Compact Vehicle Antenna System for LTE Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle antenna systems are bulky, inefficient, and unable to seamlessly integrate multiple communication services while maintaining a streamlined appearance, as they struggle to cover all LTE frequency bands with high efficiency and reduced size.
Innovation Solution
A broadband antenna system with a radiating element having an aperture of 80° to 156°, a conductive element larger than 1/8λ, and a ground plane of reduced dimensions, which modifies the electric length to achieve high efficiency and broadband behavior across LTE frequency bands, allowing integration into a compact shark fin antenna module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the size of the antenna system is reduced to meet customer aesthetic and aerodynamic trends, then the streamlined appearance of the vehicle is maintained, but the antenna performance and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independent radiating elements (first radiating element, second radiating element, third radiating element) each designed to operate at specific frequency bands. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving broadband coverage, resolving the contradiction between compact size and performance by distributing the functional requirements across multiple specialized components within a reduced overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple radiating elements and ground planes are nested within a compact housing structure. The first, second, and third radiating elements are positioned in close proximity to each other and to their respective ground planes, creating a nested configuration that minimizes the overall antenna system size while maintaining the electrical performance required for broadband operation across multiple frequency bands.
2Shape
If multiple antennas are integrated into a single module to satisfy customer tastes, then the vehicle appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is designed as a universal multi-functional module that provides coverage for multiple frequency bands (including LTE bands) through its multiple radiating elements. Each radiating element can be configured to operate at different frequency ranges, allowing a single integrated antenna system to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate antennas, thereby simplifying the overall vehicle integration while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple radiating elements, ground planes, and feeding structures are merged into a single integrated housing assembly. The first, second, and third radiating elements are combined within the same housing structure with their respective ground planes, creating a unified multi-band antenna system that reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation and integration into the vehicle.
3Volume of moving object
If the ground plane dimensions are reduced to achieve a compact antenna system, then the integration into a single module is enabled, but the bandwidth coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ground plane is segmented into multiple separate ground planes (first ground plane, second ground plane, third ground plane), each associated with a specific radiating element and frequency band. This segmentation allows each ground plane to be optimized for its specific frequency range, enabling compact overall dimensions while maintaining effective broadband coverage through the collective performance of multiple specialized ground planes.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ground plane is positioned and dimensioned to provide optimal performance for its associated radiating element at specific frequency bands. The first ground plane is configured for the first radiating element, the second ground plane for the second radiating element, and so on, creating local optimizations that collectively achieve broadband coverage within a compact overall structure.
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 solution provides a compact, high-efficiency antenna system capable of covering 700-960MHz and 1600-2900MHz frequency bands with low VSWR, achieving high directive gain and efficiency, suitable for integration with various radio-communication services in a single module.
Implementation Method 1
a radiating element (4) for operating at a LTE frequency band... a ground plane (2)... wherein the first side (7) of the radiating element (4) is aligned with the upper minor side (2b) of the ground plane (2)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A broadband antenna system (1) for a vehicle, comprising a ground plane (2) circumscribed by a rectangle having major (2a) and minor (2b) sides, a dielectric substrate (3) comprising a first portion area (3a), a radiating element (4) for operating at a frequency band and having at least three angles and three sides, a first side (7) being substantially aligned with one side of the rectangle, and a first angle (6) having an apex being the closest point of the radiating element (4) to the ground plane (2), and a conductive element (5) having at least a first portion (5') extending between the radiating element (4) and one side of the first portion area (3a), wherein each major side (2a) has an electric length of at least 0.13λ, being λ the lowest frequency of the antenna system (1), and the first angle (6) having an aperture lower than 156°.