Smart Sensor Antenna Structure for Light-Through Substrate Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light sensing devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as smart streetlight controllers, face challenges in integrating photosensors or other light-detecting circuitry under antenna systems without compromising their functionality.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a light sensing device with a housing, a substrate, radiative antenna elements integrated with the substrate, and a processing section positioned in a stacked arrangement. The substrate includes interruptions, such as apertures or lenses, to allow light to pass through and reach the light-responsive circuitry, ensuring proper functionality while avoiding interference with the antenna elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna elements are integrated with the substrate in a stacked arrangement, then wireless communication capability is improved, but light transmission to the photosensor is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first substrate layer supporting antenna elements, a light-transmissive layer allowing light passage, and a second substrate layer supporting the photosensor. This segmentation enables simultaneous wireless communication and light sensing by spatially separating the antenna elements from the light path while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Antenna elements are positioned on upper layers while the photosensor resides on a lower layer, with light-transmissive material filling the intermediate space. This vertical dimensionality allows both functions to coexist without mutual interference.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a solid substrate is used to support antenna elements, then structural stability is improved, but light cannot reach the photosensor
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate structure employs composite materials with different optical properties. The first substrate layer uses opaque material for mechanical support and antenna integration, while the intermediate layer uses light-transmissive material (such as plastic or glass) to allow light passage. This composite approach maintains structural stability while enabling light transmission to the photosensor.
3Volume of moving object
If antenna elements are positioned close to the photosensor, then device compactness is improved, but electromagnetic interference with the photosensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested layered structure where antenna elements are embedded within or on the surface of the substrate layers that enclose the photosensor. The light-transmissive layer acts as a physical barrier that also serves as an electromagnetic shield, containing the antenna elements in an upper cavity while protecting the photosensor in a lower cavity, thus achieving compact integration with reduced interference.
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 allows for effective light sensing and wireless communication, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of smart streetlight controllers by ensuring that light can reach the necessary circuitry without being obstructed by the antenna system.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate includes or defines one or more interruptions configured to allow light entering the housing to pass through the substrate from the first surface thereof through the second surface thereof
Implementation Method 2
one or more radiative antenna elements positioned upon or otherwise integrated with a first surface of the substrate
Implementation Method 3
The processing section includes light-responsive circuitry and is configured such that the light-responsive circuitry is positioned so as to receive at least some of the light entering the housing through the one or more interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna for a smart sensor device includes a generally circular, substantially rigid substrate and a radiative antenna element integrated with the substrate. According to one embodiment, the antenna element is a primary cellular antenna arranged to pass signals at frequencies between 600 MHz and 3 GHz. According to another embodiment, a second radiative antenna element may be integrated with the substrate. In such a case, the second antenna element may be arranged to receive location-based signals from satellites or operate as a cellular diversity antenna arranged to receive cellular signals present in proximity to the antenna. The substrate may include at least one interruption (e.g., aperture or lens) arranged to permit light to reach an area inside the sensor device that would otherwise be shielded by the substrate. In such a case, the radiative antenna element(s) may be integrated with the substrate so as to avoid the interruption.