KR20080089658A - An antenna arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A first antenna element; A second antenna element; A connection element for electromagnetically connecting to the first antenna element and the second antenna element; And a switching mechanism coupled to the connecting element for switching between the first electrical configuration and the second electrical configuration, wherein the connecting element has a first impedance if the switching mechanism has a first electrical configuration, the switching mechanism With this second electrical configuration the connecting element has a second impedance.

Description

Antenna arrangement

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an antenna device. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an antenna device for a wireless transceiver device.

Recently, it is desirable to allow radio transceiver devices, such as cellular telephones, to communicate over multiple bands of the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This need arises because different countries tend to use different frequency bands for cellular networks. For example, US WCDMA operates at 850 MHz, while EU WCDMA operates at 2100 MHz. In addition, different services may be provided in different frequency bands in either country, for example, PCS operates at 1900 MHz, while PCN operates at 1800 MHz. As a result, cellular telephones need a multi-band antenna device that can allow them to communicate over multiple frequency bands of the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Multi-band antenna devices increasingly use one or more antenna elements to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves. Recently, each 'active' antenna element in such an antenna device requires its tuning circuit and can therefore operate within the desired set of operating frequency bands. However, each tuning circuit requires space in the radio transmitter receiver device and incurs financial costs associated with it. As a result, multi-band antenna devices are becoming larger and more expensive.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide alternative antenna arrangements.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a first antenna element; A second antenna element; A connection element for electromagnetically connecting to the first antenna element and the second antenna element; And a switching mechanism coupled to the connection element for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein the connection element is provided if the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration. An antenna arrangement is provided, having a first impedance, and wherein the connecting element has a second impedance if the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration.

If the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration, the first antenna element may operate in a first operating frequency band and the second antenna element may operate in a second operating frequency band.

If the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration, the first antenna element may operate in a second operating frequency band, and the second antenna element may operate in a fourth operating frequency band.

The switching mechanism includes a first impedance matching circuit, a second impedance matching circuit and a switch. The switch may be for connecting the connection element to the first impedance matching circuit or the second impedance matching circuit.

If the switch connects the first impedance matching circuit to the connection element, the switching mechanism may have the first electrical configuration.

If the switch connects the second impedance matching circuit to the connection element, the switching mechanism may have the second electrical configuration.

The connecting element can have a first part and a second part. The first portion may be implemented to be electromagnetically connected to the first antenna element. The second portion may be implemented to be electromagnetically connected to the second antenna element.

The antenna device according to the invention may comprise a plurality of antenna elements. The connection element may be implemented to be electromagnetically connected to each of the plurality of antennas.

If the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration, the plurality of antenna elements may operate in a first set of operating frequency bands.

If the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration, the plurality of antenna elements may operate in a second set of operating frequency bands.

Each antenna element may be connected to a feed through a feed point. Each antenna element may be connected to a ground plane through a ground point.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tuning device for tuning at least two operating frequency bands, the tuning device comprising: a connecting element for electromagnetically connecting to a first antenna element and a second antenna element; And a switching mechanism coupled to the connection element for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein if the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration, the connection element has a first impedance and the switching If the mechanism has said second electrical configuration, said connecting element has a second impedance.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a module is provided comprising an antenna device as described above.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a module comprising a tuning device as described above.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device comprising the antenna device as described above.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device including the tuning device as described above.

For a better understanding of the invention, the following accompanying drawings will be referred to by way of example.

1 shows a conceptual block diagram of a wireless transceiver device including an antenna device.

2 shows a conceptual block diagram of an antenna device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 shows a conceptual view from above of an antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 illustrates a conceptual perspective view of the antenna device described in FIG. 3.

5 shows a conceptual block diagram of a switching mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6A shows a graph of the first and third operating frequency bands of the first antenna element 28 described in FIGS. 3 and 4.

6B shows a graph of the second and fourth operating frequency bands of the second antenna element 30 described in FIGS. 3 and 4.

7 shows a conceptual block diagram of a switching mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 shows a conceptual block diagram of a switching mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The figures show a first antenna element 28; Second antenna element 30; Connecting elements 20, 32 for electromagnetically connecting to the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30; And a switching mechanism 22 connected to the connecting elements 20, 32 for switching between the first electrical configuration and the second electrical configuration, wherein the switching mechanism ( If 22 has a first electrical configuration, the connecting elements 20, 32 have a first impedance, and if the switching mechanism 22 has an electrical configuration, the connecting elements 20, 32 have a second impedance.

In more detail, FIG. 1 shows a conceptual block diagram of a wireless transceiver device 10 such as a mobile cellular telephone, a laptop computer, another wireless communication device, or a module of such a device. The radio transceiver device 10 includes an antenna device 12, a radio transceiver circuitry 14 connected to the antenna device 12, and a functional circuitry 16 connected to the radio transceiver circuitry 14. In one embodiment where the wireless transceiver device 10 is a mobile cellular telephone, the functional circuitry 16 includes a processor, memory, and input / output devices such as microphones, loudspeakers, and displays. Typically the electronic components providing the wireless transceiver circuitry 14 and the functional circuitry 16 are connected to each other via a printed wiring board (PWB) 17. The PWB 17 can also be used as a ground plane for the antenna device 12.

2 shows a very conceptual block diagram of an antenna device 12 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Antenna device 12 comprises a plurality of antenna elements 18, a connecting element 20, and a switching mechanism 22. The connecting element 20 is electrically connected to the switching mechanism 22 via an electrical connector 24 and is electromagnetically connected to two or more of the plurality of antenna elements 18.

Each of the plurality of antenna elements 18 may be connected to a feed (not shown) through a feed point (not shown) and to a ground plane 17 through a ground point (not shown). Each of the plurality of antenna elements 18 is positioned above the ground plane by a predetermined height, and the plurality of antenna elements 18 are planar inverted F antennas (PIFAs), loop antennas, helix antennas, monopole antennas, and It may be a combination of a plurality of planar inverted L antennas (PILAs). The plurality of antenna elements 18 are electrically connected to the radio transceiver circuitry 14 and are implemented to transmit electromagnetic waves to other radio transceiver devices and / or to receive electromagnetic waves from other radio transceiver devices.

As described above, the connecting element 20 is implemented to be electromagnetically connected to two or more of the plurality of antenna elements 18. The connecting element 20 may be a single element or the connecting element 20 may comprise a plurality of elements which are all connected to the switching mechanism 22. The connecting element 20 may comprise all conductive materials, and in one embodiment may comprise copper. The arrangement and size of the connecting elements 20 is based on the arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements 18 and the desired electromagnetic coupling therebetween.

The switching mechanism 22 is operable in at least two electrical configurations, the selection of the electrical configurations being controlled by the processor of the functional circuitry 16 via the signal 26 in the illustrated embodiment. In each electrical configuration of the switching mechanism 22, the interface between the 22 and the connecting elements 20 is substantially reflective, ie the modulus of the reflection coefficient at that interface is substantially one. However, the phase of the reflection coefficient at the interface may vary for each electrical configuration from +1 representing an open circuit (actually infinite impedance) to a value of -1 representing a short circuit (approximately zero impedance). Can be.

In one embodiment, if the switching mechanism has a first electrical configuration, the page of the reflection coefficient of the interface may be substantially equal to +1 (connecting element 20 is effectively applied to an open circuit having a substantially infinite impedance. Connected). As a result, electromagnetic coupling between the antenna element 18 and the connecting element 20 is weak or absent, and the operating frequency bands of the antenna elements are relatively unaffected, ie the switching mechanism 22 is first Having an electrical configuration, the antenna elements 18 may be operable within a first set of operating frequency bands.

If the switching mechanism 22 has a second electrical configuration, the phase of the reflection coefficient at the interface may be substantially equal to -1 (connecting element 20 is effectively connected to a short circuit having a substantially zero impedance). do). As a result, the electromagnetic coupling between the antenna element 18 and the connecting element 20 is at a maximum and the operating frequency of the antenna elements 18 shifts downward in terms of frequency, i.e., the switching mechanism 22 is removed. With two electrical configurations the antenna elements 18 are operable in a second set of operating frequency bands (the second set of operating frequency bands is different from the first set of operating frequency bands).

The first and second sets of operating frequency bands may include any of the following operating frequency bands: US-GSM 850 (824-894 MHz), WCDMA 850, EGSM 900 (880-960 MHz), PCN / DCS1800 (1710-1880 MHz), GSM 1800, PCS1900 (1850-1990 MHz), US-WCDMA1900 (1850-1990), GSM 1900, WCDMA21000 Band (Send: 1920-1980, Receive: 2110-2170), and WLAN \ Bluetooth (2400 MHz).

The connecting element 20 and the switching mechanism 22 can be integrated and called a tuning device 27, which allows each of the plurality of antenna elements 18 to operate in two or more different operating frequency bands. It has an advantage in that. Since a single switching mechanism 22 is used to tune the plurality of antenna elements 20, space in the radio transceiver device 10 may be saved, which may result in a reduction in the size of the radio transceiver device 10. have. Furthermore, the single switching mechanism 22 can reduce the number of components in the radio transceiver device 10, thus reducing the cost of the radio transceiver device 10 and further improving the reliability of the radio transceiver device 10. Can be.

3 to 5 show a more detailed embodiment of the antenna device according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows a conceptual view from above of an antenna device 12 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Antenna device 12 comprises a first antenna element 28, a second antenna element 30, and a connecting element 32.

The first antenna element 28 is PIFA and is connected to the ground plane 17 via a ground point 34 and to a feed section (not shown) via a feed point 36. The second antenna element 30 is PIFA and is connected to the ground plane 17 via the ground point 38 and to the feed section (not shown) via the feed point 40. The connecting element 32 is connected to a switching mechanism (not shown) via the connector 42.

To facilitate the description of the structure of the first antenna element 28, it is divided into a first portion 44, a second portion 46, a third portion 48, and a fourth portion 50. Shown. It is to be understood that the first antenna element 28 is not physically divided into these parts and that these are provided only to help explain the first antenna element 28.

The first portion 44 extends upwardly from the ground point 34 and the feed point 36 and has a rectangular shape whose length is greater than the width. The second portion 46 extends vertically from the top of the right side of the first portion 44 and has a rectangular shape whose width is greater than the length. The third portion 48 extends vertically from the right side of the bottom of the second portion 46 and has a rectangular shape whose length is larger than the width. The fourth portion 50 extends vertically from the bottom of the right side of the third portion 48 and has a rectangular shape whose width is larger than the length.

The second antenna element 30 has a rectangular shape and the ground point 38 and the feed point 40 are disposed at the lower left corner of the second antenna element 30. The second antenna element 30 is disposed above and adjacent to the fourth portion 50 of the second antenna element 28. The right side of the second antenna element 30 is arranged substantially parallel to the right side of the fourth portion 50 of the first antenna element 28.

The connecting element 32 comprises a first portion 52 extending horizontally from the connector 42 and a second portion 54 extending vertically from the connector 42. The first portion 52 of the connecting element 32 is arranged in close proximity to the fourth portion 50 of the first antenna element 28, and the second portion 54 of the connecting element 32 is arranged in a second manner. Disposed adjacent to and close to the right side of the antenna element 30. The first portion 52 of the connecting element 32 is capacitively connected with the first antenna element 28, and the second portion 54 of the connecting element 32 is capacitive with the second antenna element 30. Is connected.

To aid in visual description of the antenna device 12, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the antenna device 12 shown in FIG. 3. The same member number is used if the features shown in FIG. 4 match or are similar to the features shown in FIG. 3.

5 shows a schematic diagram of a switching mechanism 22 according to one embodiment of the invention. The switching mechanism 22 includes an interface 56 connected to the ESD filter 58, which is also connected to the switch 60. The switch 60 may be electrically connected to the first impedance matching circuit 62 or the second impedance matching circuit 64. The switching mechanism 22 is connected at the interface 56 via the electrical connector 42 to the connection element 32 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

ESD filter 58 is a known electronic component and consequently is not described in detail herein. In brief, the ESD filter 58 is for reducing the electro-static discharge noise from the connecting element 20 and filtering the harmonics generated by the switch 60.

In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 60 is of a single pole, double throw (SPDT) type, but in other embodiments it may be a multi-way switch depending on the number of impedance matching circuits. SPDT switches and multi-way switches are known in the art and consequently are not described in detail herein. The SPDT switch 60 has a first electrical configuration (shown in FIG. 5) where the first impedance matching circuit 62 is connected to the connecting element 32 and the second impedance matching circuit 64 is connected to the connecting element 32. It can be switched between the second electrical configurations that are connected.

The first impedance matching circuit 62 has a higher impedance than the connecting element 32. As a result, if switch 60 has a first electrical configuration, the reflection coefficient of interface 56 is substantially equal to +1. The connecting element 32 is effectively connected to an open circuit and, therefore, is not substantially capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 or the second antenna element 30. In this configuration, the first antenna element 28 operates in the first operating frequency band 66 (GSM 900 of FIG. 6A) and the second antenna element 30 operates in the second operating frequency band 68 (FIG. 6B). WCDMA 2100).

The second impedance matching circuit 64 has a smaller impedance than the connecting element 32. As a result, if switch 60 has a second electrical configuration, the reflection coefficient of interface 56 is substantially equal to -1. The connecting element 32 is effectively connected to a short circuit and is substantially capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30. In more detail, the first portion 52 of the connecting element 32 is capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28, and the second portion 54 of the connecting element 32 is the second antenna element 30. ) And capacitive coupling. Capacitive coupling shifts the operating frequency bands of the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30 downward in frequency. As a result, the first antenna element 28 operates in the third operating frequency band 70 (GSM 850 / WCDMA 850 of FIG. 6A), and the second antenna element 30 operates in the fourth operating frequency band 72 ( GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 / WCDMA 1900 of FIG. 6B.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first impedance matching circuit 62 and the second impedance matching circuit 64 includes a transmission line (not shown). The transmission line is a strip of metallic material (eg copper) and has an impedance that varies with the material of the transmission line, the length of the transmission line, and the width of the transmission line. By changing these properties of the transmission line, it is possible to obtain the desired impedance for the first impedance matching circuit 62 and the second impedance matching circuit 64.

7 shows a schematic diagram of a switching mechanism 22 according to another embodiment of the invention. The switching mechanism 22 shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the switching mechanism 22 described in FIG. 5, and like reference numerals are used for similar features. In the illustrated embodiment, the ESD filter 58 is connected to the first impedance matching circuit 74, whereby the first impedance matching circuit 74 is a single pole, single throw (SPST) switch. Connected to 76. The SPST switch 76 is connectable to the second impedance matching circuit 78.

The SPST switch 76 has a first electrical configuration (FIG. 7) in which the SPST switch 76 is opened and the connecting element 32 is connected to the first impedance matching circuit 74, and the SPST switch 76 is closed and the connecting element ( 32 may be switched between a second electrical configuration coupled to the first impedance matching circuit 74 and the second impedance matching circuit 78 (and thus ground 79).

If the switch 76 has a first electrical configuration, the first impedance matching circuit 74 has a higher impedance than the connecting element 32 (thus, the first impedance matching circuit 74 is not connected to ground). . As a result, if the SPST switch 76 has a first electrical configuration, the reflection coefficient at interface 56 is substantially equal to +1. The connecting element 32 is effectively connected to an open circuit and is not substantially capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 or the second antenna element 30. In this configuration, the first antenna element 28 operates in the first operating frequency band 66 (GSM 900 of FIG. 6A) and the second antenna element 30 operates in the second operating frequency band 68 (FIG. 6B). WCDMA).

If the switch 76 has a second electrical configuration, the first impedance matching circuit 74 and the second impedance matching circuit 78 have a smaller coupling impedance than the connection element 32 (because the second impedance matching circuit Because 78 is connected to ground 79). As a result, if the SPST switch 76 has a second electrical configuration, the reflection coefficient of the interface 56 is substantially equal to -1. The connecting element is effectively connected to a short circuit and substantially capacitively couples with the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30 as described above. As a result, the first antenna element 28 operates in the third operating frequency band 70 (GSM 850 / WCDMA 850 of FIG. 6A), and the second antenna element 30 operates in the fourth operating frequency band 72 ( GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 / WCDMA 1900 of FIG. 6B.

The first impedance matching circuit 74 and the second impedance matching circuit 78 may each include a transmission line as described above.

8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a switching mechanism 22 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The switching mechanism 22 described in FIG. 8 is similar to the switching mechanism 22 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, and the same member numbers are used if they have similar features. In the illustrated embodiment, ESD filter 58 is connected to a single pole, single throw (SPST) switch 80 and first impedance matching circuit 82. The SPST switch 80 is connectable to the second impedance matching circuit 84.

The SPST switch 80 has a first electrical configuration (see FIG. 8) in which the switch 80 is opened and the connection element 32 is connected to the first impedance matching circuit 82 and the switch 80 is closed and the connection element 32 is closed. ) May be switched between a second electrical configuration that is connected to a second impedance matching circuit 84 (and thus ground 79).

The first impedance matching circuit 82 has a higher impedance than the connecting element 32. As a result, if the SPST switch 80 has the first electrical configuration, the reflection coefficient of the interface 56 is substantially equal to +1. The connecting element 32 is effectively connected to the open circuit and is not substantially capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 or the second antenna element 30. In this configuration, the first antenna element 28 operates in the first operating frequency band 66 (GSM 900 of FIG. 6A) and the second antenna element 30 operates in the second operating frequency band 68 (FIG. 6B). WCDMA).

The second impedance matching circuit 84 has a smaller impedance than the connecting element 32 (thus the second impedance matching circuit 84 is connected to ground 79). As a result, the switch 80 has a second electrical configuration, and the reflection coefficient of the interface 56 is substantially equal to -1. The connecting element 32 is effectively connected to a short circuit and is capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30 as substantially described above. As a result, the first antenna element 28 operates in the third operating frequency band 70 (GSM 850 / WCDMA 850 of FIG. 6A), and the second antenna element 30 operates in the fourth operating frequency band 72 ( GSM 1800 / GSM 1900 / WCDMA 1900 of FIG. 6B.

The first impedance matching circuit 82 and the second impedance matching circuit 84 may each have a transmission line as described above.

The first impedance matching circuits 74 and 82 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, are introduced by the switches 76 and 80 when the switches 76 and 80 have an open configuration (first electrical configuration). Correction of the phase shift is provided so that the connecting element 32 is effectively connected to the open circuit.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to various embodiments in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention described in the claims. do. For example, at least some of the one or more antenna elements 18, 28, 30 may extend out of the periphery of the ground plane 17.

Although the foregoing detailed description has been provided primarily to describe features of the invention, which are considered to be particularly important, the applicant is entitled to all patents of the foregoing features, which are referred to the drawings and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not specifically emphasized. It should be understood that protection is requested for a possible feature or combination of features.

The present invention can be applied to an antenna device, and in particular, to an antenna device for a radio transceiver device.

Claims (16)

In the antenna device, A first antenna element; A second antenna element; A connection element for electromagnetically connecting to the first antenna element and the second antenna element; And A switching mechanism coupled to the connection element for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, And the connecting element has a first impedance if the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration and the connecting element has a second impedance if the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration. The method of claim 1, If the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration, the first antenna element operates in a first operating frequency band and the second antenna element operates in a second operating frequency band. The method according to claim 1 or 2, If the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration, the first antenna element operates in a second operating frequency band and the second antenna element operates in a fourth operating frequency band. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The switching mechanism comprises a first impedance matching circuit, a second impedance matching circuit and a switch for connecting the connection element to the first impedance matching circuit or the second impedance matching circuit. The method of claim 4, wherein And the switching mechanism connects the first impedance matching circuit to the connection element, the switching mechanism having the first electrical configuration. The method according to claim 4 or 5, And the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration if the switch connects the second impedance matching circuit to the connection element. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The connecting element has a first portion and a second portion, And wherein the first portion is implemented to be electromagnetically connected to the first antenna element and the second portion is implemented to be electromagnetically connected to the second antenna element. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Includes a plurality of antenna elements, And the connection element is implemented to be electromagnetically connected to each of the plurality of antennas. The method of claim 8, And the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration, the plurality of antenna elements operating in a first set of operating frequency bands. The method according to claim 8 or 9, And the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration, the plurality of antenna elements operating in a second set of operating frequency bands. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, Each antenna element is connected to a feed through a feed point and to a ground plane through a ground point. A tuning device for tuning at least two operating frequency bands, A connection element for electromagnetically connecting to the first antenna element and the second antenna element; And A switching mechanism coupled to the connection element for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, And the connecting element has a first impedance if the switching mechanism has the first electrical configuration and the connecting element has a second impedance if the switching mechanism has the second electrical configuration. A module comprising an antenna device according to claim 1. Module comprising a tuning device according to claim 12. A portable electronic device comprising the antenna device according to claim 1. A portable electronic device comprising the tuning device according to claim 12.

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