TW201618374A - Antenna apparatus and wireless communication system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An antenna apparatus is provided. The antenna apparatus, including an antenna module and a radio frequency module, is implemented by a substrate, a first metal layer, a first monopole antenna, a second metal layer, and a second monopole antenna. The substrate haves two side printed antennas on both the top and bottom surface. Two printed antennas which could be the form of monopole are placed in perpendicular. Thus, the design can be easily employed as a circular-polarized antenna by using a hybrid combiner. Meanwhile, the design can also be used as a two-element diversity antenna with very low envelop correlation due to orthogonal fields. The radio frequency module is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal via the antenna module, wherein the radio frequency module is made by 3D LTCC process to form a very compact design with the concept of antenna-in-package. Thus, this design concept is suitable for the wearable wireless communication system applications.

Description

Antenna device and wireless communication system thereof

The invention provides an antenna device, in particular to an antenna device and a wireless communication system integrated by a 3D printed circuit board.

With the popularity of the Internet, people are increasingly dependent on the Internet, and more and more mobile Internet devices have been developed. Previously, consumers have mainly accessed the Internet through personal computers (PCs), notebook computers or mobile phones. Apple's iPhone, iPad, E-reader, smart phones and other mobile Internet devices are in the market. At the time of the coquettish, consumers behind it are very concerned about and further need for the accessibility of online information and the convenience of interpersonal interaction on the Internet.

Therefore, the market for wireless communication systems with wearable devices has gradually emerged, and has become another new focus of the technology industry. The industry has begun to compete to launch smart watches, sports bracelets, smart glasses, and personal health detectors to drive consumer demand. However, the budding wearable application still needs to overcome many technical challenges to truly expand market acceptance and bring new development opportunities to the industry.

Compared with computers, tablets, and mobile phones, wearable devices are more morphological changes. Whether it is product practicality, impact resistance, lightness, softness, comfort and interaction, wearable devices still have a long way to go. .

Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna device including an antenna module and a radio frequency module. The antenna module includes a substrate, a first metal layer, a first monopole antenna, a second metal layer, and a second monopole antenna. The substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The RF module is coupled to the first metal layer and the second metal layer of the antenna module. The first metal layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, and the first monopole antenna is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The second metal layer is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate corresponding to the position of the first monopole antenna, and the second monopole antenna is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate. The first monopole antenna has a first feed point connected to the first metal layer and the second monopole antenna has a second feed point connected to the second metal layer. The RF module is used to transmit RF signals through the antenna module, wherein the RF module is composed of a 3D printed circuit board. The signal feeding direction of the first feeding point of the first monopole antenna and the second feeding point of the second monopole antenna is perpendicular to each other.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system including an antenna device and a load. The antenna device includes an antenna module and an RF module. The antenna module includes a substrate, a first metal layer, a first monopole antenna, a second metal layer, and a second monopole antenna. The substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The RF module is coupled to the first metal layer and the second metal layer of the antenna module. The load is coupled to the antenna device. The first metal layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, and the first monopole antenna is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. The second metal layer is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate corresponding to the position of the first monopole antenna, and the second monopole antenna is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate. The first monopole antenna has a first feed point connected to the first metal layer and the second monopole antenna has a second feed point connected to the second metal layer. The RF module is used to transmit RF signals through the antenna module, wherein the RF module is composed of a 3D printed circuit board. The load communicates with an external device through an RF signal. In the antenna module, the signal feeding directions of the first feeding point of the first monopole antenna and the second feeding point of the second monopole antenna are perpendicular to each other.

In summary, the antenna device and the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of the present invention can simplify the design of the antenna module and the RF module through the 3D printing technology circuit board to make the overall antenna device and the wireless communication. The circuit area and space of the system are efficiently or densely integrated. Thereby, the embodiment of the invention The antenna device can be implemented in the form of a button size, which provides a lighter, thinner and shorter requirement for the wearable wireless communication device.

The detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings are to be understood by the claims The scope is subject to any restrictions.

1‧‧‧Antenna Module

2‧‧‧RF Module

3‧‧‧Antenna device

4‧‧‧Button type housing bottom

5‧‧‧Battery module

11, 61‧‧‧ substrate

12, 62‧‧‧ monopole antenna

13, 63‧‧‧ metal layer

21‧‧‧RF module upper part

22‧‧‧The lower part of the RF module

23‧‧‧Circuit Earth

41‧‧‧ button-type housing periphery

131, 631‧‧‧Feeding points

132‧‧‧ Grounding point

220‧‧‧ Groove

211‧‧‧ ground plane

213, 223‧‧‧ grounding point connection hole

212, 222‧‧‧Feed point connection hole

224‧‧‧ wafer

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing upper and lower surfaces of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simulation diagram of a reflection loss generated by an antenna apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a simulation diagram of radiation efficiency of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A and 7B are schematic diagrams showing upper and lower surfaces of an antenna module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a simulation diagram of a reflection loss generated by an antenna apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a simulation diagram of radiation efficiency of an antenna device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Various illustrative embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this invention will be in the In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers always indicate similar components.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, such elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, the first element discussed below may be referred to as the second The elements do not depart from the teachings of the inventive concept. As used herein, the term "or" may include all combinations of any one or more of the associated listed items.

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna module 1 has a substrate 11, a monopole antenna 12, and a metal layer 13. The substrate 11 has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate 11 have a feed point 131 and a ground point 132, respectively. The same metal layer 13 and the monopole antenna 12 are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate 11, respectively. Feeding points of the monopole antenna 12 on the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate 11 are respectively coupled to the metal layer 13 on the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate 11. In the embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface of the substrate 11 and the lower surface of the substrate 11 are configured the same, and the difference is that the signal feeding directions of the feeding points 131 of the upper surface and the lower surface of the monopole antenna 12 are perpendicular to each other. And the signal phase difference is ninety degrees. In other words, the component placement positions of the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate 11 are correspondingly flipped by one hundred and eighty degrees.

More specifically, please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B simultaneously. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of upper and lower surfaces of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B, it can be seen that the lower surface of the substrate 11 shown in Fig. 2B is the same as the upper surface of the substrate 11 shown in Fig. 2A. From the perspective of projection, the signal feeding directions of the feeding points 131 of the monopole antenna 12 of the upper surface and the lower surface are perpendicular to each other.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the substrate 11 is made of RF4 material and is a single-layer or multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with high dielectric constant. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the substrate 11 can also use other materials, such as a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC), to provide the above metal layer 13, monopole antenna 12, and other integrations. The circuit is integrated and laid out. It is worth mentioning that the embodiment of the invention can be implemented in a round structure to provide more efficient space utilization of the overall antenna device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the monopole antenna 12 is a radiating conductor disposed in a surrounding configuration. In other words, the monopole antenna 12 is a planar inverted F-type monopole antenna (Planer) Inverter-F Antenna, PIFA). Therefore, a circularly polarized antenna is formed by the upper and lower two monopole antennas 12 via a hybrid power combiner (not shown). More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the monopole antenna 12 is disposed around the periphery of the metal layer 13 around the metal layer 13. It should be noted that the monopole antenna 12 in the embodiment of the present invention is disposed with a radiation conductor surrounding one quarter turn of the periphery of the metal layer 13. In addition, the length of the radiation conductor forming the monopole antenna 12 should be less than or equal to a quarter of the wavelength. In other words, the radius of the surrounding structure of the monopole antenna 12 should be less than or equal to the wavelength of 1/8 π. The monopole antenna 12 has a feed point 131 connected to the metal layer 13 for providing signal transmission with a radio frequency module (not shown). However, since the two monopole antennas 12 function as a two-element diversity antenna, the vertical arrangement of the two monopole antennas 12 forms an electromagnetic field orthogonal to an Envelop correlation coefficient.

The metal layers 13 are respectively disposed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate 11. More specifically, the metal layer 13 provided on the upper surface of the substrate 11 and the metal layer 13 provided on the lower surface of the substrate 11 correspond to each other. In other words, the projection of the two is in the same position. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present invention, the metal layer 13 has the square metal layer 13 as an embodiment, but in other embodiments, a circular shape, a triangular shape, or the like may be used as the embodiment. The embodiment of the invention is not limited by the shape of the metal layer 13.

Next, please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The RF module 2 has at least one wafer 224 such as a Low Noise Amplifier, a Power Amplifier, an Antenna switch or other active components. On the other hand, the RF module 2 is composed of a 3D printed circuit board for transmitting RF signals through the antenna module 1. In an embodiment of the invention, the 3D printed circuit board utilizes a low temperature co-fired ceramic or a high density high density printed circuit board process (High Density Interconnect) to produce a multilayer printed circuit board structure.

More specifically, in Figure 3, the RF module 2 is mounted on the upper part of the RF module 21 The lower portion of the frequency module 22 is illustrated. The top surface of the upper portion 21 of the RF module has at least one grounding surface 211, a grounding point connecting hole 213, and a feeding point connecting hole 212. The grounding surface 211 is connected to the metal layer 13 of the antenna module 1. The grounding point connection hole 212 and the feeding point connection hole 213 are used to provide the grounding point 132 to be coupled to the feeding point 131. The radio frequency module lower portion 22 has a ground point connection hole 222 and a feed point connection hole 223. The ground point connection hole 222 and the feed point connection hole 223 are in communication with the ground point connection hole 212 and the feed point connection hole 213, respectively. It should be noted that, as can be seen from FIG. 3, a hollow recess 220 can be formed in the multilayer printed circuit board structure of the RF module 2 for arranging the wafer 224. By matching the 3D printed circuit board, it is possible to set a matching matching circuit required for circularly polarized antennas or antenna isolation with high isolation (Isolation). That is, the matching circuit for matching the monopole antenna 12. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, although the matching circuit is disposed in the radio frequency module 2 as an illustration, in other embodiments, the multi-layer substrate 11 in the antenna module 1 may be designed to provide flexible circuit design. In the manner, the present invention does not limit the setting position of the matching circuit.

Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an antenna apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna device 3 includes an antenna module 1, a radio frequency module 2, a button-type housing bottom 4, a button-type housing periphery 41, and a battery module 5. In the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna module 1 is disposed on the uppermost layer of the antenna device 3, the radio frequency module 2 is disposed in the middle layer of the antenna device 3, and the battery module 5 is disposed at the bottom of the antenna device 3. In other words, the antenna device 3 of the embodiment of the present invention can assemble the antenna module 1, the radio frequency module 2 and the battery module 5 in a manner of being screwed. Further, in other embodiments, the intermediate layer may also be stacked on the plurality of radio frequency modules 2 and connected to the antenna module through the ground point connection hole and the feed point connection hole to transmit the RF signal, and the RF module 2 is wirelessly protected. Different radio frequency modules such as frames (WIFI) and Bluetooth.

In addition, a circuit ground 23 is disposed between the battery module 5 and the radio frequency module 2, so that the radio frequency module 2 receives the driving power provided by the battery module 5. In the embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 5 can be implemented as a mercury battery, but the present invention does not limit. It should be noted that the button-type housing bottom 4 and the button-type housing periphery 41 can assemble the antenna module 1, the RF module 2 and the battery module 5 into a button shape, and the overall height is about 5-7 microns. (mm), width is about 12 microns.

On the other hand, although the antenna device 3 is implemented in the form of a button in the embodiment of the present invention, a minimized spatial setting can be achieved. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that other shapes may be used as the embodiments, but are not limited thereto. The present invention is only described by the circular shape of the button as an embodiment.

In practical applications, the antenna device 3 can be further applied to a wireless communication system, such as a wearable device (clothing, watches, glasses, etc.). The wearable device has a load (heartbeat, body temperature, pulse, etc.) of the sensor to sense the parameters of the human body, and transmits the measured value of the sensor to other external devices by coupling the antenna device 3 ( For example, monitoring devices, servers, etc.) for subsequent applications.

Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a simulation diagram of a reflection loss generated by an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows the ratio of the input signal and the reflected signal operating at 1.57 GHz for each of the reflection parameters of m1 and m2 at an impedance of 100 ohms. As can be seen from FIG. 5, when the antenna device 3 of the embodiment of the present invention operates in the frequency band of 1.57 GHz, the reflection loss is about 8 dB and 9 dB, respectively. In addition, please refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a simulation diagram of radiation efficiency of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the antenna device 3 of the embodiment of the present invention has a radiation efficiency of about 12% in the 1.57 GHz band.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B simultaneously. FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams of upper and lower surfaces of an antenna module according to another embodiment of the present invention. 7A and 7B show a substrate 61, a monopole antenna 62, a metal layer 63, and a feed point 631. The difference between the embodiment of the present invention and the embodiment of Figures 2A and 2B is that the monopole antenna 62 of the present invention is also a circularly polarized inverted-F monopole antenna. However, it can be seen from Figures 7A and 7B that the length of the radiating conductor of the monopole antenna 62 is around the periphery of the metal layer 63 as an embodiment, and its feeding point is different from that of Figures 2A, 2B. In the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna radiation efficiency can be improved by the configuration of the monopole antenna 62.

Further, please refer to FIG. 8, which is an antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention. The device produces a simulation of the reflection loss. Under the same impedance of 100 ohms, the antenna device of the embodiment of the present invention generates a dual frequency phenomenon, and m2, m3 and m1, m4 operate at 1.22 GHz and 1.57 GHz, respectively. In addition, please refer to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a simulation diagram of radiation efficiency of an antenna device according to another embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the radiation efficiency of the antenna device of the embodiment of the present invention is increased to about 43% in the 1.57 GHz band.

[effects of invention]

In summary, the antenna device and the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of the present invention can simplify the design of the antenna module and the RF module through the 3D printing technology circuit board to make the overall antenna device and the wireless communication. The circuit area and space of the system are efficiently or densely integrated. Therefore, the antenna device of the embodiment of the present invention can be realized in the form of a button size in the miniaturized antenna of the wearable device, improving the isolation and the space limitation condition of the configuration between the radiators, and providing the wearable wireless communication device to be lighter, thinner and shorter. demand.

Further, the antenna device of the embodiment of the present invention can greatly reduce the cost by using the low temperature common high ceramic technology, and the antenna module and the ground plane have a higher distance to improve the antenna radiation efficiency. It is worth mentioning that the related passive components and active components can be built in the low-temperature common ceramic technology 3D printed circuit board to achieve miniaturization.

The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the features of the present invention are not limited thereto, and any one skilled in the art can easily change or modify it in the field of the present invention. Covered in the following patent scope of this case.

1‧‧‧Antenna Module

2‧‧‧RF Module

3‧‧‧Antenna device

4‧‧‧Button type housing bottom

5‧‧‧Battery module

23‧‧‧Circuit Earth

41‧‧‧ button-type housing periphery

131‧‧‧Feeding point

132‧‧‧ Grounding point

Claims (10)

An antenna device includes: an antenna module, comprising: a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a first metal layer disposed on the upper surface of the substrate; a first monopole antenna disposed on the substrate The upper surface has a first feed point connected to the first metal layer; a second metal layer disposed on the upper surface of the substrate; and a second monopole antenna corresponding to the first monopole antenna The second metal layer is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate, and the second metal layer is coupled to the first metal layer and the second metal of the antenna module. The layer is configured to transmit an RF signal through the antenna module, wherein the RF module is formed by a 3D printed circuit board; wherein the first feed point of the first monopole antenna and the second monopole antenna The signal feeding directions of the second feed point are perpendicular to each other. The antenna device of claim 1, further comprising: a battery module coupled to the radio frequency module for providing driving power of the antenna device. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the first monopole antenna and the second monopole antenna are a Planer Inverter-F Antenna (PIFA). The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the first monopole antenna and the second monopole antenna are a radiation conductor disposed in a surrounding structure. The antenna device of claim 4, wherein a radius of the surrounding structure of the first monopole antenna and the second monopole antenna is less than or equal to a wavelength of 1/8 π. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the 3D printed circuit board forming the radio frequency module utilizes a low temperature co-fired ceramic or a high speed high density printed circuit board process (High Density). Interconnect) is generated. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency module has a matching circuit for providing a matching match between the first monopole antenna and the second monopole antenna. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the first monopole antenna and the second monopole antenna form a circularly polarized antenna. The antenna device of claim 7, wherein the substrate of the antenna module has a matching circuit for providing a matching of the first monopole antenna and the second monopole antenna. A wireless communication system, comprising: an antenna device, comprising: an antenna module, comprising: a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a first metal layer disposed on the upper surface of the substrate; a pole antenna disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, having a first feed point connected to the first metal layer; a second metal layer disposed on the upper surface of the substrate; and a second monopole antenna, Positioning the first monopole antenna on the lower surface of the substrate, having a second feed point connected to the second metal layer; and an RF module coupled to the antenna module a metal layer and the second metal layer for transmitting an RF signal through the antenna module, wherein the RF module is formed by a 3D printed circuit board; a load is coupled to the antenna device, and the RF signal is transmitted through the RF device An external device communicates; wherein, in the antenna module, a signal feeding direction of the first feeding point of the first monopole antenna and the second feeding point of the second monopole antenna are perpendicular to each other.