element that is conductive and connected to the second terminal
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna (10) includes: a first radiant element (3) and a second radiant element (4), which are connected to an antenna feeding point (2); a first branch part (5a), one end of which is connected to the first radiant element (3) at a position not corresponding to an end portion of the first radiant element (3); a second branch part (5b), one end of which is connected to the second radiant element (4) at a position not corresponding to an end portion of the second radiant element (4); and a connection element (7), which connects part of the first radiant element (3) and part of the second radiant element (4). A different end of the first branch part (5a) and a different end of the second branch part (5b) face each other and form a capacitor part. The capacitor part is positioned outside the area surrounded by the connection element (7), the first radiant element (3), and the second radiant element (4). Part of the first radiant element (3), part of the second radiant element (4), the first branch part (5a), the second branch part (5b), and the capacitor part form a split ring resonator (8).