Sub-6 GHz and mmWave Antenna System with Capacitive Inductive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of antennas in user equipment (UE) poses a challenge in fitting them within the limited space, as existing antenna systems do not efficiently combine sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave antennas without compromising gain or increasing size.
Innovation Solution
An antenna system that combines a sub-6 GHz antenna portion and a millimeter wave antenna portion through capacitive and inductive coupling, using discrete or distributed capacitors and inductors, allowing the mmWave signal to radiate independently while maintaining low impedance for sub-6 GHz signals, thus minimizing space usage and maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are added to user equipment to support both sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies, then the communication capability and frequency coverage are improved, but the device size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sub-6 GHz and mmWave antenna functions into a single integrated antenna structure. The antenna system includes a first antenna portion for sub-6 GHz signals and a second antenna portion for mmWave signals, which are coupled together through capacitive and inductive coupling mechanisms. This merging allows both frequency bands to be supported within the same physical antenna footprint, resolving the contradiction between expanded frequency coverage and increased device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated antenna system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it radiates sub-6 GHz signals through the first antenna portion while also radiating mmWave signals through the second antenna portion. The coupling mechanisms enable the antenna system to handle both frequency bands independently, providing universal communication capability across different 5G frequency ranges without requiring separate dedicated antennas for each band.
2Volume of moving object
If sub-6 GHz and mmWave antennas are integrated into a single structure, then space efficiency is improved, but signal isolation and performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into distinct functional portions: a first antenna portion dedicated to sub-6 GHz signal radiation and a second antenna portion dedicated to mmWave signal radiation. These segmented portions are coupled through capacitive and inductive coupling mechanisms that allow electromagnetic energy transfer while maintaining electrical isolation. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each frequency band's performance while achieving compact integration, thus improving signal isolation without sacrificing space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive and inductive coupling mechanisms act as intermediary elements between the sub-6 GHz antenna portion and the mmWave antenna portion. These coupling structures enable controlled electromagnetic interaction while maintaining impedance matching and signal isolation between the two frequency bands. The intermediary coupling mechanisms prevent direct signal interference between bands, ensuring that mmWave signals do not interfere with sub-6 GHz operations and vice versa, thereby maintaining high signal isolation in the integrated structure.
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 combination antenna system effectively uses the same space as a standalone sub-6 GHz antenna, ensuring high gain and efficient radiation for both frequency bands without significant performance degradation, while maintaining isolation between the two frequency signals.
Implementation Method 1
The second antenna portion is capacitively coupled to the second feed
Implementation Method 2
the second antenna portion is capacitively coupled to the second feed and inductively coupled to the first antenna portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
An embodiment antenna system includes a first antenna portion configured to transmit a first signal received from a first feed and a second antenna portion configured to transmit a second signal received from a second feed. The second antenna portion is capacitively coupled to the second feed and inductively coupled to the first antenna portion, and the second signal has a frequency greater than a frequency of the first signal.