Stacked Interleaved Antenna Array for Compact Multi-Band mmWave Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna array structures face challenges in efficiently transmitting and receiving communication signals over multiple frequency bands, particularly in the mmWave frequencies, leading to signal-to-noise ratio loss and inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
The antenna array structure comprises a stacked and interleaved configuration of first and second antenna elements, where the first elements are aligned in a first layer and the second elements are aligned in a second layer, with specific spacings proportional to their respective wavelengths, allowing for efficient signal transmission and reception across different frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If antenna elements are densely packed to reduce form factor, then compact size is achieved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to high transmission loss at mmWave frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration, where antenna elements are arranged in multiple layers at different heights. This vertical dimensionality allows elements to be spaced farther apart in the horizontal plane while maintaining a compact overall footprint, thereby reducing transmission loss and improving signal-to-noise ratio without increasing the antenna array's planar dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where antenna elements of different frequency bands are stacked vertically, with lower-frequency elements positioned at greater heights above the substrate. This nesting strategy allows multiple antenna elements to occupy a compact vertical space while maintaining optimal spacing for their respective wavelengths, achieving both compact form factor and reliable signal transmission.
2Reliability
If antenna elements are spaced far apart to reduce transmission loss, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve the required spacing between antenna elements. Instead of spreading elements horizontally across a large area, the design stacks them vertically at different heights, allowing optimal spacing for signal transmission while maintaining a compact planar footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different spacing parameters to antenna elements of different frequency bands. Lower-frequency elements (with longer wavelengths) are positioned at greater heights above the substrate, while higher-frequency elements are positioned closer to the substrate. This parameter variation optimizes signal-to-noise ratio for each frequency band without requiring a uniformly large area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna elements are added to support multiple frequency bands, then frequency band coverage improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the stacked antenna array to serve multiple frequency bands simultaneously using a unified structural framework. The same set of stacked antenna elements can operate across different frequency bands by selecting appropriate elements and adjusting their excitation, eliminating the need for separate antenna systems for each band and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges antenna elements for different frequency bands into a single integrated stacked structure. By combining multiple frequency band support capabilities into one physical array with elements positioned at different heights, the design achieves multi-band coverage while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate antenna systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an antenna array structure including a plurality of first antenna elements for transmitting and receiving a signal at a first frequency and a plurality of second antenna elements for transmitting and receiving a signal at a second frequency, wherein the plurality of first antenna elements are disposed in a first layer and aligned to a line extending in a first direction and the plurality of second antenna elements are disposed in a second layer and aligned to the line.