Stacked Multiband Patch Antenna With Compact PCB Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patch antennas have limited beam width and narrow bandwidth, making them unsuitable for wide area coverage and requiring multiple antennas for different frequency bands, which increases the footprint and compromises mechanical stability.
Innovation Solution
A multiband patch antenna design featuring two stacked antennas and a sandwich-like structure of three printed circuit boards (PCBs), which allows for reception of signals in at least two different frequency bands while maintaining a compact form factor and enhanced mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple patch antennas are provided for different frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but footprint and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple patch antennas for different frequency bands (e.g., GPS L1, L2, L5 bands) into a single integrated antenna assembly. The antennas are stacked vertically and electrically connected to a common feed network on the PCB, allowing multi-band frequency coverage while occupying a single footprint area on the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of multiple antennas to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. By stacking antennas vertically in the Z-dimension, the design achieves multi-band frequency coverage without increasing the horizontal footprint (X-Y plane area), effectively utilizing vertical space to resolve the area contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple patch antennas are provided for different frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antennas into a single integrated assembly that is collectively mounted to the PCB via one or more support structures. This unified mounting approach distributes mechanical loads across the entire assembly rather than creating multiple separate mounting points, thereby maintaining mechanical stability while achieving multi-band frequency coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where smaller patch antennas are stacked within or alongside larger antenna elements, all supported by a common mechanical structure. This nested arrangement consolidates the mechanical support requirements and reduces the overall structural complexity, preserving mechanical stability while providing multiple frequency bands.
3Ease of manufacture
If chip-based antenna is used, then integration ease is improved, but bandwidth and radiation efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into discrete patch antenna elements that are individually optimized for specific frequency bands, yet collectively integrated on a single PCB. Each patch element can be independently designed for optimal bandwidth performance in its target frequency range, while the overall assembly provides multi-band coverage, resolving the bandwidth limitation of monolithic chip antennas.
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 multiband patch antenna achieves a compact form factor and increased mechanical stability, enabling it to receive signals in multiple frequency bands while withstanding mechanical stress, making it suitable for applications like GNSS receivers.
Implementation Method 1
A patch antenna is a flat directional antenna consisting of a metallic surface mounted on an insulating substrate... The patch antenna can be connected to a coaxial cable or a microstrip line in various ways
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~4B
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
In one embodiment a multiband patch antenna comprises a first antenna (Al) with a first through-hole-feed (Fl), a second antenna (A2) with a second through-hole-feed (F2), a first pin (P1), an antenna printed circuit board, PCB, (PCB1) comprising a first antenna feed point (AFP1), an interposer PCB (PCB2), and a main PCB (PCB3). The first antenna (Al) and second antenna (A2) are mounted on top of each other and on top of the antenna PCB (PCB1), each of the first and the second antenna (Al, A2) having an electrical connection with the antenna PCB (PCB1). The first pin (Pl) is mechanically and electrically connected to at least one of the first and the second through-hole feeds (Fl, F2) and to the first antenna feed point (AFP1). The interposer PCB (PCB2) is mounted between the antenna PCB (PCB1) and the main PCB (PCB3) and is mechanically and electrically connected to the antenna PCB (PCB1) and to the main PCB (PCB3).