Stacked Antenna Layout for Thickness-Direction Polarization MIMO
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of 5G mobile communication systems, thin communication devices face challenges in mounting antennas that transmit or receive polarized waves with a polarization direction coinciding with the device's thickness direction, due to limited space and the dominance of direct waves over reflected waves in millimeter-wave communication, which affects the implementation of polarization MIMO technology.
Innovation Solution
The development of an antenna device configuration that allows for the transmission and reception of polarized waves with a polarization direction substantially coinciding with the thickness direction of thin communication devices, utilizing a configuration with substrates and antenna elements arranged to accommodate millimeter-wave frequencies and enable polarization MIMO functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If communication devices are made thinner to reduce size, then portability and compactness are improved, but the ability to mount antennas for transmitting or receiving polarized waves with polarization direction coinciding with the thickness direction deteriorates due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the antenna configuration from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked arrangement using multiple substrates positioned at different heights along the thickness direction. This vertical stacking enables the antenna device to transmit and receive polarized waves with polarization direction coinciding with the thickness direction, thereby achieving polarization MIMO capability in thin devices without requiring increased device thickness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are arranged in a planar configuration to achieve polarization MIMO, then polarization diversity is improved, but the device thickness increases due to the required mounting space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thickness direction (vertical dimension) to stack multiple substrates containing antenna elements at different heights. This three-dimensional arrangement allows multiple antennas to be positioned vertically rather than laterally, enabling polarization MIMO functionality while maintaining a compact device thickness suitable for thin communication devices.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional antenna configurations are used in thin devices, then device compactness is improved, but antenna performance deteriorates due to insufficient space for optimal antenna element arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs vertical stacking of multiple substrates along the thickness direction to provide sufficient separation distance between antenna elements without increasing the device's planar footprint. This three-dimensional arrangement allows optimal spacing for millimeter-wave frequencies while maintaining thin device profile, thereby achieving both compactness and reliable antenna performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Even a thin communication device is enabled to transmit or receive a polarized wave having a polarization direction substantially coinciding with a thickness direction of the communication device. An antenna device includes a first substrate extending in a first direction, a second substrate supported on the first substrate, and extending in both the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and an antenna element supported on a surface of the second substrate, the surface having a normal direction substantially coinciding with a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction, and configured to transmit or receive a wireless signal having a polarization direction substantially coinciding with the second direction.