PCB Tri-Band Antenna Layout for Compact Frequency Tuning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tri-band antennas are bulky and complex, making them costly and prone to deformation, and they lack the ability to easily adjust frequency requirements, which is a challenge in the miniaturization trend of electronic products for multi-frequency applications.

Innovation Solution

A tri-band antenna module with a substrate, radiators, and a short-circuit structure, forming a printed antenna design that includes symmetrical or asymmetric radiator structures with extension blocks and slots for adjustable frequency bands, allowing for easy integration on a printed circuit board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional three-dimensional tri-band antenna is used, then three resonant modes can be provided to cover broader bandwidth, but the antenna takes up space and has complex structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a printed circuit board antenna that copies the functional characteristics of a three-dimensional antenna through a two-dimensional planar structure. The radiator elements are designed with specific geometric patterns and dimensions that replicate the resonant behavior of 3D antenna structures, achieving tri-band operation without the complexity of three-dimensional construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a three-dimensional antenna structure to a two-dimensional printed circuit board implementation. By utilizing the planar surface of the PCB, the antenna achieves tri-band functionality through carefully designed trace patterns, element lengths, and geometric configurations, effectively solving the space and complexity issues while maintaining bandwidth coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional three-dimensional tri-band antenna is used, then three resonant modes can be provided, but molding and assembling costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is merged with the printed circuit board itself, eliminating the need for separate antenna components, molding processes, and assembly steps. The radiator elements are directly fabricated on the PCB using standard PCB manufacturing techniques, integrating the antenna function into the existing board structure and significantly reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replicates the electromagnetic functionality of expensive three-dimensional antennas using inexpensive printed circuit board traces and structures. By using standard PCB materials and fabrication processes, the invention achieves tri-band performance at a fraction of the cost of traditional 3D antenna manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional three-dimensional tri-band antenna is used, then three resonant modes can be provided, but the antenna is prone to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is merged with the rigid printed circuit board substrate, which provides inherent mechanical support and protection. The PCB substrate prevents deformation of the radiator elements, ensuring structural stability and reliable performance while maintaining the tri-band resonant characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the rigid PCB substrate as a protective substrate that prevents deformation of the antenna elements. The substrate acts as a stable foundation that maintains the precise geometric dimensions required for tri-band operation, eliminating the deformation issues associated with traditional three-dimensional antenna structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional three-dimensional tri-band antenna is used, then three resonant modes can be provided, but frequency adjustment is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidfrequency adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates variable elements such as adjustable trace lengths, reconfigurable ground connections, and programmable loading capacitors that allow dynamic adjustment of the antenna's resonant frequencies. These elements can be modified during manufacturing or even reconfigured in the field to optimize performance for different frequency requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables frequency adjustment by changing physical parameters such as radiator element lengths, trace widths, and gap dimensions. These parameters can be easily modified during PCB fabrication or through integrated variable components, allowing straightforward tuning of the antenna's resonant frequencies to meet different application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 module achieves efficient operation across multiple frequency bands with low return losses and high radiation efficiency, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs while avoiding deformation risks, and enabling flexible frequency adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

The first extension block and the third extension block are used for generating a first working frequency band and a second working frequency band, respectively. The second extension block is used for generating a third working frequency band

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the tri-band antenna can provide three resonant modes so that the tri-band antenna can operate in three different resonant frequency bands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4280380A1Tri-band antenna module
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 ARCADYAN
  • EP4280380A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4280380A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4280380A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A tri-band antenna module includes a substrate, a first radiator, a second radiator, and a short-circuit structure. The substrate has a signal feed-in terminal and a ground terminal. The signal feed-in terminal is connected to the first radiator, and the ground terminal is connected to the second radiator. The first radiator includes a first extension block and a second extension block, and the second radiator includes a third extension block and a fourth extension block. The first extension block and the second extension block are separated by a first interval, and the third extension block and the fourth extension block are separated by a second interval. The short-circuit structure is connected between the first extension block and the third extension block, and the short-circuit structure is respectively separated from the first extension block and the third extension block by a first slot and a second slot.