Stacked Patch Antenna Substrate for Compact Multi-Band Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patch antennas face challenges in reducing size and improving radiation characteristics, especially when multiple radiating electrodes are required.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer substrate with a specific lamination structure of insulator layers and radiating conductor layers, where the second insulator layer has a lower dielectric constant than the first, allowing for overlapping radiating conductor layers with different frequencies and areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of radiating electrodes are provided in a conventional patch antenna, then the radiation characteristics are improved, but the size of the antenna increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of radiating electrodes to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple radiating electrodes are arranged in different layers along the vertical direction, allowing them to overlap when viewed from above. This vertical stacking enables multiple radiating elements to occupy a smaller horizontal footprint while maintaining their individual radiation functions, thus improving radiation characteristics without significantly increasing the overall antenna size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where radiating electrodes in upper layers are positioned to overlap with radiating electrodes in lower layers. This nesting configuration allows the antenna to pack multiple radiating elements into a compact volume, with each layer's electrodes effectively utilizing the space above and below rather than requiring lateral expansion. The overlapping arrangement enables space-efficient integration of multiple radiating functions.
2Area of stationary object
If the area of radiating conductor layer is reduced to decrease substrate size, then the size is reduced, but the radiation characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced area of individual radiating electrodes by introducing a vertical dimension. Multiple smaller electrodes are stacked in different layers, and their combined radiation effect across multiple layers provides sufficient total radiation performance. The three-dimensional arrangement allows the antenna to achieve the required radiation characteristics through the cumulative effect of multiple compact electrodes rather than relying on large individual electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite insulator structure with multiple layers having different dielectric constants. The first insulator layer has a higher dielectric constant than the second insulator layer, creating a composite dielectric system. This composite structure enables better control of electromagnetic field distribution and impedance matching, which compensates for the reduced electrode area and maintains radiation characteristics while allowing for a smaller overall substrate size.
3Reliability
If insulator layers with different dielectric constants are used, then radiation characteristics are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the dielectric constant parameter across different insulator layers to optimize radiation characteristics. The first insulator layer has a higher dielectric constant than the second insulator layer, creating a gradient structure that improves electromagnetic field control and radiation performance. This parameter variation allows for better impedance matching and field confinement, enhancing radiation characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple layered structure that can be manufactured using conventional multilayer fabrication techniques.
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 proposed solution effectively reduces the size of the multilayer substrate while enhancing the radiation characteristics of the radiating conductor layers, improving antenna gain and reducing reverse phase current flow.
Implementation Method 1
a multilayer body having a structure in which at least one first insulator layer and at least one second insulator layer are laminated in a Z-axis direction, in which a dielectric constant of the at least one second insulator layer is lower than a dielectric constant of the at least one first insulator layer
Data Source
AI summary
A second radiating conductor layer is provided to a multilayer body to be in contact with a second insulator layer, is positioned in a positive direction of a Z-axis relative to a first radiating conductor layer, and overlaps the first radiating conductor layer assuming it is viewed in the Z-axis direction. A frequency of an electromagnetic wave radiated or received by the second radiating conductor layer is higher than a frequency of an electromagnetic wave radiated or received by the first radiating conductor layer, or an area of the second radiating conductor layer is smaller than an area of the first radiating conductor layer. A first planar ground conductor layer is positioned in a negative direction of the Z-axis relative to the first radiating conductor layer, and overlaps the first radiating conductor layer and the second radiating conductor layer assuming it is viewed in the Z-axis direction.