Antenna assembly and antenna structure with improved signal-to-noise ratio

Abstract

An antenna assembly including: an insulating substrate; a conductive coating covering a surface of the substrate at least section-wise and serving at least section-wise as a planar antenna receiving electromagnetic waves; a first coupling electrode electrically coupled to the conductive coating extracting useful signals from the planar antenna; a source of interference disposed such that interfering signals can be received by the planar antenna; an electrically conductive ground; and a second coupling electrode electrically coupled to the conductive coating coupling out interfering signals received by the planar antenna from the planar antenna. The second coupling electrode includes a first coupling surface and the conductive structure includes a second coupling surface capacitively coupled to the first coupling surface, the two coupling surfaces configured to selectively allow passage of a frequency range corresponding to the interfering signals to be extracted from the planar antenna.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly, comprising: at least one electrically insulating substrate; an electrically conductive structure defining a ground; at least one electrically conductive transparent coating, which covers more than 70% of a surface of the substrate and serves as a planar antenna to receive electromagnetic signals comprising first signals in a frequency range of first and second terrestrial broadcast bands and second signals in a frequency range of third to fifth terrestrial broadcast bands; at least one first coupling electrode galvanically or capacitively connected to the conductive coating to couple out the first signals from the planar antenna, the first coupling electrode being electrically coupled to an unshielded, linear antenna conductor, which serves as a linear antenna to receive electromagnetic waves, the linear antenna conductor being situated outside an area that is projected by orthogonal parallel projection onto the planar antenna serving as the projection area, by which one antenna foot point of the linear antenna becomes a common antenna foot point of the linear and planar antenna; at least one second coupling electrode galvanically connected to the conductive coating to couple out the second signals from the planar antenna, wherein the at least one second coupling electrode is implemented in the form of a protruding edge section of the conductive coating, wherein the at least one second coupling electrode includes a first coupling surface and the conductive structure includes a second coupling surface capacitively coupled to the first coupling surface, and wherein sizes of the first and second coupling surfaces and a distance between the first and second coupling surfaces are configured such that they selectively allow passage of the second signals.

2. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second coupling electrode is disposed near the first coupling electrode.

3. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second coupling electrode is disposed between a source of interference area zone of the conductive coating, whose points are at a distance as short as possible from the at least one source of interference, and the first coupling electrode.

4. An antenna assembly according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second coupling electrode is at a distance from the source of interference area zone that is less than one fourth of a minimum wavelength of the interfering signal.

5. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein a geometric distance between the at least one second coupling electrode and a source of interference area zone of the conductive coating, whose points are at a distance as short as possible from the at least one source of interference, is less than a geometric distance between the first coupling electrode and the source of interference area zone.

6. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the capacitively coupled coupling surfaces of the at least one second coupling electrode and the conductive structure are configured such that they selectively allow passage of a frequency range above 170 MHz.

7. An antenna structure, comprising: at least one electrically insulating substrate; at least one electrically conductive transparent coating, which covers more than 70% of a surface of the substrate and serves as a planar antenna to receive electromagnetic signals comprising first signals in a frequency range of first and second terrestrial broadcast bands and second signals in a frequency range of third to fifth terrestrial broadcast bands; at least one first coupling electrode electrically coupled to the conductive coating to couple out the first signals, wherein the first coupling electrode is electrically coupled to an unshielded, linear antenna conductor, which serves as a linear antenna to receive electromagnetic waves, wherein the linear antenna conductor is situated outside an area that is projected by orthogonal parallel projection on the planar antenna serving as the projection area, by which one antenna foot point of the linear antenna becomes a common antenna foot point of the linear and planar antenna; at least one second coupling electrode galvanically connected to the conductive coating to couple out the second signals, wherein the at least one second coupling electrode is implemented in the form of a protruding edge section of the conductive coating, wherein the at least one second coupling electrode includes a first coupling surface that is configured to be capacitively coupled to a second coupling surface of an electrically conductive structure defining an electrical ground, and wherein the sizes of the coupling surfaces and a distance between the coupling surface is configured such that they selectively allows passage of the second signals.

8. A use of an antenna structure according to claim 7 as a functional individual piece and as a built-in part in furniture, devices, and buildings, as well as in means of transportation for travel on land, in air, or on water, or in motor vehicles, or as a windshield, a rear window, a side window, and/or a glass roof.

9. A method for operation of an antenna assembly, comprising: receiving of signals by a planar antenna, which is implemented in a form of an electrically conductive transparent coating applied on at least one electrically insulating substrate, which covers more than 70% of a surface of the substrate, the signals comprising first signals in a frequency range of first and second terrestrial broadcast bands and second signals in a frequency range of third to fifth terrestrial broadcast bands; coupling out of the first signals from the planar antenna by a first coupling electrode galvanically or capacitively connected to the coating, wherein the first coupling electrode is electrically coupled to an unshielded, linear antenna conductor, which serves as a linear antenna to couple electromagnetic waves, wherein the linear antenna conductor is situated outside an area that is protected by orthogonal parallel projection onto the planar antenna serving as the projection area, by which one antenna foot point of the linear antenna becomes a common antenna foot point of the linear and planar antenna; selectively coupling out of the second signals from the planar antenna by a second coupling electrode galvanically connected to the coating, which second coupling electrode is implemented in the form of a protruding edge section of the conductive coating and is capacitively coupled to a conductive structure defining a ground wherein the second coupling electrode includes a first coupling surface and the conductive structure includes a second coupling surface capacitively coupled to the first coupling surface, and wherein the sizes of the coupling surfaces and a distance between the coupling surfaces are configured such that they selectively allow passage of the second signals.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is now explained in detail based on exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures. They depict in simplified representation that is not to scale:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a hybrid antenna assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention embodied in the form of a laminated pane;

(3) FIG. 2A-2D cross-sectional views of the hybrid antenna assembly of FIG. 1 along section line A-A (FIG. 2A), section line B-B (FIG. 2B), section line A-A (FIG. 2C), and section line B-B (FIG. 2D);

(4) FIG. 3A-3B cross-sectional views of a first variant of the hybrid antenna assembly of FIG. 1 along section line A-A (FIG. 3A) and section line B-B (FIG. 3B);

(5) FIG. 4A-4B cross-sectional views of a second variant of the hybrid antenna assembly of FIG. 1 along section line A-A (FIG. 4A) and section line B-B (FIG. 4B);

(6) FIG. 5A-5B cross-sectional views of a third variant of the hybrid antenna assembly of FIG. 1 along section line A-A (FIG. 5A) and section line B-B (FIG. 5B);

(7) FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view of a fourth variant of the hybrid antenna assembly of FIG. 1 along section line B-B;

(8) FIG. 7 a schematic perspective view of a hybrid antenna assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention embodied in the form of a laminated pane;

(9) FIG. 8A-8B cross-sectional views of the hybrid antenna assembly of FIG. 7 along section line A-A (FIG. 8A) and section line B-B (FIG. 8B);

(10) FIG. 9 a cross-sectional view of a variant of the hybrid antenna assembly of FIG. 7 along section line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(11) Considered first are FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A through 2D, wherein a hybrid antenna structure, referred to as a whole by the reference character 1, as well as an antenna assembly 100 containing the antenna structure 1, is illustrated as a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this case, the hybrid antenna structure 1 is embodied, for example, as a transparent laminated pane 20, which is only partially depicted in FIG. 1. The laminated pane 20 is transparent to visible light, for example, in the wavelength range from 350 nm to 800 nm, with the term transparency meaning light permeability of more than 50%, preferably more than 75%, and particularly preferably more than 80%. The laminated pane 20 serves, for example, as a windshield of a motor vehicle, but it can also be used otherwise.

(12) The laminated pane 20 comprises two transparent individual panes, namely a rigid outer pane 2 and a rigid inner pane 3, that are fixedly bonded to each other by a transparent thermoplastic adhesive layer 21. The individual panes have roughly the same size and are made, for example, from glass, in particular, float glass, cast glass, and ceramic glass, being equally possibly made from a non-glass material, for example, plastic, in particular polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polyester (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMA), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Generally speaking, any material with sufficient transparency, adequate chemical resistance, as well as suitable shape and size stability can be used. For use elsewhere, for example, as a decorative piece, it would also be possible to make the outer and inner panes 2, 3 from a flexible material. The respective thickness of the outer and inner panes 2, 3 can vary widely depending on the application and, for glass, can, for example, be in the range from 1 to 24 mm.

(13) The laminated pane 20 has an at least approximately trapezoidal curved contour (in FIG. 1 only partially discernible), which results from a common edge of the pane 5 made of the two individual panes 2, 3, with the edge of the pane 5 composed of two opposing long edges of the pane 5a and two opposing short edges of the pane 5b. In the conventional manner, the surfaces of the panes are referenced with Roman numerals I-IV, with side I corresponding to a first pane surface 24 of the outer pane 2; side II, a second pane surface 25 of the outer pane 2; side III, a third pane surface 26 of the inner pane 3; and side IV, a fourth pane surface 27 of the inner pane 3. In the application as a windshield, side I is turned toward the outside environment and side IV is turned toward the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

(14) The adhesive layer 21 for bonding the outer and inner pane 2, 3 is preferably made of an adhesive plastic, preferably based on polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and polyurethane (PU). In this case, the adhesive layer 21 is implemented, for example, as a bilayer in the form of two PVB films bonded together (not shown in detail in the figures).

(15) Situated between the outer and inner pane 2, 3 is a an extensive carrier 4, preferably made from plastic, preferably based on polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyester (PE), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB), particularly preferably based on polyester (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In this case, the carrier 4 is implemented, for example, in the form of a PET film. The carrier 4 is embedded between the two PVB films of the adhesive layer 21 and disposed parallel to the outer and inner pane 2, 3, roughly centered between the two, with a first carrier surface 22 facing the second pane surface 25 and a second carrier surface 23 facing the third pane surface 26. The carrier 4 does not extend all the way to the edge of the pane 5, such that a carrier edge 29 is set back inward relative to the edge of the pane 5 and a carrier-free circumferential edge zone 28 of the laminated 20 remains on all sides. The edge zone 28 serves in particular as electrical insulation of the conductive coating 6 toward the outside, for example, for reduction of a capacitive coupling with the electrically conductive motor vehicle body, made, as a rule, from sheet metal. Moreover, the conductive coating 6 is protected against moisture penetrating from the edge of the pane 5.

(16) Applied on the second carrier surface 23 is a transparent, electrically conductive coating 6, which is delimited on all sides by a circumferential coating edge 8. The conductive coating 6 covers an area, which is more than 50%, preferably more than 70%, particularly preferably more than 80%, and even more preferably more than 90% of the surface of the second pane surface 25 or of the third pane surface 26. The area covered by the conductive coating 6 preferably amounts to more than 1 m.sup.2 and can, generally speaking, despite the use of the laminated pane 20 as a windshield, be, for example, in the range from 100 cm.sup.2 to 25 m.sup.2. The transparent, electrically conductive coating 6 contains or is made of at least one electrically conductive material. Examples for this are metals with high electrical conductivity such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum, or molybdenum, metal alloys, such as silver alloyed with palladium, as well as transparent, electrically conductive oxides (TCOs=transparent conductive oxides). Preferred TCOs are indium tin oxide, fluoride-doped tin dioxide, aluminum-doped tin dioxide, gallium-doped tin dioxide, boron-doped tin dioxide, tin zinc oxide, or antimony-doped tin oxide.

(17) The conductive coating 6 can consist of one individual layer with such a conductive material or of a layer sequence that contains at least one such individual layer. For example, the layer sequence can comprise at least one layer made of a conductive material and at least one layer made of a dielectric material. The thickness of the conductive coating 6 can vary widely depending on the application, with the thickness at any location in the range from 30 nm to 100 m. In the case of TCOs, the thickness is preferably in the range from 100 nm to 1.5 m, more preferably in the range from 150 nm to 1 m, particularly preferably in the range from 200 nm to 500 nm. When the conductive coating consists of a layer sequence with at least one layer made of an electrically conductive material and at least one layer made of a dielectric material, the thickness is preferably 20 nm to 100 m, more preferably 25 nm to 90 m, and particularly preferably 30 nm to 80 m. The layer sequence advantageously has high thermal stability such that it withstands, without damage, the temperatures of typically more than 600 C. necessary for the bending of glass panes; however, layer sequences with low thermal stability can also be provided. The sheet resistance of the conductive coating 6 is preferably less than 20 ohms and is, for example, in the range from 0.5 to 20 ohms. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the sheet resistance of the conductive coating 6 is, for example, 4 ohms.

(18) The conductive coating 6 is preferably deposited from the gas phase, for which purpose methods known per se, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or physical vapor deposition (PVD), can be used. Preferably, the coating 6 is applied by sputtering (magnetron cathode sputtering).

(19) In the laminated pane 20, the conductive coating 6 serves as a planar antenna for reception of electromagnetic waves, preferably in the frequency range of the terrestrial broadcast bands I and II. For this purpose, the conductive coating 6 is electrically coupled to a first coupling electrode 10, which is implemented in this case, for example, as a strip-shaped flat conductor. In the exemplary embodiment, the first coupling electrode 10 is galvanically coupled to the conductive coating 6, with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The strip-shaped first coupling electrode 10 is made, for example, from a metallic material, preferably silver, and is, for example, printed on by screenprinting. It has, preferably, a length of more than 10 mm with a width of 5 mm or more, more preferably a length of more than 25 mm with a width of 5 mm or more. In the exemplary embodiment, the first coupling electrode 10 has a length of 300 mm and a width of 5 mm. The thickness of the first coupling electrode 10 is preferably less than 0.015 mm. The specific conductivity of a first coupling electrode 10 made of silver is, for example, 61.35.Math.10.sup.6/ohm.Math.m.

(20) As depicted in FIG. 1, the first coupling electrode 10 runs on and in direct electrical contact with the conductive coating 6 roughly parallel to the upper coating edge 8 and extends into the carrier-free edge zone 28. In this case, the first coupling electrode 10 is disposed such that the antenna signals of the planar antenna are optimized with regard to its reception performance (signal level).

(21) As depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the conductive coating 6 is divided, in a strip-shaped edge region 15 adjacent the carrier edge 29, for example, by lasering, into a plurality of electrically insulated segments 16, between which, in each case, electrically insulating (stripped) regions 17 are situated. The edge region 15 runs substantially parallel to the carrier edge 29 and can, in particular, be circumferential on all sides. By means of this measure, a capacitive coupling of the conductive coating 6 to surrounding conductive structures, for example, an electrically conductive motor vehicle body, is prevented. Since the edge region 15 of the conductive coating 6 is not active as a planar antenna, a part of the conductive coating 6 active for the function as a planar antenna is delimited by a coating edge 8.

(22) Within the carrier-free edge zone 28 of the laminated pane 20, embedded in the adhesive layer 4, a linear, unshielded antenna conductor 12 is situated, which serves as a linear antenna for reception of electromagnetic waves, preferably in the frequency range of the terrestrial broadcast bands II through V, particularly preferably in the frequency range of the broadcast bands III through V and is suitably configured for this purpose. In the present exemplary embodiment, the antenna conductor 12 is implemented in the form of a wire 18, which is preferably longer than 100 mm and narrower than 1 mm. The distributed resistance of the antenna conductor 12 is preferably less than 20 ohm/m, particularly preferably less than 10 ohm/m. In the embodiment depicted, the length of the antenna conductor 12 is ca. 650 mm with a width of 0.75 mm. Its distributed resistance is, for example, 5 ohm/m.

(23) The antenna conductor 12 has, in this case, for example, an at least approx. straight-line course and is located completely within the carrier-free and coating-free edge zone 28 of the laminated pane 20, running primarily along the short edge of the pane 5b, for example, under a motor vehicle lining (not shown) in the region of the masking strip 9. The antenna conductor 12 has an adequate distance both from the edge of the pane 5 and from the coating edge 8, by means of which a capacitive coupling to the conductive coating 6 and the motor vehicle body is thwarted. In particular, it is advantageously achieved by means of the segmented edge region 15 that the distance between the conductive coating 6 and the linear antenna effective for high-frequency applications is enlarged.

(24) Since the antenna conductor 12 is situated outside an area 30 indicated schematically in FIG. 2A, which is defined in that every point contained therein can be imaged by orthogonal parallel projection onto the conductive coating 6 serving as a planar antenna and representing a projection area (or onto the part of the conductive coating 6 active as a planar antenna), the linear antenna is not electrically affected by the planar antenna. This area 30 defined by a projection operation is delimited by an imagined bounding surface 32, which is disposed on the coating edge 8 or 8 and is aligned perpendicular to the carrier 21. For the segmented edge region 15, the bounding surface 32 is disposed on the coating edge 8, since the antenna function of the conductive coating 6 is important for the positioning of the antenna conductor.

(25) The first coupling electrode 10 is electrically coupled on a first connector contact 11 (not shown in detail) to the linear antenna conductor 12. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first coupling electrode 10 is galvanically coupled to the antenna conductor 12, with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The first connector contact 11 of the first coupling electrode 10 or the connection point between the first coupling electrode 10 and the antenna conductor 12 can be considered as an antenna foot point for the pickup of antenna signals of the planar antenna. However, a second connector contact 14 of the antenna conductor 12 actually serves as a common antenna foot point 13 for the pickup of the antenna signals of both the planar antenna and the linear antenna. The antenna signals of the planar antenna and of the linear antenna are thus made available on the second connector contact 14.

(26) The second connector contact 14 is electrically coupled to a connector conductor 19 acting parasitically as an antenna. In the present exemplary embodiment, the connector conductor 19 is galvanically coupled to the second connector contact 14, but with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The hybrid antenna structure 1 is electrically connected, via the connector conductor 19 and a connector 31 connected thereto, to downstream electronic components, for example, an antenna amplifier, with the antenna signals led out of the laminated pane 20 through the connector conductor 19. As is depicted in FIG. 2B, the connector conductor 19 extends from the adhesive layer 21 past the edge of the pane 5 to the fourth pane surface 27 (side IV), and then leads away from the laminated pane 20. The spatial position of the second connector contact 14 is selected such that the connector conductor 19 is as short as possible and its parasitic effect as an antenna is minimized such that it is possible to do without the use of a conductor specifically designed for high-frequency applications. The connector conductor 19 is preferably shorter than 100 mm. Accordingly, the connector conductor 19 is implemented, in this case, for example, as an unshielded stranded wire or foil conductor that is cost-effective and space-saving and, in addition, can be connected using a relatively simple connection method. The width of the connector conductor 19 implemented in this case, for example, as a flat conductor, tapers, preferably toward the edge of the pane 5, to thwart capacitive coupling with the motor vehicle body.

(27) In the hybrid antenna structure 1, the transparent, electrically conductive coating 6 can, depending on material composition, fulfill other functions. For example, it can serve as a heat-ray reflecting coating for the purpose of solar protection, thermoregulation, or heat insulation or as a heating layer for the electrical heating of the laminated pane 20. These functions are of secondary importance for the present invention.

(28) Furthermore, the outer pane 2 is provided with an opaque color layer that is applied on the second pane surface 25 (side II) and forms a frame-like circumferential masking strip 9, which is not depicted in detail in the figures. The color layer is made, preferably, of an electrically non-conductive, black pigmented material that can be baked into the outer pane 2. On the one hand, the masking strip 9 prevents the visibility of an adhesive strand with which the laminated pane 20 can be glued into a motor vehicle body; on the other, it serves as UV protection for the adhesive material used.

(29) The conductive coating 6 serving as a planar antenna is provided with two flat regions protruding out to the adjacent on edge of the pane 5a, which, in each case, serves as a second (capacitive) coupling electrode 36, 36. In FIG. 1, the two flat protrusions have at least approximately a rectangular shape, with provision of any other shape suitable for the application equally possible. The conductive coating 6 has, in the flat sections adjacent the two second coupling electrodes 36, 36, no segmented edge region 15. The two second coupling electrodes 36, 36 extend, in each case, into the otherwise coating-free edge strip 7.

(30) As depicted in FIG. 2C, the carrier 4 with the conductive coating 6 comes into a position opposite an electrically conductive structure 37 and is capacitively coupled thereto. More precisely: A first flat section 40, 40 of the coating 6, which corresponds to the second coupling electrode 36, 36 and serves as a first capacitive coupling surface is situated in a parallel opposing position to a second surface section 41 of the electrically conductive structure 37, which serves as a second capacitive coupling surface (coupling counter surface), with the two first coupling surfaces capacitively coupled to the second coupling surface. The electrically conductive structure 37 can be, for example, the body of a motor vehicle. The electrically conductive structure 37 is, in this case, for example, fixedly bonded to the fourth pane surface 27 of the inner pane 3 by means of an adhesive bead bead 38. Thereafter, the conductive coating 6 is capacitively coupled by the two second coupling electrodes 36, 36 to the electrically conductive structure 37. As depicted in FIG. 2D, the conductive coating 6 outside the two second coupling electrodes 36, 36 is not situated in a position opposing the conductive structure 37 such that it is not capacitively coupled to the conductive structure 37.

(31) Now, for example, in a motor vehicle, diverse sources of interference, such as clocked electrical devices, for example, sensors, cameras, engine control devices, and the like, can emit electromagnetic interfering signals in the form of free space electromagnetic waves, that can be received by the conductive coating 6 serving as a planar antenna because of the large antenna area. In FIG. 1, by way of example, two physical sources of interference 39, 39 are schematically depicted by means of the projection site in the region of the coating-free edge strip 7 at the top and bottom long edge of the pane 5a.

(32) The interfering signals of the two sources of interference 39, 39 received by the planar antenna have, in the two source of interference area zones 42, 42, a extremely high signal amplitude or a signal amplitude that is above a definable amplitude value. The points of the upper source of interference area zone 42 have an extremely short (for example, vertical) distance from the upper source of interference 39, and the points of the lower source of interference area zone 42 have an extremely short (for example, vertical) distance from the lower source of interference 39. The shapes of the source of interference area zones 42, 42 depend on the respective shapes of the sources of interference 39, 39, with the understanding that the shapes depicted in FIG. 1 are to be considered only as examples.

(33) As depicted in FIG. 1, the second coupling electrode 36 is disposed near the first coupling electrode 10 and is situated between the first coupling electrode 10 and the upper source of interference area zone 42 of the upper source of interference 39. The second coupling electrode 36 has, in this case, for example, a geometric distance from the first coupling electrode 10, that is less 7.5 cm, corresponding to one fourth of the minimum wavelength of interfering signals in the frequency range of the terrestrial broadcast bands III-V. The second coupling electrode 36 is disposed near the lower source of interference area zone 42 of the lower source of interference 39. The second coupling electrode 36 has, in this case, for example, a geometric distance from the lower source of interference area zone 42, that is less than 7.5 cm. In addition, the two second coupling electrodes 36, 36 have, together with the coupling counter surface of the conductive structure 37, a frequency-selective passthrough behavior and act as a high pass filter, wherein the two second coupling electrodes 36, 36 and the coupling counter surface of the conductive structure 37 are, in this case, for example, configured such that they only allow passage of frequencies above 170 MHz. The two second coupling electrodes 36, 36 thus act frequency-selectively for the terrestrial broadcast bands III-V. In the present case, it is assumed that the interfering signals of the two sources of interference 39, 39 are situated in a frequency range above 170 MHz. The desired frequency selectivity can be obtained in a simple manner by setting the capacitive properties of the second coupling electrodes 36, 36 capacitively coupled to the conductive structure 37. For this purpose, it is merely necessary to set the size of the (capacitively active) surfaces of the second coupling electrodes 36, 36 and the conductive structure 37 situated in the opposing position and size of the distance between these capacitively active surfaces in a suitable manner.

(34) The interfering signals received from the upper source of interference 39 (and, additionally, from the lower source of interference 39) are thus extracted with priority from the conductive coating 6 serving as a planar antenna based on the frequency-selective passthrough behavior of the upper second coupling electrode 36. In addition, the interfering signals of the upper source of interference 39 are extracted with priority from the second coupling electrode 36, based on the physical position between the upper source of interference area zone 42 and the first coupling electrode 10 from a surface section of the conductive coating 6 containing the upper source of interference area zone 42 and the upper second coupling electrode 36. On the other hand, the interfering signals received from the lower source of interference 39 are extracted with priority from the conductive coating 6 based on the physical proximity of the second coupling electrode 36 to the lower source of interference area zone 42 and, in addition, based on the frequency-selective passthrough behavior of the second coupling electrode 36 with priority from the lower second coupling electrode 36. The physical proximity of the second coupling electrode 36 to the lower source of interference area zone 42 causes, at the time of signal reception, differences in potential between a surface section containing the lower source of interference area zone 42 and the lower second coupling electrode 36, that are greater than the differences in potential between this surface section and the first coupling electrode 10 such that these interfering signals are extracted with priority via the lower second coupling electrode 36.

(35) However, the first coupling electrode 10 can extract antenna signals from flat sections of the conductive coating 6 different from the source of interference area zones 42, 42, in which, at the time of signal reception, differences in potential relative to the first coupling electrode 10 appear, which are greater than differences in potential relative to the two second coupling electrodes 36, 36. Useful signals that are in the frequency range extracted as interfering signals via the electrically conductive structure 37 (ground), can advantageously be received via the antenna conductor 12 serving as a linear antenna such that virtually no signal loss occurs. The antenna conductor 12 is not or is only negligibly interfered with by the interfering signals of the sources of interference 39, 39. The antenna assembly 100 with a hybrid antenna structure 1 is thus distinguished by an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio.

(36) Various embodiments of the antenna assembly 100 with a hybrid antenna structure 1 are explained in the following with reference to the other figures, wherein, in each case, a capacitive coupling of the second coupling electrodes 36, 36 to the conductive structure 37 is realized.

(37) Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in which a first variant of the antenna assembly 100 with a hybrid antenna structure 1 is depicted. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, only the differences relative to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B are described; and, for the rest, reference is made to the statements made there. According to this variant, no carrier 4 for the conductive coating 6 is provided in the laminated pane 20, as the conductive coating 6 is applied on the third pane surface 26 (side III) of the inner pane 3. The conductive coating 6 does not reach all the way to the edge of the pane 5, such that a circumferential, coating-free edge strip 7 remains on all sides of the third pane surface 26. The width of the circumferential edge strip 7 can vary widely. Preferably, the width of the edge strip 7 is in the range from 0.2 to 1.5 cm, more preferably in the range from 0.3 to 1.3 cm, and particularly preferably in the range from 0.4 to 1.0 cm. The edge strip 7 serves in particular for electrical insulation of the conductive coating 6 toward the outside and for reduction of a capacitive coupling to surrounding conductive structures. The edge strip 7 can be produced by later removal of the conductive coating 6, for example, by abrasive ablation, laser ablation, or etching, or by masking the inner pane 3 before the application of the conductive coating 6 on the third pane surface 26.

(38) The antenna conductor 12 serving as a linear antenna is applied on the third pane surface 26 in the region of the coating-free edge strip 7. In the variant depicted, the antenna conductor 12 is implemented in the form of a flat conductor path 35, which is preferably applied by printing, for example, by screenprinting, of a metallic printing paste. Thus, the linear antenna and the planar antenna are situated on the same surface (side III) of the inner pane 3. The strip-shaped first coupling electrode 10 extends to above the linear antenna conductor 12 and is galvanically coupled thereto, with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The antenna conductor 12 is situated outside the area 30 indicated schematically in FIG. 3A, in which every point can be imaged by orthogonal parallel projection onto the planar antenna, such that the linear antenna is not electrically loaded by the planar antenna. FIG. 3A depicts schematically the (imagined) bounding surface 32 delimiting the area 30, which is aligned perpendicular to the third pane surface 26 and is disposed on the coating edge 8 or 8 (in the edge region 15). In other words, the linear antenna conductor 12 is situated in an area not characterized in detail, in which every point can be imaged by orthogonal parallel projection onto the coating-free edge strip 7 serving as a projection area. Electrical loading of the linear antenna by the planar antenna is advantageously avoided in this manner.

(39) FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a second variant of the antenna assembly 100 with a hybrid antenna structure 1, with only the differences relative to the first variant of FIGS. 3A and 3B described; and, for the rest, reference is made to the statements made there. According to this variant, no laminated pane 20 is provided, but rather only a single pane glass with one individual pane corresponding, for example, to outer pane 2. The conductive coating 6 is applied on the first pane surface 24 (side I), with the conductive coating 6 not reaching all the way to the edge of the pane 5 such that a circumferential, coating-free edge strip 7 remains on all sides of the first pane surface 24. In the region of the coating-free edge strip 7, the linear antenna conductor 12 implemented in the form of a conductor path 35 and serving as a linear antenna is applied on the first pane surface 24. The antenna conductor 12 is thus situated outside the area 30 schematically indicated in FIG. 4A, in which every point can be imaged by orthogonal parallel projection onto the planar antenna. The connector conductor 19 makes contact with the second connector contact 14 of the antenna conductor 12 and then leads on the same side of the outer pane 2 away from the antenna conductor 12.

(40) FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a third variant of the antenna assembly 100 with a hybrid antenna structure 1, with only the differences relative to the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B described; and, for the rest, reference is made to the statements made there. According to this variant, a carrier 4 is provided in the laminated pane 20, on which carrier the conductive coating 6 is applied. The strip-shaped first coupling electrode 10 is applied on the fourth surface (side IV) of the inner pane 3 and capacitively coupled to the conductive coating 6 serving as a planar antenna. The antenna conductor 12 serving as a linear antenna is likewise applied on the fourth pane surface 27 of the inner pane 3, for example, by printing, for example, screenprinting, and galvanically coupled to the coupling electrode, but with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. Thus, the planar antenna and the linear antenna are situated on different surfaces of substrates different from each other. The antenna conductor 12 is situated outside the area 30, in which every point can be imaged by orthogonal parallel projection onto the planar antenna 6 such that the linear antenna is not electrically loaded by the planar antenna. The connector conductor 19 makes contact with the antenna conductor 12 and leads directly away from the laminated pane 20.

(41) FIG. 6 depicts a fourth variant of the antenna assembly 100 with a hybrid antenna structure 1, with only the differences relative to the third variant of FIGS. 5A and 5B described; and, for the rest, reference is made to the statements made there. According to this variant, the linear antenna conductor 12 configured as a flat conductor path 35 is applied on the third pane surface 26 of the inner pane 3. A second connection conductor 34 is applied on the antenna conductor 12 in the antenna foot point and extends beyond the short edge of the pane 5b to the fourth pane surface 27 (side IV) of the inner pane 3. In the variant depicted, the second connection conductor 34 is galvanically coupled to the antenna conductor 12, with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The second connection conductor 34 can be manufactured, for example, from the same material as the coupling electrode 10. The connector conductor 19 makes contact with the second connection conductor 34 on the fourth pane surface 27 and leads away from the laminated pane 20. The width (dimension perpendicular to the extension direction) of the second connection conductor 34 configured as a strip-shaped flat conductor preferably tapers toward the short edge of the pane 5b such that a capacitive coupling between the conductive coating 6 and the electrically conductive motor vehicle body can be prevented.

(42) FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B depict a second exemplary embodiment of the antenna assembly with a hybrid antenna structure 1 according to the invention, with only the differences relative to the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B described; and, for the rest, reference is made to the statements made there. According to this embodiment, a laminated pane 20 is provided with a carrier 4 embedded in the adhesive layer 21 and a transparent, conductive coating 6 applied on the second carrier surface 23. The conductive coating 6 is applied on the entire surface of the second carrier surface 23, without implementing a segmented edge region 15; but with its provision equally possible.

(43) The first coupling electrode 10 abuts the conductive coating 6 and is galvanically coupled thereto, but with provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The first coupling electrode 10 extends past the upper, long edge of the pane 5a to the fourth pane surface 27 (side IV) of the inner pane 3. The linear antenna conductor 12 is applied, analogously to the third variant of the first exemplary embodiment described in conjunction with FIGS. 5A and 5B, as a conductor path 35 on the fourth pane surface 27 of the inner pane 3. At its other end, the first coupling electrode 10 abuts the antenna conductor 12 and is galvanically coupled thereto, but with provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The antenna conductor 12 is situated outside the area 30, in which every point can be imaged by orthogonal parallel projection onto the planar antenna such that the linear antenna is not electrically loaded by the planar antenna. The connector conductor 19 makes contact with the antenna conductor 12 and leads directly away from the laminated pane 20.

(44) FIG. 9 depicts a variant with, to avoid repetitions, only the differences relative to the second exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B explained. According to this variant, the first coupling electrode 10 is implemented only in the region of the conductive coating 6, abuts it in direct contact, and is thus galvanically coupled to the conductive coating 6, with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. A first connection conductor 33 abuts, at one of its ends, the first coupling electrode 10 in direct contact and is galvanically coupled to the conductive coating 6, but with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The first connection conductor 33 extends past the upper long edge of the pane 5a to the fourth pane surface 27 (side IV) of the inner pane 3 and makes contact, at its other end, with the antenna conductor 12 implemented as a conductor path. The first connection conductor 33 abuts the antenna conductor 12 in direct contact and is galvanically coupled thereto, for example, by a solder contact, but with the provision of a capacitive coupling equally possible. The first connection conductor 33 can be manufactured, for example, from the same material as the first coupling electrode 10 such that the first coupling electrode 10 and the first connection conductor 33 can be considered together as a two-part coupling electrode. The width (dimension perpendicular to the extension direction) of the first connection conductor 33 configured as a strip-shaped flat conductor preferably tapers toward the long edge of the pane 5a such that a capacitive coupling between the conductive coating 6 and the motor vehicle body can be prevented.

(45) The invention makes available an antenna assembly with a hybrid antenna structure that enables bandwidth optimized reception of electromagnetic waves, wherein, through the planar and linear antenna combination, satisfactory reception performance can be achieved over the complete frequency range of bands I-V. By means of the possibility that interfering signals of external sources of interference received by the planar antenna as free space waves can be extracted via a ground capacitively coupled to the planar antenna, the antenna assembly has an excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(46) 1 antenna structure 2 outer pane 3 inner pane 4 carrier 5 edge of the pane 5a long edge of the pane 5b short edge of the pane 6 coating 7 edge strip 8, 8 coating edge 9 masking strip 10 first coupling electrode 11 first connector contact 12 antenna conductor 13 antenna foot point 14 second connector contact 15 edge region 16 segment 17 insulating region 18 wire 19 connector conductor 20 laminated pane 21 adhesive layer 22 first carrier surface 23 second carrier surface 24 first pane surface 25 second pane surface 26 third pane surface 27 fourth pane surface 28 edge zone 29 carrier edge 30 area 31 Connector 32 bounding surface 33 first connection conductor 34 second connection conductor 35 conductor path 36, 36 second coupling electrode 37 conductive structure 38 adhesive bead 39, 39 source of interference 40, 40 first flat section 41 second flat section 42, 42 source of interference area zone 100 antenna assembly