Transparent Vivaldi Antenna With Direct Feed for Indoor 5G Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antennas are cumbersome and inadequate for providing continuous 5G mid band coverage indoors, as they are difficult to deploy and do not perform well in the required frequency range, especially with higher order MIMO configurations which increase size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact broadband antenna design featuring axially symmetric conductive leaves forming Vivaldi radiators on a substrate, with a direct RF feed structure that eliminates the need for matching circuits, allowing for easy installation and unobtrusive deployment in indoor environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional antennas are used for 5G mid band coverage, then RF radiation capability is achieved, but the antenna size becomes large and deployment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into multiple conductive leaves (first conductive leaf, second conductive leaf, third conductive leaf) arranged in sequence along a longitudinal axis. Each leaf can be independently configured and positioned, allowing the overall antenna structure to be compact while maintaining the necessary radiating elements for 5G mid band coverage. This segmentation enables easier deployment in indoor environments where space is limited.
2Productivity
If higher order MIMO configurations are implemented, then data rate capability is improved, but antenna complexity and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conductive leaves are merged into a single integrated antenna structure that supports MIMO configurations. The conductive leaves are arranged and fed such that they can provide multiple input multiple output functionality. By combining the radiating elements into one unified structure rather than separate antennas, the design achieves high-order MIMO capability while maintaining compactness and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of supporting various MIMO configurations (2x2, 4x4, 16x16) through proper feeding arrangements of the conductive leaves. The same physical structure can be configured for different MIMO orders by adjusting the feed connections, eliminating the need for separate antenna designs for each MIMO configuration and thereby reducing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional antenna designs are used, then RF radiation is achieved, but the antenna does not blend into indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna employs thin conductive leaves that can be mounted on substrates or directly on interior surfaces. These thin-film structures are visually unobtrusive and can blend into indoor environments such as ceilings or walls while maintaining effective RF radiation performance. The thin film approach allows the antenna to be nearly invisible in the deployment environment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If broadband coverage is achieved across 5G mid band frequencies, then frequency range is improved, but impedance mismatch and power handling become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design utilizes parameter changes along the conductive leaves, including varying widths, lengths, and spacing between adjacent leaves. These geometric parameter variations enable broadband impedance matching across the 5G mid band frequency range (0.617 GHz to 6 GHz). The gradual parameter changes along the leaf structures provide smooth impedance transitions, minimizing reflections and maximizing power transfer across the entire operating bandwidth.
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 antenna provides effective RF radiation across a wide frequency range, including 5G mid band frequencies, with a compact and thin design that simplifies installation and blends into indoor environments, while maintaining high power handling capability and minimizing impedance mismatch.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna provides effective RF radiation across a wide frequency range, including 5G mid band frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent broadband antenna has two conductive leaves that are configured to be axially symmetric about two orthogonal axes. The transparent broadband antenna is designed as having two back-to-back Vivaldi radiators and four identically curved outer corners. The back-to-back Vivaldi radiators provide high performance from 617 MHz through 7 GHz while preventing return waves that may cause impedance mismatch. The antenna further comprises a feed structure that enables direct coupling from an RF cable to the two conductive leads, obviating the need for a matching circuit and subsequent bandwidth limitations.