PCB Ring Antenna Narrow Side Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna arrangements on printed circuit boards suffer from low antenna efficiency due to line losses and dielectric losses, leading to short range and high energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
The antenna arrangement features a conductive antenna section on the narrow side of the printed circuit board, reducing line losses and dielectric losses by utilizing a non-conductive dielectric material and optimizing current conduction, with the antenna section extending through the board to form a ring shape for enhanced radiation characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the antenna section is arranged on the top or bottom of the printed circuit board, then the antenna can be easily integrated into the board structure, but line losses increase due to the skin effect and rough surface contact areas
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna section is moved from the traditional top/bottom surface of the printed circuit board to the side surface (narrow side). This dimensional change allows the antenna conductor to be positioned where it can make optimal contact with the board edge, reducing the rough surface contact area and associated line losses while maintaining easy integration into the board structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna section is specifically positioned on the narrow side of the printed circuit board where the surface characteristics are more favorable for current conduction. This local optimization reduces the skin effect and rough surface losses in the critical current flow areas while leaving other board areas unchanged.
2Loss of energy
If a larger conductive antenna section is implemented to improve radiation characteristics, then antenna efficiency increases, but the available space on the top and bottom surfaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna section utilizes the side surface (narrow side) of the printed circuit board as its mounting area. This provides additional space that is not constrained by the top/bottom surface area limitations, allowing for a larger conductive antenna section to be implemented without occupying precious surface real estate.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna section wraps around the narrow side of the board, creating an extended current path that effectively increases the antenna area. This wrapping configuration allows the antenna to utilize the vertical dimension of the board edge, providing more surface area for current conduction and improved radiation characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If the current path is extended through rough contact areas on the printed circuit board surface, then the antenna can be mounted on the board, but the effective resistance of the conductor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna section is positioned on the side surface of the printed circuit board rather than the top/bottom surfaces. This dimensional change places the antenna in a location where the contact area with the board is minimized and the surface roughness effects are reduced, thereby decreasing the effective resistance and improving conduction efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 design increases antenna efficiency, extending the range and reducing energy requirements while allowing for a larger conductive antenna section in limited space.
Implementation Method 1
The reason for the problem of the high line losses is not least the skin effect, which is particularly pronounced at frequencies suitable for the operation of the antenna arrangement. The skin effect describes the phenomenon that, at high frequencies, an alternating current flowing inside a conductor is increasingly counteracted by eddy currents induced by the alternating current inside the conductor, thus reducing the net current flow, so that the current flows from the center of the conductor to the edges of the conductor is relocated.
Implementation Method 2
a conductor arranged on the top or bottom of the printed circuit board conducts the current less efficiently in the edge area in which it is in contact with the top or bottom, because the surface of the printed circuit board and thus also that of Conductor in this edge area usually have a high level of roughness and the current path is correspondingly extended in this area.
Implementation Method 3
The dielectric losses arise in the circuit board carrying the antenna and thus depend on the dielectric loss properties of the materials forming the circuit board.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The antenna arrangement has a ring antenna which is supported by printed circuit board (10) having an upper side and lower side. The ring antenna has an electrically conductive antenna section which is arranged on the narrow side (18) of printed circuit board adjoining the upper side and/or the lower side. The narrow side extends from the upper side to lower of printed circuit board. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) method for producing antenna arrangement; and (2) antenna assembly.