Dual-Polarization Antenna Module and Electronic Device Comprising Said Antenna Module

Abstract

An electronic device and antenna system for generation of millimeter-wave frequency radiation. The antenna system has first conductive structure, a second conductive structure, and an antenna comprising a first antenna element configured to excite a first electric field having a first polarization, and a second antenna element configured to excite a second electric field having a second polarization. The first antenna element and the second antenna element extend in an antenna plane. An anisotropic dielectric volume is partially enclosed by the antenna, the first conductive structure, and the second conductive structure. A first surface of the dielectric volume is open to the exterior of the antenna system. The dielectric volume allows the first and second electric fields to propagate, within the dielectric volume, from the antenna at least partially towards the first conductive structure, and to radiate from the first surface to the exterior.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An electronic device comprising: a display; a back cover; a frame extending between the display and the back cover; and an antenna system configured to generate millimeter-wave frequency radiation, wherein the antenna system comprises: an antenna, wherein the antenna comprises: a first antenna element extending in an antenna plane and configured to excite a first electric field having a first polarization; and a second antenna element extending in the antenna plane and configured to excite a second electric field having a second polarization; a first conductive structure integral with the frame; a second conductive structure integral with the display; and an anisotropic dielectric volume partially enclosed by the antenna, the first conductive structure, and the second conductive structure, wherein a first surface of the anisotropic dielectric volume is open to an exterior of the antenna system, and wherein the anisotropic dielectric volume is configured to permit the first electric field and the second electric field to propagate within the anisotropic dielectric volume from the antenna at least partially toward the first conductive structure and radiate from the first surface to the exterior.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the anisotropic dielectric volume further comprises a plurality of ground strips aligned with the antenna plane, wherein the ground strips divide the anisotropic dielectric volume into a first dielectric volume extending between a first surface of the dielectric volume and the ground strips and a second dielectric volume extending between the ground strips and the second conductive structure.

23. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the first dielectric volume and the second dielectric volume are shaped differently such that the anisotropic dielectric volume is asymmetric.

24. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the ground strips define a conductive pattern extending from the antenna toward the first conductive structure.

25. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the conductive pattern comprises at least one of lines, tracks, or traces in alignment with the antenna plane.

26. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the conductive pattern further comprises at least two lines, tracks, or traces separated by a capacitive gap.

27. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the first electric field has a horizontal polarization and extends perpendicular to conductive surfaces of the ground strips in a configuration enabling the first antenna element to utilize the first dielectric volume and the second dielectric volume, and wherein the second electrical field has a vertical polarization and extends parallel with the conductive surfaces of the ground strips in a configuration for exciting currents on the conductive surfaces and enabling the second antenna element to utilize the first dielectric volume only.

28. The electronic device of claim 22, further comprising a substrate securing one of the antenna elements or the ground strips.

29. The electronic device of claim 28, wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board.

30. The electronic device of claim 28, wherein the substrate extends at least partially parallel to the display.

31. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the first antenna element and the second antenna element are end-fire antenna elements, and wherein the anisotropic dielectric volume extends between the antenna and the first conductive structure in a radiation direction of the end-fire antenna elements, and wherein the radiation direction is in alignment with the antenna plane.

32. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein a height (h) of the anisotropic dielectric volume in a direction perpendicular to the antenna plane decreases in a direction from the antenna toward the first conductive structure, in a configuration to confine the first electric field and the second electric field within the anisotropic dielectric volume when h>λ/(2√{square root over (ε.sub.r)}), wherein λ, is a wavelength of the first electric field and the second electric field, wherein ε.sub.r is an effective relative dielectric constant of the anisotropic dielectric volume, and wherein the first electric field and the second electric field are radiated into a space adjacent to the anisotropic dielectric volume and the first conductive structure when h≤λ/(4√{square root over (ε.sub.r)}).

33. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein center lines of the first antenna element and the second antenna element are in alignment with an edge of the first conductive structure.

34. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the anisotropic dielectric volume further comprises a plurality of conductors coupling the anisotropic dielectric volume with the antenna, wherein the conductors extend at least partially in parallel with the antenna plane and at least partially parallel with the radiation direction.

35. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the anisotropic dielectric volume further comprises a plurality of conductors coupling the anisotropic dielectric volume with the antenna, wherein the conductors extend parallel with the antenna plane and perpendicular to the radiation direction.

36. The electronic device of claim 21, further comprising a gap between the antenna elements, the frame and the display, wherein the gap accommodates the anisotropic dielectric volume, wherein the antenna system is adjacent to the back cover, wherein the first surface of the anisotropic dielectric volume extends adjacent to the back cover, and wherein the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure are located between the first surface and the back cover.

37. The electronic device of claim 36, wherein the electronic device comprises a second antenna system at least partially located in the gap.

38. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the second antenna system comprises a sub-6 gigahertz (GHz) antenna.

39. The electronic device of claim 21, further comprising a discontinuity between the back cover and the frame, and extending between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure and along the first surface of the anisotropic dielectric volume, wherein the discontinuity permits the first electric field and the second electric field to radiate externally from the antenna system.

40. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein a height of the anisotropic dielectric volume extends from the back cover to the display.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an antenna module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective view of an antenna module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of an antenna module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of an antenna module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 show partial perspective views of an antenna module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIGS. 9 to 11 show partial perspective views of an antenna module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIGS. 12 to 17 show partial perspective views of an antenna module in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIGS. 18a and 18b show partial perspective views of an antenna module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of a dual-polarization antenna module 1 for generation of millimeter-wave frequency radiation. The antenna module 1 comprises an antenna 2, a first conductive structure 5, and a second conductive structure 6. An anisotropic dielectric volume 7 is partially enclosed by the antenna 2, the first conductive structure 5, and the second conductive structure 6.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the antenna 2 comprises at least one first antenna element 3 and at least one second antenna element 4 which extend in an antenna plane. The first antenna element 3 is configured to excite a first electric field F1 having a first polarization. The second antenna element 4 is configured to excite a second electric field F2 having a second polarization.

[0041] The first antenna element 3 and the second antenna element 4 may be end-fire antenna elements, in which case the dielectric volume 7 extends between the antenna 2 and the first conductive structure 5 in a radiation direction D1 of the end-fire antenna elements 3, 4, the radiation direction D1 being aligned with the antenna plane. The end-fire antenna elements generate dual-polarization electric fields F1, F2 at the edge coupled to the dielectric volume 7. At that edge, the dual-polarization electric fields F1, F2 are bound within the dielectric volume 7.

[0042] A first surface 8 of the dielectric volume 7 is open to an exterior of the antenna module 1, i.e. to the exterior of the electronic device 12 in which the antenna module 1 is arranged. The first surface 8 is preferably arranged such that it extends adjacent the back cover 14. The dielectric volume 7 allows the first electric field Fl and the second electric field F2 to propagate within the dielectric volume 7, from the antenna 2 at least partially towards the first conductive structure 5, and to subsequently radiate from the first surface 8 to the exterior at an edge opposite the end-fire antenna elements.

[0043] The electronic device 12, shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a display 13, a back cover 14, a frame 15 extending between the display 13 and the back cover 14, and at least one antenna module 1. The frame 15 comprises the first conductive structure 5. Preferably, the frame 15 is solid and does not comprise any throughgoing openings, which openings would weaken the frame and make it less durable. Such openings are conventionally filled with dielectric material and placed adjacent antenna elements in order to allow radiation to radiate through the openings and into the exterior of the electronic device. The dielectric volume 7 forms a travelling wave structure. The antenna module 1 is arranged adjacent the back cover 14, and parallel with the frame 15. The back cover 14 may be made of non-conductive material such as plastic, glass, or ceramic, and is preferably partially curved.

[0044] Center lines CL of the antenna elements 3, 4 may be aligned with an edge of the first conductive structure 5, i.e. the edge of frame 15 facing a corresponding edge of the back cover 14, as indicated by FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0045] The display 13 comprises the second conductive structure 6. In one embodiment, the display 13 cover the entire front surface of the electronic device 12. The display 13 is preferably partially curved, e.g. between 90 and 135° from the main plane of the display 13.

[0046] A gap 16 extends between the antenna elements 3, 4, the frame 15 and the display 13, accommodating at least the dielectric volume 7, i.e. the antenna elements 3, 4, the frame 15 and the display 13 form the boundaries of the dielectric volume 7. The gap 16 is filled with dielectric material, forming the dielectric volume 7, and increases the effective volume of the antenna.

[0047] At least one discontinuity 17 may be formed between the back cover 14 and the frame 15, between the conductors 11, and along the first surface 8 of the dielectric volume 7. The discontinuity 17 allows the first electric field F1 and the second electric field F2 to radiate from the antenna module 1 to the exterior of the antenna module 1.

[0048] The dielectric volume 7 may comprise a plurality of ground strips 9, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 5, 9 to 11, 13, 14, and 16. The ground strips 9 may be shaped as a conductive pattern, the conductive pattern extending from the antenna 2 towards the first conductive structure 5. The conductive pattern may comprise at least one of lines, tracks, and traces aligned in the antenna plane. Furthermore, the conductive pattern may comprise at least two lines, tracks, and traces separated by capacitive gaps 10. The ground strips 9/conductive pattern are preferably aligned perpendicularly with the edges of the antenna 2 and frame 15.

[0049] The electronic device 12 may comprise at least one substrate 18 carrying at least one of the antenna elements 3, 4 and the ground strips 9. The substrate 18 may be one printed circuit board (PCB), or several stacked PCBs. In one embodiment, the substrate 18 extends at least partially in parallel with the display 13.

[0050] The antenna module 1 is arranged adjacent the back cover 14 such that a first surface 8 of the dielectric volume 7 extends adjacent the back cover 14.

[0051] The dielectric volume 7 may further comprises a plurality of conductors 11 coupling the dielectric volume 7 to the antenna 2, more exactly to the first antenna element 3 and the second antenna element 4. The conductors 11 may be located between the first surface 8 and the back cover 14, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In one embodiment, the conductors 11 extend at least partially in parallel with the antenna plane and with the radiation direction D1, as shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b. In a further embodiment, the conductors 11 extend in parallel with the antenna plane and perpendicular to the radiation direction D1, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0052] The plurality of ground strips 9 are aligned with the antenna plane and divide the dielectric volume 7 into a first dielectric volume 7a and a second dielectric volume 7b. The first dielectric volume 7a extends between the first surface 8 of the dielectric volume 7 and the ground strips 9, and the second dielectric volume 7b extends between the ground strips 9 and the second conductive structure 6. The ground strips 9 define the anisotropic parameters of the dielectric volume 7, which enables having two different polarizations.

[0053] The ground strips 9 may be arranged on a surface of the first dielectric volume 7a which extends substantially opposite to the first surface 8, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 11. The ground strips 9 may also be arranged on top of the substrate 18, should the substrate 18 extend underneath the first dielectric volume 7a, as shown in FIG. 5. The ground strips 9 may also be arranged on underneath the substrate 18, should the substrate 18 extend underneath the first dielectric volume 7a, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 17. This allows the antenna module 1 to be one integral piece.

[0054] The first dielectric volume 7a may have a different shape than the second dielectric volume 7b in a direction D2 perpendicular to the antenna plane and perpendicular to direction D1, such that the complete dielectric volume 7 is asymmetric.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first electric field F1 has a horizontal polarization and the second electrical field F2 has a vertical polarization. The first electric field F1 extends perpendicular to a conductive surface 9a of the ground strips 9, allowing the first antenna element 3 to utilize the first dielectric volume 7a and the second dielectric volume 7b, i.e. the entire dielectric volume 7, hence maximizing the efficiency and gain of the horizontal polarization. The second electric field F2 extends parallel with the conductive surface 9a of the ground strips 9, exciting currents on the conductive surface 9a and allowing the second antenna element 4 to utilize the first dielectric volume 7a only, isolating the electric field F2 from the second dielectric volume 7b and, hence, maximizing the efficiency and gain of the vertical polarization.

[0056] A height of the dielectric volume 7, in the direction D2 perpendicular to the antenna plane, may gradually decrease in a direction from the antenna 2 to the first conductive structure 5, giving the dielectric volume 7, and the first dielectric volume 7a in particular, a tapered shape. Preferably, the taper substantially follows the inner shape of the back cover 14. In one embodiment, the height of the dielectric volume 7 is measured between the back cover 14 and the display 13. As the dielectric volume 7, 7a tapers, the surface impedance changes continuously. The first electric field F1 and the second electric field F2 are confined to the dielectric volume 7 if height h>λ/2√{square root over (ε.sub.r)}, λ being a wavelength of the first electric field F1 and the second electric field F2, and ε.sub.r being an effective relative dielectric constant of the dielectric volume 7. The first electric field F1 and the second electric field F2 are no longer confined, but instead radiated into a space adjacent the dielectric volume 7 and the first conductive structure 5, when height h≤λ/4√{square root over (ε.sub.r)}, i.e. to the exterior of the electronic device 12 in which the antenna module 1 is arranged. In other words, the dielectric volume 7 retains and guides electric field F1 and electric field F2 towards the frame 15, i.e. the edge of the electronic device 12, which thereafter radiate from the surface of the frame 15 in predominantly end-fire directions. By retaining the energy of the electric fields inside the dielectric volume 7, efficiency is improved and diffraction at the antenna 2 edge is reduced. Further, the taper provides matching between the antenna 2 and the exterior.

[0057] The electronic device 12 may comprises a further antenna module 19 at least partially located in the gap 16, as indicated in FIG. 6. The further antenna module 19 may comprise a sub-6 GHz antenna, formed in part by the frame 15.

[0058] The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

[0059] The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.