CN118174005A

CN118174005A - Antenna device

Info

Publication number: CN118174005A
Application number: CN202311682761.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 成基勋; 洪性俊; 许润镐; 权度亨; 金大圭
Original assignee: Dongwoo Fine Chem Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dongwoo Fine Chem Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-09
Filing date: 2023-12-07
Publication date: 2024-06-11

Abstract

The invention provides an antenna device, a motion recognition sensor, a radar sensor and an image display device including the antenna device. The antenna device comprises an antenna unit, which comprises: a radiator; a dummy mesh pattern disposed around and spaced apart from the radiator, the dummy mesh pattern including a dummy wire and a dividing portion cutting the dummy wire; and a parasitic element disposed between the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, the parasitic element being spaced apart from each of the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, the parasitic element having a mesh structure.

Description

Antenna device

Cross-reference to related applications and priority claims

The present application claims priority from korean patent application No. 10-2022-0171437, filed on the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) on 12 th month 9 of 2022, and from No. 10-2023-0022228, filed on 20 th month 2 of 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an antenna device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an antenna arrangement comprising an antenna unit with a radiator.

Background

With the development of information technology, wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, bluetooth, and the like are being applied to or embedded in image display devices, electronic devices, and architectures.

Further, with the development of mobile communication technology, antennas for performing, for example, high-band or ultra-high band communication are being applied to public transportation means such as buses and subways, building structures, and various mobile devices.

However, the antenna may be visually identified by a user of the mobile device, a passenger of the public transportation vehicle, or the like. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance of the structure to which the antenna is applied may be reduced and the image quality may also be reduced.

Thus, an antenna including a mesh structure may be used to prevent the antenna from being recognized by a user. In this case, the antenna gain may be reduced and the radiation performance of the antenna may be relatively reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, an antenna device having improved optical and radiation characteristics is provided.

(1) An antenna device, comprising: an antenna unit including a radiator; a dummy mesh pattern disposed around and spaced apart from the radiator, the dummy mesh pattern including a dummy wire and a dividing portion cutting the dummy wire; and a parasitic element disposed between the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, the parasitic element being spaced apart from each of the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, the parasitic element having a mesh structure.

(2) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the parasitic element includes a parasitic wiring, and no divided portion is included in the parasitic wiring.

(3) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the parasitic element includes a pair of parasitic elements sandwiching the radiator.

(4) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the dummy mesh pattern is not provided between the radiator and the parasitic element.

(5) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the side wall of the radiator and the side wall of the parasitic element are parallel.

(6) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the parasitic element includes a plurality of sub-parasitic elements adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other.

(7) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the radiator has a mesh structure.

(8) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the antenna unit further comprises: a transmission line electrically connected to the radiator; and a ground pattern disposed around the transmission line and physically spaced apart from the radiator and the transmission line, wherein a direction in which the transmission line extends toward the radiator is defined as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plan view is defined as a second direction.

(9) The antenna device according to the above (8), wherein a length of the parasitic element in the first direction is smaller than or equal to a length of the radiator in the first direction.

(10) The antenna device according to the above (8), wherein the parasitic element is spaced apart from the radiator in the second direction.

(11) The antenna device according to the above (8), wherein the transmission line is directly connected to a lower side portion of the radiator, and the parasitic element is provided between an extension line of the lower side portion and an extension line of the upper side portion of the radiator in a plan view, and is spaced apart from the radiator in the second direction.

(12) The antenna device according to the above (1), wherein the antenna unit includes: a first antenna unit including a first radiator; a second antenna unit including a second radiator disposed in a third direction together with the first radiator; and a third antenna unit including a third radiator disposed in a fourth direction perpendicular to the third direction together with the second radiator in a plan view.

(13) The antenna device according to the above (12), wherein the parasitic element includes: a first parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from the first radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively; a second parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from the second radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively; and a third parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from the third radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively.

(14) The antenna device according to the above (13), wherein an area of the second parasitic element is larger than an area of each of the first parasitic element and the third parasitic element.

(15) The antenna device according to the above (13), wherein the first parasitic element includes a pair of first parasitic elements sandwiching the first radiator, the second parasitic element includes a pair of second parasitic elements sandwiching the second radiator, and the third parasitic element includes a pair of third parasitic elements sandwiching the third radiator.

(16) The antenna device according to the above (15), wherein a first parasitic element farther from the second radiator in the pair of first parasitic elements and a third parasitic element farther from the second radiator in the pair of third parasitic elements are each completely covered by the second parasitic element in the first direction.

(17) The antenna device according to the above (12), wherein the antenna unit further includes a fourth antenna unit including: a fourth radiator spaced apart from the first radiator, the second radiator and the third radiator; and a fourth parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from each of the fourth radiator and the dummy mesh pattern.

(18) A motion recognition sensor comprising an antenna arrangement according to the above-described embodiments.

(19) A radar sensor comprising an antenna arrangement according to the above-described embodiments.

(20) An image display device, comprising: a display panel; and the antenna device according to the above embodiment provided on the display panel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the parasitic element may be disposed between the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern. The parasitic element may be disposed around the radiator so that the auxiliary radiation may be performed through the parasitic element. Thus, the antenna gain can be enhanced.

The divided portions may be included in the dummy mesh pattern, and the divided portions may not be included in the parasitic element. Thus, auxiliary radiation through the parasitic element can be realized while suppressing signal interference and disturbance.

In some embodiments, the radiator may include a first radiator, a second radiator, and a third radiator. The first and second radiators may be disposed in a first direction, and the second and third radiators may be disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The area of the second parasitic element disposed between the second radiator and the dummy mesh pattern may be greater than the area of the first parasitic element disposed between the first radiator and the dummy mesh pattern and the area of the third parasitic element disposed between the third radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively. Thus, the second parasitic element may act as an auxiliary radiator for the first radiator and the third radiator to enhance the antenna gain.

Drawings

Fig. 1 and 2 are a schematic plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating an antenna device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion a of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion B of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 9 and 10 are a schematic plan view and a sectional view, respectively, showing an image display device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a graph of antenna gain according to frequency for each radiator of the antenna device of embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a graph of antenna gain according to frequency for each radiator of the antenna device of embodiment 2.

Fig. 13 is a graph of antenna gain according to frequency for each radiator of the antenna device of embodiment 3.

Fig. 14 is a graph of antenna gain according to frequency for each radiator of the antenna device of comparative example 1.

Fig. 15 is a radiation pattern of the second radiator in the antenna devices of embodiments 1 to 3 and comparative example 1.

Detailed Description

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an antenna device including a radiator is provided.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an image display apparatus including an antenna structure. However, the application of the antenna structure is not limited to the display device, and the antenna structure may be applied to various objects or structures, such as a vehicle, a home appliance, a framework, and the like.

The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "one end," "another end," "upper," "lower," "side wall," and the like as used herein are not intended to limit the absolute position or order, but are used to distinguish between different components or elements in a relative sense.

Fig. 1 and 2 are a schematic plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating an antenna device according to an example embodiment. For convenience of description, detailed elements and structures of the antenna unit 110 are omitted in fig. 2.

In fig. 1 and 3 to 6, a "first direction" is defined as a direction in which the transmission line 114 extends toward the radiator 112, and a "second direction" is defined as a direction perpendicular to the first direction on the same plane.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the antenna device 100 includes an antenna unit 110, a parasitic element 120, and a dummy mesh pattern 190.

For example, the antenna device 100 may include a dielectric layer 105, and the antenna unit 110, the parasitic element 120, and the dummy mesh pattern 190 may be disposed on the dielectric layer 105.

The dielectric layer 105 may include a transparent resin film, which may include a polyester-based resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate; cellulosic resins such as diacetyl cellulose and triacetyl cellulose; a polycarbonate resin; acrylic resins such as polymethyl (meth) acrylate and polyethyl (meth) acrylate; styrenic resins such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers; polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, cycloolefin or polyolefin having a norbornene structure and ethylene-propylene copolymer; vinyl chloride resin; amide resins such as nylon and aromatic polyamide; imide-based resins; polyether sulfone resins; sulfone resins; polyether-ether-ketone resin; polyphenylene sulfide resin; vinyl alcohol resin; vinylidene chloride resin; a vinyl butyral resin; allylated resins; a polyoxymethylene resin; an epoxy resin; polyurethane or acrylic polyurethane-based resins; silicone resins, and the like. They may be used singly or in combination of two or more.

The dielectric layer 105 may include an adhesive material, such as an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA), optically Clear Resin (OCR), or the like.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 105 may include an inorganic insulating material, such as glass, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and the like.

In one embodiment, the dielectric layer 105 may be provided as a substantially single layer.

In one embodiment, the dielectric layer 105 may comprise a multi-layer structure of at least two layers. For example, the dielectric layer 105 may include a substrate layer and an antenna dielectric layer, and may include an adhesive layer between the substrate layer and the antenna dielectric layer.

The capacitance or inductance of the antenna device 100 may be formed by the dielectric layer 105, so that the frequency band in which the antenna device 100 may be driven or operated may be adjusted. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 105 may be adjusted to be in the range of about 1.5 to about 12. If the dielectric constant exceeds about 12, the driving frequency may be excessively lowered, and thus driving at a desired high frequency band or ultra high frequency band may not be achieved.

In some embodiments, a ground layer (not shown) may be disposed on a bottom surface of the dielectric layer 105. The generation of an electric field in the transmission line may be further promoted by the ground layer, and electrical noise around the transmission line may be absorbed or shielded.

In some embodiments, the ground layer may be included as a separate component of the antenna device 100. In some embodiments, the conductive member of the image display device to which the antenna device 100 is applied may serve as a ground layer.

For example, the conductive member may include various electrodes or wirings included in a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) array of the display panel, such as a gate electrode, a source/drain electrode, a pixel electrode, a common electrode, a scan line, a data line, and the like.

In one embodiment, a metal member such as SUS, a sensor member such as a digitizer, a heat sink, or the like provided at the rear of the image display device may be used as the ground layer.

In an example embodiment, the antenna unit 110 may include a radiator 112.

In some embodiments, the antenna element 110 may also include a transmission line 114 electrically connected to the radiator 112.

In some embodiments, the antenna unit 110 may further include a ground pattern 116 disposed around the transmission line 114 so as to be physically spaced apart from the radiator 112 and the transmission line 114.

For example, a pair of ground patterns 116 facing each other with the transmission line 114 interposed therebetween may be provided. Accordingly, interference and disturbance of signals transmitted and received through the transmission line 114 can be suppressed.

In some embodiments, the radiator 112 may be designed to have a resonant frequency in a frequency band of 3G, 4G, 5G or higher or an ultra-high frequency band. For example, the resonant frequency of the radiator 112 may be above about 50GHz, in one embodiment 50GHz to 80GHz, or in one embodiment 55GHz to 77GHz.

For example, the radiator 112 may have a polygonal flat plate shape, and the transmission line 114 may extend from one side of the radiator 112.

For example, the transmission line 114 may be formed as a single member substantially integral with the radiator 112, and may have a width less than the width of the radiator 112.

In some embodiments, the antenna unit 110 may further include a signal pad 115 connected to an end portion of the transmission line 114. For example, the signal pad 115 may be provided as a connection portion with an external circuit.

For example, one end of the transmission line 114 may be directly connected to the radiator 112, and the signal pad 115 may be connected to the other end of the transmission line 114.

In one embodiment, the signal pad 115 may be provided as a substantially integral member with the transmission line 114, and the terminal portion of the transmission line 114 may be provided as the signal pad 115.

For example, the signal pad 115 may comprise a solid structure. Therefore, signal loss at the connection portion with the external circuit can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the antenna unit 110 may further include a ground pad 117 electrically connected with the end portion of the ground pattern 116.

For example, a pair of ground pads 117 facing each other with the signal pad 115 interposed therebetween may be provided. The ground pad 117 may be electrically and physically separated from the transmission line 114 and the signal pad 115.

The radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the ground pattern 116, the signal pad 115, and/or the ground pad 117 may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), or an alloy containing at least one of the foregoing metals. They may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

In one embodiment, the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the ground pattern 116, the signal pad 115, and/or the ground pad 117 may include silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (e.g., silver-palladium-copper (APC)) or copper (Cu) or a copper alloy (e.g., copper-calcium (CuCa)) to achieve a low resistance and a fine line width pattern.

In some embodiments, the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the ground pattern 116, the signal pad 115, and/or the ground pad 117 may include a transparent conductive oxide, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), indium Zinc Tin Oxide (IZTO), zinc oxide (ZnOx), or the like.

In some embodiments, the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the ground pattern 116, the signal pad 115, and/or the ground pad 117 may include a stacked structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer, and may include, for example, a double layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer, or a triple layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer-transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, flexibility can be improved by the metal layer, and also signal transmission speed can be improved by the low resistance of the metal layer. Corrosion resistance and transparency can be improved by the transparent conductive oxide layer.

In example embodiments, the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the ground pattern 116, the signal pad 115, and/or the ground pad 117 may include a blackened portion, so that reflectivity at the surface of the antenna unit 110 may be reduced to suppress visual pattern recognition due to light reflection.

In one embodiment, the surface of the metal layer included in the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the ground pattern 116, the signal pad 115, and/or the ground pad 117 may be converted into a metal oxide or a metal sulfide to form a blackened layer. In one embodiment, a blackened layer, such as a black material coating or cladding layer, may be formed on the metal layer. The black material or coating may comprise silicon, carbon, copper, molybdenum, tin, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, or an oxide, sulfide, or alloy containing at least one of the metals.

The composition and thickness of the blackened layer may be adjusted in consideration of the reflectivity reducing effect and the antenna radiation characteristic.

In some embodiments, the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, and the ground pattern 116 may include a mesh structure. Accordingly, the light transmittance of the antenna unit 110 may be improved and visual recognition of the user may be suppressed.

For example, the mesh structure may include a plurality of radiating wires intersecting each other.

The signal pad 115 and the ground pad 117 may be formed in a solid pattern formed of the above-described metal or alloy in view of reducing the feeding resistance, improving the noise absorption efficiency, and improving the horizontal radiation characteristics.

In an example embodiment, a dummy mesh pattern 190 may be disposed around the antenna element 110 and/or the radiator 112 spaced apart from the antenna element 110 or the radiator 112. For example, the dummy mesh pattern 190 may be electrically and physically separated from the radiator 112 and the transmission line 114 by the first separation portion 195.

Accordingly, the light transmittance of the antenna device 100 may be improved, and the optical characteristics around the radiator 112 and the parasitic element 120 may be made uniform by the distribution of the dummy mesh pattern 190. Thus, the antenna device 100 can be prevented from being visually recognized by the user.

In an example embodiment, the parasitic element 120 may be disposed between the radiator 112 and the dummy mesh pattern 190.

For example, the parasitic element 120 may be physically spaced apart from the radiator 112 by the second separation portion 125 and may be physically spaced apart from the dummy mesh pattern 190 by the first separation portion 195.

The parasitic element 120 may be disposed around the radiator 112 to perform auxiliary radiation through the parasitic element 120. Thus, the antenna gain can be improved.

In some implementations, the parasitic element 120 may include a pair of parasitic elements 120 sandwiching the radiator 112. Therefore, the antenna performance can be further improved.

For example, the dummy mesh pattern 190 may not be disposed between the radiator 112 and the parasitic element 120. For example, the radiator 112 and the parasitic element 120 may be adjacent to each other to prevent interference with the dummy mesh pattern 190. Accordingly, the auxiliary radiation performance generated by the parasitic element 120 can be improved.

In one embodiment, the sidewalls of the radiator 112 (e.g., sidewalls extending in the first direction) may be parallel to the sidewalls of the parasitic element 120.

For example, the radiator 112 and the parasitic element 120 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the second direction.

In some embodiments, the length L2 of the parasitic element 120 in the first direction may be less than or equal to the length L1 of the radiator 112 in the first direction. Preferably, the length L2 of the parasitic element 120 in the first direction may be substantially the same as the length L1 of the radiator 112 in the first direction. In this case, the auxiliary radiation performance of the parasitic element 120 can be further improved.

The term "identical" is not limited to being mathematically identical, but may include cases that are sufficiently similar to be judged to be substantially identical.

In some embodiments, the parasitic element 120 may be disposed between an extension of the lower side portion and an extension of the upper side portion of the radiator 112 in a plan view, and may be spaced apart from the radiator 112 in the second direction. Accordingly, the efficiency of the auxiliary radiation generated by the parasitic element 120 can be further improved.

For example, the lower side of the radiator 112 may refer to the end directly connected to the transmission line 114, and the upper side of the radiator may refer to the end opposite to the lower side.

For example, the parasitic element 120 may have a polygonal flat plate shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. In one embodiment, the parasitic element 12 may have a square shape.

For example, the parasitic element 120 may comprise a metal or alloy as described above.

For example, a conductive layer including the above-described metal or alloy may be formed on the dielectric layer 105. The mesh structure may be formed while etching the conductive layer along the contours of the radiator 112, the transmission line 114 and the parasitic element 120. Accordingly, a dummy mesh pattern 190 spaced apart from the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, and the parasitic element 120 may be formed of the first and second separation portions 195 and 125.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion a of fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the boundary between the radiator 112 and the parasitic element 120 in the example embodiment.

Referring to fig. 3, the parasitic element 120 may include a parasitic wire 122 forming a mesh structure. For example, parasitic conductor 122 may comprise a metal or alloy as described above.

No split may be included in the parasitic conductor 122. For example, each parasitic wire 122 may extend in a straight line shape without dividing portions therein. Accordingly, an electric field can be generated in the parasitic element 120, and auxiliary radiation generated by the parasitic element 120 can be realized.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion B of fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a boundary between the parasitic element 120 and the dummy mesh pattern 190 in an example embodiment.

Referring to fig. 4, the dummy mesh pattern 190 may include dummy conductive lines 192 forming a mesh structure. For example, the dummy conductive line 192 may include the above-described metal or alloy.

In an example embodiment, the dummy mesh pattern 190 may include a dividing portion 194 cutting the dummy conductive line 192. For example, each of the dummy conductive lines 192 may include a plurality of dividing lines and dividing portions 194 arranged in a straight line. Accordingly, signal interference and disturbance caused by the dummy mesh pattern 190 can be prevented.

Referring to fig. 5, the parasitic element 120 may include a plurality of sub-parasitic elements 120a adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other. For example, when the antenna device 100 is applied to an external device such as an image display device, deterioration of the function of the external device can be prevented by the sub-parasitic element 120a. For example, a single parasitic element 120 or multiple sub-parasitic elements 120a may be used, depending on the application and use of the device.

For example, a dummy mesh pattern including a divided portion may not be formed between the sub-parasitic elements 120 a. Accordingly, the auxiliary radiation performance of the parasitic element 120 can be further improved.

For example, the number of sub-parasitic elements 120a adjacent to one lateral side of the radiator 112 may be 2 to 4.

Referring to fig. 6, an antenna device 100 in which a plurality of antenna elements are provided may be provided. In fig. 6, the antenna unit 110 and the parasitic element 120 described above may be provided as the first antenna unit 110 and the first parasitic element 120, respectively.

In some embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements may include a first antenna element 110 including a first radiator 112, a second antenna element 130 including a second radiator 132, and a third antenna element 150 including a third radiator 152.

The first radiator 112 and the second radiator 132 may be disposed in a third direction. For example, the first radiator 112 and the second radiator 132 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other along a first axis X1 extending in the third direction. The first axis X1 may be an imaginary straight line passing through the centers of the first and second radiators 112 and 132 and extending in the third direction.

In an example embodiment, the second radiator 132 and the third radiator 152 may be disposed in a fourth direction perpendicular to the third direction in a plan view. For example, the second radiator 132 and the third radiator 152 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the second axis X2 extending in the fourth direction. The second axis X2 may be an imaginary straight line passing through the centers of the second radiator 132 and the third radiator 152 and extending in the second direction.

For example, the third direction may be inclined at a first inclination angle θ1 with respect to the second direction, and the fourth direction may be inclined at a second inclination angle θ2 with respect to the first direction.

In some embodiments, the first inclination angle θ1 and the second inclination angle θ2 may each be in the range of 15 ° to 75 °, preferably from 30 ° to 60 °. Within the above range, the first radiator 112 and the third radiator 152 may be disposed substantially symmetrically on the same plane with respect to the second radiator 132. Therefore, the signal change due to the position change can be measured stably.

According to one embodiment, the first inclination angle θ1 and the second inclination angle θ2 may be 45 °.

In an example embodiment, the first radiator 112, the second radiator 132, and the third radiator 152 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other, so that independent radiation characteristics and signal receiving functions may be achieved. Furthermore, a change in the third and/or fourth direction of the signal intensity according to a change in the position of the sensing object in the third and/or fourth direction may be measured. The movement and the moving distance of the sensing object can be detected by the intensity variation of the measured signal.

In an example embodiment, the third direction and the fourth direction may perpendicularly intersect each other. Thus, the antenna device 100 may send a change in signal strength in the direction of the two orthogonal axes (X1, X2) to the motion sensor driving circuit or the radar processor. For example, the motion sensor drive circuit or radar processor may measure positional changes and distances in all directions in the X-Y coordinate system based on the collected information.

For example, the antenna device 100 may be used in a motion sensor that detects motion and gestures in two axes perpendicular to each other or a radar that detects distance. The radiators 112, 132 and 152 may be used as receiving radiating elements for motion or distance sensing.

Furthermore, the second radiator 132 may be used as a reference point for measuring the variation of the signal intensity along the first axis (X1) and the second axis (X2). For example, the change in the position of the sensing object may be detected by measuring the change in the signal intensity on the first axis (X1) and the second axis (X2) based on the signal intensity of the second radiator 132.

In some embodiments, the separation distance between the first radiator 112 and the second radiator 132 in the third direction and the separation distance between the second radiator 132 and the third radiator 152 in the fourth direction may be substantially the same. Thus, the signal strength in the first direction and/or the second direction may be measured by a regular distance. Accordingly, the change in the third and/or fourth direction of the signal intensity according to the change in the position of the sensing object can be measured more accurately.

In some embodiments, the first parasitic element 120 may be formed between the first radiator 112 and the dummy mesh pattern 190, the second parasitic element 140 may be formed between the second radiator 132 and the dummy mesh pattern 190, and the third parasitic element 160 may be formed between the second radiator 152 and the dummy mesh pattern 190.

The first parasitic element 120 may be spaced apart from each of the first radiator 112 and the dummy mesh pattern 190, the second parasitic element 140 may be spaced apart from each of the second radiator 132 and the dummy mesh pattern 190, and the third parasitic element 160 may be spaced apart from each of the third radiator 152 and the dummy mesh pattern 190.

For example, the above-described structures and materials of the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the signal pad 115, the ground pattern 116, and the ground pad 117 may also be applied to each of the first antenna unit 110, the second antenna unit 130, and the third antenna unit 150.

For example, the above description of the structure and materials of the parasitic element 120 may be applied to each of the first, second, and third parasitic elements 120, 140, 160.

For example, the above-described information about the positional relationship between the radiator 112 and the parasitic element 120 may be applied to each of the first antenna unit 110, the second antenna unit 130, and the third antenna unit 150.

Auxiliary radiation may be implemented through the parasitic elements 120, 140 and 160 to improve antenna gain characteristics, and isolation between the radiators 112, 132 and 152 may be increased to prevent signal interference.

In some embodiments, the antenna apparatus 100 may further include first, second, and third transmission lines 114, 134, and 154 connected to the first, second, and third radiators 112, 132, and 152, respectively. Accordingly, the first, second and third radiators 112, 132 and 152 may be driven independently of each other. Furthermore, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave signal on the first axis (X1) and the variation of the intensity of the electromagnetic wave signal on the second axis (X2) can be measured independently.

For example, the first, second and third transmission lines 114, 134 and 154 may transmit electromagnetic wave signals or electric signals of the first, second and third radiators 112, 132 and 152, respectively, to an antenna driving IC chip, a motion sensor driving circuit or a radar processor.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third transmission lines 114, 134, and 154 may be disposed on the dielectric layer 105 at the same layer or at the same level as the first, second, and third radiators 112, 132, and 152, respectively.

Thus, feeding/driving can be achieved without a separate coaxial feeding portion for signal input/output and feeding. Thus, for example, a display screen antenna (AoD) in which the antenna device 100 is provided on a display panel can be realized.

In some embodiments, the first antenna unit 110 may further include a first signal pad 115 connected to a terminal portion of the first transmission line 114, and a first ground pattern 116 disposed around the first transmission line 114 and physically spaced apart from the first radiator 112 and the first transmission line 114.

In some embodiments, the first antenna unit 110 may further include a first ground pad 117 electrically connected with the end portion of the first ground pattern 116.

In some embodiments, the second antenna unit 130 may further include a second signal pad 135 connected to a terminal portion of the second transmission line 134. In some embodiments, the second antenna unit 130 may further include a second ground pattern (not shown) disposed around the second transmission line 134 and physically separated from the second radiator 132 and the second transmission line 134.

In some embodiments, the second antenna unit 130 may further include a second ground pad 137 disposed around the second signal pad 135 and spaced apart from the second signal pad 135.

In some embodiments, the third antenna unit 150 may further include a third signal pad 155 connected to a terminal portion of the third transmission line 154, and a third ground pattern 156 disposed around the third transmission line 154 and physically spaced apart from the third radiator 152 and the third transmission line 154.

In some embodiments, the third antenna unit 150 may further include a third ground pad 157 electrically connected to the end portion of the third ground pattern 156.

In some embodiments, the antenna apparatus 100 may further include a fourth antenna unit 170 including a fourth radiator 172 spaced apart from the first radiator 112, the second radiator 132, and the third radiator 152.

For example, the fourth radiator 172 may serve as an emission radiator for motion or distance detection, and may emit electromagnetic waves toward a sensing object. For example, the fourth radiator 172 may be used as a transmitting radiator of the antenna device 100.

For example, the first, second, and third radiators 112, 132, 152 may function as receiving radiators, and may receive signals reflected from the sensing object. For example, the first radiator 112, the second radiator 132, and the third radiator 152 may be used as receiving radiators of the antenna device 100.

Accordingly, the antenna device 100 may receive and/or transmit electromagnetic wave signals for sensing an object, and the motion sensor and/or the radar sensor may recognize a decrease or increase of the signals according to a position change and a distance of the sensing object.

In some embodiments, a fourth parasitic element 180 may be formed between the fourth radiator 172 and the dummy mesh pattern 190. For example, the fourth parasitic element 180 may be spaced apart from each of the fourth radiator 172 and the dummy mesh pattern 190.

For example, the above-described structures and materials of the radiator 112, the transmission line 114, the signal pad 115, the ground pattern 116, and the ground pad 117 may be applied to the fourth antenna unit 170.

For example, the above-described structure and materials of the parasitic element 120 may be applied to the fourth parasitic element 180.

In some embodiments, the fourth antenna element 170 may further include a fourth transmission line 174 connected to the fourth radiator 172 at the same layer as the fourth radiator 172.

In some embodiments, the fourth antenna unit 170 may further include a fourth signal pad 175 connected to a distal end portion of the fourth transmission line 174, and a fourth ground pattern 176 disposed around the fourth transmission line 174 and physically spaced apart from the fourth radiator 172 and the fourth transmission line 174.

In some embodiments, the fourth antenna unit 170 may further include a fourth ground pad 177 electrically connected to a distal end portion of the fourth ground pattern 176.

Referring to fig. 7, the area of the second parasitic element 140 may be larger than the respective areas of the first parasitic element 120 and the third parasitic element 160. Accordingly, the second parasitic element 140 may serve as an auxiliary radiator of the first radiator 112 and the third radiator 152, so that the antenna gain may be improved.

As shown in fig. 7, the first radiator 112 and the third radiator 152 may be entirely covered by the second parasitic element 140 in the first direction. Accordingly, the antenna gains of the first radiator 112 and the third radiator 152 may be further increased by the second parasitic element 140.

Referring to fig. 8, in some embodiments, a first parasitic element of the pair of first parasitic elements 120 that is distal from the second radiator 132 and a third parasitic element of the pair of third parasitic elements 160 that is distal from the second radiator 132 may be completely covered by the second parasitic element 140 in the first direction.

In this case, the first radiator 112 and the third radiator 152 may be entirely covered by the second parasitic element 140 in the first direction. Accordingly, the radiation performance of the first radiator 112, the third radiator 152, the first parasitic element 120, and the third parasitic element 160 may be further improved by the second parasitic element 140. In addition, the beam pattern of the second radiator 132 can be formed more uniformly.

Fig. 9 shows a front or window surface of an image display device 300. The front of the image display apparatus 300 may include a display area 330 and a non-display area 340. The non-display area 340 may correspond to, for example, a light shielding portion or a frame portion of the image display apparatus 300.

In some embodiments, the antenna device 100 described above may be attached to the display panel in the form of a film.

In one embodiment, the antenna device 100 may be formed throughout the display region 330 and the non-display region 340 of the image display device 300. In one embodiment, the radiators 112, 132, 152, and 172 may be at least partially disposed on the display region 330.

In some embodiments, the antenna device 100 may be located at a center portion of one side portion of the image display device 300. Accordingly, the movement or distance detection performance of any one side portion can be prevented from being reduced, and the movement, motion, or distance of the sensing object in all directions can be detected on the front portion of the image display apparatus 300.

In some embodiments, one end of the transmission lines 114, 134, 154, and 174 may be connected to the radiators 112, 132, 152, and 172, and the other end of the transmission lines 114, 134, 154, and 174 or the signal pads 115, 135, 155, and 175 may be bonded to the circuit board 200.

The circuit board 200 may include, for example, a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB). For example, a conductive bonding structure such as an Anisotropic Conductive Film (ACF) may be bonded to the other ends of the transmission lines 114, 134, 154, and 174 or the signal pads 115, 135, 155, and 175, and then the circuit board may be heated and pressed on the conductive bonding structure.

The circuit board 200 may include a circuit wiring 205 bonded to the other end portion of the transmission line. The circuit wiring 205 may be used as an antenna feed wiring. For example, one end portion of the circuit wiring 205 may be exposed to the outside, and the exposed one end portion of the circuit wiring 205 may be bonded to the transmission lines 114, 134, 154, and 174. Accordingly, the circuit wiring 205 and the antenna device 100 can be electrically connected to each other.

The antenna driving IC chip may be mounted on the circuit board 200. In one embodiment, an intermediate circuit board such as a rigid printed circuit board may be interposed between the circuit board 200 and the antenna driving IC chip. In one embodiment, the antenna driving IC chip may be directly mounted on the circuit board 200.

The motion sensor driving circuit may be mounted on the circuit board 200.

In one embodiment, the motion sensor drive circuit may include a proximity sensor, a gesture sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor, a magnetic sensor, and the like.

For example, the antenna device 100 and the circuit board 200 may be electrically connected to each other, so that information of signal transmission and reception of the antenna device 100 may be transmitted to the motion sensor driving circuit. Accordingly, a motion recognition sensor including the antenna device 100 may be provided.

Referring to fig. 10, the image display apparatus 300 may include a display panel 310 and the above-described antenna apparatus 100 disposed on the display panel 310.

In an example embodiment, an optical layer 320 may also be included on the display panel 310. For example, the optical layer 320 may be a polarizing layer including a polarizer or a polarizing plate.

In one embodiment, a cover window (not shown) may be provided on the antenna device 100. The cover window may include, for example, glass (e.g., ultra-thin glass (UTG)) or a transparent resin film. Accordingly, external impact applied to the antenna device 100 can be reduced or buffered.

For example, the antenna device 100 may be disposed between the optical layer 320 and the cover window. In this case, the dielectric layer 105 and the optical layer 320 may collectively function as a dielectric layer of the radiators 112, 132, 152 and 172. Accordingly, an appropriate dielectric constant that sufficiently realizes the motion detection performance of the antenna device 100 can be obtained.

For example, the optical layer 320 and the antenna device 100, and the antenna device 100 and the cover window may be bonded by an adhesive layer.

For example, the circuit board 200 may be bent along a lateral curved contour of the display panel 310 to be placed at the rear of the image display device 300, and may extend toward the intermediate circuit board 210 (e.g., a main board) on which the driving IC chip may be mounted.

The circuit board 200 and the intermediate circuit board 210 may be joined or interconnected by a connector, so that feeding and antenna driving control of the antenna device 100 through the antenna driving IC chip may be achieved.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor drive circuit 220 may be mounted on the intermediate circuit board 210.

In one embodiment, the motion sensor drive circuit 220 may include a proximity sensor, a gesture sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor, a magnetic sensor, and the like.

In some implementations, the radiators 112, 132, 152, and 172 can be coupled to the motion sensor drive circuit 220.

In one embodiment, the antenna device 100 may be electrically connected to the motion sensor drive circuit 220 through a flexible circuit board 200 that is bonded or interconnected with an intermediate circuit board 210. Accordingly, a change in signal strength from the antenna device 100 to the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 can be transmitted/provided to the motion sensor driving circuit 220.

In one embodiment, the signal strengths of the first, second, and third radiators 112, 132, 152 according to the movement of the sensing object from the specific first position to the specific second position may be measured to sense the motion of the sensing object.

For example, the motion sensor driving circuit 220 coupled with the antenna device 100 may detect the motion by measuring a change in signal strength between the second radiator 132 and the first radiator 112 and between the second radiator 132 and the third radiator 152 corresponding to the motion from the first position to the second position.

For example, movement of the sensing target in the third direction may be detected by the second radiator 132 and the first radiator 112. Further, movement of the sensing target in the fourth direction may be detected by the second radiator 132 and the third radiator 152.

Accordingly, a change in signal strength according to the movement/position of two axes perpendicular to each other can be supplied from the antenna device 100 to the motion sensor driving circuit 220. For example, the motion sensor drive circuit 220 may measure motion and distance according to each axis.

In one embodiment, the motion sensor drive circuit 220 may include a motion detection circuit. The signal information transmitted from the antenna device 100 may be converted/calculated as position information or distance information by the motion detection circuit.

In one embodiment, the antenna device 100 may be electrically connected to the radar sensor circuit to transmit the transmitted and received signal information to the radar processor. For example, the circuit board 200 may be electrically connected to the radar processor through the intermediate circuit board 210. Accordingly, a radar sensor including the antenna device 100 may be provided.

The radar sensor may detect information on the sensing object by analyzing the transmitted signal and the received signal. For example, the antenna device 100 may measure a distance to a sensing object by transmitting a transmission signal and receiving a reception signal reflected by the sensing object.

The distance to the sensing object may be measured by measuring the time at which a signal transmitted from the antenna device 100 is reflected by the sensing object and received back to the antenna device 100.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments are provided to enhance understanding of the present inventive concept, but these embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and not limiting the scope of the claims, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments within the scope of the invention and that these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1

A pattern of Cu-containing wires was formed on the COP dielectric layer to manufacture an antenna device including the first to fourth antenna elements, the first to fourth parasitic elements, and the dummy mesh pattern shown in fig. 6.

The line width of the wire was 2 μm and the thickness was 0.5 μm.

When the dummy mesh pattern is formed, the dummy conductive line is cut to form the divided portions.

The first to fourth antenna elements include first to fourth radiators, respectively, and resonance frequencies of the first to fourth radiators are each adjusted to about 67GHz.

Example 2

An antenna device was manufactured by the same method as in example 1, but a pattern of Cu-containing wires was formed on the COP dielectric layer to form first to fourth antenna elements, first to fourth parasitic elements, and a dummy mesh pattern shown in fig. 7.

Example 3

An antenna device was manufactured by the same method as in example 1, but a pattern of Cu-containing wires was formed on the COP dielectric layer to form first to fourth antenna elements, first to fourth parasitic elements, and a dummy mesh pattern shown in fig. 8.

Comparative example 1

An antenna device was manufactured by the same method as in embodiment 1, but the first to fourth parasitic elements were not formed and the dummy mesh pattern was formed at the portions for the first to fourth parasitic elements.

Comparative example 2

An antenna device was manufactured by the same method as in embodiment 1, but a dummy mesh pattern was further formed between the first radiator and the first parasitic element, between the second radiator and the second parasitic element, between the third radiator and the third parasitic element, and between the fourth radiator and the fourth parasitic element.

Experimental example

(1) Measurement of antenna gain

The gains of the first to fourth radiators of the antenna devices manufactured according to the examples and comparative examples were measured using an HFSS simulator (Ansys).

(2) Evaluation of isolation between first to third radiators

A port was connected to each of the first to third radiators of the antenna devices manufactured according to embodiment 1 and the comparative example.

A signal is provided to the first radiator and measured from the second radiator to evaluate the isolation between the first radiator and the second radiator.

A signal is provided to the second radiator and measured from the third radiator to evaluate the isolation between the second radiator and the third radiator.

A signal is provided to the first radiator and measured from the third radiator to evaluate the isolation between the first radiator and the third radiator.

The measurement and evaluation results are shown in tables 1 and 2 below.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Referring to tables 1 and 2, in examples 1 to 3 including parasitic elements adjacent to the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern including the divided portions, the antenna gain was improved as compared with the comparative example.

In comparative example 2 in which a dummy mesh pattern including a divided portion is formed between the parasitic element and the radiator, the distance between the parasitic element and the radiator is increased as compared with example 1, thereby reducing the auxiliary radiation function of the parasitic element and reducing the antenna isolation.

Fig. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are graphs of antenna gain according to frequency for each radiator in the antenna device according to embodiment 1, embodiment 2, embodiment 3 and comparative example 1, respectively.

Referring to table 1 and fig. 11 to 14, in the embodiment in which the parasitic element is disposed between the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, the antenna gain is improved and the radiation balance is improved as compared with the comparative example.

In embodiments 2 and 3, in which the area of the second parasitic element is larger than the respective areas of the other parasitic elements, the antenna gain and the radiation balance are relatively further improved.

Fig. 15 is a radiation pattern of a second radiator in the antenna device according to embodiments 1 to 3 and comparative example 1.

Referring to fig. 15, in embodiment 3, the second parasitic element completely covers the first parasitic element and the third parasitic element in the third direction, and thus the beam waveform is formed relatively close to a circle. Therefore, the radiation uniformity of the antenna device according to embodiment 3 is relatively improved.

Claims

1. An antenna device, characterized in that it comprises:

an antenna unit including a radiator;

a dummy mesh pattern disposed around and spaced apart from the radiator, the dummy mesh pattern including a dummy wire and a divided portion cutting the dummy wire; and

Parasitic elements disposed between the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern and spaced apart from each of the radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, the parasitic elements having a mesh structure.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the parasitic element includes a parasitic wire and no divided portion is included in the parasitic wire.

3. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the parasitic element includes a pair of parasitic elements sandwiching the radiator.

4. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the dummy mesh pattern is not disposed between the radiator and the parasitic element.

5. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the side walls of the radiator and the parasitic element are parallel.

6. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the parasitic element comprises a plurality of sub-parasitic elements adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other.

7. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the radiator has a mesh structure.

8. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna unit further comprises:

a transmission line electrically connected to the radiator; and

A ground pattern disposed about the transmission line and physically spaced apart from the radiator and the transmission line,

Wherein a direction in which the transmission line extends toward the radiator is defined as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plan view is defined as a second direction.

9. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein a length of the parasitic element in the first direction is less than or equal to a length of the radiator in the first direction.

10. The antenna device of claim 8, wherein the parasitic element is spaced apart from the radiator in the second direction.

11. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein the transmission line is directly connected to a lower side portion of the radiator, and

The parasitic element is disposed between an extension of the lower side portion and an extension of the upper side portion of the radiator in a plan view, and is spaced apart from the radiator in the second direction.

12. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna unit comprises:

a first antenna unit including a first radiator;

a second antenna unit including a second radiator disposed in a third direction together with the first radiator; and

And a third antenna unit including a third radiator disposed in a fourth direction perpendicular to the third direction together with the second radiator in a plan view.

13. The antenna device according to claim 12, wherein the parasitic element comprises:

A first parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from the first radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively;

A second parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from the second radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively; and

A third parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from the third radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively.

14. The antenna device according to claim 13, wherein an area of the second parasitic element is larger than an area of each of the first parasitic element and the third parasitic element.

15. The antenna device of claim 13, wherein the first parasitic element comprises a pair of first parasitic elements sandwiching the first radiator,

The second parasitic element includes a pair of second parasitic elements sandwiching the second radiator, and

The third parasitic element includes a pair of third parasitic elements sandwiching the third radiator.

16. The antenna device according to claim 15, wherein a first parasitic element of the pair of first parasitic elements that is farther from the second radiator and a third parasitic element of the pair of third parasitic elements that is farther from the second radiator are each completely covered by the second parasitic element in the first direction.

17. The antenna device of claim 12, wherein the antenna element further comprises a fourth antenna element comprising:

A fourth radiator spaced apart from the first, second and third radiators; and

And a fourth parasitic element disposed between and spaced apart from the fourth radiator and the dummy mesh pattern, respectively.

18. A motion recognition sensor, characterized in that it comprises an antenna arrangement according to claim 12.

19. A radar sensor, characterized in that it comprises an antenna arrangement according to claim 12.

20. An image display device, characterized in that it comprises:

A display panel; and

The antenna device according to claim 1 provided on the display panel.