Stacked Beam-Steering Antenna Structure for Full mmWave Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mmWave antenna arrays in mobile electronic devices face challenges in achieving full spherical beam coverage due to radiation beam blocking by conductive housings and large displays, leading to reduced antenna size and performance when trying to accommodate larger displays.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering antenna structure comprising a stacked antenna module with two substrates and a conductive component, allowing for partial steering of radiation beams in different directions through galvanic, capacitive, or inductive coupling, and utilizing end-fire and broadside antenna elements with vertical or horizontal polarization to enhance coverage without compromising mechanical strength or assembly reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mmWave antenna array is arranged next to the display to avoid interference, then beam coverage is improved, but the available space is significantly reduced forcing the antenna size to be reduced and performance impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar antenna array layout to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. The first and second antenna arrays are arranged on different substrates stacked in the vertical dimension, allowing both arrays to coexist without spatial interference while maintaining full antenna aperture for each array, thus resolving the contradiction between beam coverage and available area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the first substrate and second substrate are stacked one above the other, with each substrate containing a complete antenna array. This nesting approach allows multiple antenna systems to occupy the same footprint area by utilizing the vertical dimension, thereby maintaining full antenna aperture while improving beam coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If the antenna array size is reduced to accommodate larger displays, then display area is increased, but antenna performance is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
By stacking antenna arrays vertically on separate substrates, the patent enables multiple full-size antenna arrays to occupy the same lateral footprint. This allows the display to expand horizontally while antenna arrays maintain their full aperture in the vertical stacking dimension, preserving antenna performance despite display area increases.
3Reliability
If radiation beams are steered to achieve full spherical coverage, then beam coverage is improved, but mechanical strength and assembly reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into separate modular substrates (first substrate and second substrate), each containing a complete antenna array. These modular units can be independently manufactured and tested, then assembled together with standardized coupling mechanisms, thereby maintaining mechanical strength and assembly reliability while achieving enhanced beam coverage through the stacked configuration.
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 provides improved beam coverage in any direction without affecting mechanical strength or assembly reliability, allowing for efficient use of existing components and supporting diversity and MIMO applications by steering radiation beams effectively across the device.
Implementation Method 1
the stacked antenna module being coupled to the conductive component by means of at least one of a galvanic, capacitive, or inductive coupling
Implementation Method 2
the stacked antenna module being coupled to the conductive component by means of at least one of a galvanic, capacitive, or inductive coupling
Implementation Method 3
the stacked antenna module being coupled to the conductive component by means of at least one of a galvanic, capacitive, or inductive coupling
Implementation Method 4
the first antenna array transmitting and receiving a first radiation beam, the second antenna array transmitting and receiving a second radiation beam
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
A beam steering antenna structure (1) comprising a stacked antenna module (2) and a first conductive component (3), the stacked antenna module (2) comprising a first substrate (4) and a second substrate (5). The first substrate (4) is arranged superjacent the second substrate (5) such that a main plane of the first substrate (4) extends in parallel with a main plane of the second substrate (5). The first substrate (4) comprises a first antenna array (6) transmitting and receiving a first radiation beam (R1), the second substrate (5) comprises a second antenna array (7) transmitting and receiving a second radiation beam (R2). The first conductive component (3) extends adjacent the stacked antenna module (2) and is at least partially separated from the stacked antenna module (2) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the main plane of the conductive component (3). The stacked antenna module (2) is coupled to the conductive component (3) by means of at least one of a galvanic, capacitive, or inductive coupling. At least one of the first radiation beam (R1) and the second radiation beam (R2) are at least partially steered in a direction away from the other one of the first radiation beam (R1) and the second radiation beam (R2) by the first conductive component (3). This allows the radiation beams radiating from the antenna structure to be steered, at least partially, in one or several directions, such that sufficient gain coverage can be achieved in any direction from the beam steering antenna structure.