Segmented Frame Antennas for Multi-Band Smart Glasses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating wireless communications capabilities into head-mounted electronic devices, such as smart glasses, is challenging due to the need for compact and efficient antenna design that can accommodate multiple frequency bands while maintaining mechanical integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A conductive frame with segmented structures and a conductive ring is used to form antennas, allowing for the integration of multiple antennas around the periphery of the device, which can cover various frequency bands and provide efficient wireless communication without compromising the device's form factor or user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If antennas are integrated into the conductive frame of head-mounted devices, then wireless communication capabilities are enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive frame is designed to serve dual purposes: it provides the structural support for the head-mounted device and simultaneously functions as the antenna element for wireless communication. This multi-functionality approach integrates the antenna directly into the frame structure, eliminating the need for separate antenna components and reducing overall device complexity despite adding wireless capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure is merged with the conductive frame by making the frame itself conductive and configuring it to function as the antenna radiating element. This combining of structural and communication functions allows the device to achieve wireless capability without adding separate antenna structures, thereby managing complexity through integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are integrated to cover various frequency bands, then communication versatility is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive frame is designed to function as multiple antennas simultaneously by configuring different segments or portions of the frame to resonate at different frequency bands. This allows a single structural element to provide multi-frequency coverage, achieving communication versatility across multiple bands without requiring separate physical antenna structures for each frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive frame is divided into multiple segments or zones that can be independently configured to operate at different frequency bands. By segmenting the frame's conductive path and feeding structures, the design enables multiple frequency band operations while maintaining a compact single-integration form factor, avoiding the need for multiple discrete antenna elements that would increase device volume.
3Reliability
If the conductive frame is segmented to form antennas, then antenna performance is improved, but mechanical integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive frame is segmented into multiple conductive sections separated by gaps, with each segment configured to function as part of the antenna structure. The gaps are positioned and dimensioned to electrically isolate segments while maintaining mechanical connectivity through non-conductive joints or mounts, allowing antenna resonance characteristics to be optimized without compromising the overall structural strength of the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-conductive intermediary elements or mounting structures are used at the gap locations to mechanically connect the segmented conductive frame portions while maintaining electrical isolation. These intermediaries serve as mediators that preserve mechanical integrity and structural strength while enabling the segmented configuration necessary for antenna functionality.
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 solution enables uniform wireless coverage around the user's head, supports antenna diversity, and allows for high transmit power levels within regulatory limits, enhancing the device's communication capabilities while maintaining its compact and aesthetically pleasing design.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguides may direct the light to the eye boxes
Implementation Method 2
Two or more of the segments may be fed using radio-frequency transmission line structures or other feed structures to form one or more antennas from the conductive frame
Data Source
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Figure 3~5
AI summary
A head-mounted device (10) may include displays (18) that display images to a user while worn. The device (10) may include a conductive frame (58) having a front portion (12-2) and temple portions (12-1). Waveguides (32) may be mounted to the front portion (12-2) for directing image light to eye boxes. Projectors (28) that emit the image light may be coupled to the temple portions (12-1). The frame (58) may include gaps (60) that divide the frame into segments. Two or more of the segments may be fed radio-frequency signals to form one or more antennas (38) in the temple portions (12-1), the front portion (12-2), or between the temple portions and front portion and/or to form isolation elements. A conductive ring (68) may be disposed between the waveguide (32) and a transparent layer and may extend along a lateral periphery of the waveguide (32) to form one or more conductors for one or more antennas and/or isolation elements between two or more antennas.