Tri-band antenna with capacitive coupling for multi-protocol integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile electronic devices require multiple antennas to support different wireless protocols with varying bandwidth requirements, leading to increased complexity and size.
Innovation Solution
A tri-band antenna design featuring a first radiating arm for a 5 GHz to 6 GHz frequency band, a second radiating arm for a 2 GHz to 2.5 GHz band, and a third radiating arm for a 1 GHz to 2 GHz band, all capacitively coupled through a common coupling arm, with an integrated antenna tuning circuit for independent frequency band tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate antennas are implemented to support different wireless protocols, then each protocol's bandwidth requirements are met, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements (first radiating arm for GPS/GLONASS, second radiating arm for WiFi Bluetooth, third radiating arm for cellular) into a single integrated antenna structure with a common feed network, replacing what would traditionally require separate physical antennas for each wireless protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure is designed to perform multiple functions across different frequency bands and wireless protocols simultaneously, with each radiating arm capable of operating in its designated band while sharing a common impedance matching network and space
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate antennas are implemented to support different wireless protocols, then each protocol's bandwidth requirements are met, but the physical size of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements are arranged in a nested configuration where the radiating arms are positioned in different planes and orientations, allowing them to occupy overlapping spatial volumes and fit within a compact form factor suitable for mobile devices
3Device complexity
If a single multi-band antenna is used to reduce complexity, then device size and complexity are reduced, but achieving independent tuning for each frequency band becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The impedance matching network is segmented into separate tuning circuits for each frequency band, with each radiating arm having its own independent matching network that can be adjusted without affecting the other bands, enabling independent optimization for GPS, WiFi/Bluetooth, and cellular operations
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 tri-band antenna effectively communicates across multiple protocols, reducing the need for multiple antennas and minimizing specific absorption rate (SAR) in mobile devices, while maintaining efficient power delivery and resonance across the specified frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
the second radiating arm connected to the coupling arm such that the second radiating arm is capacitively coupled to the first radiating arm
Implementation Method 2
a first radiating arm enabled for generating a first resonance in a first frequency band
Data Source
AI summary
A tri-band antenna for noncellular wireless applications is provided. The antenna comprises: a first radiating arm for generating a first resonance in a first frequency band, the first radiating arm further enabled for connection to an antenna tuning circuit; the first radiating arm comprising a capacitive coupling structure; a coupling arm separated by a gap from the first radiating arm; a second radiating arm for generating a second resonance in a second frequency band lower than the first frequency band, the second radiating arm connected to the coupling arm such that the second radiating arm is capacitively coupled to the first radiating arm; and a third radiating arm for generating a third resonance in a third frequency band lower than the second frequency band, the third radiating arm connected to the coupling arm such that the third radiating arm is capacitively coupled to the first radiating arm.