Rotated Unit Cell EM Blocking Structure for Thin Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic (EM) blocking structures face challenges in miniaturization while maintaining effective EM shielding, particularly for low-power devices that are more susceptible to EM interference, and often result in increased thickness and production costs without significant functional improvements.
Innovation Solution
The development of an EM blocking structure comprising a ground layer with two conductor layers having unit cells arranged in a two-dimensional array, where the second conductor layer is rotated 90° relative to the first, and a dielectric material filling the spaces between them, allowing for reduced anisotropic effects and miniaturization without increasing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the distance between the antenna and metal conductor is increased to λ/4 to avoid destructive interference, then the EM interference blocking is improved, but the thickness of the antenna substrate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters of the substrate by introducing artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) structures with specific unit cell geometries and spacing. These structures create a magnetic wall effect with 0° phase shift at the operating frequency, allowing the substrate thickness to be reduced while maintaining EM interference blocking performance. The unit cell dimensions and material properties are optimized to achieve the desired electromagnetic characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining dielectric materials with conductive AMC patterns to create a substrate that simultaneously provides mechanical support and electromagnetic interference blocking. The combination of dielectric substrate and AMC unit cells creates a composite material system that achieves both thin profile and effective EM shielding through controlled electromagnetic resonance and phase cancellation effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional EM blocking structures are used, then EM shielding is provided, but miniaturization is limited and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the EM blocking function into periodic unit cell structures that can be independently designed and optimized. Each unit cell acts as a discrete electromagnetic element that contributes to the overall shielding performance. This segmentation allows for systematic miniaturization by reducing the unit cell dimensions while maintaining the periodic structure that provides broadband EM interference blocking through spatial harmonics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes two-dimensional periodic arrangements of unit cells to achieve three-dimensional electromagnetic control. By carefully designing the in-plane geometry and spacing of the unit cells, the patent creates effective electromagnetic shielding in the third dimension (vertical direction) without proportionally increasing the lateral dimensions, thereby achieving miniaturization while maintaining shielding efficacy.
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 configuration effectively blocks EM waves across a predefined band, reducing material waste and production costs while maintaining or improving EM shielding efficacy, thus enhancing the performance and efficiency of EM blocking structures.
Implementation Method 1
When a plane wave enters a metal conductor, the wave is reflected, and the phase of the reflected wave is shifted by 180°
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic wave radiated from the antenna and the electromagnetic wave reflected by the metal conductor will effectively blocking the signal from the antenna due to destructive interference
Implementation Method 3
a dielectric material filling the spaces between them
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic blocking structure includes a dielectric substrate with at least one conductor layer in the dielectric substrate, the at least one conductor layer has a plurality of first unit cells of a first type without four-fold symmetry, and a plurality of second unit cells of the first type, the plurality of first unit cells and the plurality of second unit cells are arranged in a grid pattern with each first unit cell among the plurality of first unit cells being oriented substantially 90° relative to each second unit cell among the plurality of second unit cells.