Patent Grant
11469512
This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 109129823 filed on Sep. 1, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
The disclosure generally relates to an antenna structure, and more particularly, it relates to a multiband antenna structure.
With the advancements being made in mobile communication technology, mobile devices such as portable computers, mobile phones, multimedia players, and other hybrid functional portable electronic devices have become more common. To satisfy user demand, mobile devices can usually perform wireless communication functions. Some devices cover a large wireless communication area; these include mobile phones using 2G, 3G, and LTE (Long Term Evolution) systems and using frequency bands of 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 2500 MHz. Some devices cover a small wireless communication area; these include mobile phones using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems and using frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.
Antennas are indispensable elements for wireless communication. If an antenna used for signal reception and transmission has insufficient bandwidth, the communication quality of the mobile device will suffer. Accordingly, it has become a critical challenge for antenna designers to design a small wideband antenna element.
In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an antenna structure that includes a metal mechanism element, a dielectric substrate, a feeding radiation element, and a coupling radiation element. The metal mechanism element has a slot. The slot has a first closed end and a second closed end. The dielectric substrate has a first surface and a second surface which are opposite to each other. The feeding radiation element is coupled to a signal source, and is disposed on the second surface of the dielectric substrate. The feeding radiation element has a first vertical projection on the metal mechanism element. The coupling radiation element is coupled to a ground voltage, and is disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate. The coupling radiation element has a second vertical projection on the metal mechanism element. The second vertical projection of the coupling radiation element at least partially overlaps the first vertical projection of the feeding radiation element.
The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In order to illustrate the purposes, features and advantages of the invention, the embodiments and figures of the invention are shown in detail as follows.
Certain terms are used throughout the description and following claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, manufacturers may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following description and in the claims, the terms “include” and “comprise” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “include, but not limited to . . . ”. The term “substantially” means the value is within an acceptable error range. One skilled in the art can solve the technical problem within a predetermined error range and achieve the proposed technical performance. Also, the term “couple” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct electrical connection. Accordingly, if one device is coupled to another device, that connection may be through a direct electrical connection, or through an indirect electrical connection via other devices and connections.
The metal mechanism element 110 may be a metal housing of a mobile device. In some embodiments, the metal mechanism element 110 is a metal upper cover of a notebook computer, or a metal back cover of a tablet computer, but it is not limited thereto. For example, if the mobile device is a notebook computer, the metal mechanism element 110 may be the so-called “A-component” in the field of notebook computers. The metal mechanism element 110 has a slot 120. The slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110 may substantially have a straight-line shape. Specifically, the slot 120 has a first closed end 121 and a second closed end 122 which are away from each other. The antenna structure 100 may also include a nonconductive material which fills the slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110, so as to achieve the waterproof or dustproof function.
The dielectric substrate 180 may be an FR4 (Flame Retardant 4) substrate, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), or an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). The dielectric substrate 180 has a substrate vertical projection on the metal mechanism element 110, and the substrate vertical projection can cover the whole slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110. The dielectric substrate 180 has a first surface E1 and a second surface E2 which are opposite to each other. The second surface E2 of the dielectric substrate 180 is adjacent to the slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110. It should be noted that the term “adjacent” or “close” over the disclosure means that the distance (spacing) between two corresponding elements is smaller than a predetermined distance (e.g., 5 mm or shorter), but often does not mean that the two corresponding elements directly touch each other (i.e., the aforementioned distance/spacing therebetween is reduced to 0). The coupling radiation element 140 may be disposed on the first surface E1 of the dielectric substrate 180, and the feeding radiation element 130 may be disposed on the second surface E2 of the dielectric substrate 180. Alternatively, the coupling radiation element 140 may be disposed on the second surface E2 of the dielectric substrate 180, and the feeding radiation element 130 may be disposed on the first surface E1 of the dielectric substrate 180. The two designs do not affect the performance of the invention. In some embodiments, the antenna structure 100 further includes a support element 115, which may be made of a nonconductive material, such as a plastic material. The support element 115 is disposed on the metal mechanism element 110, and is configured to support and fix the dielectric substrate 180 and all of the elements thereon. The support element 115 can prevent the feeding radiation element 130 from directly touching the metal mechanism element 110. It should be understood that the support element 115 is an optional element, which is omitted from other embodiments.
The feeding radiation element 130 may substantially have a straight-line shape. A feeding point FP1 of the feeding radiation element 130 may be coupled to a signal source 190. For example, the signal source 190 may be an RF (Radio Frequency) module for exciting the antenna structure 100. Specifically, the feeding radiation element 130 has a first end 131 and a second end 132, which are two open ends away from each other. The first end 131 of the feeding radiation element 130 is adjacent to the coupling radiation element 140. In addition, the feeding point FP1 may be positioned between the first end 131 and the second end 132 of the feeding radiation element 130, and is relatively closer to the second end 132 of the feeding radiation element 130. The feeding radiation element 130 has a first vertical projection on the metal mechanism element 110, and the first vertical projection may be completely inside the slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110.
In some embodiments, the antenna structure 100 further includes a conductive via element 150, which may penetrate the dielectric substrate 180 and may be connected between the first surface E1 and the second surface E2. The feeding point FP1 of the feeding radiation element 130 may be further coupled through the conductive via element 150 to the signal source 190. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In alternative embodiments, the conductive via element 150 is omitted, such that the feeding point FP1 of the feeding radiation element 130 is directly coupled to the signal source 190. In some embodiments, the signal source 190 uses a coaxial cable (not shown) for exciting the feeding radiation element 130.
The coupling radiation element 140 may substantially have an equal-width L-shape. Specifically, the coupling radiation element 140 has a first end 141 and a second end 142. A grounding point GP1 coupled to the ground voltage VSS is positioned at the first end 141 of the coupling radiation element 140. The second end 142 of the coupling radiation element 140 is an open end. For example, the ground voltage VSS may be provided by a ground copper foil (not shown), which may be further coupled to the metal mechanism element 110. The coupling radiation element 140 has a second vertical projection on the metal mechanism element 110, and the second vertical projection is at least partially inside the slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110. In addition, the second vertical projection of the coupling radiation element 140 at least partially overlaps the first vertical projection of the feeding radiation element 130. Thus, a coupling gap can be formed between the second end 142 of the coupling radiation element 140 and the first end 131 of the feeding radiation element 130.
With respect to the antenna theory, an equivalent capacitor can be formed between the first end 131 of the feeding radiation element 130 and the second end 142 of the coupling radiation element 140, such that the feeding radiation element 130 and the coupling radiation element 140 are almost considered as a loop structure. In addition, the slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110 can be excited by the aforementioned loop structure using a coupling mechanism, so as to completely cover the wideband operations of the first frequency band FB1, the second frequency band FB2, and the third frequency band FB3.
In some embodiments, the sizes of the elements of the antenna structure 100 are as follows. The length L1 of the slot 120 of the metal mechanism element 110 (i.e., the length L1 from the first closed end 121 to the second closed end 122) may be from ¼ to ½ wavelength (λ/4˜λ/2) of the first frequency band FB1 of the antenna structure 100. The distance D1 between the feeding point FP1 and the first end 131 of the feeding radiation element 130 may be from ⅛ to ¼ wavelength (λ/8˜λ/4) of the second frequency band FB2 of the antenna structure 100. The distance D2 between the feeding point FP1 and the first closed end 121 of the slot 120 may be from ⅓ to ½ times the length L1 of the slot 120. The length L2 of the coupling radiation element 140 (i.e., the length L2 from the first end 141 to the second end 142) may be shorter than or equal to ½ wavelength (λ/2) of the third frequency band FB3 of the antenna structure 100. The thickness H1 of the dielectric substrate 180 (i.e., the distance between the first surface E1 and the second surface E2) may be from 0.2 mm to 1.6 mm. The overlapping distance DA between the first end 131 of the feeding radiation element 130 and the second end 142 of the coupling radiation element 140 may be longer than or equal to 1 mm. The above ranges of element sizes are calculated and obtained according to many experiment results, and they help to optimize the operation bandwidth and impedance matching of the antenna structure 100.
The metal mechanism element 410 has a slot 420. The slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410 may substantially have a straight-line shape. Specifically, the slot 420 has a first closed end 421 and a second closed end 422 which are away from each other. The antenna structure 400 may also include a nonconductive material which fills the slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410, so as to achieve the waterproof or dustproof function.
The dielectric substrate 480 may be an FR4 substrate, a PCB, or an FPC. The dielectric substrate 480 has a first surface E3 and a second surface E4 which are opposite to each other. The second surface E4 of the dielectric substrate 480 is adjacent to the slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410. The coupling radiation element 440, the first parasitic radiation element 460, and the second parasitic radiation element 470 may all be disposed on the first surface E3 of the dielectric substrate 480, and the feeding radiation element 430 may be disposed on the second surface E4 of the dielectric substrate 480. Alternatively, the coupling radiation element 440, the first parasitic radiation element 460, and the second parasitic radiation element 470 may be disposed on the second surface E4 of the dielectric substrate 480, and the feeding radiation element 430 may be disposed on the first surface E3 of the dielectric substrate 480. In some embodiments, the antenna structure 400 further includes a support element 415, which may be made of a nonconductive material. The support element 415 is disposed on the metal mechanism element 410, and is configured to support and fix the dielectric substrate 480 and all of the elements thereon.
The feeding radiation element 430 may substantially have a straight-line shape. A feeding point FP2 of the feeding radiation element 430 may be coupled to a signal source 490. For example, the signal source 490 may be an RF module for exciting the antenna structure 400. Specifically, the feeding radiation element 430 has a first end 431 and a second end 432, which are two open ends away from each other. The first end 431 of the feeding radiation element 430 is adjacent to the coupling radiation element 440. In addition, the feeding point FP2 may be positioned between the first end 431 and the second end 432 of the feeding radiation element 430, and is relatively closer to the second end 432 of the feeding radiation element 430. The feeding radiation element 430 has a first vertical projection on the metal mechanism element 410, and the first vertical projection may be completely inside the slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410. In some embodiments, the conductive via element 450 penetrates the dielectric substrate 480 and is connected between the first surface E3 and the second surface E4, such that the feeding point FP2 of the feeding radiation element 430 is further coupled through the conductive via element 450 to the signal source 490.
The coupling radiation element 440 may substantially have a widened T-shape. Specifically, the coupling radiation element 440 has a first end 441, a second end 442, and a third end 443. A grounding point GP2 coupled to the ground voltage VSS is positioned at the first end 441 of the coupling radiation element 440. The second end 442 and the third end 443 of the coupling radiation element 440 are two open ends away from each other. In some embodiments, a rectangular notch 445 is formed at a corner of the coupling radiation element 440, and it is adjacent to the second end 442 of the coupling radiation element 440. The coupling radiation element 440 has a second vertical projection on the metal mechanism element 410, and the second vertical projection is at least partially inside the slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410. In addition, the second vertical projection of the coupling radiation element 440 at least partially overlaps the first vertical projection of the feeding radiation element 430. Thus, a coupling gap can be formed between the second end 442 of the coupling radiation element 440 and the first end 431 of the feeding radiation element 430.
The first parasitic radiation element 460 may substantially have a widened L-shape. Specifically, the first parasitic radiation element 460 has a first end 461 and a second end 462. The first end 461 of the first parasitic radiation element 460 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS. The second end 462 of the first parasitic radiation element 460 is an open end, which extends toward the coupling radiation element 440. The first parasitic radiation element 460 has a third vertical projection on the metal mechanism element 410, and the third vertical projection is at least partially inside the slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410.
The second parasitic radiation element 470 may substantially have an inverted L-shape. Specifically, the second parasitic radiation element 470 has a first end 471 and a second end 472. The first end 471 of the second parasitic radiation element 470 is an open end, which extends toward the feeding radiation element 430. The second end 472 of the second parasitic radiation element 470 is another open end. A connection point CP coupled to the ground voltage VSS is positioned between the first end 471 and the second end 472 of the second parasitic radiation element 470. The second parasitic radiation element 470 has a fourth vertical projection on the metal mechanism element 410, and the fourth vertical projection is at least partially inside the slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410.
With respect to the antenna theory, an equivalent capacitor can be formed between the first end 431 of the feeding radiation element 430 and the second end 442 of the coupling radiation element 440, such that the feeding radiation element 430 and the coupling radiation element 440 are almost considered as a loop structure. The slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410 can be excited by the aforementioned loop structure using a coupling mechanism, so as to completely cover the wideband operations of the first frequency band FB4, the second frequency band FB5, and the third frequency band FB6. According to practical measurements, the incorporation of the first parasitic radiation element 460 and the second parasitic radiation element 470 can fine-tune the impedance matching of the first frequency band FB4, the second frequency band FB5, and the third frequency band FB6. Thus, the antenna structure 400 is applicable to communication devices used for different environments, and its good radiation performance is maintained.
In some embodiments, the sizes of the elements of the antenna structure 400 are as follows. The length L3 of the slot 420 of the metal mechanism element 410 (i.e., the length L3 from the first closed end 421 to the second closed end 422) may be from ¼ to ½ wavelength (λ/4˜λ/2) of the first frequency band FB4 of the antenna structure 400. The distance D3 between the feeding point FP2 and the first end 431 of the feeding radiation element 430 may be from ⅛ to ¼ wavelength (λ/8˜λ/4) of the second frequency band FB5 of the antenna structure 400. The distance D4 between the feeding point FP2 and the second closed end 422 of the slot 420 may be from ⅓ to ½ times the length L3 of the slot 420. The length L4 of the coupling radiation element 440 (i.e., the length L4 from the first end 441 to the second end 442) may be shorter than or equal to ½ wavelength (λ/2) of the third frequency band FB6 of the antenna structure 400. The thickness H2 of the dielectric substrate 480 (i.e., the distance between the first surface E3 and the second surface E4) may be from 0.2 mm to 1.6 mm. The overlapping distance DB between the first end 431 of the feeding radiation element 430 and the second end 442 of the coupling radiation element 440 may be longer than or equal to 1 mm. The distance D5 between the second end 462 of the first parasitic radiation element 460 and the third end 443 of the coupling radiation element 440 may be longer than or equal to 3 mm. The distance D6 between the first end 471 of the second parasitic radiation element 470 and the second end 432 of the feeding radiation element 430 may be longer than or equal to 3 mm. The above ranges of element sizes are calculated and obtained according to many experiment results, and they help to optimize the operation bandwidth and impedance matching of the antenna structure 400.
The invention proposes a novel antenna structure for integrating with a metal mechanism element of a mobile device. In comparison to the conventional design, the invention has at least the advantages of small size, wide bandwidth, low manufacturing cost, and adapting to different environments, and therefore it is suitable for application in a variety of mobile communication devices.
Note that the above element sizes, element shapes, element parameters, and frequency ranges are not limitations of the invention. An antenna designer can fine-tune these settings or values according to different requirements. It should be understood that the antenna structure of the invention is not limited to the configurations of
Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having the same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10056696 | Tseng | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 10910698 | Wei | Feb 2021 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| I557987 | Nov 2016 | TW |
| M537316 | Feb 2017 | TW |
| I697151 | Jun 2020 | TW |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220069473 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |
