Symmetrical Antenna Design for Single-Mold Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MIMO antennas require multiple molds for manufacturing due to complex symmetrical shapes, making them costly and inefficient for producing antennas with consistent radiation patterns across different environments and frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A symmetrical antenna design that can be manufactured using a single mold, featuring a planar radiator with conductive legs that bend in a specific configuration, allowing for consistent radiation patterns and easy prediction of interference effects, and enabling the use of a single antenna module for multiple purposes by switching signal and ground pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex symmetrical shapes are used for MIMO antennas to optimize radiation pattern and prevent interference, then radiation performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases requiring multiple molds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry principle by using different ground plate configurations (first ground plate with first shape, second ground plate with second shape) while keeping the radiator symmetric. This allows the antenna to achieve consistent radiation patterns without requiring complex symmetrical shapes for the entire antenna structure, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining radiation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is segmented into distinct functional components: a symmetric radiator and asymmetric ground plates. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the radiator for radiation pattern consistency and the ground plates for manufacturing simplicity and interference prevention, resolving the contradiction between performance and complexity.
2Reliability
If complex symmetrical shapes are used for MIMO antennas, then radiation pattern optimization is achieved, but manufacturing cost and time increase due to multiple molds
Solution Approach 1:
By allowing asymmetric ground plate configurations, the patent enables simpler manufacturing processes. The ground plates can be produced using standard, less complex molding techniques compared to creating multiple specialized molds for complex symmetrical antenna shapes, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining radiation pattern consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The symmetric radiator design can serve multiple antenna functions (different radiation patterns, frequency bands) by simply changing the ground plate configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized antenna designs and molds, improving manufacturing productivity and reducing costs.
3Reliability
If different molds are used to manufacture antenna pairs, then radiation pattern optimization and interference prevention are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric ground plates (different shapes and configurations) to prevent interference between antenna elements. This approach achieves the same interference prevention effect as complex symmetrical designs but with simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing using standard molding processes rather than multiple specialized molds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical symmetric radiator designs for multiple antenna elements, copying the same proven radiation pattern design. This standardization of the radiator component reduces manufacturing costs while the differentiated ground plates provide the necessary interference prevention, achieving both reliability and ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an antenna including a planar radiator configured to exhibit the same shape twice or more in response to a 360-degree rotation based on a single virtual line; and a plurality of conductive legs configured to connect to the planar radiator. The plurality of conductive legs exhibit the same shape twice or more in response to the 360-degree rotation based on the single virtual line.