The present disclosure relates generally to antenna systems and, more specifically, to antenna systems having stacked antenna structures.
Antennas can be used to transmit and receive data between two devices. Some devices can include multiple antennas to provide communication over multiple frequency bands and support high data rates associated with communication standards, such as long term evolution (LTE). For example, hand-held devices (e.g., smartphones) can include two antennas. Of the two antennas, one can be tuned to a first frequency and configured to transmit and receive data. The other antenna can be tuned to a second frequency that is different than the first frequency and can be configured to receive data.
Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.
In one aspect, an antenna system is provided. The antenna system can include a circuit board, a first antenna structure and a second antenna structure. The first antenna structure can be positioned between the circuit board and the second antenna structure to provide a ground plane for the second antenna structure. In addition, the first antenna structure can be electrically coupled to the circuit board via a first conductive path. The second antenna structure can be electrically coupled to the circuit board via a second conductive path extending through an opening defined by the first antenna structure.
In another aspect, a module is provided. The module includes a housing and an antenna system disposed within the housing. The antenna system includes a circuit board. The antenna system further includes a first antenna structure tuned to a first frequency and a second antenna structure tuned to a second frequency that is different than the first frequency. The first antenna structure is positioned between the circuit board and the second antenna structure such that the first antenna structure provides a ground plane for the second antenna structure. Furthermore, the first antenna structure is coupled to the circuit board via a first conductive path. The second antenna structure is coupled to the circuit board via a second conductive path that extends through an opening defined by the first antenna structure.
In yet another aspect, an antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a circuit board. The antenna system further includes a first antenna structure tuned to a first frequency and a second antenna structure tuned to a second frequency that is different than the first frequency. The first antenna structure is positioned between the circuit board and the second antenna structure to provide a ground plane for the second antenna structure. Furthermore, the first antenna structure and the second antenna structure are each coupled to the circuit board via the same conductive antenna feed path.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.
Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill in the art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations.
Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an antenna system. The antenna system can include a first antenna structure and a second antenna structure. The first antenna structure can be tuned to a first frequency. The second antenna structure can be tuned to a second frequency. In some implementations, the second frequency can be different than the first frequency. For instance, the second frequency can be higher than the first frequency. In some implementations, the first frequency can include a range of frequencies spanning from about 722 MHz to about 728 MHz. Alternatively or additionally, the first frequency can include a range of frequencies spanning from about 1915 MHz to about 1920 MHz. In some implementations, the second frequency can include a range of frequencies spanning from about 1995 MHz to about 2020 MHz.
The first antenna structure can be disposed between the second antenna structure and a circuit board of the antenna system. In addition, the first antenna structure and the second antenna structure can each be coupled to the circuit board. In some implementations, the first antenna structure and the second antenna structure can be coupled to the circuit board via the same conductive antenna feed paths. In alternative implementations, the first antenna structure and the second antenna structure can be electrically coupled to the circuit board via separate conductive antenna feed paths. For instance, the first antenna structure can be electrically coupled to the circuit board via a first conductive antenna feed path. Conversely, the second antenna structure can be electrically coupled to the circuit board via a second conductive antenna feed path that is different than the first conductive antenna feed path. The second conductive antenna feed path can extend through an opening defined by the first antenna structure.
In some implementations, the first antenna structure can be electrically grounded to the circuit board (e.g. a conductive ground plane on the circuit board) via one or more grounding or shorting posts. In addition, the second antenna structure can be electrically grounded to the first antenna structure via one or more shorting posts. In some implementations, the antenna system can include a substrate disposed between the circuit board and the first antenna structure. The substrate can define a plurality of openings to accommodate the antenna feed path(s) and the shorting posts. In this manner, the conductive antenna feed path(s) and the shorting posts can pass through the substrate via the openings.
In some implementations, a cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure can be greater than a cross-sectional area of the second antenna structure. In this manner, the first antenna structure can act as a ground plane for the second antenna structure. In some implementations, a shape of the first antenna structure can be different than a shape of the second antenna structure. For instance, the shape of the first antenna structure can be rectangular. Conversely, the shape of the second antenna structure can be annular. It should be appreciated that the first antenna structure and the second antenna structure can have any suitable shape so long as the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure is greater than the cross-sectional area of the second antenna structure.
The antenna system according to example aspects of the present disclosure can provide numerous technical effects and benefits. For instance, the second antenna structure of the antenna system can be positioned on top of the first antenna structure of the antenna system to reduce the footprint of the antenna system. In addition, the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure can be greater than the cross-sectional area of the second antenna structure. In this manner, the first antenna structure can provide a ground plane for the second antenna structure.
As used herein, the use of the term “about” in conjunction with a numerical value is intended to refer to within 20% of the stated amount. In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.
Referring now to the FIGS,
As shown, the antenna system 100 can include a first antenna structure 130 and a second antenna structure 140. In some implementations, the first antenna structure 130 can be tuned to a first frequency. Conversely, the second antenna structure 140 can be tuned to a second frequency that is different than the first frequency. For instance, the first frequency can be lower than the second frequency. In some implementations, the first frequency can include a range of frequencies spanning from about 722 MHz to about 728 MHz. Alternatively or additionally, the first frequency can include a range of frequencies spanning from about 1915 MHz to about 1920 MHz. In some implementations, the second frequency can include a range of frequencies spanning from about 1995 MHz to about 2020 MHz.
In some implementations, the first antenna structure 130 can be configured to transmit and receive data. For instance, the first antenna structure 130 can be configured to transmit data via a RF signal having a first frequency within the range spanning from about 722 MHz to about 728 MHz. Additionally, the first antenna structure 130 can be configured to receive data via a RF signal having a frequency included within the range spanning from about 1915 MHz to about 1920 MHz. In some implementations, the second antenna structure 140 can be configured to receive data when tuned to the second frequency.
It should be appreciated that the first antenna structure 130 and the second antenna structure 140 can include any suitable type of antenna. For instance, in some implementations, the first antenna structure 130 and the second antenna structure 140 can each include a top loaded monopole S antenna having one or more shorting posts.
Referring now to
In some implementations, a shape of the first antenna structure 130 can be different than a shape of the second antenna structure 140. For instance, the shape of the first antenna structure 130 can be rectangular. Conversely, the shape of the second antenna structure 140 can be annular (e.g., ring, circle, oval). It should be appreciated, however, that the first antenna structure 130 and the second antenna structure 140 can have any suitable shape so long as the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 130 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the second antenna structure 140.
In some implementations, a cross-sectional area of a ground plane on the circuit board 120 can be different than the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 130. For instance, the cross-sectional area of the ground plane on the circuit board 120 can be larger than the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 130. As will be discussed below in more detail, the first antenna structure 130 and the second antenna structure 140 can each be electrically coupled to the circuit board 120.
In some implementations, the first antenna structure 130 and the second antenna structure 140 can each be electrically coupled to the circuit board 120 via separate conductors (e.g., conductive posts). For instance, the first antenna structure 130 can be electrically coupled to the circuit board 120 via a first conductive antenna feed path 150 (e.g., coax antenna feed path). Conversely, the second antenna structure 140 can be electrically coupled to the circuit board 120 via a second conductive antenna feed path 152 (e.g., coax antenna feed path). In some implementations, the second conductive antenna feed path 152 can extend through an opening 132 (
In some implementations, the first antenna structure 130 can be electrically grounded to the circuit board 120 (e.g. a ground plane on the circuit board 120) via one or more shorting posts 160. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of shorting posts 160 can be used to electrically ground the first antenna structure 130 to the circuit board 120. For instance, in some implementations, the first antenna structure 130 can be electrically grounded to the circuit board 120 via two shorting posts 160. In alternative implementations, the first antenna structure 130 can be electrically grounded to the circuit board 120 via more or fewer shorting posts 160.
In some implementations, the second antenna structure 140 can be electrically grounded to the first antenna structure 130 via a plurality of shorting posts 170. For instance, in some implementations, the second antenna structure 140 can be electrically grounded to the first antenna structure 130 via two shorting posts 170. In alternative implementations, the second antenna structure 140 can be electrically grounded to the first antenna structure 130 via more or fewer shorting posts 170.
In some implementations, the antenna system 100 can include a substrate 180 disposed between the circuit board 120 and the first antenna structure 130. The substrate 180 can include a polymer material (e.g., polycarbonate material) having a relatively permittivity, εr, of about 3. It should be appreciated, however, that the substrate 180 can include any suitable material. It should also be appreciated that the substrate 180 can define a plurality of openings 182. In this manner, the first conductor 150, second conductor 152, and plurality of shorting posts 160 can each extend through a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings 182 defined by the substrate 180.
In some implementations, the antenna system 100 can include a cover 190. As shown, the first antenna structure 130 and the second antenna structure 140 can be positioned between the circuit board 120 and the cover 190 along the vertical direction V. In addition, a cross-sectional area of the cover 190 can be larger than a cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 130 and a cross-sectional area of the second antenna structure 140. In this manner, the first antenna structure 130 and the second antenna structure 140 can be covered via the cover 190. It should be appreciated that the cover 190 can include any suitable material. For instance, in some implementations, the cover 190 can include plastic (e.g., polyurethane). It should also be appreciated that the cover 190 can be any suitable size. For instance, in some implementations, a thickness of the cover 190 as measured along the vertical direction V can be about 2 millimeters.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some implementations, the module 600 can include a spacer 630 positioned between the antenna system 620 and a ground plane 640 associated with the module 600. More specifically, the spacer 630 can be positioned between the ground plane 640 and the power supply 110 (
It should be appreciated that the spacer 630 can include any suitable material. For instance, in some implementations, the spacer 630 can include a foam material. It should also be appreciated that a cross-sectional area of the ground plane 640 of the module 600 can be larger than a cross-sectional area of the circuit board 120 (
In some implementations, a shape of the first antenna structure 730 can be different than a shape of the second antenna structure 740. For instance, the shape of the first antenna structure 730 can be rectangular. Conversely, the shape of the second antenna structure 740 can be annular (e.g., ring, circle, oval). It should be appreciated, however, that the first antenna structure 730 and the second antenna structure 740 can have any suitable shape so long as the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 730 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the second antenna structure 740.
In some implementations, a cross-sectional area of a ground plane on the circuit board 720 can be different than the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 730. For instance, the cross-sectional area of the circuit board 720 can be greater than the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 730. As will be discussed below in more detail, the first antenna structure 730 and the second antenna structure 740 can each be electrically coupled to the circuit board 720 using a common antenna feed (e.g., conductive antenna feed path 710).
The first antenna structure 730 can be electrically grounded to the circuit board 720 (e.g. a ground plane on the circuit board 720) via one or more shorting posts 760. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of shorting posts 760 can be used to electrically ground the first antenna structure 730 to the circuit board 720. For instance, as shown in
As shown, the second antenna structure 740 can be electrically grounded to the first antenna structure 730 via one or more shorting posts 762. For instance, as shown in
In some implementations, the antenna system 700 can include a substrate 780 disposed between the circuit board 720 and the first antenna structure 730. The substrate 780 can include a polymer material (e.g., polycarbonate) having a relatively permittivity, εr, of about 3. It should be appreciated, however, that the substrate 780 can include any suitable material. It should also be appreciated that the substrate 780 can define a plurality of openings 782. In this manner, the conductive antenna feed path 710 and plurality of shorting posts 760 can each extend through a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings 782 defined by the substrate 780.
In some implementations, the antenna system 700 can include a cover 790. As shown, the first antenna structure 730 and the second antenna structure 740 can be positioned between the circuit board 720 and the cover 790 along the vertical direction V. In addition, a cross-sectional area of the cover 790 can be greater than the cross-sectional area of the first antenna structure 730 and the cross-sectional area of the second antenna structure 740. In this manner, the first antenna structure 730 and the second antenna structure 740 can be covered via the cover 790. It should be appreciated that the cover 790 can include any suitable material. For instance, in some implementations, the cover 790 can include plastic (e.g., polyurethane). It should also be appreciated that the cover 790 can be any suitable size. For instance, in some implementations, a thickness of the cover 790 as measured along the vertical direction V can be about 2 millimeters. The antenna system 700 can include a power supply 715, such as a battery.
According to example aspects of the present disclosure, a filter 750 (e.g., an LC filter) can be placed (e.g., coupled) between the conductive antenna feed path 710 and the first antenna structure 730. The filter 750 can include one or more inductors and/or one or more capacitors. The filter 750 can be implemented in the antenna system 700, for instance, using surface mount technology (e.g., via one or more solder pads) in a path between the conductive antenna feed path 710 and the first antenna structure 730.
In some embodiments, the filter 750 can be figured to pass component of RF signals having a frequency associated with the first antenna structure 730 and to block components of RF signals having a frequency associated with the second antenna structure 730. For instance, in some embodiments, the filter 750 can be configured to pass components of RF signals having a frequency in the range of about 722 MHz to about 728 MHz. The filter 750 can be configured to block components of RF signals having a frequency in the range of about 1915 MHz to 2020 MHz. This can further enhance the antenna system functioning in the low and high band regions independently of one another.
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The present application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/798,762, titled “Antenna System Having Stacked Antenna Structures,” having a filing date of Jan. 30, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein. The present application also claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/834,661, titled “Antenna System Having Stacked Antenna Structures,” having a filing date Apr. 16, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62798762 | Jan 2019 | US | |
62834661 | Apr 2019 | US |