TW201528605A - Antenna structure with proximity sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses an antenna structure including a dielectric layer having one side formed thereon a patterned conductive layer, a proximity sensor and a capacitor. The patterned conductive layer includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer that are combined to form a coupled-fed antenna. The first conductive layer has a first feed terminal electrically connected to a signal feed line. The second conductive layer has a second feed terminal electrically connected to a ground signal line. The proximity sensor includes a peripheral circuit electrically connected to the second conductive layer, and a capacitance to digital circuit. In addition, the capacitor is connected between the ground signal line and the second feed terminal. By integrating the coupled-fed antenna and the proximity sensor on one circuit substrate, a part of the antenna can be used as capacitor electrodes of the proximity sensor, so as to reduce the volume and the manufacturing cost and prevent the remaining part of the antenna from interfering with the proximity sensor thereby increasing the sensitivity.

Description

Antenna structure with proximity sensor

The invention relates to an antenna structure applied to a portable computer or a handheld electronic device, in particular to an antenna structure in which a coupled feed antenna and a proximity inductor are jointly designed on the same circuit substrate.

In order to control the amount of radiation generated by the handheld electronic device for the human body, generally, when designing the handheld electronic device, an additional proximity sensor (P-sensor) needs to be added to the main antenna position of the wireless wide area network (WWAN) to sense the human body. Close, and then start the power reduction protection mechanism to reduce the amount of radiation generated by the device. In addition, in order to make the induction more accurate, the current industry design mostly uses two proximity sensors to achieve this goal.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the main antenna 10 and the proximity sensor 11 of the conventional portable computer or handheld electronic device belong to two different components, and the two must have a separation distance, as shown in the figure. It is shown that the main volume of the proximity sensor 11 (P-sensor) is about 10 mm (mm), while the main antenna 10 has a volume of about 61 mm (mm), and the two proximity sensors 11 are spaced apart by 5 respectively. Mem (mm), which tends to make the design length of the entire main antenna 10 and the proximity sensor 11 as long as 91 mm (mm). However, with the advancement of radio communication transmission technology, the existing design methods still have the demand for size miniaturization.

Therefore, there is another antenna structure with a proximity sensor and thus it is available. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the antenna 20 includes a dielectric substrate 21 and a capacitive proximity sensor 22 . The first patterned conductive layer is disposed on the opposite side of the dielectric substrate 21 . 23 and the second patterned conductive layer The first patterned conductive layer 23 and the second patterned conductive layer 24 respectively represent a patterned track of an inverted F antenna, and the two capacitors 25 and 26 are electrically connected to a signal line 27 and a ground line 28, respectively. The first patterned conductive layer 23 and the second patterned conductive layer 24 are coupled to the capacitive proximity sensor 22 by an inductor 29 .

However, such an antenna structure requires a double-layer patterned conductive layer, a plurality of capacitors, and a plurality of inductors to generate an inductance in conjunction with the proximity sensor. For the purpose of miniaturizing the antenna size, there is innovation and progress. space.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an antenna structure having a proximity inductor, and the coupled feed antenna and the proximity inductor are combined and designed as the same substrate circuit, so that a part of the antenna is directly used as a capacitor electrode of the proximity inductor, and the improvement is improved. The conventional antenna and the proximity sensor are separate components, respectively, and the proximity sensor has to be a problem that the volume is difficult to be reduced, which saves space and production cost.

The secondary purpose of the present invention is to access the patterned conductive layer connected to the inductor, and not directly contact the ground signal line and the signal feed line, thereby reducing interference of other parts of the antenna to the proximity sensor, and effectively improving the sensitivity of the proximity sensor.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention is mainly configured to electrically connect to at least one transceiver circuit through a transmission path to form a wireless communication circuit inside an electronic device, wherein the transmission line has a signal feed line and a ground signal line.

The antenna structure with a proximity sensor of the present invention comprises: a patterned conductive layer, a proximity inductor, a capacitor, and a dielectric layer.

In the first preferred embodiment, the patterned conductive layer is provided with a first conductive layer forming a coupled feed antenna and a second conductive layer, the first conductive layer having a first feed terminal and the signal feed The incoming electrical connection is electrically connected, and the second conductive layer has a second feed terminal and the ground signal line connection.

The proximity sensor has a peripheral circuit electrically connected to the second conductive layer and a capacitance-to-digital circuit electrically connected to the peripheral circuit; the capacitor is disposed on the second feed terminal and the ground signal The dielectric layer has a first side and an opposite second side, and the patterned conductive layer, the proximity inductor and the capacitor are all located on the first side of the dielectric layer.

In this embodiment, the first conductive layer includes a first radiating portion and a feeding portion forming the first feeding terminal, and the second conductive layer includes a second radiation parallel to the first radiating portion. And a branch portion forming the second feed terminal; the peripheral circuit of the proximity sensor is electrically connected to the branch portion; and the dielectric layer can be a dielectric substrate independently disposed inside the electronic device, or The protective case of the above electronic device is directly used as a dielectric material.

In the second preferred embodiment, the patterned conductive layer is provided with a first conductive layer forming a coupled feed antenna and a second conductive layer, wherein the first conductive layer has a signal feed terminal and the signal feed line. Electrical connection.

The proximity sensor has a peripheral circuit electrically connected to the second conductive layer and a capacitance-to-digital circuit electrically connected to the peripheral circuit, and the peripheral circuit is electrically connected to the ground signal line; the capacitor is disposed in the above Between the peripheral circuit and the ground signal line; and the dielectric layer has a first side and an opposite second side, the patterned conductive layer, the proximity inductor and the capacitor are all located on the first side of the dielectric layer.

In this embodiment, the first conductive layer includes a first radiating portion and a feeding portion forming the first feeding terminal, and the second conductive layer includes a second radiation parallel to the first radiating portion. And a branch portion electrically connected to the peripheral circuit. The dielectric layer can also be used as a dielectric substrate that is independently disposed inside the electronic device, or directly used as a dielectric material for the protective device of the electronic device.

Although the implementation structures of the two preferred embodiments are different, the two operating principles are the same. When the present invention operates at the first frequency, the capacitor has a high impedance value forming an open circuit, so that the second conductive portion serves as the proximity sensing. The capacitor electrode of the device is used; and when operated at a second frequency, the capacitor has a low impedance value forming a short circuit, so that the second conductive layer and the first conductive layer cooperate to form a coupled antenna radiation conductor. The first frequency is 1 MHz or less, and the second frequency is 700 MHz or more.

The invention is characterized in that the coupled feed antenna and the proximity sensor are jointly combined and designed on the same substrate circuit, and the conventional antenna and the proximity sensor are respectively independent components, and the volume is difficult to be reduced, thereby effectively saving space and manufacturing cost. . In addition, the patterned conductive layer connected to the proximity sensor is designed to pass through the capacitor and the coupled patterned conductive layer, and is not directly in contact with the ground signal line and the signal feed line, thereby reducing interference of other parts of the antenna to the proximity sensor, and effectively improving the proximity. Sensitivity of the sensor.

(known)

10‧‧‧ main antenna

11‧‧‧ proximity sensor

20‧‧‧Antenna

21‧‧‧Dielectric substrate

22‧‧‧Capacitive proximity sensor

23‧‧‧First patterned conductive layer

24‧‧‧Second patterned conductive layer

25‧‧‧ capacitor

26‧‧‧ Capacitors

27‧‧‧ Signal Line

28‧‧‧ Grounding circuit

29‧‧‧Inductors

(this invention)

30‧‧‧Antenna structure

31‧‧‧Graphic conductive layer

311‧‧‧First conductive layer

312‧‧‧Second conductive layer

313‧‧‧First Radiation Department

314‧‧‧Feeding Department

315‧‧‧First Feed Terminal

316‧‧‧Second Radiation Department

317‧‧‧ Branch

318‧‧‧second feed terminal

32‧‧‧ proximity sensor

321‧‧‧ peripheral circuits

322‧‧‧Capacitance to digital circuit

33‧‧‧ capacitor

34‧‧‧ dielectric layer

341‧‧‧ first side

342‧‧‧ second side

40‧‧‧Electronic devices

50‧‧‧ transmission line

51‧‧‧ signal feed line

52‧‧‧Grounding signal line

60‧‧‧ transceiver circuit

70‧‧‧Wireless communication circuit

1 is a state diagram of a conventional electronic device mounting antenna and a proximity sensor; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the antenna and proximity sensor of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional electronic device integrating an antenna structure and a proximity sensor. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the antenna structure of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the internal wireless communication circuit of the electronic device; Figure 6 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the antenna structure of the present invention; A schematic diagram of the capacitor exhibiting an open circuit in a low frequency state; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a short circuit of the capacitor structure in a high frequency state according to the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a second preferred embodiment of the antenna structure of the present invention.

In order to further clarify and understand the structure, the use and the features of the present invention, the preferred embodiment is described in detail with reference to the following drawings:

Referring to FIG. 5, the antenna structure 30 of the present invention is mainly installed in an electronic device 40, and is connected to at least one transceiver circuit 60 in conjunction with a transmission line 50 to form a wireless communication circuit 70 as a transmission means. .

The electronic device 40 can be a portable computer for a desktop computer, a notebook computer or a tablet computer, a game player, a music player, a remote control device, a global positioning system device (GPS), or a handheld device or a matching device. Wear-type mobile devices, such as mobile phones, watches, glasses, headphones, pendants and other small devices.

The transmission line 50 can be configured as a coaxial cable, a microstrip transmission line, a ribbon transmission line, etc., wherein the transmission line 50 includes a signal feed line 51 and a ground signal line 52 (see FIG. 6).

The transceiver circuit 60 in the wireless communication circuit 70 includes a 2.4 GHz band for processing a plurality of radio frequency communication bands, such as a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band of a WiFi communication circuit, and a Bluetooth communication circuit, or for processing a cellular phone circuit. In addition, the GSM frequency band of 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz, and the 2100 MHz data band; in addition, the transceiver circuit 60 may also include a wireless circuit and a paging circuit for radio and television signals.

Referring to the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the antenna structure 30 of the present invention mainly includes a patterned conductive layer 31, a proximity inductor 32, a capacitor 33, and a dielectric layer 34, wherein the patterned conductive layer The layer 31 is provided with a first conductive layer 311 and a second conductive layer 312. The first conductive layer 311 includes a first radiating portion 313 and a feeding portion forming a first feeding terminal 315. 314, the first feeding terminal 315 The second conductive layer 312 includes a second radiating portion 316 parallel to the first radiating portion 313 and a branch portion 317 forming a second feeding terminal 318. The second portion is electrically connected to the signal feeding line 51. The feed terminal 318 is electrically connected to the ground signal line 52 described above.

The proximity sensor 32 has a peripheral circuit 321 electrically connected to the second conductive layer 312 and a capacitance-to-digital circuit 322 electrically connected to the peripheral circuit 321 as shown in the figure. The peripheral circuit 321 of the device 32 is directly electrically connected to the branch portion 317 of the second conductive layer 312 described above.

The capacitor 33 is disposed between the second feed terminal 318 and the ground signal line 52. The dielectric layer 34 has a first side 341 and an opposite second side 342. The patterned conductive layer 31 is adjacent. The inductor 32 and the capacitor 33 are both located on the first side 341 of the dielectric layer 34. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric layer 34 is a dielectric substrate disposed independently of the electronic device 40.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the antenna structure 30 of the present invention is operated at a relatively low frequency first frequency (below 1 MHZ), the capacitor 33 has a high impedance equivalent to an open circuit as shown by a broken line frame. The value causes the proximity sensor 32 to directly use the second conductive portion 312 as a capacitor electrode. At this time, the first conductive layer 311 and the second conductive layer 312 do not function.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the antenna structure 30 of the present invention is operated at a relatively high frequency second frequency (700 MHz), the capacitor 33 has a low impedance value corresponding to a short circuit, so that the second conductive layer 312 interacts with the first conductive layer 311 to form a coupled antenna radiation conductor.

In the present invention, the coupled feed patterned conductive layer 31 and the proximity inductor 32 are designed as the same substrate circuit, and a portion of the antenna structure 30 is directly used as a capacitor electrode of the proximity inductor 32, and the measured capacitance value changes. It will reflect whether the external object is located in the attachment of the antenna structure 30.

If the proximity sensor 32 is not detected to be close to the external object, the power used by the electronic device 40 to transmit the RF signal will not be limited. However, if the vicinity of the proximity sensor 32 detects the presence of an external object nearby, the power of the RF signal is reduced to reduce the intensity of the near-field electromagnetic radiation, so that the electronic device 40 is used when the user is operating at a close distance. It can meet the RF signal power limit as limited by current laws and regulations.

Referring to the second preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the antenna structure 30 of the present invention also includes a patterned conductive layer 31, a proximity inductor 32, a capacitor 33, and a dielectric layer 34, wherein the patterned conductive layer A first conductive layer 311 and a second conductive layer 312 are formed. The first conductive layer 311 includes a first radiating portion 313 and a feeding portion 314 forming a first feeding terminal 315. The first feeding terminal 315 is electrically connected to the signal feeding line 51; and the second conductive layer 312 includes a second radiating portion 316 parallel to the first radiating portion 313 and a branch portion 317.

The proximity sensor 32 has a peripheral circuit 321 electrically connected to the second conductive layer 312 and a capacitance-to-digital circuit 322 electrically connected to the peripheral circuit 321 as shown in the figure. The peripheral circuit 321 of the device 32 is electrically connected to the branch portion 317 of the second conductive layer 312 described above. The peripheral circuit 321 is also electrically connected to the ground signal line 52 of the transmission path 50.

The capacitor 33 is disposed between the peripheral circuit 321 and the ground signal line 52. The dielectric layer 34 has a first side 341 and an opposite second side 342. The patterned conductive layer 31 and the proximity sensor 32 are provided. The capacitor 33 is located on the first side 341 of the dielectric layer 34. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric layer 34 is used as part of the protective casing of the electronic device 40.

The difference from the first preferred embodiment is that the ground signal line 52 is electrically connected to the capacitor 33 and the peripheral circuit 321, however, This circuit design difference does not affect the operation of the antenna structure 30. However, in the first frequency (1 MHz or less) state, the capacitor 33 also has a high impedance value corresponding to an open circuit, so that the proximity sensor 32 directly uses the second conductive portion 312 as a capacitor electrode; In the frequency (700 MHz) state, the capacitor 33 also has a low impedance value corresponding to the short circuit, so that the second conductive layer 312 and the first conductive layer 311 cooperate to form a coupled antenna radiation conductor.

The above embodiments are intended to be illustrative only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is included in the scope of the following patent application.

30‧‧‧Antenna structure

31‧‧‧Graphic conductive layer

311‧‧‧First conductive layer

312‧‧‧Second conductive layer

313‧‧‧First Radiation Department

314‧‧‧Feeding Department

315‧‧‧First Feed Terminal

316‧‧‧Second Radiation Department

317‧‧‧ Branch

318‧‧‧second feed terminal

32‧‧‧ proximity sensor

321‧‧‧ peripheral circuits

322‧‧‧Capacitance to digital circuit

33‧‧‧ capacitor

34‧‧‧ dielectric layer

341‧‧‧ first side

342‧‧‧ second side

51‧‧‧ signal feed line

52‧‧‧Grounding signal line

Claims (9)

An antenna structure having a proximity sensor electrically connected to at least one transceiver circuit through a transmission path to form a wireless communication circuit inside the electronic device, wherein the transmission line has a signal feed line and a ground signal line, and the antenna structure includes a patterned conductive layer, comprising a first conductive layer forming a coupled feed antenna and a second conductive layer, wherein the first conductive layer has a first feed terminal electrically connected to the signal feed line, and the first The second conductive layer has a second feed terminal electrically connected to the ground signal line; a proximity inductor having a peripheral circuit electrically connected to the second conductive layer and a capacitance-to-digital circuit electrically connected to the peripheral circuit; a capacitor disposed between the second feed terminal and the ground signal line; and a dielectric layer having a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the patterned conductive layer, the proximity inductor, and the capacitor are Located on a first side of the dielectric layer; wherein, when operating at a first frequency, the capacitor has a high impedance value that forms an open circuit, resulting in The second conductive portion is used as a capacitor electrode of the proximity sensor; and when operating at a second frequency, the capacitor has a low impedance value forming a short circuit, so that the second conductive layer and the first conductive layer cooperate to form a coupling Type antenna radiation conductor. An antenna structure having a proximity sensor according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the dielectric layer is one of an independent dielectric substrate or a protective case of the electronic device. An antenna structure having a proximity sensor according to item 1 of the patent application scope, The first conductive layer includes a first radiating portion and a feeding portion forming the first feeding terminal, and the second conductive layer includes a second radiating portion parallel to the first radiating portion and a forming portion The branch of the two feed terminals. An antenna structure having a proximity sensor according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral circuit of the proximity sensor is electrically connected to the branch portion. An antenna structure having a proximity sensor according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the first frequency is 1 MHz or less, and the second frequency is 700 MHz or more. An antenna structure having a proximity sensor electrically connected to at least one transceiver circuit through a transmission path to form a wireless communication circuit inside the electronic device, wherein the transmission line has a signal feed line and a ground signal line, and the antenna structure includes a patterned conductive layer, comprising a first conductive layer forming a coupled feed antenna and a second conductive layer, wherein the first conductive layer has a signal feed terminal electrically connected to the signal feed line; and a proximity sensor a peripheral circuit electrically connected to the second conductive layer and a capacitance-to-digital circuit electrically connected to the peripheral circuit, and electrically connected to the ground signal line by the peripheral circuit; a capacitor disposed in the peripheral circuit and Between the ground signal lines; and a dielectric layer having a first side and an opposite second side, the patterned conductive layer, the proximity inductor and the capacitor are all located on the first side of the dielectric layer; When the first frequency is operated, the capacitor has a high impedance value forming an open circuit, so that the second conductive portion serves as the above Nearly sensors The capacitor electrode is used; and when operating at a second frequency, the capacitor has a low impedance value that forms a short circuit, such that the second conductive layer and the first conductive layer cooperate to form a coupled antenna radiation conductor. An antenna structure having a proximity sensor according to claim 6 of the patent application, wherein the dielectric layer is one of an independent dielectric substrate or a protective case of the electronic device. An antenna structure with a proximity sensor according to claim 6 wherein the first conductive layer comprises a first radiating portion and a feeding portion forming the first feeding terminal, wherein the second conductive layer comprises a parallel a second radiating portion of the first radiating portion and a branch portion electrically connected to the peripheral circuit. An antenna structure having a proximity sensor according to claim 6 of the patent application, wherein the first frequency is 1 MHz or less, and the second frequency is 700 MHz or more.