Stacked Patch Antenna Module for 5G Millimeter Wave Frequency Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter wave antenna modules for 5G communication systems are limited in their frequency coverage, failing to meet the requirements of full 3GPP frequency bands such as n257, n258, n260, and n261, which restricts their performance and efficiency in transmitting and receiving millimeter wave signals.
Innovation Solution
The antenna module employs a stacked patch antenna design with low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology, incorporating air chambers and slots in the ground layer to achieve resonance in multiple frequency bands, allowing for full frequency coverage by coupling the first and second radiation patches through the slots, thereby enhancing radiation efficiency and meeting the 3GPP frequency requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional millimeter wave antenna module is used, then the structure is simple, but the frequency coverage is limited and cannot meet full 3GPP frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna module is divided into multiple independent radiation patches (first radiation patch and second radiation patch) that can be separately designed and tuned to different frequency bands. Each patch is fed through dedicated feeding units with slots, allowing independent optimization for specific 3GPP bands while working together to provide comprehensive frequency coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer antenna design to a multi-layer stacked patch architecture. The first and second radiation patches are positioned at different heights (z-dimension) above the ground layer, creating a three-dimensional antenna structure that enables multiple resonance modes and expands frequency coverage across different 3GPP bands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna module uses multiple frequency bands, then the frequency coverage improves, but the radiation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the antenna module are optimized for specific frequency bands. The first radiation patch and its associated feeding unit are optimized for certain 3GPP bands, while the second radiation patch and its feeding unit are optimized for other bands. This localized optimization ensures high radiation efficiency at each frequency band while maintaining comprehensive multi-band coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna module employs a nested structure where the first and second radiation patches are stacked vertically with the ground layer containing slots that couple to both patches. The feeding units are nested within the LTCC substrate structure, with slots etched in the ground layer providing coupled feeding to the radiation patches at different levels, creating a compact multi-functional antenna system.
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 a millimeter wave antenna module with improved radiation efficiency and full frequency coverage, achieving impedance bandwidth exceeding -10dB across the specified frequency bands, with antenna gains above 9.2dB in the 28GHz and 10.8dB in the 39GHz bands, thus supporting 5G NR communication effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The stacked patch antenna includes a first radiation patch and a second radiation patch arranged corresponding to the slot. The feeding unit feeds the stacked patch antenna through the slot, so that the first radiation patch generates a resonance in a first frequency band, and the second radiation patch generates a resonance in a second frequency band
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an antenna module and an electronic device. The antenna module includes: a first dielectric layer; a ground layer arranged on the first dielectric layer, and provided with at least one slot; a second dielectric layer arranged on the ground layer, and provided with an air chamber communicated with the at least one slot; a stacked patch antenna including a first radiation patch and a second radiation patch, the first radiation patch being attached to a side of the second dielectric layer facing away from the ground layer, and the second radiation patch being attached to a side of the second dielectric layer provided with the air chamber; and a feeding unit arranged to a side of the first dielectric layer facing away from the ground layer, and configured to feed the stacked patch antenna by the at least one slot.