KR102049876B1 - Omni-directional pcb antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an omnidirectional printed circuit board (PCB) antenna which is formed on a PCB comprises: a first antenna element formed of a conductive film extended in a first direction of the PCB; a second antenna element separated from the first antenna element and extended in the first direction; and a first conductive protrusion unit protruding in a vertical direction to the PCB and electrically connecting one side end of the first antenna element and one side end of the second antenna element. According to the present invention, the present invention can implement a receiving terminal which improves directivity of the PCB antenna at low costs and provides high receiving sensitivity.

Description

Omni-directional PCB Antenna {OMNI-DIRECTIONAL PCB ANTENNA}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to communication devices, and more particularly to omni-directional PCB antennas.

In general, the quality of service in a communication system is greatly affected by the antenna of the transceiver. In particular, various types of receiving antennas may be used in the receiver terminal according to the frequency band used. For example, a PCB antenna that receives radio signals by means of an antenna pattern printed directly on the PCB substrate may be used in the 422 MHz band. The PCB antenna of such a terminal is greatly influenced by the direction of the radio signal because it is printed in a conductive pattern on the main board plane. For example, the reception sensitivity of a radio signal traveling in a direction parallel to the printed circuit board with the antenna pattern is relatively low. This orientation of the PCB antenna consequently reduces the reception reliability and contributes to the deterioration of the quality of the communication service. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improving the direction of the PCB antenna.

An object of the present invention is to provide an omni-directional PCB antenna that is not significantly affected by the direction of the received radio signal.

An omnidirectional PCB antenna formed on a printed circuit board (PCB) according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the first is formed of a conductive film extending in a first direction of the printed circuit board (PCB) An antenna element, a second antenna element which is separated from the first antenna element and extends in the first direction, and protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board (PCB), one end of the first antenna element and the second And a first conductive protrusion for electrically connecting one end of the antenna element.

According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the directivity of the PCB antenna can be greatly improved. Therefore, it is possible to implement a wireless terminal capable of low-cost, high-quality communication service.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal including an omnidirectional PCB antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view for showing the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention.
3 shows a plurality of antenna elements for forming the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention.
4A and 4B are views illustrating conductive protrusions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams exemplarily showing antenna components of the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention in three-dimensional angular directions.
6A and 6B are views illustrating conductive protrusions according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams exemplarily showing antenna components of the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention in three-dimensional angular directions.
8 is a table showing the results of measuring the performance of the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and that additional explanations of the claimed invention are provided. Reference numerals are shown in detail in preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the reference figures. In any case, like reference numerals are used in the description and the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In the following, a PCB antenna will be described as an example for explaining the advantages of the present invention. However, the advantages and features of the present invention are not limited to PCB antennas. It will be appreciated that the invention can be applied to micro-strip shaped antennas or to various antenna technologies where directional enhancement is desired. In addition, the detailed description may be modified or changed according to aspects and applications without departing from the scope, technical spirit and other objects of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal including an omnidirectional PCB antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the terminal 100 includes an omnidirectional antenna 110, a communication unit 120, a display 130, a keypad 150, an audio processor 160, and a microcontroller unit (MCU) 170. can do.

The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 may provide high reception sensitivity to the wireless signal received from the terminal 100. For example, in the case of an antenna used in a wireless receiver in the 422 MHz band, the antenna is formed in a pattern printed on a PCB substrate. The antenna formed on the PCB substrate is formed on a two-dimensional planar substrate. Thus, the antenna formed on the PCB substrate can provide adequate reception sensitivity to electromagnetic waves propagating in the direction perpendicular to the substrate. However, when propagating in a direction parallel to the substrate plane, and the polarization direction is perpendicular to the substrate, the reception sensitivity of the signal decreases drastically.

The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention includes an antenna element formed in a pattern on the PCB substrate and a conductive protrusion protruding in the vertical direction on the PCB substrate. That is, the conductive protrusion which can receive the electromagnetic wave polarized in the vertical direction on the PCB substrate is included. The conductive protrusion may be formed of bypass conductive lines that project and electrically connect two electrically separated antenna elements in a vertical direction to the PCB base. Configurations and features for the conductive protrusions will be described in detail in the drawings below.

The communication unit 120 processes a wireless signal transmitted or received through the omnidirectional PCB antenna 110. In the reception mode, the communication unit 120 may amplify and filter the signal received from the omni-directional antenna 110 of the present invention. In addition, the communication unit 120 may provide a demodulator or a modem function that demodulates the filtered received signal.

The display 130 may display an image or a text under the control of the MCU 170. For example, the display 130 may be display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diodes (OLED).

The battery 140 supplies power for driving the terminal 100. The battery 140 may charge power in a wired or wireless charging manner. The battery 140 may further include a charging circuit for charging or a power management IC (PMIC) for stabilizing output power. The battery 140 is disclosed as an example of a power source for supplying power to the terminal 100, but it will be appreciated that various power circuits may be substituted.

The keypad 150 is an input device for a user to input information into the terminal 100. The user may input control information or data for the terminal 100 through the keypad 150. It will be appreciated that the keypad 150 may be a variety of input means such as a touch pad to a simple keyboard form.

The audio processor 160 is an output device. The audio processor 160 processes audio information and provides the audio information to the amplifier 162. For example, the audio processor 160 may perform decoding on the audio data provided from the MCU 170 and provide it to the amplifier 162. The amplifier 162 then amplifies the decoded audio information and delivers it to the speaker 164. Audio or sound in the form of audio may be output through the speaker 164.

The MCU 170 may control various components of the terminal 100. That is, the MCU 170 may be driven by an operating system (OS) for providing a specific function of the terminal 100. For example, the MCU 170 may include interfaces for controlling a micro processing unit (MPU) in which an OS is running, a storage device in which an OS is stored, a RAM, and peripheral devices. Specialized functions of the terminal 100 may be provided through the MCU 170.

The terminal 100 described above may provide a high reception sensitivity even in a shaded area according to the surrounding environment or conditions through the omnidirectional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention. That is, the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention includes an antenna element formed in a pattern on the PCB substrate and a conductive protrusion formed in a vertical direction on the PCB base. Antenna elements are provided for any radio signal traveling in a direction perpendicular to the PCB substrate by the antenna element. The antenna component may also be provided for a radio signal traveling in the horizontal direction and polarized in the vertical direction by the conductive protrusion. That is, it is possible to improve the direction affecting the reception of the terminal 100 through the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the omni-directional PCB antenna shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 has a plurality of antenna elements 111, 113, 115, 117, and 119 printed on the surface of the PCB substrate 100a to electrically connect the antenna elements in a vertical direction. It may include protrusions 112, 114, 116, 118. Here, for the representation of the Cartesian coordinates, it is assumed that the plane of the PCB substrate 100a is the XY plane and the vertical direction of the PCB substrate is the Z direction.

In general, the PCB antenna may be configured in a pattern of a dipole antenna. That is, the PCB antenna only needs to be formed in a pattern having a half wavelength (λ / 2) length of the received radio signal. In this case, the PCB antenna provides reception sensitivity for radio signals of either vertical or horizontal polarization that pass through the PCB plane in a vertical direction or in an inclined direction at an angle. However, wireless signals traveling in a direction parallel to the PCB plane (for example, in the X or Y direction) are difficult to detect with the PCB antenna. Thus, the reception sensitivity for radio signals parallel to the PCB plane is relatively low.

The omnidirectional PCB antenna 110 includes conductive protrusions 112, 114, 116, 118 for sensing radio signals traveling in a direction parallel to the PCB substrate 110a. The conductive protrusion 112 connects the antenna elements 111 and 113 printed in an electrically separated form on the PCB substrate 100a. That is, the conductive protrusion 112 may be formed of a semicircular or 'c' shaped copper wire or conductive line protruding to the upper portion of the PCB substrate 100a. The conductive protrusion 114 connects the antenna elements 113 and 115 printed in electrically separated form on the PCB substrate 100a. Contrary to the conductive protrusion 112, the conductive protrusion 114 may be a semi-circular or 'c' shaped copper wire or conductive line protruding to the lower portion of the PCB substrate 100a. Accordingly, although the radio waves protrude in a direction parallel to the PCB substrate 100a by the conductive protrusions 112 and 114, it is possible to detect a radio signal having a component traveling in the Y-axis.

The conductive protrusion 116 connects the antenna elements 115 and 117 printed in electrically separated form on the PCB substrate 100a. That is, the conductive protrusion 116 may be formed of a semicircular or 'c' shaped copper wire or conductive line protruding to the upper portion of the PCB substrate 100a. The conductive protrusion 118 connects the antenna elements 117 and 119 printed in electrically separated form on the PCB substrate 100a. Contrary to the conductive protrusion 116, the conductive protrusion 118 may be a semi-circular or 'c' shaped copper wire or conductive line that protrudes below the PCB substrate 100a. The conductive protrusions 112 and 114 may travel in a direction parallel to the PCB substrate 100a, but may sense electromagnetic waves in which a component traveling in the X-axis exists.

Exemplary forms of conductive protrusions 112, 114, 116, 118 will be described in detail with the following drawings showing cross sections taken by cut lines A-A 'or cut lines B-B'.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of antenna elements for forming the omni-directional PCB antenna shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the antenna elements 111, 113, 115, 117, and 119 may be printed in patterns separated from each other on the PCB substrate 100a.

Each of the antenna elements 111 and 113 may be printed on the PCB substrate 100a in a conductive pattern extending in the X-axis direction. The ends of the antenna element 111 and the antenna element 113 are electrically separated. This part is shown in a more enlarged shape at the top. The antenna element 111 and the antenna element 113 each include holes 111a and 113a for inserting the conductive protrusion 112. The holes 111a and 113a penetrate to the antenna elements 111 and 113 and the PCB substrate 100a. When the conductive protrusion 112 connected to the holes 111a and 113a is inserted in the Z-direction, the antenna elements 111 and 113 are electrically connected.

Like the antenna elements 111 and 113, the antenna elements 113 and 115 are also formed with holes at their ends. Conductive protrusions 114 inserted in the Z-direction to the antenna elements 113 and 115 may be fitted in the holes. Like the antenna elements 113 and 115, the antenna elements 115 and 117 are also formed with holes at their ends. Conductive protrusions 116 inserted into the antenna elements 115 and 117 in the Z-direction may be fitted in the holes. Holes are also formed at the ends of the antenna elements 117 and 119. Conductive protrusions 118 inserted into the antenna elements 117 and 119 in the Z-direction may be inserted into these holes.

Looking at the cross section corresponding to the cut line A-A ', there is almost no antenna component in the Z-direction immediately after the antenna elements 111, 113, 115 are formed. However, antenna components in the Z-direction can be provided through the conductive protrusions 112 and 114 inserted thereafter.

Looking at the cross section corresponding to the cut line B-B ', there is almost no antenna component in the Z-direction immediately after the antenna elements 115, 117, 119 are formed. However, antenna components in the Z-direction can be provided through conductive protrusions 116 and 118 that are subsequently inserted.

When the plurality of antenna elements 111, 113, 115, 117, 119 are connected by conductive protrusions 112, 114, 116, 118, the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 with respect to the XY-plane is half of the radio signal. Antenna components of wavelength lambda / 2 length may be provided. In addition, the conductive protrusions 112, 114, 116, 118 may provide an antenna component in the Z-direction, which is shorter than the half-wavelength λ / 2 of the radio signal, but with an effective length. Thus, antenna components can be provided for each of the three-dimensional directions by the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention.

4A and 4B are exemplary views illustrating the conductive protrusion illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 4A, the shape and insertion direction of the conductive protrusions 112a and 114a according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a cross section corresponding to the cutting line A-A 'are briefly shown.

The conductive protrusions 112a and 114a may be implemented through copper wire or various conductors having a 'c' shape. When formed in the copper wire, the conductive protrusion 112a of the copper wire shape is inserted from the upper side to the lower side in the Z-direction. The conductive protrusion 114a may be inserted from the lower side in the Z-direction to the upper side. The conductive protrusions 112a and 114a and the antenna elements 111, 113, and 115 may be fixed by soldering. The material of the conductive protrusions 112a and 114a is not limited to copper wire. The conductive protrusions 112a and 114a may be manufactured in various conductor lines or component forms and mounted on the PCB substrate. By means of the conductive protrusions 112a and 114a and the antenna elements 111, 113 and 115, an antenna component (2D length) for the radio signal traveling in the Y-direction perpendicular to the XZ-plane can be obtained.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the shape and the insertion direction of the conductive protrusions 116a and 118a according to the embodiment of the present invention in a cross section corresponding to the cutting line B-B 'are briefly shown. Like the conductive protrusions 112a and 114a, the conductive protrusions 116a and 118a may be implemented through a copper wire having a 'c' shape or various conductors. The conductive protrusion 116a is inserted from the top in the Z-direction to the bottom side. The conductive protrusion 118a may be inserted from the lower side in the Z-direction to the upper side. The conductive protrusions 116a and 118a and the antenna elements 115, 117 and 119 may be fixed through soldering. The conductive protrusions 116a and 118a are not limited to copper wires, but may be made of various conductors and mounted on the PCB substrate. The conductive protrusions 116a, 118a and the antenna elements 115, 117, 119 can secure antenna components (2D length) for radio signals traveling in the X-direction perpendicular to the YZ-plane.

5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams exemplarily showing antenna components of the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention in three-dimensional angular directions.

5A, the Z-direction component of the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention is briefly shown. Assume that the electric field E of the received radio signal has polarization characteristics in the X-direction and proceeds in the Z-direction (that is, perpendicular to the PCB substrate). The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention may then provide an antenna component of half wavelength (λ / 2) length that provides optimum sensitivity to the XY-plane.

5B, the Y-direction component of the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention is briefly shown. Assume that the electric field E of the received radio signal has polarization characteristics in the X-direction and proceeds in the Y-direction (that is, in the horizontal direction on the PCB substrate). The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention may then provide an antenna component of 2D length by the conductive protrusions 112a and 114a for propagating in the XZ-plane in the Y-direction.

5C, the X-direction component of the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention is briefly shown. Assume that the electric field E of the received radio signal has polarization characteristics in the X-direction and proceeds in the Y-direction (that is, in the horizontal direction on the PCB substrate). The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention may then provide a 2D-length Z-directional antenna component by conductive protrusions 116a, 118a for propagation in the Z-direction in the YZ-plane.

According to the antenna components described above, the antenna components are provided in all directions regardless of the propagation direction or the polarization characteristic of the radio signal received by the omni-directional antenna 110 of the present invention. Therefore, a receiver having the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention can provide high reception sensitivity even under various reception conditions or environments.

6A and 6B are views illustrating conductive protrusions according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the shape and the insertion direction of the conductive protrusions 112b and 114b according to the embodiment of the present invention in a cross section corresponding to the cutting line A-A 'are briefly shown. The conductive protrusions 112b and 114b may be implemented through a semicircular or 'U' shaped copper wire or various conductors having a radius R. FIG. When formed in the copper wire, the conductive protrusion 112b of the copper wire form is inserted from the upper side in the Z-direction to the lower side. The conductive protrusion 114b may be inserted from the lower side in the Z-direction to the upper side. The conductive protrusions 112b and 114b and the antenna elements 111, 113, and 115 may be fixed by soldering. The material of the conductive protrusions 112b and 114b is not limited to copper wire. The conductive protrusions 112b and 114b may be manufactured in various conductor lines or component forms and mounted on the PCB substrate. By means of the conductive protrusions 112b and 114b and the antenna elements 111, 113 and 115, an antenna component (2R length) for the radio signal traveling in the Y-direction can be ensured.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the shape and the insertion direction of the conductive protrusions 116b and 118b according to the embodiment of the present invention in a cross section corresponding to the cutting line B-B 'are briefly shown. Like the conductive protrusions 112b and 114b, the conductive protrusions 116b and 118b may be implemented through semicircular or 'U' shaped copper wires or various conductors. The conductive protrusion 116b is inserted from the top in the Z-direction to the bottom side. The conductive protrusion 118b may be inserted from the lower side in the Z-direction to the upper side. The conductive protrusions 116b and 118b and the antenna elements 115, 117 and 119 may be fixed through soldering. The conductive protrusions 116b and 118b are not limited to copper wires, but may be made of various conductors and mounted on the PCB substrate 100a. The conductive protrusions 116b, 118b and the antenna elements 115, 117, 119 can secure antenna components (2R length) for radio signals traveling in the X-direction perpendicular to the YZ-plane.

7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams exemplarily showing antenna components of the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention in three-dimensional angular directions.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the Z-direction component of the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention is briefly shown. Assume that the electric field E of the received radio signal has polarization characteristics in the X-direction and proceeds in the Z-direction (that is, perpendicular to the PCB substrate). The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention may then provide an antenna component of half wavelength (λ / 2) length that provides optimum sensitivity to the XY-plane.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the Y-direction component of the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention is briefly shown. Assume that the electric field E of the received radio signal has polarization characteristics in the X-direction and proceeds in the Y-direction (that is, in the horizontal direction on the PCB substrate). The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention may then provide a 2R long antenna component by conductive protrusions 112b and 114b for propagation in the XZ-plane in the Y-direction.

With reference to FIG. 7C, the X-direction component of the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention is briefly shown. Assume that the electric field E of the received radio signal has polarization characteristics in the X-direction and proceeds in the Y-direction (that is, in the horizontal direction on the PCB substrate). The omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention may then provide a 2R long Z-directional antenna component by conductive protrusions 116b, 118b for propagation in the Z-direction in the YZ-plane.

According to the antenna components described above, the antenna components are provided in all directions regardless of the propagation direction or the polarization characteristic of the radio signal received by the omni-directional antenna 110 of the present invention. Therefore, a receiver having the omni-directional PCB antenna 110 of the present invention can provide high reception sensitivity even under various reception conditions or environments.

Herein, although the shape of the conductive protrusions is exemplarily disclosed in the 'c' shape or the 'U' shape, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. The shape of the conductive protrusion may be changed in various forms according to the capacity or inductance optimized for impedance matching of the omnidirectional PCB antenna 110.

8 is a table showing the results of measuring the performance according to the distance of the omni-directional PCB antenna of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, antenna 1 and antenna 4 show the omnidirectional PCB antenna antenna 110 of the present invention, and antenna 2 and antenna 3 show the reception sensitivity of a receiver to which a general PCB antenna is applied. Receive sensitivity with distance was tested for distances based on 1W transmit power. Because it is not a fixed test condition or communication environment, the omni-directional PCB antennas (antenna 1, antenna 4) of the present invention do not prevail in all conditions. However, at most test distances, the omni-directional PCB antennas (antenna 1 and antenna 4) of the present invention show much higher reception sensitivity than the general PCB antennas (antenna 2 and antenna 3).

As described above, the embodiments are disclosed in the drawings and the specification. Although specific terms have been used herein, they are used only for the purpose of describing the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the meaning or claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (4)

An omnidirectional PCB antenna formed on a printed circuit board (PCB);
A first antenna element formed of a conductive film extending in a first direction of the printed circuit board (PCB);
A second antenna element extending in the first direction, the second antenna element being separated from the first antenna element;
A third antenna element separated from the first and second antenna elements and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
A fourth antenna element separated from the first to third antenna elements and extending in the second direction;
A first conductive protrusion projecting in a direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board and electrically connecting one end of the first antenna element and one end of the second antenna element; And
A second conductive protrusion projecting in a direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board (PCB) and electrically connecting one end of the third antenna element and one end of the fourth antenna element,
At one end of the first and second antenna elements, first holes are formed to insert both ends of the first conductive protrusion.
At one end of the third and fourth antenna elements, second holes are formed to insert both ends of the second conductive protrusion,
The first and second holes are omni-directional PCB antenna formed through the printed circuit board. The method of claim 1,
Each of the first and second conductive protrusions may protrude in at least one of the upper and lower sides of the printed circuit board (PCB). The method of claim 1,
Both ends of the first and second conductive protrusions are fixed in the omnidirectional PCB antenna by soldering. The method of claim 1,
A fifth antenna element formed of a conductive film having a rectangular shape extending in the first direction and the second direction, respectively;
A third conductive protrusion projecting in a direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board and electrically connecting the other end of the second antenna element and one end of the fifth antenna element; And
A fourth conductive protrusion projecting in a direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board (PCB) and electrically connecting the other end of the third antenna element and the other end of the fifth antenna element,
Third holes for inserting both ends of the third conductive protrusion are formed at the other end of the second antenna element and one end of the fifth antenna element,
Fourth holes for inserting both ends of the fourth conductive protrusion are formed at the other end of the third antenna element and the other end of the fifth antenna element,
The third and fourth holes are omni-directional PCB antenna formed through the printed circuit board.

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