DE102010015823A1 - Antenna module for vehicle, has feeding pin extended to top surface of substrate, where pin has pin extension extending over patch antenna surface, which forms antenna structure for radiating or receiving electromagnetic waves - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (1) has a patch antenna (8) for transferring signals over a frequency band and comprising a dielectric substrate (11) and an electrical leading angular patch antenna surface (14) adapted to a contour of a top surface (12) of the dielectric substrate. A feeding pin (15) of an underside (13) of the substrate is extended to the top surface of the substrate and capacitively or electrically coupled with the antenna surface. The pin has a feeding pin extension (21) extending over the antenna surface, which forms an antenna structure (10) for radiating or receiving electromagnetic waves. The antenna structure comprises a rod-shaped monopole antenna, and is designed as an inverted L-antenna.

Description

The invention relates to an antenna module with at least one patch antenna. The patch antenna has a dielectric substrate and an electrically conductive square patch antenna surface adapted to the contour of an upper side of the dielectric substrate. A feeder pin extends from a bottom of the substrate to the top of the substrate and is capacitively or galvanically coupled to the patch antenna.

Such a patch antenna is from the document WO 2009 142983 known. Such a patch antenna has the disadvantage that it can only be used for a single resonant frequency band of a communication service, as disclosed in the above document. In this case, such a patch antenna is used in a vehicle for the frequency band of the global positioning system GPS (Global Positioning System) in the low gigahertz range. 13 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a patch antenna, which is a substrate 11 that has with its bottom 13 can be arranged on a metal plate as antenna counterweight or a metal-plated bottom 13 having. On the top 12 of the substrate 11 is an electromagnetic wave emitting and / or receiving patch antenna surface 14 arranged, taking the dimensions and contour of the patch antenna surface 14 , the dimensions and the relative dielectric constant of the substrate 11 , the resonant frequency range and the radiation characteristic of the patch antenna.

The infeed can be made via a supply pin that is galvanically connected to the patch antenna surface 15 , like it 13 shows done. The feed pin 15 can also capacitive with the patch antenna, like it 14 shows, be coupled. An antenna module for different services having different resonant frequencies may be formed by stacking patch antennas into a patch antenna stack 40 , like it 15 shows are formed.

In addition shows 15A a schematic perspective view of a Patchantennenstapels 40 standing on a metal plate 47 is arranged and a patch antenna 8th satellite based digital radio system SDARS (Satellite Digital Radio System) on its SDARS patch antenna surface 14 a GPS patch antenna 9 is stacked. The stacked patch antennas are powered by two separate feed pins 15 and 20 provided. Here is the contour and patch antenna surface 14 the SDARS patch antenna 8th larger than the contour and size of the GPS patch antenna 9 , In addition, different substrates for the stacked patch antennas are used for decoupling the resonant frequency ranges. 15B shows a schematic view of the underside of the metal plate 47 with the feed pins spaced apart and insulated from the metal plate 15 and 20 ,

However, even such patch antenna batches are limited in their field of application and can not for additional services, such as for an Inter-vehicle communication service CTC service (car-to-car service or "vehicle-to-vehicle service") or a keyless vehicle service RKE service (Remote Keyless Entry Service) or Tire Pressure Monitoring System Service (TPMS) service or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or also a Worldwide Wireless Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) service, be used.

The object of the invention is to provide an antenna module with an extended patch antenna.

This object is achieved with the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims.

In this case, an antenna module for a vehicle is provided with at least one patch antenna for transmitting signals over at least one frequency band. The patch antenna has a dielectric substrate and an electrically conductive patch antenna surface adapted to the contour of an upper side of the dielectric substrate. The patch antenna surface is preferably angular. A feeder pin extends from a bottom of the substrate to the top of the substrate and is capacitively or galvanically coupled to the patch antenna surface. The feeder pin has a feed pin extension projecting beyond the patch antenna surface, which forms a further antenna structure for emitting or receiving electromagnetic waves. The further antenna structure serves to transmit signals in a further frequency band or to improve the emission characteristics of the patch antenna. The term "or" is not to be understood as exclusive or, but the further antenna structure may provide more of these functions.

This antenna module has the advantage that not only the frequencies of SDARS service and GPS service can be transmitted, but that a plurality of additional communication services for the vehicle can be provided. If more than one further frequency range is to be served by the further antenna structure of the antenna module, with a multiplexer further digitally coded communication services via the feed pin extension can to be served. Another advantage is that the radiation characteristics for SDARS or GPS can be improved. The further antenna structure thus also serves to transmit a further service.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the further antenna structure has a rod-shaped monopole antenna. With such a rod-shaped monopole antenna, a WLAN service may be preferred IEEE 802 16a standard be transmitted at frequencies f _W between 2.4 GHz ≤ f _W ≤ 2.486 GHz.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the further antenna structure has a helical antenna, with which frequencies can also be transmitted below the frequency band of the GPS system, as provided, for example, for digital radio services.

Furthermore, it is envisaged to let the feeder pin merge into an antenna loop. For this purpose, the further antenna structure has an antenna loop which forms a rod-shaped extension of the feed pin at a first end and is connected via a transverse web to a return web which connects a second end of the antenna loop to a ground potential. At the same time a directivity is associated with such an antenna loop, so that this antenna is particularly suitable for infrastructure services, such as a car-to-car service.

Furthermore, it is provided to carry out the further antenna structure as an inverted L antenna. Such an L-antenna is advantageous for terrestrial digital communication.

Furthermore, with the feed pin extension and a triangular monopole can be coupled, which forms similar directivity as the above-mentioned antenna loop, so that this triangular monopole can also be used advantageously for additional car-to-car services.

Furthermore, it is also possible to connect the feed pin extension with the center of a hinged cavity made of electrically conductive sheets. This hinged cavity can serve the directional radiation, so that it is particularly predestined for satellite reception.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the properties of the further antenna structure are now advantageously combined with the properties of the patch antenna. Thus, the patch antenna may have a direction of circulation for received or radiated electromagnetic waves defined by corresponding corner slopes of the angular patch antenna surface. Depending on the application, a left circulation or a right circulation can take place through a corner bevel.

Furthermore, it is provided that a smaller patch antenna structure, for example for a GPS system, is arranged as a stack on an SDARS antenna on the patch antenna with the capacitively or galvanically coupled supply pin and the further antenna structure. The lower patch antenna operates at a higher frequency band than the upper patch antenna. At the same time, their directions of circulation are opposite to each other, and the relative dielectric constant of the upper substrate is at least one order of magnitude higher than that of the lower substrate. Of the two feed pins, only the feed pin of the lower substrate is extended and may have one of the above-mentioned embodiments. Thus, as the lower patch antenna, the SDARS patch antenna is preferably used, and as the upper patch antenna, the GPS patch antenna is used to provide these services to the vehicle occupant.

While the GPS patch antenna serves a frequency range f _GPS between 1.574 GHz ≤ f _GPS ≤ 1.577 GHz, the SDARS patch antenna is intended for a frequency range ^f SDARS between 2.320 GHz ≤ f _SDARS ≤ 2.345 GHz. In a further embodiment, it is provided that the further antenna structure transmits at least one of the following services: car-to-car service, RKE service, TPMS service, WLAN service or WIMAX service.

As already mentioned above, several of the above-mentioned communication services can also be transmitted with the antenna module according to the invention via a single feed pin extension by connecting a multiplexer upstream.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

1 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module according to a first embodiment of the invention;

2 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module according to a second embodiment of the invention;

3 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a first modification of an antenna module according to the second embodiment of the invention;

4 shows a first example of a decoupling effect in a patch antenna stack;

5 shows a second example of a decoupling effect in a patch antenna stack,

6 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a second modification of an antenna module according to the second embodiment of the invention;

7 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a third modification of an antenna module according to the second embodiment of the invention;

8th shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module according to a third embodiment of the invention;

9 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

10 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

11 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a modification of an antenna module according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

12 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

13 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a patch antenna with galvanic coupling according to the prior art;

14 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a patch antenna with capacitive coupling according to the prior art;

15 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a patch antenna stack according to the prior art.

1 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The base of the antenna module 1 forms a patch antenna 8th for a vehicle. The patch antenna 8th has a dielectric substrate 11 and one to the contour of the top 12 of the dielectric substrate 11 adapted electrically conductive square patch antenna surface 14 on. A feed pin 15 extends from the bottom 13 of the substrate 11 to the top 12 of the substrate 11 and is with the patch antenna surface 14 capacitively coupled.

This capacitive coupling is in the 1 thereby making clear that between the patch antenna surface 14 and the feed pin 15 at the top 12 of the dielectric substrate 11 no galvanic contact between the feeder pin 15 and the patch antenna surface 14 exists as an annular gap between feed pin 15 and patch antenna surface 14 is complied with. The capacitive coupled feeder pin 15 has one over the patch antenna surface 14 protruding feed pin extension 21 on which another antenna structure 10 for emitting or receiving electromagnetic waves.

In this first embodiment of the invention, the further antenna structure forms 10 a rod-shaped monopole antenna 22 , Thus, the antenna module 1 in addition to a first frequency band or a first communication service by the capacitively coupled patch antenna 8th now another frequency band another service through the rod-shaped monopole antenna 22 for the vehicle occupants. Will be a multiplexer for this antenna module 1 provided, so can over the rod-shaped monopole antenna 22 other digital communications services are broadcast or received.

In a further embodiment is different from 1 the feeder pin 15 with the patch antenna surface 14 galvanically coupled. The galvanic coupling can be realized for example by means of a solder joint.

2 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Also in the second embodiment of the invention, the base forms a patch antenna 8th For example, for the frequency range of a SDARS service. Again, the feed pin 15 , the capacitive with the patch antenna surface 14 on the top 12 of the dielectric substrate 11 coupled, a feeder pin extension 21 on that in a helix antenna 23 passes. A helix antenna 23 allows opposite to in 1 shown rod-shaped monopole, for a same frequency band, the height of the antenna structure above the top 12 shorten the patch antenna. This has, in addition to the different radiation characteristics of a helix antenna relative to a rod antenna, the further advantage of a higher mechanical strength of such filigree antenna structures, which are from the feed pin 15 the patch antenna 8th to be worn.

3 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a first modification of the antenna module 2 the second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment has a patch antenna stack 40 on with a SDARS patch antenna 8th as a base and one on the patch antenna surface 14 the SDARS patch antenna 8th stacked GPS patch antenna 9 , The bottom 18 the GPS patch antenna is thus on the patch antenna surface 14 the SDARS antenna 8th arranged so that the areal extent of a substrate 16 the GPS patch antenna 9 must be dimensioned much smaller than the substrate 11 the SDARS patch antenna.

Because the stacked GPS patch antenna 9 from the bottom 13 the SDARS patch antenna 8th must be fed, penetrates the feed pin 20 the GPS patch antenna 9 first the substrate 11 the SDARS patch antenna 8th and then extends to the patch antenna surface 19 on the top 17 the GPS patch antenna 9 and is with this patch antenna surface 19 galvanically connected. In contrast, the separately arranged feed pin 15 the SDARS patch antenna 8th capacitive with the corresponding patch antenna area 14 coupled and protrudes with an extension 21 over the patch antenna surface 14 addition, this extension into a helical antenna 23 as an additional antenna structure 10 passes.

Regarding this antenna module 2 First, you can connect at least three different services to one with this antenna module 2 equipped vehicle and processed by the antenna module. However, if, as already mentioned above, in the coupling of the helical antenna 23 a triplexer is used, this number of communication services with this antenna module 2 a first modification of the second embodiment of the invention can be increased by further services. The communication services that can be transmitted in addition to the SDARS service and the GPS service include a CTC service, a RKE service, a TPMS service, a WLAN service IEEE 802 16a standard or a WIMAX service.

To decouple the two in the antenna stack 40 stacked antennas show the 4 and 5 the relationship between the decoupling in decibels (dB) as a function of the relative dielectric constant of the substrates 11 respectively. 16 ,

In 4A the two patch antennas are pulled apart, in which case the relative dielectric constant of the GPS antenna is ε _r2 = 20 and the edge length of the patch antenna surface is about 15 mm. The entry point port 2 is to the right of a center point 39 for the staked GPS patch antenna 9 arranged. The relative dielectric constant ε _{r1 of} the SDARS antenna 8th is varied, as is the edge length P11, which is greater than the edge length of the patch antenna surface of the GPS patch antenna 9 , The entry point port 1 the SDARS antenna 8th is selected to the left of the center point. This ensures that the two entry points port 2 and port 1 are arranged as far away from each other as possible.

The effects of different dielectric constants for the substrate 11 the SDARS antenna 8th and the substrate 16 the GPS antenna 19 pointing to the decoupling 4B , There, the relative dielectric constant ε _{r1 of} the SDARS substrate is plotted on the abscissa, and the decoupling effect in the range from -2 to -12 is shown on the ordinate. It can be seen when the dielectric constant ε _r1 above the dielectric constant 20 the GPS antenna is decoupling with -2 to -3 dB low and then increases steadily as soon as the relative dielectric constant of the SDARS antenna drops well below the value of the relative dielectric constant ε _{r1 of} the SDARS antenna. 4B shows that a decoupling or attenuation of -12 dB can already be achieved if the relative dielectric constant of the SDARS antenna is well below the value 20, for example at 5.

The 5 show a second example of a decoupling effect in a patch antenna stack 40 , this time, like 5A 1, the edge length of the SDARS patch antenna face 19 is 20.5 mm, and the relative permittivity ε _r1 = 7, while the relative dielectric constant of the GPS antenna 9 varied. The result for the decoupling shows 5B , which makes it clear that the decoupling becomes larger, the greater the difference between the relative dielectric constants of the substrates 11 and 16 is.

As a consequence of the in the 4 and 5 As shown, the relative dielectric constant ε _{r1 is} chosen to be much smaller than the relative dielectric constant ε _r2 .

Another means of assisting decoupling is to vary different modes by varying the corner structure of the angular patch antenna surfaces and / or the edge structure of the substrates. So can, how 3 shows, by a bevel 37 for the SDARS antenna 8th a left circulation can be achieved and by an opposite Eckabschrägung 38 a legal circulation for the GPS patch antenna 9 be achieved.

6 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a second modification of the antenna module 2 the second embodiment of the invention, this second modification in turn a helical antenna 23 as feed extension 21 shows. Here is an edge bevel to support desired modes 41 the edges 42 of the substrate 11 performed in the way that the area of the bottom 13 the patch antenna 8th is greater than the area of the top 12 the patch antenna 8th ,

7 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a third modification of the antenna module 2 the second embodiment of the invention. Also in this case is the helix antenna 23 as an extension 21 of the feeder pin 15 retain, and in addition to supporting corresponding modes are the edges 42 by an edge bevel 41 changed in such a way that now the area of the top 12 is larger than the area of the underside 13 the patch antenna 8th ,

8th shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module 3 according to a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention is directed to a patch antenna 8th or a patch antenna stack the feeder pin 15 extended in such a way that extends over the patch antenna surface 14 a triangular monopoly 31 as another antenna structure 10 formed. Components having the same functions as in the previous figures are identified by the same reference numerals and will not be discussed separately.

9 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this fourth embodiment of the invention, the extension is 21 of the feeder pin 15 a patch antenna 8th as inverted L antenna 30 shaped what this antenna module 4 allows to support digital telecommunications services and in particular to provide satellite-based telecommunications to the occupants of the vehicle.

10 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module 5 a fifth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the feed pin goes 15 the patch antenna 8th or a patch antenna stack into an antenna loop 24 , which initially consists of a rod-shaped extension 25 , a horizontal crossbar 26 and a vertical return bridge 27 exists, with the vertical return bridge 27 can be connected to a ground potential. Such an antenna loop as a further antenna structure 10 provides a pronounced directional characteristic for the antenna, with which preferably a car-to-car service can be supported.

11 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a modification of the antenna module 5 the fifth embodiment of the invention. In this modification of the antenna module 5 Also, a vertical antenna loop is formed at the end of the return land 27 however in a horizontal loop 43 the antenna goes over, the end being 44 the ring loop 43 not like in 10 is connected to a ground potential, but with the radiating patch antenna surface 14 is galvanically connected.

12 shows a perspective schematic diagram of an antenna module 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. In this sixth embodiment of the invention is the feed pin 15 a patch antenna with a feed pin extension 21 connected as a monopoly with a hinged cavity 45 interacts. This hinged cavity 45 is with her horizontal base plate 46 galvanically with the feeder rod extension 21 connected and has in this embodiment of the invention four hinged sheets 33 to 36 on, which support the radiation of electromagnetic waves.

The 13 to 15 show patch antennas according to the prior art, as they are already mentioned in the introduction, so that a repetition is unnecessary at this point.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Antenna module (1st embodiment)

2

Antenna module (2nd embodiment)

3

Antenna module (3rd embodiment)

4

Antenna module (4th embodiment)

5

Antenna Module (5th Embodiment)

6

Antenna module (6th embodiment)

7

Antenna module (prior art)

8th

SDARS patch antenna

9

GPS patch antenna

10

further antenna structure

11

dielectric substrate (SDARS)

12

Top of the substrate (SDARS)

13

Bottom of the substrate (SDARS)

14

Patch antenna surface (SDARS)

15

Feed pin (SDARS)

16

dielectric substrate (GPS)

17

Top of the substrate (GPS)

18

Bottom of the substrate (GPS)

19

Patch antenna surface (GPS)

20

Feed pin (GPS)

21

Einspeisestiftverlängerung

22

rod-shaped monopole antenna

23

helix antenna

24

antenna loop

25

rod-shaped extension

26

crosspiece

27

Rear guide web

28

first end

29

second end

30

inverted L antenna

31

triangular monopoly

32

hinged cavity

33

sheet

34

sheet

35

sheet

36

sheet

37

Eckabschrägung (SDARS)

38

Eckabschrägung (GPS)

39

center point

40

Patch antenna stack

41

faceting

42

substrate edge

43

horizontal ring loop

44

End of the horizontal loop

45

hinged cavity

46

Base plate of the hinged cavity

47

metal plate

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2009142983 [0002]

Cited non-patent literature

• IEEE 802 16a standard [0010]
• IEEE 802 16a standard [0043]

Claims (16)

Antenna module for a vehicle with at least one patch antenna ( 8th ) for transmitting signals over at least one frequency band, wherein the patch antenna ( 8th ) a dielectric substrate ( 11 ) and one to the contour of a top ( 12 ) of the dielectric substrate ( 11 ) adapted electrically conductive patch antenna surface ( 14 ), and wherein a feed pin ( 15 ) from an underside ( 13 ) of the substrate ( 11 ) to the top ( 12 ) of the substrate ( 11 ) and with the patch antenna surface ( 14 ) is capacitively or galvanically coupled, wherein the feeder pin ( 15 ) over the patch antenna surface ( 14 ) protruding a feeder pin extension ( 21 ), which has a further antenna structure ( 10 ) for emitting or receiving electromagnetic waves. Antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the further antenna structure ( 10 ) a rod-shaped monopole antenna ( 22 ) having. Antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the further antenna structure ( 10 ) a helical antenna ( 23 ) having. Antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the further antenna structure ( 10 ) an antenna loop ( 24 ), which at a first end ( 28 ) a rod-shaped extension ( 25 ) of the feeder pin ( 15 ) and via a crossbar ( 26 ) with a return bridge ( 27 ), which has a second end ( 29 ) of the antenna loop ( 24 ) connects to a ground potential. Antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the further antenna structure ( 10 ) an inverted L-antenna ( 30 ) having. Antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the feed pin extension ( 21 ) with a triangular monopoly ( 31 ) is coupled. Antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the feed pin extension ( 21 ) with the center of a hinged cavity ( 32 ) made of electrically conductive sheets ( 33 . 34 . 35 . 36 ) connected is. Antenna module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch antenna ( 8th ) has a direction of circulation for received or radiated electromagnetic waves, which by corner bevels ( 37 ) of the square patch antenna surface ( 13 ) are defined. Antenna module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna module ( 1 ) a patch antenna stack ( 40 ) with two feed pins ( 15 . 20 ) having. An antenna module according to claim 9, wherein the patch antenna stack ( 40 ) an SDARS patch antenna ( 8th ) with the capacitively coupled feed pin extension ( 21 ) and one on the SDARS patch antenna ( 8th ) stacked GPS patch antenna ( 9 ) having. An antenna module according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the stacked patch antennas ( 8th . 9 ) have opposite directions of circulation. Antenna module according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the relative dielectric constant of the substrate ( 16 ) of the stacked GPS patch antenna ( 9 ) is at least an order of magnitude higher than the relative dielectric constant of the substrate ( 11 ) of the SDARS patch antenna ( 8th ). Antenna module according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the patch antenna surface ( 14 ) of the SDARS antenna ( 8th ) larger than the patch antenna area ( 19 ) of the GPS patch antenna ( 9 ). Antenna module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a GPS patch antenna ( 9 ) a frequency range f _GPS between 1.574 GHz ≤ f _GPS ≤ 1.577 GHz and / or a SDARS patch antenna ( 8th ) has a frequency range f _SDARS between 2.320 GHz ≤ f _SDARS ≤ 2.355 GHz. Antenna module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed pin extension ( 21 ) as a further antenna structure ( 10 ) transmits at least one of the following services, CTC service, RKE service, TPMS service, IEEE 802 16a standard WLAN service or WIMAX service. Antenna module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna module ( 1 ) has a multiplexer with which a plurality of services via the further antenna structure ( 10 ) is transmitted.

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