Stacked Ceramic Array Antenna With Shielding Vias For 5G
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array antennas for 5G communication systems in the GHz band face challenges due to the small wavelength of RF signals, leading to increased propagation loss and reduced radiation efficiency, as well as the need for miniaturization to fit within mobile devices without compromising antenna performance.
Innovation Solution
The proposed array antenna design incorporates a stacked structure of ceramic members with shielding vias or electrodes between unit antennas to reduce interference and increase the wavelength of RF signals, utilizing materials with higher dielectric constants for the ceramic members and lower dielectric constants for the insertion layer to optimize radiation efficiency and gain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the wavelength of RF signals is reduced for 5G communication systems, then higher data rates are achieved, but propagation loss increases and transmission distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ceramic members with high dielectric constants to change the electromagnetic parameters of the antenna substrate. This allows the antenna to operate efficiently at higher frequencies (mmWave bands) by adjusting the effective wavelength within the high-dielectric material, thereby achieving higher data rates while compensating for increased propagation loss through improved impedance matching and reduced radiation loss.
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced to fit mobile devices, then device integration is improved, but antenna performance and radiation efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of multiple ceramic members with different dielectric constants stacked together. This composite material approach allows the antenna to achieve resonant frequencies suitable for 5G communication while maintaining a compact size. The high-dielectric ceramic layers enable miniaturization by reducing the physical wavelength, while the layered composite structure preserves radiation efficiency through optimized electromagnetic field distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar antenna designs to a three-dimensional stacked configuration using multiple ceramic layers. By utilizing the vertical dimension (thickness direction) to arrange antenna elements and shielding structures, the design achieves compact footprint suitable for mobile devices while maintaining adequate radiation performance through spatial separation of electromagnetic fields in the vertical dimension.
3Power
If unit antennas are arranged in array form, then gain is increased, but interference between adjacent unit antennas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shielding vias as intermediary elements positioned between adjacent unit antennas in the array configuration. These conductive shielding structures act as electromagnetic barriers that block or absorb stray fields from neighboring antennas, thereby reducing mutual coupling and interference. This allows the array to maintain high gain through constructive interference of intended signals while suppressing harmful adjacent-antenna coupling.
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 design effectively miniaturizes the array antenna while improving radiation efficiency and gain by reducing interference between unit antennas and adjusting the dielectric constant to match the 5G frequency band requirements, enabling efficient RF signal transmission and reception in compact mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
shielding vias disposed inside the antenna substrate and extending in a thickness direction of the antenna substrate. The shielding vias are disposed in thickness areas of the antenna substrate corresponding to the antenna pattern portions
Implementation Method 2
antenna substrate including a first ceramic member, an insertion member and a second ceramic member sequentially stacked
Data Source
AI summary
An array antenna includes an antenna substrate including a first ceramic member, an insertion member and a second ceramic member sequentially stacked, antenna pattern portions arranged on the antenna substrate in an array form, and shielding vias disposed inside the antenna substrate and extending in a thickness direction of the antenna substrate. The shielding vias are disposed in thickness areas of the antenna substrate corresponding to the antenna pattern portions.