Transparent MIMO Antenna With Passive Strip Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transparent antennas suffer from poor efficiency and strong mutual coupling between closely spaced antenna elements, which affects the performance of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, particularly in compact and indoor applications.
Innovation Solution
A transparent MIMO antenna design featuring a square lattice structure with closely spaced antenna elements isolated by a low profile transparent passive decoupling strip, fabricated on a PET substrate, utilizing conductive metal wires to achieve 83% transparency and improve isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If closely spaced antenna elements are used to achieve compact MIMO antenna system, then the compact size requirement is satisfied, but strong mutual coupling between antenna elements occurs which affects MIMO system performance
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent decoupling strip is introduced as an intermediary element between the closely spaced antenna elements. This decoupling strip acts as a mediator that reduces mutual coupling between the antenna elements while maintaining their close spacing, thereby preserving both compact size and MIMO system performance
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical length of the decoupling strip is optimized to be approximately lambda/4 (quarter wavelength) at the operating frequency. This parameter change enables the decoupling strip to achieve maximum isolation effect between antenna elements while maintaining the compact form factor
2Illumination intensity
If transparent conducting oxide film (ITO) is used in transparent antenna, then optical transparency and conductivity are achieved, but the material is fragile, expensive, and limited due to indium being a rare earth metal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a multilayered film composite structure consisting of indium zinc thin oxide (IZTO) layers with silver (Ag) coating. This composite material combines the transparency of oxide films with the high conductivity of metal layers, achieving both optical transparency and electrical conductivity while reducing dependence on scarce indium
Solution Approach 2:
The multilayered film structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides optical transparency for the antenna to remain visually invisible, maintains electrical conductivity for antenna operation, and offers mechanical flexibility and cost-effectiveness compared to pure ITO films
3Illumination intensity
If conventional optical transparent antennas are used, then transparency is achieved, but directional radiation is not achieved resulting in low effective utilization of radiated power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs square patch antenna elements with specific geometric dimensions and configurations rather than simple linear transparent conductors. This local structural optimization enables directional radiation patterns while maintaining overall antenna transparency, allowing effective power utilization in specific directions
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 design achieves significant isolation (28 dB) and good impedance matching, with excellent diversity gain and radiation efficiency, making it suitable for compact and transparent applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first square patch antenna element with a square lattice structure... including horizontal conductive wires and vertical conductive wires
Implementation Method 2
a low profile transparent passive decoupling strip is disposed on the transparent substrate between the first and the second square patch antenna elements
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna is disclosed. The antenna includes a transparent substrate, a first square patch antenna element with a square lattice structure, a second square patch antenna element and a low profile transparent passive decoupling strip. The first square patch antenna element is disposed on the transparent substrate. The first square patch antenna element includes horizontal conductive wires and vertical conductive wires. The horizontal conductive wires and the vertical conductive wires cross each other and are equally spaced to form square spaces between. The second square patch antenna element is disposed on the transparent substrate. The second square patch antenna element has a structure identical to the structure of the first square patch antenna element. The first and the second square patch antenna elements are spaced apart from each other. The low profile transparent passive decoupling strip is disposed between the first and the second square patch antenna elements.