Retroreflective Antenna Structure for Beneath-Glass Surface Wave Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solutions for suppressing surface waves in smartphones with all-display designs are not compact and compatible with the constraints of antennas beneath the glass, leading to distorted radiation patterns and reduced gain, while existing volumetric and surface implementations are either impractical or require significant design changes.
Innovation Solution
A retroreflective structure is integrated within the dielectric layer adjacent to the antenna, reflecting radio waves non-parallel to the plane, using a conductive film with capacitive and inductive patterns to redirect energy away from surface waves and improve radiation patterns and gain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional solutions for suppressing surface waves are implemented, then surface wave suppression is achieved, but the device becomes non-compact and requires significant design changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a retroreflective thin film structure integrated into the display assembly to suppress surface waves. This thin film approach avoids bulky volumetric structures while achieving effective surface wave suppression through retroreflection, maintaining device compactness and minimizing design changes to the smartphone architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflective structure acts as an intermediary element between the antenna and the glass cover. It intercepts surface waves before they propagate and redirects them back toward the antenna, effectively suppressing harmful surface wave propagation without requiring direct modification of the antenna or chassis structures
2Volume of moving object
If antennas are placed beneath the glass layer, then device compactness is improved, but radiation patterns become distorted and gain is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful surface waves generated by the antenna into beneficial retroreflected waves. The retroreflective structure captures surface waves that would otherwise distort radiation patterns and redirects them back toward the antenna, improving radiation performance while maintaining the compact beneath-glass antenna configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflective structure is positioned to preemptively intercept surface waves before they can propagate and cause distortion. By applying retroreflection at the source near the antenna, the structure prevents harmful wave propagation in advance, protecting radiation pattern integrity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If volumetric structures are used for surface wave suppression, then suppression effectiveness is improved, but device compactness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces volumetric surface wave suppression structures with a thin retroreflective film integrated into the display assembly. This thin film maintains effective surface wave suppression through retroreflection while occupying minimal volume, preserving device compactness and avoiding the bulk associated with traditional volumetric solutions
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 retroreflective structure effectively suppresses parasitic surface waves, enhancing antenna radiation patterns and gain without compromising the smartphone's compact design or display performance, and operates across a broader frequency band.
Implementation Method 1
a retroreflective structure extending inside the dielectric layer and being located adjacent to the antenna element, wherein the retroreflective structure is configured to reflect the radio wave in an angle non-parallel to the plane
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3a
Figure 3b~4a
AI summary
The invention relates to suppressing surface waves in a communication device (100) for a wireless communication system (500). The communication device (100) comprises a dielectric layer (106) extending along a plane (P) between a chassis (102) and a glass layer (104), an antenna element (108) configured to emit a radio wave (120), and a retroreflective structure (110) extending inside the dielectric layer (106) and being located adjacent to the antenna element (108), wherein the retroreflective structure (110) is configured to reflect the radio wave (120) in an angle non-parallel to the plane (P). The retroreflective structure (110) hence prevents parasitic channeling of the antenna energy into surface waves in and behind the glass layer (104) and directs the radiation into the desired direction. Thereby, the radiation pattern and the antenna gain are improved.