Stacked-Substrate Dual-Polarized Antenna for Space-Limited 5G Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dual-polarized antennas for indoor micro base stations are large in size due to the difficulty in assembling vertical radiation structures for millimeter wave band antennas, which require a multi-layer PCB process and high gain through arraying, making them bulky and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A dual-polarized antenna design that uses a base board with stacked substrates to support both horizontally and vertically polarized antennas, where the horizontally polarized antenna features a metal layer with annular slots and a power splitter network, and the vertically polarized antenna employs a multi-layer structure with metal patches and a metalized via for improved performance and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional omnidirectional dual-polarized antennas use metal monopoles or biconical antennas for vertical polarization and ring antennas for horizontal polarization, then polarization diversity and omnidirectional radiation are achieved, but the antenna size becomes large and occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vertically polarized and horizontally polarized antenna structures into a single integrated base board. The vertically polarized antenna uses a metal patch on the first substrate, while the horizontally polarized antenna uses a ring structure on the same base board, merging both polarization functions into one compact unit rather than using separate antenna elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional vertical radiation structures (metal monopoles or biconical antennas) to a planar two-dimensional structure on a multi-layer PCB base board. This dimensional change allows the antenna to achieve dual polarization functionality while significantly reducing the vertical height and overall space occupancy.
2Reliability
If millimeter wave band antennas require high gain through arraying, then transmission performance is improved, but the antenna structure becomes complex and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The base board structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, acts as the radiating element for horizontal polarization through the ring structure, and supports the vertical polarization through the metal patch. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate supporting structures and additional antenna elements, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is segmented into distinct functional regions on the base board: the metal patch for vertical polarization, the ring structure for horizontal polarization, and the feeding networks. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness and reducing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-polarized antenna, an antenna array, and a communications device are disclosed. The dual-polarized antenna includes a base board, a horizontally polarized antenna, and a vertically polarized antenna. The substrate includes a first substrate and a plurality of second substrates stacked on the first substrate. The horizontally polarized antenna includes a first radiating element disposed on the first substrate, and a first feeding unit that feeds the first radiating element. The vertically polarized unit includes a second radiating element and a second feeding unit that feeds the second radiating element. The second radiating element includes a first metal patch disposed on each second substrate. In the foregoing technical solution, the base board formed by the stacked substrates is used as a support part, so that the horizontally polarized antenna and the vertically polarized antenna are disposed on the base board, thereby reducing space occupied by the dual-polarized antenna.