Stacked UWB Antenna Array Layout for Smaller Device Footprint

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to reduce the space occupied by UWB antenna arrays on electronic devices while maintaining good performance, as the increasing abundance of device functions limits available space and conventional methods of stacking patch antennas result in poor radiation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An ultra-wideband antenna array is designed with a first and second radiation patch, each connected to a short-circuit wall on opposite sides of the metal substrate, allowing for overlapping projections that reduce the overall area occupied while enhancing magnetic current offset and radiation efficiency through a coupled feed structure and adjustable impedance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the area of the radiation patch is increased to enable dual-frequency operation, then the antenna can operate in two frequency bands, but the space occupied by the UWB antenna array on the electronic device becomes greater

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidspace occupied on electronic device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional radiation patch to a three-dimensional stacked structure with multiple radiation patches at different heights. The first radiation patch is positioned above the metal substrate, the second radiation patch is positioned above the first radiation patch, creating vertical layering that enables dual-frequency operation without increasing the horizontal footprint on the device surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested stacked configuration where the second radiation patch is positioned directly above the first radiation patch, and both are vertically stacked above the metal substrate. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping horizontal projections, effectively reducing the overall area occupied on the electronic device while maintaining dual-frequency capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple patch antennas are stacked to reduce space, then the space occupied by the antenna is reduced, but the radiation efficiency of the stacked patch antennas becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied on electronic deviceVSAvoidradiation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different structural characteristics to different radiation patches to optimize their individual performance. The first radiation patch has a first resonance point tuned to a specific frequency, while the second radiation patch has a second resonance point tuned to a different frequency. Each patch is locally optimized for its designated frequency range, and the short-circuit walls are strategically positioned to enhance the radiation efficiency of each patch without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces short-circuit walls as intermediary elements between the radiation patches and the metal substrate. The first short-circuit wall is positioned between the first radiation patch and the metal substrate, while the second short-circuit wall is positioned between the second radiation patch and the first radiation patch. These intermediary short-circuit walls serve as impedance matching structures that improve the radiation efficiency of each patch by controlling the current distribution and reducing unwanted coupling between the stacked patches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 minimizes space usage on electronic devices while improving radiation efficiency across target frequency bands, particularly at high and low frequencies, by optimizing magnetic current directions and introducing magnetic field excitation.

Implementation Method 1

a resonance point of the first radiation patch is the first frequency, and a resonance point of the second radiation patch is the second frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4277032B1Antenna, ultra-wideband antenna array, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4277032B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4277032B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4277032B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of this application are applicable to the field of antenna technologies, and provide an antenna, an ultra wide band antenna array, and an electronic device, where the antenna operates in a target frequency band and is arranged on a metal substrate, and the antenna includes a first radiation patch, a second radiation patch, a first short-circuit wall, and a second short-circuit wall, a projection of the first radiation patch on the metal substrate overlaps with a projection of the second radiation patch on the metal substrate, a projection of the first short-circuit wall on the metal substrate does not overlap with a projection of the second short-circuit wall on the metal substrate, the first short-circuit wall is respectively connected to the first radiation patch and the metal substrate, the second short-circuit wall is respectively connected to the first radiation patch and the second radiation patch, a resonance point of the first radiation patch is a first frequency, and a resonance point of the second radiation patch is a second frequency. Because the projection of the first radiation patch on the metal substrate overlaps with the projection of the second radiation patch on the metal substrate, this reduces an area occupied by the antenna on the metal substrate and increases an area of a region of the metal substrate in which another electronic device may be placed.