Wireless Terminal Unit Antenna Ground Conductor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless terminal units in automatic metering systems, which rely on planar antennas, require a reflective conductor plate for high antenna performance, but this increases the number of parts and the space between the ground conductor plate and the metallic case, resulting in only slight improvements in antenna performance.
Innovation Solution
A wireless terminal unit with a small, efficient antenna configuration where the circuit board's perimeter is between 1/2 and 1 wavelength at the operating frequency, electrically connected to a ground conductor, and positioned close to a metallic case, enhancing radiation efficiency through capacitively coupled electromagnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a planar antenna with a reflective conductor plate is used, then antenna performance is improved, but the number of parts increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ground conductor plate and the radiation conductor plate into a single integrated antenna structure. The ground conductor plate serves dual functions as both the ground reference and part of the radiating element, eliminating the need for a separate reflective conductor plate while maintaining antenna performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground conductor plate is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the ground reference for the antenna, provides the radiating element through its specific geometric pattern, and eliminates the need for a separate reflective plate. This multi-functionality reduces the overall part count while maintaining high antenna performance.
2Reliability
If a planar antenna with a reflective conductor plate is used, then antenna performance is improved, but the space between the ground conductor plate and the metallic case increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the reflective function into the ground conductor plate itself through its geometric pattern, the patent eliminates the need for additional spacing to a separate reflective plate. The ground conductor plate's pattern provides both grounding and reflection functions in close proximity to the metallic case.
3Reliability
If the circuit board perimeter is increased to 1/2-1 wavelength, then antenna performance is improved, but the size of the wireless terminal unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform geometric pattern on the ground conductor plate with varying conductor widths and spacing. This localized variation in conductor properties allows the antenna to achieve resonant frequencies and radiation patterns appropriate for 1/2-1 wavelength operation while maintaining a compact overall board size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ground conductor plate pattern, including conductor width, spacing, and arrangement, to optimize antenna performance. By adjusting these parameters, the antenna achieves high performance at reduced physical dimensions compared to traditional full-wavelength designs.
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 configuration achieves high antenna performance with a simpler design, improving radiation efficiency and reducing the number of parts, while maintaining a compact structure suitable for automatic metering systems like gas meters.
Implementation Method 1
positioned close to a metallic case, enhancing radiation efficiency through capacitively coupled electromagnetic fields
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A power supply terminal (105) for a radiation conductor (104) is connected with a circuit board (103). A ground on the circuit board (103) is electrically connected with a ground conductor (107) near the power supply terminal (105) through a first ground terminal (108). The ground on the circuit board (103) is electrically connected with the ground conductor (107) at a position far from the first ground terminal (108) through a second ground terminal (109). A wireless terminal unit (100) is disposed so that the ground conductor (107) is close to a metallic case of a gas meter. This wireless terminal unit (100) is sufficiently smaller than one wavelength at an operating frequency, but has high radiation efficiency.