The invention relates to a broadband dipole array antenna adopted for use on electronic devices to perform radio transmission, and particularly a broadband dipole array antenna that is equipped with a reflection plate with a trough formed thereon.
With continuous advances in the wireless communication industry, users can transmit information through radio transmission systems without geographical restrictions. The antenna is an important element in such radio transmission systems. Commonly used antennas include dipole antennas, helical antennas, and the like.
While radio transmission is relatively free from geographical restriction, when the antenna is installed on a location with geographical obstacles (such as corners of walls, ceiling, etc.), its directional gain drops, and the communication quality of signal transmission and reception suffers. To remedy this problem, a common approach is to install a reflection plate on one side of the antenna to enhance the directionality of the antenna, boost the directional gain and improve communication quality.
R.O. C. patent No. 558080 entitled “Dipole antenna equipped with a reflection plate” discloses a reflective dipole antenna. It has a dipole antenna and a reflection plate. The reflection plate has an opening and is spaced from one side of the dipole antenna at a selected distance. The shortest distance between the dipole antenna and the reflection plate is 1/4λ (λ is the wavelength of the frequency spectrum). The reflection plate reflects radiation signals to improve the directional gain of radiation reception and transmission of the dipole antenna.
While the reflection plate can reflect the radiation signals to improve directional gain, it still is not adequate when high directionality is required. Moreover, the reflection plate has to be spaced from the antenna at a selected distance (¼λ), causing difficulty in assembly. Hence how to improve the directionality of the antenna and facilitate convenience of assembly have become issues to be resolved.
Refer to
In view of the aforesaid problems occurring with the conventional techniques, the invention provides a broadband dipole array antenna that has a dipole array antenna and a reflection plate coupled in a normal manner to reflect the antenna radiation signals in a selected direction and enhance the directionality of the antenna. It also has a feed network containing a zigzag circuit to achieve a broad bandwidth.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, the broadband dipole array antenna according to the invention includes a feed network, radiation units and a reflection plate. The antenna is a printed circuit antenna with a first surface and a second surface. The feed network and the radiation units are located respectively on the first surface and the second surface to increase transmission bandwidth and generate radiation signals.
The reflection plate has a trough to hold the antenna vertically and reflect the radiation signals generated by the radiation units in a selected direction to enhance the directionality of the antenna.
The antenna and the reflection plate may be fastened with adhesive tape or a Velcro strip to facilitate assembly. Another fastening approach is to form apertures on the inner walls of the trough and the antenna on corresponding locations to be coupled by fastening elements.
The dipole antenna array thus constructed uses the reflection plate to enhance antenna directionality and boost directional gain. Fastening of the antenna and the reflection plate is more convenient. Hence the antenna directionality and convenience of antenna assembly are greatly improved.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The antenna 10 is wedged vertically in a trough formed on the reflection plate 20. It is a printed circuit antenna made from non-metallic material (such as Rogers RO-4350B). It has a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 formed with a required circuit pattern by chemical etching.
The reflection plate 20 has lugs 21 and 22 extended from two ends to wedge in slots formed on the seat 50 and the shell 60 to anchor thereon. The reflection plate 20 is made of metal that has a shielding effect upon electromagnetic waves, and can therefore reflect radiation signals generated by the antenna 10 in a selected direction to boost the directional gain of the antenna.
The seat 50 is formed substantially in an L-shape to anchor on a bracing rack (not shown in the drawing) and house the connector 40. The connector 40 has one end connected to a signal feeding point 11 of the antenna 10 through the metal conductive wire 30, and another end connected to an electronic device (not shown in the drawing).
The shell 60 is coupled with the seat 50 to encase the antenna 10 and the reflection plate 20 to provide protection. Refer to
Refer to
Refer to
The reflection plate 20 has a trough to couple with the antenna 10 vertically and converge the electromagnetic wave radiated from the antenna 10 in a selected direction to enhance the directionality of the antenna 10. The reflection plate 20 is made of metal such as aluminum, iron or stainless steel. The depth of the trough affects the field shape direction range of the antenna 10. When the radiation unit 120 is located in the trough, the antenna 10 has a narrower field shape direction range. When the radiation unit 120 is located outside the trough, the antenna 10 has a wider field shape direction range.
The reflection plate 20 and the antenna 10 may be anchored on the lateral sides of the trough with adhesive tape or a Velcro strip to make assembly easier. Another approach is to form a plurality of first apertures 20a on the lateral sides of the trough of the reflection plate 20 and a plurality of second apertures 20b on the antenna 10 that correspond to each other and are coupled by fastening elements (such as plastic rivets, nails, plastic screws, and the like) to fasten and anchor the reflection plate 20 and the antenna 10.
In addition, the invention conforms to IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11a communication protocols. By fine-tuning the distance of the feed network 110 and the radiation units 120, and the elevation of the reflection plate 20, the invention may be used in the frequency spectrums ranging from 4.9 GHz to 5.875 GHz.
The dipole array antenna thus constructed can reflect and converge radiation signals to enhance the directionality of the antenna. By coupling the reflection plate and the antenna in a vertical manner, and anchoring both with adhesive tape or a Velcro strip, assembly is more convenient. Thus the antenna directionality and convenience of assembly are improved. Also, the zigzag circuit design of the feed network allows the broadband antenna to achieve an even wider transmission bandwidth.
Actual tests of the invention have been conducted based on frequencies 5.15 GHz, 5.50 GHz, and 5.85 GHz. The results are indicated in radiation field graphics and a voltage stationary wave ratio test chart as follows.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiment of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4758843 | Agrawal et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
5285212 | McNiece | Feb 1994 | A |
6127981 | Pritchett et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6417816 | Sadler et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6529171 | Le Balier et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6906678 | Chen | Jun 2005 | B1 |