EP3588677A1 - Dielectric resonator antenna - Google Patents
Dielectric resonator antenna Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3588677A1 EP3588677A1 EP18179474.4A EP18179474A EP3588677A1 EP 3588677 A1 EP3588677 A1 EP 3588677A1 EP 18179474 A EP18179474 A EP 18179474A EP 3588677 A1 EP3588677 A1 EP 3588677A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- substrate
- ground plane
- feed
- dielectric material
- elements
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010295 mobile communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- FRWYFWZENXDZMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-iodoquinoline Chemical compound C1=CC=CC2=NC(I)=CC=C21 FRWYFWZENXDZMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 1
- LTPBRCUWZOMYOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N beryllium oxide Inorganic materials O=[Be] LTPBRCUWZOMYOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003575 carbonaceous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910021389 graphene Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002044 microwave spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012811 non-conductive material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052594 sapphire Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010980 sapphire Substances 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
- H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
- H01Q9/0485—Dielectric resonator antennas
- H01Q9/0492—Dielectric resonator antennas circularly polarised
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
- H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
- H01Q9/0407—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna
- H01Q9/0414—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna in a stacked or folded configuration
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
- H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
- H01Q9/0407—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna
- H01Q9/045—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna with particular feeding means
- H01Q9/0457—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna with particular feeding means electromagnetically coupled to the feed line
Definitions
- Example embodiments relate to a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA).
- DRA dielectric resonator antenna
- a dynamic resonator antenna is an antenna formed from a dielectric material which acts as a resonator, usually mounted on a metal surface acting as a ground plane.
- the resonant frequency of the antenna is determined by the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and also its dimensions.
- Dynamic resonator antennas provide relatively wide bandwidth and are commonly used at microwave and higher frequencies. They tend to have relatively small dimensions, controllable properties and are relatively resilient in terms of structure.
- an apparatus comprising: a dielectric resonator antenna comprised of: a dielectric material having first and second electrically-conductive and elements on first and second substantially opposed surfaces of the dielectric material; and a feed structure comprising a substrate positioned adjacent the dielectric material, the substrate comprising one or more feed conductors, and a ground plane adjacent the substrate, the ground plane having one or more apertures therein in substantial respective alignment with the one or more feed conductors.
- the feed structure substrate may be substantially planar and positioned substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the dielectric material.
- the dielectric material and feed structure may be spaced apart.
- the ground plane may be formed of substantially planar, electrically conductive material.
- the apparatus may further comprise an electrically conductive material defining a cavity beneath the feed structure, on the opposite side of the substrate to that of the dielectric material.
- the electrically conductive material of the cavity may be in electrical contact with the ground plane.
- the ground plane may have a plurality of slot-like apertures therein for different polarizations.
- the ground plane may comprise first and second slot-like, intersecting apertures.
- the substrate may carry first and second feed conductors in substantial respective alignment with the first and second apertures of the ground plane, the feed conductors being on opposite sides of the substrate.
- the substrate may be a printed wire board (PWB) or the like, formed of electrically insulative material.
- PWB printed wire board
- the first and second elements on the dielectric material may have different surface areas.
- the first and second elements may be substantially planar with first and second differently-sized major surfaces.
- the first and second elements may be disk-like.
- the first element may have a smaller surface area than the second element, the second element being closer to the feed structure than the first element.
- Another aspect provides an electronic communications device comprising the apparatus of any preceding definition.
- a dielectric resonator antenna comprised of: a dielectric material having first and second electrically-conductive and elements on first and second substantially opposed surfaces of the dielectric material; and a feed structure comprising a substrate positioned adjacent the dielectric material, the substrate comprising one or more feed conductors, and a ground plane adjacent the substrate, the ground plane having one or more apertures therein in substantial respective alignment with the one or more feed conductors.
- the feed structure substrate may be substantially planar and positioned substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the dielectric material.
- the dielectric material and feed structure may be spaced apart.
- the dielectric material and feed structure may be spaced apart by a plurality of non-conductive legs.
- the ground plane may be formed of substantially planar, electrically conductive material.
- the apparatus may further comprise an electrically conductive material defining a cavity beneath the feed structure, on the opposite side of the substrate to that of the dielectric material.
- the electrically conductive material of the cavity may be in electrical contact with the ground plane.
- the ground plane may have a plurality of slot-like apertures therein for different polarizations.
- the ground plane may comprise first and second slot-like, intersecting apertures.
- the first and second intersecting apertures may be oriented for orthogonal polarisation.
- the substrate may carry first and second feed conductors in substantial respective alignment with the first and second apertures of the ground plane, the feed conductors being on opposite sides of the substrate.
- On one side of the substrate may be provided plural first feed conductors arranged generally in an X-shape and on the other side of the substrate may be provided plural second feed conductors arranged generally in an X-shape and generally aligned with the plural first feed conductors.
- the substrate may be a printed wire board (PWB) or the like, formed of electrically insulative material.
- the first and second elements on the dielectric material may have different surface areas.
- the first and second elements may be substantially planar with first and second differently-sized major surfaces.
- the first and second elements may disk-like.
- the first element may have a smaller surface area than the second element, the second element being closer to the feed structure than the first element.
- the dielectric material may comprise an internal air-gap between the first and second elements.
- a dielectric resonator antenna comprised of: a dielectric material having first and second electrically-conductive and elements on first and second substantially opposed surfaces of the dielectric material; a feed structure comprising a substrate positioned adjacent, and spaced from, the dielectric material, the substrate comprising first and second substantially opposed surface, wherein, on the first surface, the feed structure comprises two pairs of antenna element arms arranged generally in an X-shape and, on the second surface, two pairs of antenna arms arranged generally in an X-shape and aligned with the antenna element arms on the first surface, the aligned antenna arms being electrically interconnected through the substrate; and a ground plane adjacent the substrate, the ground plane having one or more apertures therein in substantial respective alignment with the one or more feed conductors.
- the ground plane may be part of a back cavity.
- Example embodiments relate to dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs).
- DRAs dielectric resonator antennas
- a dielectric resonator antenna is a radio antenna that typically consists of a block of non-metallic material having a higher dielectric constant than air. Ceramics are commonly used.
- the block of material may comprise various shapes, and may be mounted on a metallic ground plane.
- a signal is introduced into the block of material from a feed structure, where the antenna is to be used to transmit signals, and the signals tend to form standing waves within the walls of the block, some of which leave and radiate into space.
- Such antennas are commonly used at microwave frequencies and higher, making them ideal for wireless and satellite applications.
- signals are provided to the feed structure by the block of material.
- the antenna may operate in both transmit and receive modes.
- Such dielectric resonator antennas as described herein find application in many wireless electronic communication systems, modules and devices for wireless voice and/or data transmission and/or reception, such as, and not limited to, antenna arrays, base stations, broadcasting antennas, fixed network equipment, satellite antennas and equipment, mobile network equipment, wireless electronic communications equipment carried by or installed in vehicles (for example, and not limited to: cars, trucks, boats, ships, aircraft, drones, bicycles, motorcycles, toys), mobile or portable communications equipment and stationary communications equipment.
- Embodiments herein relate to dielectric resonator antennas in which first and second electrically-conductive elements (hereafter “first and second elements”) are provided on respective parts of the dielectric block.
- the first and second elements may not contact one another and/or they may be electrically floating, i.e. they are not galvanically connected or coupled to anything else, instead depending upon electromagnetic coupling between themselves and the feed structure.
- the first and second elements may be formed of metal material.
- the first and second elements may be on substantially opposite sides of the dielectric block, e.g. such that they are generally parallel.
- the first and second elements may be substantially plate-like.
- the first and second elements may have different surface areas, for example one having a major surface which is of a greater area than that of the other (with comparable depths or thicknesses). It is found that the provision of a plurality of elements in this general manner improves at least the bandwidth properties of such an antenna.
- a dielectric block 20 having first and second substantially opposed major faces 30, 40.
- the dielectric block 20 is generally cylindrical or puck-shaped.
- First and second electrically conductive elements 50, 60 (which may be formed of metal or carbon-based material such as graphite, graphene etc.) may be provided on the respective major faces 30, 40.
- the first and second conductive elements 50, 60 are therefore substantially opposed and parallel to one another.
- the first and second conductive elements 50, 60 may be disk shaped, although other shapes may be used.
- a feed structure for energising the dielectric block 20 to create the standing waves is in practise provided adjacent the dielectric block 20, although is not shown in Figure 1 .
- the signals are received via the conductive elements 50, 60.
- Figure 2 is a dielectric block 70 according to another embodiment. Similar to the Figure 1 embodiment, the dielectric block is generally cylindrical or puck-shaped but in this case has a ring-shaped recess 80 defining an outer wall 90 and an inner wall 100. A first metallic element 110 is mounted on the inner wall 100. A second electrically conductive element (not shown), similar to the second conductive element 60 illustrated in the first embodiment and Figure 1 , may be positioned on the base of the dielectric block 70. The second conductive element may have the same central axis X-X as that of the first conductive element 110, which is a central axis of the dielectric block 70.
- a bore may extend through the centre of the dielectric block 70, substantially aligned with the central axis X-X so that there is an air gap between the first conductive element 110 and second conductive element (not shown).
- the material used for the dielectric block 20 may be any suitable dielectric, which may for example be a ceramic.
- a feed structure for energising (in the case of a transmitting antenna) the dielectric block 20 to create the standing waves is in practise provided adjacent the dielectric block 20, although is not shown in Figure 2 .
- the feed structure is for receiving signals in the case of a receiving antenna.
- non-puck-shaped dielectric bodies may be provided.
- rectangular, square, triangular and other shaped bodies may be provided.
- FIG 3A shows the Figure 2 dielectric block 70 when mounted on an example feed structure 200, to provide a dielectric resonator antenna 210 according to example embodiments.
- the feed structure 200 comprises in this example a slot fed structure with a back cavity, which may also be called a cavity-backed slot antenna.
- Slot fed structures in general comprise an aperture on a ground plane upon which the dielectric block resonator is placed.
- the aperture can be fed by a transmission line, such as a microstrip line, a slotline, coplanar strips or a waveguide, such as a coplanar waveguide.
- FIG 3B is a side view of the Figure 3A antenna 210.
- the dielectric block 70 is shown suspended or similarly mounted above the feed structure 200, for example by one or more supporting legs. Either way, there is a gap between the dielectric block 70 and the feed structure 200.
- the feed structure 200 comprises a box or tray-like base 210 defining a cavity 222; note that the cavity is shown in dotted line for reference and is not ordinarily seen from the side.
- the base 210 may comprise a base wall and four upstanding walls, or other mechanical structures may be used.
- the base 210 may be formed of metal material.
- the cavity 222 acts as a waveguide in use.
- the first and second metallic elements 120, 112 are shown on opposite sides of the dielectric block 70.
- a feed substrate 220 Provided above the cavity 222, e.g. located on upper walls or in recesses of the base side walls, is a feed substrate 220.
- the feed substrate 220 covers the cavity 222 and in this example provides the lower surface of the feed structure 200. It is generally formed of areas of an electrically conductive, e.g. metal, material and also areas which are formed of non-conductive material (FR4 for example), for example the feed substrate 220 is a printed wire board (PWB), and the feed substrate 220 is in contact with the base 210, which is also electrically part of the ground plane.
- PWB printed wire board
- a spacer 230 Located above the feed substrate 220 is a spacer 230 which may be a frame formed of conductive, e.g. metal, and/or insulative material.
- the frame or spacer 230 spaces the feed substrate 220 from the next layer above which is a ground plane member 240, e.g. on a printed wire board (PWB) or a piece of metal.
- the ground plane member 240 may form all or only a part of the overall ground plane for the antenna.
- a PWB can be any form of printed wiring board, including printed circuit boards, flexi circuits, semi-flexible circuits and other forms of printable substrates and laminates.
- the feeder substrate 220 may comprise upper and lower, opposed, surfaces.
- the feeder substrate 220 carries one or more feed elements from a feed point.
- Figure 3C shows an angular cut-through of the Figure 3A antenna 210, shown for completeness.
- a plan view of one side of the ground plane member 240 is shown, on which is provided first and second slots 222, 224 formed in a conductive sheet which may provide one side of the cavity 222, the slots being arranged in a general cruciform shape to provide a single "X" aperture.
- the dimensions (mainly due to the lengths of each slot 222, 224) may be a fraction (e.g. ⁇ /2, ⁇ /4) of the centre frequency of operation within an operational frequency band.
- the feeder substrate 220 has first and second feed elements 242, 244 formed therein, arranged with a general cruciform shape.
- the first and second feed elements 242, 244 are effectively divided into four branches or arms 242A, 242B, 244A, 244B which can be adjusted in terms of dimensions and/or orientation to adjust properties of the electromagnetic energy when transferred to the dielectric block 70.
- the first and second feed elements 242, 244 are respectively connected to respective radios by means of conductors 246, 247. Connection may be by means of a respective feed point 248, as shown in Figure 6 , which may be coaxial.
- the first and second feed elements 242, 244 formed on the feed substrate 220 are arranged such that their respective branches or arms 242A, 242B and 244A, 244B are provided on both sides or surfaces of the feeder substrate 240.
- the two-layers of each set of overlaid branches 242A, 242B, 244A, 244B interconnect by means of via connectors 250 as shown.
- the branches 242A, 242B of the first feed element 242 connect at a first region 249 on one of the sides, in this case the upper side, and the branches 244A, 244B of the second feed element 244 connect at a second region 245 on the other, lower side, without making contact with the first region 249.
- first and second feed elements 242, 244 are in substantial alignment with those of the first and second slots 222, 224 on the ground plane member 240. That is, the first and second feed elements 242, 244 may overlie most of the first and second slots 222, 224 when mounted as shown in Figures 3A - 3C .
- intersection point 'x' shown in Figure 5 is aligned with the central axis X-X.
- the Figures 3A - 3C antenna 210 may have the following dimensions: Diameter of dielectric body 70: 26.5 mm; Depth of dielectric body 70: 6.75 mm; Diameter of first metallic element 110: 8.6 mm; Diameter of second metallic element 112: 14.5 mm; Gap between feed structure 200 & dielectric body: 2.25 mm; Depth of spacer 230: 0.61 mm; Depth of substrate 220: 0.61 mm; & Permittivity of dielectric body: 70
- a first curve 301 represents the S11 response
- a second curve 302 represents the S22 response, both versus frequency and measured in dB.
- these are usually referred to as return loss (dB).
- dB return loss
- markers 1 and 2 indicate a broad bandwidth between 4.4 and 4.9 GHz.
- the 10dB bandwidth i.e. the bandwidth measure at 10dB return loss on either side of the dip in the response is much greater than the desired operational frequency band of 4.4 to 4.9 GHz; it is approximately 4.2 to 5.2 GHz, i.e.1 GHz bandwidth.
- a third curve 303 represents the S12 response
- a fourth curve 204 represents the S21 response, both versus frequency and measured in dB.
- the markers 3 and 4 again cover the desired operation frequency band lower and upper limits respectively.
- Figures 8A and 8B indicate respective two-dimensional far-field radiation patterns for the Figure 3A - 3C antenna 210 and an antenna using only a single conductive element.
- the frequency in both cases was 4.9 GHz.
- the directivity and angles for each is shown.
- Figures 9A and 9B are Smith charts respectively relating the Figures 3A - 3C antenna 210 and an antenna using only a single conductive element. It will be seen from reference numeral 310 in Figure 9A that there is an additional resonance, related to wider bandwidth.
- the antenna 210 may be configured to operate in at least one of a plurality of operational resonant bandwidths.
- the operational frequency bandwidths may include (but are not limited to): amplitude modulation (AM) radio (0.535-1.705 MHz), digital radio management (DRM) (0.15-30 MHz), frequency modulation (FM) radio (76-108 MHz), digital audio broadcasting (DAB) (174.928-239.2 MHz, 1452.96-1490.62 MHz), digital video broadcasting - handheld (DVB-H) (470-702 MHz), Long Term Evolution (LTE) (US) (734 to 746 MHz and 869 to 894 MHz), Long Term Evolution (LTE) (rest of the world) (791 to 821 MHz and 925 to 960 MHz), US - Global system for mobile communications (US-GSM) 850 (824-894 MHz) and 1900 (1850 - 1990 MHz), European global system for mobile communications (EGSM) 900 (880-960 MHz) and 1800 (1710 -
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- Example embodiments relate to a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA).
- A dynamic resonator antenna is an antenna formed from a dielectric material which acts as a resonator, usually mounted on a metal surface acting as a ground plane. The resonant frequency of the antenna is determined by the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and also its dimensions. Dynamic resonator antennas provide relatively wide bandwidth and are commonly used at microwave and higher frequencies. They tend to have relatively small dimensions, controllable properties and are relatively resilient in terms of structure.
- According an one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a dielectric resonator antenna comprised of: a dielectric material having first and second electrically-conductive and elements on first and second substantially opposed surfaces of the dielectric material; and a feed structure comprising a substrate positioned adjacent the dielectric material, the substrate comprising one or more feed conductors, and a ground plane adjacent the substrate, the ground plane having one or more apertures therein in substantial respective alignment with the one or more feed conductors.
- The feed structure substrate may be substantially planar and positioned substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the dielectric material. The dielectric material and feed structure may be spaced apart. The ground plane may be formed of substantially planar, electrically conductive material.
- The apparatus may further comprise an electrically conductive material defining a cavity beneath the feed structure, on the opposite side of the substrate to that of the dielectric material.
- The electrically conductive material of the cavity may be in electrical contact with the ground plane.
- The ground plane may have a plurality of slot-like apertures therein for different polarizations.
- The ground plane may comprise first and second slot-like, intersecting apertures.
- The substrate may carry first and second feed conductors in substantial respective alignment with the first and second apertures of the ground plane, the feed conductors being on opposite sides of the substrate.
- The substrate may be a printed wire board (PWB) or the like, formed of electrically insulative material.
- The first and second elements on the dielectric material may have different surface areas. The first and second elements may be substantially planar with first and second differently-sized major surfaces. The first and second elements may be disk-like. The first element may have a smaller surface area than the second element, the second element being closer to the feed structure than the first element.
- Another aspect provides an electronic communications device comprising the apparatus of any preceding definition.
- Another aspect provides an apparatus comprising: a dielectric resonator antenna comprised of: a dielectric material having first and second electrically-conductive and elements on first and second substantially opposed surfaces of the dielectric material; and a feed structure comprising a substrate positioned adjacent the dielectric material, the substrate comprising one or more feed conductors, and a ground plane adjacent the substrate, the ground plane having one or more apertures therein in substantial respective alignment with the one or more feed conductors.
- The feed structure substrate may be substantially planar and positioned substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the dielectric material. The dielectric material and feed structure may be spaced apart. The dielectric material and feed structure may be spaced apart by a plurality of non-conductive legs. The ground plane may be formed of substantially planar, electrically conductive material. The apparatus may further comprise an electrically conductive material defining a cavity beneath the feed structure, on the opposite side of the substrate to that of the dielectric material.
- The electrically conductive material of the cavity may be in electrical contact with the ground plane. The ground plane may have a plurality of slot-like apertures therein for different polarizations. The ground plane may comprise first and second slot-like, intersecting apertures. The first and second intersecting apertures may be oriented for orthogonal polarisation. The substrate may carry first and second feed conductors in substantial respective alignment with the first and second apertures of the ground plane, the feed conductors being on opposite sides of the substrate. On one side of the substrate may be provided plural first feed conductors arranged generally in an X-shape and on the other side of the substrate may be provided plural second feed conductors arranged generally in an X-shape and generally aligned with the plural first feed conductors. The substrate may be a printed wire board (PWB) or the like, formed of electrically insulative material. The first and second elements on the dielectric material may have different surface areas. The first and second elements may be substantially planar with first and second differently-sized major surfaces. The first and second elements may disk-like. The first element may have a smaller surface area than the second element, the second element being closer to the feed structure than the first element. The dielectric material may comprise an internal air-gap between the first and second elements.
- Another aspect provides an apparatus, comprising a dielectric resonator antenna comprised of: a dielectric material having first and second electrically-conductive and elements on first and second substantially opposed surfaces of the dielectric material; a feed structure comprising a substrate positioned adjacent, and spaced from, the dielectric material, the substrate comprising first and second substantially opposed surface, wherein, on the first surface, the feed structure comprises two pairs of antenna element arms arranged generally in an X-shape and, on the second surface, two pairs of antenna arms arranged generally in an X-shape and aligned with the antenna element arms on the first surface, the aligned antenna arms being electrically interconnected through the substrate; and a ground plane adjacent the substrate, the ground plane having one or more apertures therein in substantial respective alignment with the one or more feed conductors.
- The ground plane may be part of a back cavity.
- Embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dielectric block with plural conductive elements, forming part of an antenna according to an embodiment; -
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dielectric block with plural conductive elements, forming part of an antenna according to another embodiment; -
Figure 3A is a perspective view of an antenna which uses theFigure 2 dielectric block, according to some embodiments; -
Figure 3B is a side view of theFigure 3A antenna; -
Figure 3C is a sectional view of theFigure 3A antenna; -
Figure 4 is a plan view of a ground plane having a slot for use in theFigure 3A antenna according to some embodiments; -
Figure 5 is a plan view of a substrate carrying conductive feeds for use in theFigure 3A antenna according to some embodiments; -
Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of theFigure 5 substrate for use in theFigure 3A antenna according to some embodiments; -
Figure 7A is a frequency response plot of theFigure 3A antenna; -
Figure 7B is a frequency response plot of another antenna for comparison purposes; -
Figure 8A is a two-dimensional far-field radiation pattern of theFigure 3A antenna; -
Figure 8B is a two-dimensional far-field radiation pattern of another antenna for comparison purposes; -
Figure 9A is a Smith chart relating to theFigure 3A antenna; and -
Figure 9B is a Smith chart relating another antenna for comparison purposes. - Example embodiments relate to dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs).
- A dielectric resonator antenna is a radio antenna that typically consists of a block of non-metallic material having a higher dielectric constant than air. Ceramics are commonly used. The block of material may comprise various shapes, and may be mounted on a metallic ground plane. A signal is introduced into the block of material from a feed structure, where the antenna is to be used to transmit signals, and the signals tend to form standing waves within the walls of the block, some of which leave and radiate into space. Such antennas are commonly used at microwave frequencies and higher, making them ideal for wireless and satellite applications. Where the antenna is to be used to receive signals, signals are provided to the feed structure by the block of material. In some embodiments, the antenna may operate in both transmit and receive modes. Such dielectric resonator antennas as described herein find application in many wireless electronic communication systems, modules and devices for wireless voice and/or data transmission and/or reception, such as, and not limited to, antenna arrays, base stations, broadcasting antennas, fixed network equipment, satellite antennas and equipment, mobile network equipment, wireless electronic communications equipment carried by or installed in vehicles (for example, and not limited to: cars, trucks, boats, ships, aircraft, drones, bicycles, motorcycles, toys), mobile or portable communications equipment and stationary communications equipment.
- Embodiments herein relate to dielectric resonator antennas in which first and second electrically-conductive elements (hereafter "first and second elements") are provided on respective parts of the dielectric block. The first and second elements may not contact one another and/or they may be electrically floating, i.e. they are not galvanically connected or coupled to anything else, instead depending upon electromagnetic coupling between themselves and the feed structure. The first and second elements may be formed of metal material. The first and second elements may be on substantially opposite sides of the dielectric block, e.g. such that they are generally parallel. The first and second elements may be substantially plate-like. The first and second elements may have different surface areas, for example one having a major surface which is of a greater area than that of the other (with comparable depths or thicknesses). It is found that the provision of a plurality of elements in this general manner improves at least the bandwidth properties of such an antenna.
- Referring to
Figure 1 , adielectric block 20 according to an embodiment is shown having first and second substantially opposedmajor faces dielectric block 20 is generally cylindrical or puck-shaped. First and second electricallyconductive elements 50, 60 (which may be formed of metal or carbon-based material such as graphite, graphene etc.) may be provided on the respective major faces 30, 40. The first and secondconductive elements conductive elements - A feed structure for energising the
dielectric block 20 to create the standing waves is in practise provided adjacent thedielectric block 20, although is not shown inFigure 1 . As mentioned above, for a receiving antenna, the signals are received via theconductive elements -
Figure 2 is adielectric block 70 according to another embodiment. Similar to theFigure 1 embodiment, the dielectric block is generally cylindrical or puck-shaped but in this case has a ring-shapedrecess 80 defining anouter wall 90 and aninner wall 100. A firstmetallic element 110 is mounted on theinner wall 100. A second electrically conductive element (not shown), similar to the secondconductive element 60 illustrated in the first embodiment andFigure 1 , may be positioned on the base of thedielectric block 70. The second conductive element may have the same central axis X-X as that of the firstconductive element 110, which is a central axis of thedielectric block 70. - In some embodiments, a bore may extend through the centre of the
dielectric block 70, substantially aligned with the central axis X-X so that there is an air gap between the firstconductive element 110 and second conductive element (not shown). - The material used for the
dielectric block 20 may be any suitable dielectric, which may for example be a ceramic. Example types may comprise beryllium oxide (k = 6), alumina (k = 9-10), sapphire (k = 9.3 - 11), high dielectric ceramic-filled Teflon glass (k = 6 - 10) and possibly quartz (k = 3.78). - A feed structure for energising (in the case of a transmitting antenna) the
dielectric block 20 to create the standing waves is in practise provided adjacent thedielectric block 20, although is not shown inFigure 2 . The feed structure is for receiving signals in the case of a receiving antenna. - In other embodiments, non-puck-shaped dielectric bodies may be provided. For example, rectangular, square, triangular and other shaped bodies may be provided.
-
Figure 3A shows theFigure 2 dielectric block 70 when mounted on anexample feed structure 200, to provide adielectric resonator antenna 210 according to example embodiments. Thefeed structure 200 comprises in this example a slot fed structure with a back cavity, which may also be called a cavity-backed slot antenna. Slot fed structures in general comprise an aperture on a ground plane upon which the dielectric block resonator is placed. The aperture can be fed by a transmission line, such as a microstrip line, a slotline, coplanar strips or a waveguide, such as a coplanar waveguide. -
Figure 3B is a side view of theFigure 3A antenna 210. Thedielectric block 70 is shown suspended or similarly mounted above thefeed structure 200, for example by one or more supporting legs. Either way, there is a gap between thedielectric block 70 and thefeed structure 200. Thefeed structure 200 comprises a box or tray-like base 210 defining acavity 222; note that the cavity is shown in dotted line for reference and is not ordinarily seen from the side. The base 210 may comprise a base wall and four upstanding walls, or other mechanical structures may be used. The base 210 may be formed of metal material. Thecavity 222 acts as a waveguide in use. The first and secondmetallic elements dielectric block 70. - Provided above the
cavity 222, e.g. located on upper walls or in recesses of the base side walls, is afeed substrate 220. Thefeed substrate 220 covers thecavity 222 and in this example provides the lower surface of thefeed structure 200. It is generally formed of areas of an electrically conductive, e.g. metal, material and also areas which are formed of non-conductive material (FR4 for example), for example thefeed substrate 220 is a printed wire board (PWB), and thefeed substrate 220 is in contact with thebase 210, which is also electrically part of the ground plane. - Located above the
feed substrate 220 is aspacer 230 which may be a frame formed of conductive, e.g. metal, and/or insulative material. The frame or spacer 230 spaces thefeed substrate 220 from the next layer above which is aground plane member 240, e.g. on a printed wire board (PWB) or a piece of metal. Theground plane member 240 may form all or only a part of the overall ground plane for the antenna. - A PWB can be any form of printed wiring board, including printed circuit boards, flexi circuits, semi-flexible circuits and other forms of printable substrates and laminates.
- The
feeder substrate 220 may comprise upper and lower, opposed, surfaces. Thefeeder substrate 220 carries one or more feed elements from a feed point. -
Figure 3C shows an angular cut-through of theFigure 3A antenna 210, shown for completeness. - Referring to
Figure 4 , a plan view of one side of theground plane member 240 is shown, on which is provided first andsecond slots cavity 222, the slots being arranged in a general cruciform shape to provide a single "X" aperture. The dimensions (mainly due to the lengths of eachslot 222, 224) may be a fraction (e.g. λ/2, λ/4) of the centre frequency of operation within an operational frequency band. - Referring to
Figure 5 , a plan view of one side of thefeeder substrate 220 is shown. Thefeeder substrate 220 has first and second feed elements 242, 244 formed therein, arranged with a general cruciform shape. The first and second feed elements 242, 244 are effectively divided into four branches orarms dielectric block 70. - The first and second feed elements 242, 244 are respectively connected to respective radios by means of
conductors respective feed point 248, as shown inFigure 6 , which may be coaxial. - As is more clearly shown in
Figure 6 , the first and second feed elements 242, 244 formed on thefeed substrate 220 are arranged such that their respective branches orarms feeder substrate 240. The two-layers of each set of overlaidbranches connectors 250 as shown. Thebranches first region 249 on one of the sides, in this case the upper side, and thebranches second region 245 on the other, lower side, without making contact with thefirst region 249. - It will be seen that the orientations of the first and second feed elements 242, 244 are in substantial alignment with those of the first and
second slots ground plane member 240. That is, the first and second feed elements 242, 244 may overlie most of the first andsecond slots Figures 3A - 3C . - In some embodiments, the intersection point 'x' shown in
Figure 5 is aligned with the central axis X-X. - By way of example, the
Figures 3A - 3C antenna 210 may have the following dimensions:Diameter of dielectric body 70: 26.5 mm; Depth of dielectric body 70: 6.75 mm; Diameter of first metallic element 110: 8.6 mm; Diameter of second metallic element 112: 14.5 mm; Gap between feed structure 200 & dielectric body:2.25 mm; Depth of spacer 230: 0.61 mm; Depth of substrate 220: 0.61 mm; & Permittivity of dielectric body: 70 - It will be appreciated that these are provided merely for reference and other dimensions and arrangements may be used.
- It is found that the bandwidth of an antenna, such as that shown in
Figures 3A - 3C , exhibits a wider bandwidth by virtue of the pluralconductive elements slot feed structure 200. This is indicated in the plots ofFigures 7A and 7B which respectively show frequency responses for theFigures 3A - 3C antenna 210 and an antenna using only a single conductive element. - Referring to
Figure 7A for example, in terms of S-parameters, afirst curve 301 represents the S11 response, and asecond curve 302 represents the S22 response, both versus frequency and measured in dB. As will be appreciated, these are usually referred to as return loss (dB). It can be seen that markers 1 and 2 indicate a broad bandwidth between 4.4 and 4.9 GHz. It will also be noted that the 10dB bandwidth, i.e. the bandwidth measure at 10dB return loss on either side of the dip in the response is much greater than the desired operational frequency band of 4.4 to 4.9 GHz; it is approximately 4.2 to 5.2 GHz, i.e.1 GHz bandwidth. - A
third curve 303 represents the S12 response, and a fourth curve 204 represents the S21 response, both versus frequency and measured in dB. Themarkers 3 and 4 again cover the desired operation frequency band lower and upper limits respectively. -
Figures 8A and 8B indicate respective two-dimensional far-field radiation patterns for theFigure 3A - 3C antenna 210 and an antenna using only a single conductive element. The frequency in both cases was 4.9 GHz. The directivity and angles for each is shown. -
Figures 9A and 9B are Smith charts respectively relating theFigures 3A - 3C antenna 210 and an antenna using only a single conductive element. It will be seen fromreference numeral 310 inFigure 9A that there is an additional resonance, related to wider bandwidth. - The
antenna 210 may be configured to operate in at least one of a plurality of operational resonant bandwidths. For example, the operational frequency bandwidths may include (but are not limited to): amplitude modulation (AM) radio (0.535-1.705 MHz), digital radio mondiale (DRM) (0.15-30 MHz), frequency modulation (FM) radio (76-108 MHz), digital audio broadcasting (DAB) (174.928-239.2 MHz, 1452.96-1490.62 MHz), digital video broadcasting - handheld (DVB-H) (470-702 MHz), Long Term Evolution (LTE) (US) (734 to 746 MHz and 869 to 894 MHz), Long Term Evolution (LTE) (rest of the world) (791 to 821 MHz and 925 to 960 MHz), US - Global system for mobile communications (US-GSM) 850 (824-894 MHz) and 1900 (1850 - 1990 MHz), European global system for mobile communications (EGSM) 900 (880-960 MHz) and 1800 (1710 - 1880 MHz), European wideband code division multiple access (EU-WCDMA) 900 (880-960 MHz), personal communications network (PCN/DCS) 1800 (1710-1880 MHz), DVB-H US (1670-1675 MHz), personal communications service (PCS) 1900 (1850-1990 MHz), time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) (1900 MHz to 1920 MHz, 2010 MHz to 2025 MHz), US wideband code division multiple access (US-WCDMA) 1700 (transmit: 1710 to 1755 MHz , receive: 2110 to 2155 MHz) and 1900 (1850-1990 MHz), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) 2100 (transmit: 1920-1980 MHz, receive: 2110-2180 MHz), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) (2300-2400 MHz, 2305-2360 MHz, 2496-2690 MHz, 3300-3400 MHz, 3400-3800 MHz, 5250-5875 MHz), global positioning system (GPS) (1570.42-1580.42 MHz), Bluetooth (2400-2483.5 MHz), wireless local area network (WLAN) (2400-2483.5 MHz), ultra wideband (UWB) Lower (3100-4900 MHz), hiper local area network (HiperLAN) (5150-5850 MHz), UWB Upper (6000-10600 MHz), radio frequency identification ultra high frequency (RFID UHF) (433 MHz, 865-956 MHz, 2450 MHz), and 5G frequency bands covering (from 2GHz up to 90GHz, the actual bands are not fully agreed at present). Naturally, theantenna 210 may be configured to operate in any frequency band in the radio frequency and microwave spectrum from 3MHz to 300GHz and possibly beyond these bounds. - While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
Claims (15)
- Apparatus comprising:
a dielectric resonator antenna comprised of:a dielectric material having first and second electrically-conductive and elements on first and second substantially opposed surfaces of the dielectric material;a feed structure comprising a substrate positioned adjacent the dielectric material, the substrate comprising one or more feed conductors, and a ground plane adjacent the substrate, the ground plane having one or more apertures therein in substantial respective alignment with the one or more feed conductors. - The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feed structure substrate is substantially planar and positioned substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the dielectric material.
- The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dielectric material and feed structure are spaced apart.
- The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the ground plane is formed of substantially planar, electrically conductive material.
- The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an electrically conductive material defining a cavity beneath the feed structure, on the opposite side of the substrate to that of the dielectric material.
- The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the electrically conductive material of the cavity is in electrical contact with the ground plane.
- The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the ground plane has a plurality of slot-like apertures therein for different polarizations.
- The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ground plane comprises first and second slot-like, intersecting apertures.
- The apparatus of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the substrate carries first and second feed conductors in substantial respective alignment with the first and second apertures of the ground plane, the feed conductors being on opposite sides of the substrate.
- The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the substrate is a printed wire board (PWB) or the like, formed of electrically insulative material.
- The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second elements on the dielectric material have different surface areas.
- The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second elements are substantially planar with first and second differently-sized major surfaces.
- The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second elements are disk-like.
- The apparatus of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the first element has a smaller surface area than the second element, the second element being closer to the feed structure than the first element.
- An electronic communications device comprising the apparatus of any preceding claim.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18179474.4A EP3588677A1 (en) | 2018-06-25 | 2018-06-25 | Dielectric resonator antenna |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18179474.4A EP3588677A1 (en) | 2018-06-25 | 2018-06-25 | Dielectric resonator antenna |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3588677A1 true EP3588677A1 (en) | 2020-01-01 |
Family
ID=62778744
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18179474.4A Withdrawn EP3588677A1 (en) | 2018-06-25 | 2018-06-25 | Dielectric resonator antenna |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3588677A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2482383A2 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2012-08-01 | Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. | Microstrip antenna |
US20140253400A1 (en) * | 2009-07-31 | 2014-09-11 | Viasat, Inc. | Method and Apparatus for a compact modular phased array element |
US9793606B2 (en) * | 2015-07-15 | 2017-10-17 | Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. | Dual polarized electronically steerable parasitic antenna radiator (ESPAR) |
-
2018
- 2018-06-25 EP EP18179474.4A patent/EP3588677A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140253400A1 (en) * | 2009-07-31 | 2014-09-11 | Viasat, Inc. | Method and Apparatus for a compact modular phased array element |
EP2482383A2 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2012-08-01 | Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. | Microstrip antenna |
US9793606B2 (en) * | 2015-07-15 | 2017-10-17 | Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. | Dual polarized electronically steerable parasitic antenna radiator (ESPAR) |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
KIM D G ET AL: "A dual-polarization aperture coupled stacked microstrip patch antenna for wideband application", ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM (APSURSI), 2010 IEEE, IEEE, PISCATAWAY, NJ, USA, 11 July 2010 (2010-07-11), pages 1 - 4, XP032146106, ISBN: 978-1-4244-4967-5, DOI: 10.1109/APS.2010.5562089 * |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN110137675B (en) | Antenna unit and terminal equipment | |
US7248223B2 (en) | Fractal monopole antenna | |
US8866689B2 (en) | Multi-band antenna and methods for long term evolution wireless system | |
Ayatollahi et al. | A compact, high isolation and wide bandwidth antenna array for long term evolution wireless devices | |
US9240631B2 (en) | Reduced ground plane shorted-patch hemispherical omni antenna | |
Alhalabi et al. | Self-shielded high-efficiency Yagi-Uda antennas for 60 GHz communications | |
JP2008178101A (en) | Dual-polarization, slot-mode antenna and associated methods | |
US6483464B2 (en) | Patch dipole array antenna including a feed line organizer body and related methods | |
CN112615145B (en) | Hemispherical wave beam ultra-wideband circularly polarized antenna | |
KR20140069968A (en) | Antenna of mobile communication station | |
US7221321B2 (en) | Dual-frequency dual polarization antenna | |
WO2016100291A1 (en) | Antenna systems with proximity coupled annular rectangular patches | |
Hwang et al. | Cavity-backed stacked patch array antenna with dual polarization for mmWave 5G base stations | |
WO2008081200A1 (en) | Planar tripolar antenna | |
EP2937933A1 (en) | Low-profile wideband antenna element and antenna | |
EP3771033B1 (en) | Wide frequency range dual polarized radiating element with integrated radome | |
US10211538B2 (en) | Directional antenna apparatus and methods | |
US8199065B2 (en) | H-J antenna | |
JP2007124346A (en) | Antenna element and array type antenna | |
KR100544388B1 (en) | Dual band chip antenna for wireless LAN | |
EP3588677A1 (en) | Dielectric resonator antenna | |
İsenlik et al. | GSM/UMTS dual polarization base station antenna design | |
US7728775B2 (en) | Radiator for an RF communication device | |
Bhadade et al. | High gain circularly polarized pentagonal microstrip for massive MIMO base station | |
WO2003083991A1 (en) | Back-to-back dielectric resonator antenna arrangements |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20200701 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20210924 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20230209 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20230620 |