Transparent Antenna Grid Alignment for Light and Signal Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in integrating antennas into transparent glass materials used in mobile devices and transportation systems, as traditional methods struggle to maintain both electrical conductivity and light permeability effectively.
Innovation Solution
A transparent antenna design featuring a substrate with electrically conductive holes connecting an antenna grid layer on one surface to a ground grid layer on the opposite surface, where the ground grid layer is aligned with the antenna grid layer to maximize light permeability and enhance radiation characteristics, using a manufacturing method that includes forming through holes and electrically conductive portions to achieve this alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional antenna integration methods are used on transparent glass, then electrical conductivity can be achieved, but light permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into a grid pattern with discrete conductive lines rather than continuous traces, creating spaces between elements that allow light to pass through while maintaining electrical connectivity through the grid structure
Solution Approach 2:
The glass substrate has locally different properties: areas with antenna grid patterns have optimized conductivity, while areas between grid lines maintain high transparency. The substrate transitions from uniform material to functionally differentiated zones with distinct electrical and optical characteristics
2Reliability
If the offset distance between antenna grid layer and ground grid layer is reduced, then radiation characteristics improve, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna grid layer and ground grid layer are designed with asymmetric line widths, where the ground grid has wider lines than the antenna grid. This asymmetry creates a tolerance buffer that accommodates alignment variations while maintaining acceptable offset distances for optimal radiation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The line width parameter of the ground grid is specifically increased relative to the antenna grid, changing the geometric parameters to provide alignment tolerance. This parameter adjustment allows larger offset distances without sacrificing radiation characteristics
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 improves light permeability from 39% to 44.1% and reduces return loss from -10 dB to -20 dB, while increasing gain value from 3.85 dBi to 4.3 dBi, while also simplifying the through-hole forming process on thin glass substrates.
Implementation Method 1
The ground grid layer is coupled to the feeding portion of the antenna grid layer via the at least one electrically conductive hole
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent antenna includes a substrate, an antenna grid layer, and a ground grid layer. The substrate has an electrically conductive hole extending from two opposite surfaced of the substrate. The antenna grid layer is formed on a surface of the substrate. The antenna grid layer includes a feeding portion and a transmission portion. The ground grid layer is formed on another surface of the substrate. The ground grid layer is coupled to the feeding portion of the antenna grid layer via the electrically conductive hole. An offset distance between a projection of a gridline of the antenna grid layer on the first surface and a projection of a gridline of the ground grid layer on the first surface is smaller than or equal to half of a difference between a line width of the antenna grid layer and a line width of the ground grid layer.