Patent Grant
10790587
The embodiments discussed herein are related to a multiband antenna usable in, for example, multiple frequency bands, and a radio communication apparatus having the multiband antenna.
In a radio communication terminal such as a mobile phone, in order to accomplish the high speed of the radio communication or cope with multiple radio communication services, it has been demanded to broaden the bands usable by an antenna mounted in the radio communication terminal. Thus, there has been suggested a broadband antenna in which a single power feeding point is provided in a narrow-width-shaped conductor formed with multiple slits having no opening end, an inner conductor of a coaxial cable is connected to the power feeding point, and an outer conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to an earth point on a ground plate (see, e.g., Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-014265).
According to an aspect of the invention, a multiband antenna includes a ground conductor coupled to a ground, a first conductor disposed at a predetermined distance from the ground conductor, formed linearly, and configured to have a length to resonate at a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency, the first conductor including a power feeding point at which an electric power is supplied, a second conductor coupled to the first conductor at both ends of the second conductor, disposed closer to a side of the ground conductor than the first conductor, formed linearly, and configured to form a slit between the first conductor and the second conductor and resonate together with the first conductor at a third frequency different from the first frequency and the second frequency, and a third conductor provided at one or more ends of the first conductor and configured to extend from a first end of the one or more ends to the side of the ground conductor to be electromagnetically coupled to the ground conductor at the third frequency, wherein each of the ground conductor, the first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor has a conductivity.
The object and advantages of the disclosure will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.
In order to improve the convenience of the radio communication terminal, the radio communication terminal may be made thin, or the display mounted on the radio communication terminal may be made large. Thus, in order to enhance the rigidity of the radio communication terminal, the most part of the frame of the radio communication terminal may be formed of metal. In this case, the broadband antenna described above is disposed to overlap with the frame, and as a result, the gain of the broadband antenna decreases.
Accordingly, there has been a demand for a multiband antenna which is usable in the radio communication terminal using the frame mostly formed of metal and usable in multiple frequency bands.
Hereinafter, the multiband antenna which is usable in multiple frequency bands will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The multiband antenna includes a linear first conductor that is disposed at a predetermined distance from a ground conductor, is able to resonate at a first frequency and a second frequency, and is fed with power. Further, the multiband antenna includes a linear second conductor that is disposed closer to the side of the ground conductor than the first conductor, is electrically connected to the first conductor at both the ends thereof so as to form a slit together with the first conductor, and is able to resonate together with the first conductor at a third frequency. Further, the multiband antenna includes a third conductor that extends from at least one end of the first conductor toward the ground conductor and is electromagnetically coupled to the ground conductor at the third frequency. This multiband antenna is usable at the first frequency, the second frequency, and the third frequency.
The ground conductor 2 is formed by a conductor such as copper or gold in a flat-plate shape, and is grounded. For example, the ground conductor 2 is provided to cover one surface of a substrate 10 that is provided in the radio communication terminal in which the multiband antenna 1 is to be mounted, and the lateral surface of the substrate 10 on the side where the third conductor 5 is to be provided.
The first conductor 3 is formed by a conductor such as copper or gold in a linear plate shape. The first conductor 3 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the ground conductor 2, such that the longitudinal direction of the first conductor 3 is substantially parallel with one end of the ground conductor 2 on the side of the first conductor 3, and the short direction, that is, the width direction of the first conductor 3 is toward the direction crossing the surface of the substrate on which the ground conductor 2 is provided. In addition, the first conductor 3 has an electrical length which is approximately (¼+N/2)λ (where N is an integer of 1 or more) with respect to a wavelength λ corresponding to one frequency of radio waves used by the multiband antenna 1. Accordingly, since the first conductor 3 resonates with the radio waves having the corresponding frequency, the multiband antenna 1 is able to receive or radiate the radio waves having the corresponding frequency. In addition, since the first conductor 3 has an electrical length which is λ2/4 with respect to radio waves having a frequency with a wavelength λ2={(1+2N)λ} as well, the first conductor 3 resonates at the corresponding frequency as well. Thus, the multiband antenna 1 is also able to receive or radiate the radio waves having the frequency corresponding to the wavelength λ2. In the following description, the frequency corresponding to the wavelength λ2 will be referred to as a first frequency, and the frequency corresponding to the wavelength λ will be referred to as a second frequency.
Further, a power feeding point 3a is provided in the middle of the first conductor 3, and the first conductor 3 is fed with power via a projection 3b that is formed to extend from the power feeding point 3a toward the side of the ground conductor 2. In addition, the protrusion 3b is provided to cross a slit 6 that is formed between the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4. Accordingly, the first conductor 3 is fed with power at the power feeding point 3a so as to cross the slit 6 (power is fed to cross the slit 6 in this example, but power may be fed without crossing the slit 6), and a resonance occurs with the radio waves having the third frequency in a loop formed by the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 to surround the slit 6.
In addition, the first conductor 3 may be fed with power in the manner that instead of the projection 3b, a power feeding line formed by a conductor is electrically connected to the power feeding point 3a. In this case as well, the power feeding line is provided to cross the slit 6.
The second conductor 4 is formed by, for example, a conductor such as copper or gold in a linear shape. The longitudinal direction of the second conductor 4 is substantially parallel with the first conductor 3, and both ends of the second conductor 4 are electrically connected to the first conductor 3 via the third conductor 5. In addition, the second conductor 4 is disposed closer to the side of the ground conductor 2 than the first conductor 3, so as to form the slit 6 between the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4.
In addition, the second conductor 4 may be formed such that at least one of both ends thereof is directly connected to the first conductor 3.
The third conductor 5 is formed by, for example, a conductor such as copper or gold in a linear plate shape. The third conductor 5 is formed such that one end of the third conductor 5 is electrically connected to one end of the first conductor 3, and the other end of the third conductor 5 extends toward the side of the ground conductor 2. In the present embodiment, two third conductors 5 are provided to extend from both ends of the first conductor 3 toward the side of the ground conductor 2, respectively. However, the third conductor 5 may be formed only on the side of one end of the first conductor 3.
The third conductor 5 is preferably disposed such that the other end of the third conductor 5 and the ground conductor 2 are close to each other to the extent that the third conductor 5 is electrically coupled to the ground conductor 2, and currents having the third frequency may flow to the ground conductor 2 via the third conductor 5. Accordingly, the loop formed by the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 to surround the slit 6 may resonate at the third frequency corresponding to the electrical length which is approximately ½ of the longitudinal length of the slit 6. As a result, the multiband antenna 1 is able to receive or radiate the radio waves having the third frequency.
In addition, the first conductor 3, the second conductor 4, and the third conductor 5 may be integrally formed by a single conductor. Alternatively, the first conductor 3, the second conductor 4, and the third conductor 5 may be formed by different conductors from each other. In addition, each of the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5 may be a portion of the frame of the radio communication terminal in which the multiband antenna 1 is to be mounted.
Hereinafter, the radiation characteristic of the multiband antenna 1 which is obtained by an electromagnetic field simulation will be described. In the following description, in the electromagnetic field simulation for the multiband antenna according to each embodiment and modification, it is assumed that the multiband antenna is used at an 800 MHz band (an example of the first frequency), a 1.5 GHz band (an example of the third frequency), and a 2 GHz band (an example of the second frequency) which are used in the long term evolution (LTE).
As represented by the graph 302, it may be understood that since the S11 parameter has a minimum value of −3 dB or less in the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band, the monopole antenna of the comparative example resonates in the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band. Meanwhile, as represented by the graph 301, it may be understood that since the S11 parameter has the minimum value of −3 dB or less in the 1.5 GHz band as well, in addition to the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band, the multiband antenna 1 according to the present embodiment resonates in the 1.5 GHz band as well, in addition to the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band. From this result, it may be understood that the multiband antenna 1 according to the present embodiment is usable in the 1.5 GHz band as well, in addition to the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band.
As described above, the multiband antenna includes the second conductor that forms the slit together with the linear first conductor which resonates in the two frequency bands, at the position closer to the side of the ground conductor than the first conductor. In addition, in the multiband antenna, the first conductor is fed with power, and the third conductor is provided to extend from at least one end of the first conductor toward the ground conductor and to be able to be electromagnetically coupled to the ground conductor. Accordingly, the multiband antenna is usable not only at the first and second frequencies at which the first conductor is able to resonate, but also at the third frequency at which the loop formed by the first conductor and the second conductor to surround the slit resonates. In addition, since the multiband antenna is able to receive or radiate radio waves as long as the first conductor and the second conductor are not surrounded by a metallic member, the multiband antenna may be mounted in the radio communication terminal in which the most part of the frame is formed of metal. Alternatively, the multiband antenna may be mounted in the radio communication terminal, in the manner that a portion of the frame of the radio communication terminal is formed by the first conductor and the third conductor, and the frame itself is used as an antenna.
Subsequently, a multiband antenna according to a second embodiment will be described. In the multiband antenna according to the second embodiment, the third conductor is formed to surround the outer periphery of the ground conductor.
In the multiband antenna 11 according to the second embodiment, the third conductor 5 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the ground conductor 2 on the surface of the substrate 10 on which the ground conductor 2 is provided. Thus, the third conductor 5 may be a portion of the frame of the radio communication terminal in which the multiband antenna 11 is to be mounted. In addition, the third conductor 5 may be formed such that a portion of the third conductor 5 overlaps with the ground conductor 2 when viewed from the front side of the ground conductor 2. For example, as represented by a dotted line in
As represented by the graph 501, it may be understood that since the S11 parameter has the minimum value of −3 dB or less in the 1.5 GHz band as well, in addition to the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band, the multiband antenna 11 according to the second embodiment may resonate in the 1.5 GHz band as well, in addition to the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band. From this result, it may be understood that the multiband antenna 11 according to the second embodiment is usable in the 1.5 GHz band as well, in addition to the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band.
In addition, as represented by the graph 501, there exist frequency bands in which the S11 parameter has the minimum value of −3 dB or less, other than the 800 MHz band, the 1.5 GHz band, and the 2 GHz band. Thus, the multiband antenna 11 is usable in the corresponding frequency bands as well. This is because the first conductor and the third conductor form the loop, and thus, the multiband antenna 11 may also resonate with radio waves having wavelengths corresponding to the frequency bands other than the 800 MHz band, the 1.5 GHz band, and the 2 GHz band.
Meanwhile, when the multiband antenna 11 is not used in the frequency bands other than the 800 MHz band, the 1.5 GHz band, and the 2 GHz band, it is preferable that the multiband antenna 11 does not resonate in the frequency bands.
The short-circuit point 51 is provided at a position away from the power feeding point 3a along the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5 by the electrical length corresponding to the first frequency. Meanwhile, the short-circuit point 52 is provided at a position away from the power feeding point 3a along the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5 in the opposite direction to the direction toward the short-circuiting point 51 by the electrical length corresponding to the second frequency. For example, when the first frequency is 800 MHz, the short-circuit point 51 is provided 123 mm away from the power-feeding point 3a. In addition, when the second frequency is 2 GHz, the short-circuit point 52 is provided 50 mm away from the power-feeding point 3a.
When the short-circuit points are provided, resonance with radio waves other than the radio waves having the first frequency and the radio waves having the second frequency is suppressed in the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5. Thus, the multiband antenna 12 may suppress the resonance in frequency bands other than the first frequency, the second frequency, and the third frequency at which the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 resonate.
As represented by the graph 701, it may be understood that the number of frequencies at which the S11 parameter has the minimum value of −3 dB or less is reduced in the frequency bands of 3 GHz or less, as compared with the frequency characteristic of the S11 parameter of the multiband antenna 11. Meanwhile, in the 800 MHz band, the 1.5 GHz band, and the 2 GHz band, the S11 parameter has the minimum value of −3 dB or less. Accordingly, it may be understood that in the multiband antenna 12, the resonance is suppressed in frequency bands other than the first frequency, the second frequency, and the third frequency at which the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 resonate.
As represented in the graph 801, it may be understood that since the total efficiency is higher than −3 [dB] in the 1.5 GHz as well, in addition to the 800 MHz band and the 2 GHz band, a good radiation characteristic is obtained in the frequency bands, for the multiband antenna 12.
In addition, in the multiband antenna according to each embodiment or modification described above, the width of the slit 6 formed between the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 (i.e., a distance W between the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 as illustrated in
As illustrated in the graphs 901 to 903, it may be understood that as the width of the slit 6 becomes wide, the third frequency at which the multiband antenna resonates is lowered. This is because the loop formed by the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 to surround the slit 6 becomes longer as the width of the slit 6 becomes wider, and the electrostatic capacity between the second conductor 4 and the ground conductor 2 increases as the second conductor 4 and the ground conductor 2 are close to each other.
In this way, in the multiband antenna, the third frequency at which the multiband antenna resonates may be adjusted by adjusting the width of the slit 6.
In addition, on the lateral surface of the radio communication terminal, a port for connecting the radio communication terminal to another device or an insertion port for an insertion of, for example, a memory card may be provided. In this case, in order to provide the port or insertion port, a notch may be formed in the first conductor 3 of the multiband antenna.
As represented in the graphs 1101 and 1102, when the notch 3c is formed, the frequency at which the S11 parameter becomes the minimum value shifts slightly to the side of the high frequency, and the width of the frequency at which the S11 parameter becomes a sufficiently small value is wide, in the 1.5 GHz. This is because the notch 3c is formed at the position where the electric field becomes relatively strong with respect to the frequency of the 1.5 GHz band in the loop around the slit 6. Thus, by shifting the position of the notch 3c along the longitudinal direction of the first conductor 3 by a distance corresponding to approximately ¼ of the electrical length corresponding to the third frequency, the variation of the frequency characteristic of the S11 parameter in a case where the notch 3c is not formed is suppressed in the 1.5 GHz band as well.
In addition, the notch described above may be formed in the third conductor 5, rather than the first conductor 3. In this case, as compared with the case where the notch 3c is formed in the first conductor 3, the variation of the frequency characteristic of the S11 parameter with respect to the third frequency is suppressed.
In addition, in the multiband antenna according to each embodiment or modification described above, the second conductor 4 may be connected to the first conductor 3 or the third conductor 5 via a resonance frequency adjusting element.
In the present modification, a tab 4a is provided at the end portion of the second conductor 4 to be connected to the third conductor 5 at one end of the tab 4a and extend substantially parallel with the first conductor 3 toward the side of the main body of the second conductor 4. Further, a plate-shaped spring contact point 4b is provided at the end portion of the main body of the second conductor 4, and is formed to generate the stress toward the side of the tab 4a. Further, a resonance frequency adjusting element 41 is provided between the tab 4a and the spring contact point 4b.
The resonance frequency adjusting element 41 is to adjust the third frequency, and may be, for example, a capacitor having a predetermined electrostatic capacity, an inductor having a predetermined inductance, a jumper which is a zero ohm resistor, or a circuit which is a combination thereof.
The frequency at which the loop formed around the slit 6 resonates, that is, the third frequency fluctuates according to the electrostatic capacity or the inductance of the resonance frequency adjusting element 41. Thus, in the multiband antenna 14 according to the present modification, by providing the resonance frequency adjusting element 41, it is possible to adjust the third frequency independently from the first frequency and the second frequency. Thus, for example, when the second conductor 4 is formed of sheet metal or formed as a conductor which is provided in the housing of the radio communication terminal, separately from the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5, the third frequency is also set to a desired frequency in the multiband antenna 14.
According to still another modification, the resonance frequency adjusting element may be provided at at least one side of the two short-circuit points 51 and 52 where the third conductor 5 is short-circuited with the ground conductor 2. For example, as indicated by dotted lines in
In addition, depending on a radio communication terminal, multiple antennas may be used in the same frequency band in order to cope with, for example, multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO). Thus, multiple multiband antennas according to each embodiment or modification described above may be mounted on a single radio communication terminal.
As represented in the graph 1401, in this example as well, it may be understood that since the S11 parameter has the minimum value in the 800 MHz band, the 1.5 GHz band, and the 2 GHz band, the multiband antennas 12 may resonate in these frequency bands. Meanwhile, as represented in the graph 1402, it may be understood that since the S12 parameter has a maximum value of approximately −6 dB in the 2 GHz band, the two multiband antennas 12 are electromagnetically coupled to each other in the 2 GHz band.
As represented in the graph 1501, in this example as well, it may be understood that since the S11 parameter has the minimum value in the 800 MHz band, the 1.5 GHz band, and the 2 GHz band, the multiband antennas 12 may resonate in these frequency bands. Meanwhile, as represented in the graph 1502, it may be understood that since the S12 parameter does not have the maximum value in the 2 GHz band, the two multiband antennas 12 are not electromagnetically coupled to each other in the 2 GHz band.
This is because in the arrangement of the two multiband antennas 12 illustrated in
However, as represented in the graphs 1501 and 1502, it may be understood that since the S11 parameter has the minimum value and the S12 parameter has the maximum value at approximately 1.4 GHz, unnecessary resonance occurs at approximately 1.4 GHz. This is because the loop formed by the third conductor 5 and the ground conductor 2 between the short-circuit points 52 of the two respective multiband antennas 12 resonates. Thus, as represented by dotted lines in
As represented in the graphs 1601 and 1602, it may be understood that since both the S11 parameter and the S12 parameter do not have the maximum value at approximately 1.4 GHz, the multiband antenna 12 does not resonate at 1.4 GHz.
In this way, the two multiband antennas may be provided in a single radio communication terminal such that the two multiband antennas share the ground conductor 2 and the third conductor 5. In this case, the two multiband antennas are preferably arranged such that the distance between the power feeding points of the two respective multiband antennas along the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5 is different from the integer multiple of ½ of the electrical length corresponding to the second frequency. Especially, the two multiband antennas are preferably arranged such that the distance between the power feeding points of the two respective multiband antennas along the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5 becomes the length obtained by adding approximately ¼ of the electrical length corresponding to the second frequency to the integer multiple of ½ of the electrical length. As a result, the currents flowing through the two respective multiband antennas weaken each other, so that the electromagnetic coupling between the two multiband antennas is suppressed.
In addition, in the radio communication terminal, together with the multiband antenna according to each embodiment or modification, another antenna that resonates at a frequency different from the frequency used by the multiband antenna may be mounted.
In addition, in this electromagnetic field simulation, the dimensions of the respective parts of the multiband antenna 12 are set to be the same as those used in the electromagnetic field simulation illustrated in
As represented in the graphs 1801 to 1803, the value of the S32 parameter is relatively large over 1.5 GHz to 2 GHz. From this result, it may be understood that an electromagnetic coupling occurs between the multiband antenna 12 and the monopole antenna 17 over 1.5 GHz to 2 GHz.
In addition, in this electromagnetic field simulation, the dimensions of the respective parts of the multiband antenna 12 and the dimensions of the respective parts of the monopole antenna 17 are set to be the same as those used in the electromagnetic field simulation illustrated in
As represented in the graphs 1901 to 1903, in this example, the value of the S32 parameter at 1.5 GHz to 2 GHz is a substantially small value. From this result, it may be understood that the electromagnetic coupling between the multiband antenna 12 and the monopole antenna 17 is suppressed over 1.5 GHz to 2 GHz. This is because in the arrangement illustrated in
The user interface 101 includes, for example, a touch panel display, generates a signal corresponding to an operation by a user, and sends the signal to the controller 103. Alternatively, the user interface 101 displays an image received from the controller 103.
The memory 102 includes, for example, a nonvolatile read-only semiconductor memory circuit and a volatile writable/readable semiconductor memory circuit. The memory 102 stores, for example, various programs that operate in the controller 103 and data used for the programs.
The controller 103 includes, for example, a single processor or multiple processors and a numerical operation circuit, and controls the entire radio communication terminal 100. In addition, the controller 103 executes a process corresponding to an operation by a user via the user interface 101, and various processes set to be executed in advance by the controller 103.
The communication circuit 104 includes a single processor or multiple processors, and executes a radio communication process according to a radio communication standard with which the radio communication terminal 100 complies. In addition, the communication circuit 104 generates a radio signal to be transmitted to another device, for example, a base station, and transmits the radio signal as a radio wave having any one of the first to third frequencies via the multiband antenna 105. Further, the communication circuit 104 demodulates a radio signal received from another device via the multiband antenna 105, extracts information included in the radio signal, and sends the information to the controller 103.
The multiband antenna 105 is a multiband antenna according to any one of the embodiments and modifications described above, and transmits the radio signal received from the communication circuit 104 as a radio wave having any one of the first to third frequencies. In addition, the multiband antenna 105 receives a radio wave having any one of the first to third frequencies from another device, converts the radio wave into a radio signal, and sends the radio signal to the communication circuit 104. In addition, the ground conductor 2 of the multiband antenna 105 is provided to cover, for example, the surface of the substrate 106 which is opposite to the surface of the substrate 106 with the memory 102, the controller 103, and the communication circuit 104 mounted thereon, and the lateral surface of the substrate 106. In addition, the first conductor 3 and the second conductor 4 are provided on, for example, one end side of the radio communication terminal 100 in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the third conductor 5 is provided to surround the ground conductor 2.
In addition, the first conductor 3 and the third conductor 5 of the multiband antenna 105 may be formed as a portion of the frame of the radio communication terminal 100. In addition, as illustrated in
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-045029 | Mar 2017 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation application of International Application PCT/JP2018/004179 filed on Feb. 7, 2018 and designated the U.S., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The International Application PCT/JP2018/004179 is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-045029, filed on Mar. 9, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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| International Search Report and Written Opinion, issued by International Searching Authority in corresponsing International Application No. PCT/JP2018/004179, dated May 1, 2018. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190214725 A1 | Jul 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2018/004179 | Feb 2018 | US |
| Child | 16357103 | US |
