Radial Slot Antenna Layout for Low-Angle Wi-Fi Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices with low profile antennas face challenges in achieving a low radiating angle and a small build height while maintaining sufficient coverage and high gain, especially in compact form-factors.
Innovation Solution
The antenna design features an electrically conductive radiation structure with radially extending slots, a feeding network with feeding arms, and a grounding structure, which together enable the generation and guidance of electromagnetic waves with a low radiating angle and small build height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the radiation elements are placed at a very small distance from the AP's ground plan to achieve a compact form-factor and low profile, then the build height is reduced, but the radiation beam tilts perpendicularly to the ground plan causing a high radiation angle and small coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional horizontal dipole array to a vertical slot array configuration. This dimensional change in the radiation element orientation fundamentally alters the radiation pattern, enabling low radiation angle with compact build height. The vertical slots radiate primarily in the horizontal plane, providing omnidirectional coverage at low angles without requiring large vertical dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key geometric parameters of the antenna structure, including the orientation of radiation elements from horizontal to vertical, and the configuration from dipoles to slots. These parameter changes enable the antenna to achieve low radiation angle and omnidirectional pattern while maintaining compact build height, resolving the contradiction between size and coverage.
2Length of stationary object
If the height of the antenna is reduced to achieve a compact form-factor, then the build height is decreased, but the gain of the antenna is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the radiation element configuration from horizontal dipoles to vertical slots, the patent achieves omnidirectional radiation pattern with compact height. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the antenna to maintain high gain in the horizontal plane without requiring large vertical dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and antenna gain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a horizontal dipole array is used to provide omnidirectional radiation and MIMO performance, then the radiation pattern and polarization are improved, but the radiation angle becomes high and coverage area becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the horizontal dipole array with a vertical slot array configuration. This dimensional change maintains the omnidirectional radiation capability while fundamentally altering the radiation angle characteristics. The vertical slots provide omnidirectional pattern in the horizontal plane with low radiation angles, achieving both versatility and wide coverage area.
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 effectively provides an improved antenna with a low radiating angle and small build height, enhancing coverage and gain in compact wireless communication devices.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive radiation structure for generating electromagnetic waves, a feeding network for feeding a radio frequency (RF) signal to the electrically conductive radiation structure for generating the electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
a grounding structure for guiding the electromagnetic waves generated by the electrically conductive radiation structure. The grounding structure defines an electrically conductive grounding surface, wherein the electrically conductive grounding surface is spaced from and faces the plurality of radiation portions
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna for a wireless communication device, such as a Wi-Fi access point is provided. The antenna includes an electrically conductive radiation structure including a plurality of radially extending radiation slots, each of which has an open outer end at a perimeter of the electrically conductive radiation structure and defines a respective radiation portion of the electrically conductive radiation structure. The antenna includes a feeding network configured to feed an RF signal to the electrically conductive radiation structure, the feeding network includes a plurality of feeding arms configured to feed the RF signal into each radiation portion of the electrically conductive radiation structure for exciting each radiation portion to emit electromagnetic waves. The antenna includes a grounding structure including an electrically conductive grounding surface, which is spaced from and faces each radiation portion of the electrically conductive radiation structure for guiding the electromagnetic waves emitted by each radiation portion.