WO2018026126A1 - Antenna structure, antenna package, and electronic device comprising same - Google Patents

Abstract

An antenna structure according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a chip antenna in which an antenna coil is wound on at least a part of a core; and a recognition range increasing unit arranged to be spaced apart from the chip antenna without being connected to the chip antenna, wherein the recognition range increasing unit includes a conductive line pattern at least a part of which overlaps with the chip antenna. The direction in which the conductive line pattern extends in a region overlapping with the chip antenna and the winding direction of the antenna coil are parallel to each other.

Description

Antenna structure, antenna package and electronic device having same

The present invention relates to an antenna structure, an antenna package, and an electronic device having the same, and more particularly, to an antenna structure, an antenna package, and an electronic device having the same using a chip antenna.

Near Field Communication (NFC) or Near Field Communication (NFC) is a contactless near field communication standard that enables wireless communication between electronic devices at low power within a short distance of less than 10 cm using the 13.56 MHz frequency. Co-developed by NXP Semiconductors and Sony Japan. The transmission speed of NFC is 106 Kbps, 212 Kbps, 424 Kbps or 848 Kbps, and it is highly secured by its proximity characteristics and encryption technology, and it is less than 1/10 second without requiring complicated pairing process to recognize devices. It has the advantage of being recognized. In particular, NFC is a smart card-type contactless wireless communication technology using the RFID technology, has a feature that has a bidirectional, relatively large storage memory space, and a wide range of applicable services. Accordingly, this technology is being adopted and released in electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs which are commercially available recently. In this situation, research is being conducted to improve the recognition range of NFC.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve various problems including the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an antenna structure, an antenna package, and an electronic device having the same, which can improve the recognition range of NFC. However, these problems are exemplary, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby.

An antenna structure according to one aspect of the present invention is provided. The antenna structure may include a chip antenna having an antenna coil wound around at least a portion of the core; And a recognition range increaser disposed to be spaced apart from the chip antenna, wherein the recognition range increaser includes a conductive line pattern at least partially overlapping the chip antenna, and overlapping the chip antenna. The direction in which the conductive line pattern extends in the region and the winding direction of the antenna coil are parallel to each other.

In the antenna structure, the recognition range increase unit is not controlled by a separate element and may be grounded.

In the antenna structure, the recognition range increasing unit may further include a matching device electrically connected to the conductive line pattern. In this case, the matching element may include a matching capacitor.

In the antenna structure, the recognition range increasing part may further include an external conductive structure electrically connected to the conductive line pattern. In this case, the outer conductive structure may include a metal rear case of the smartphone.

An antenna package according to another aspect of the present invention is provided. The antenna package may include a chip antenna having an antenna coil wound around at least a portion of the core; And a recognition range increaser including conductive line patterns and matching elements spaced apart from each other without being connected to the chip antenna, the package comprising: first terminals spaced apart from each other; A second terminal electrically spaced from the first terminals; The chip antenna mounted at both ends on the first terminals; The matching element mounted on the second terminal; And an encapsulation member configured to expose the terminals to the outside while sealing the chip antenna and the matching element.

An electronic device according to another aspect of the present invention is provided. The electronic device may include a main set board; A chip antenna mounted on the main set board, the antenna coil wound around at least a part of the core; And a recognition range increase unit disposed on the main set board and spaced apart from each other without being connected to the chip antenna.

In the electronic device, the recognition range increase unit may not be controlled by a separate element and may be grounded.

In the electronic device, the recognition range increaser may further include a matching element electrically connected to the conductive line pattern.

In the electronic device, the recognition range increaser may further include an external conductive structure electrically connected to the conductive line pattern and disposed outside the main set board.

In the electronic device, the external conductive structure may include a metal case of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention made as described above, it is possible to implement an antenna structure, an antenna package and an electronic device having the same that can improve the recognition range of NFC. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these effects.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an antenna package according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a comparative example and an embodiment of the present invention in an antenna structure.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms, and the following embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art It is provided to inform you completely. In addition, the components may be exaggerated or reduced in size in the drawings for convenience of description.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an antenna structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a chip antenna 20 and a recognition range increasing unit 50.

The chip antenna 20 includes a core 22 and an antenna coil 24 wound around at least a portion of the core 22. The core 22 may be made of, for example, nickel ferrite material. The antenna coil 24 may have various winding structures to implement an inductor that may resonate in a specific frequency band. For example, the antenna coil 24 may be disposed to surround the side surface of the core 22, and in this case, the direction of the induced magnetic field generated by interlocking may be perpendicular to the winding direction.

Meanwhile, the winding wire structure disclosed in the antenna coil 24 has been described as a winding structure in which a coil is wound around the core 22. However, the antenna structure according to the technical spirit of the present invention is limited to the winding structure. The winding structure may be implemented by, for example, patterning a conductive material on the side of the core 22.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 is introduced to improve the recognition range due to the small size of the chip antenna 20. That is, the recognition range increasing unit 50 increases the induction constant K to improve the recognition range and performance. The recognition range increasing unit 50 is spaced apart from the chip antenna 20, and at least a portion thereof overlaps the chip antenna 20. Here, it may be understood that the meaning of overlapping has an overlapping area spaced up and down on a specific cross section.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 is spaced apart from the chip antenna 20. The chip antenna 20 does not have a portion in physical contact with the recognition range increasing unit 50. That is, the recognition range increasing unit 50 is not directly connected to the chip antenna 20 via the conductive member. The recognition range increasing unit 50 and the chip antenna 20 do not need an electrical connection, and induce the increase of the recognition range and the recognition distance by inducing a magnetic field according to the current flow.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 is not controlled by a separate element, and may be connected to the ground terminal GND and grounded.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 includes a conductive line pattern 52, and at least a portion of the conductive line pattern 52 may overlap the chip antenna 20. Further, the direction in which the conductive line pattern 52 extends in the region overlapping the chip antenna 20 and the winding direction of the antenna coil 24 are parallel to each other. On the other hand, in the expanded embodiment, the vector in the direction in which the antenna coil 24 is wound in the region where the conductive line pattern 52 and the chip antenna 20 overlap with each other indicates a component in the direction in which the conductive line pattern 52 extends. It can have a nonzero value.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 may further include a matching device 55 electrically connected to the conductive line pattern 52. In this case, the matching element 55 may include, for example, a matching capacitor. At least a portion of the conductive line pattern 52 may be configured to extend in parallel with the winding direction of the chip antenna 20, and both ends of the conductive line pattern 52 may be connected to the matching element 55 for matching. In FIG. 1, the matching element 55 is not connected to the passive element 45 connected to the chip antenna 20, but if necessary, the matching element 55 and the passive element 45 may be connected to each other.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 may further include an external conductive structure 53 electrically connected to the conductive line pattern 52. In this case, the external conductive structure 53 may include a metal case constituting a device such as a smartphone or a smart pad. In addition to the conductive line pattern 52, the recognition range of the antenna 20 may be further extended by introducing the external conductive structure 53.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device that may include a chip antenna 20. For example, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a smart pad, and a smart device may be provided. It may include a watch, smart glasses, and the like.

The electronic device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a main set board 40 (main SET-Board); The above-described chip antenna 20 mounted on the main set board 40; And a recognition range increaser 50 disposed on the main set board 40 and spaced apart from the chip antenna 20 without being connected to the chip antenna 20. The main set board 40 is an electronic component provided to generate, process, and / or transmit an electrical signal for performing various functions to be implemented in the electronic device 200. For example, the main set board 40 may include a printed circuit board.

The conductive line pattern 52 constituting the recognition range increasing unit 50 is connected to the ground terminals 12 and GND of the main set board 40 and grounded. Various embodiments constituting the conductive line pattern 52 are possible. For example, the conductive line pattern 52 may be a conductive pattern introduced to improve the recognition range of the chip antenna 20 without being controlled by a separate element on the main set board 40. Alternatively, the conductive line pattern 52 may be a loop pattern formed by utilizing the pattern of the main set board 40.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 may further include an external conductive structure 53 electrically connected to the conductive line pattern 52 and disposed outside the main set board 40. For example, the outer conductive structure 53 may include a metal back case of the smartphone.

The recognition range increasing unit 50 may further include a matching element electrically connected to the conductive line pattern 52 and disposed on the main set board 40. The conductive line pattern 52 extends in a direction parallel to the winding direction of the antenna coil 24 at the center of the chip antenna 20, and corresponds to the inductance value of the conductive line pattern 52 and / or the external conductive structure 53. Through the matching circuit, the conductive line pattern 52 and / or the external conductive structure 53 may be utilized as the NFC antenna. The conductive line pattern 52 may be directly connected to the external conductive structure 53 to form a loop, or may be connected to the conductor through the ground terminal of the main set board 40.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, the configuration in which the recognition range increasing unit 50 and the chip antenna 20 are disposed on the main set board 40 of the electronic device 200 is disclosed, but other configurations may be provided. For example, at least a portion of the chip antenna 20 and the recognition range increasing unit 50 may be disposed in a battery pack of the electronic device 200 and disposed in a module that may be additionally coupled to the electronic device 200. May be

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an antenna package 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (a) is a perspective view of the antenna package 30, (b) is a rear view of the antenna package 30, (c) is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the antenna package 30 excluding the encapsulant 35 Perspective view.

1 to 3, the antenna package 30 is a package for implementing a part of an antenna system including the above-described chip antenna 20 and the recognition range increasing unit 50, and spaced apart from each other. Field 33a; A second terminal 33b electrically spaced from the first terminals 33a; The above-described chip antenna 20 mounted at both ends on the first terminals 33a; The above-described matching element 55 mounted on the second terminal 33b; And an encapsulant 35 formed to expose the terminals while sealing the chip antenna 20 and the matching element 55. The first terminals 33a on which the chip antenna 20 is mounted so as not to be electrically connected to the matching element 55 constituting a part of the recognition range increasing unit 50 may include a second terminal on which the matching element 55 is mounted. 33b) and spaced apart.

Ensure the ease of design of the main set board 40 by arranging a frame parallel to the winding direction of the antenna coil 24 at the center of the chip antenna 20 and implementing the antenna package 30 containing the matching element 55. can do. The winding direction of the antenna coil 24 can be understood as the extension direction of the subcoil 24a shown in FIG. 3C and can be connected to the second terminal 33b of the antenna package 30. Reference numeral 52 may pass through the central portion of the chip antenna 20 while extending in the direction parallel to the extending direction of the subcoil 24a.

4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Example (a) and Comparative Example (b) of the present invention in an antenna structure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a conductive line pattern 52 and a matching element 55 that cross the central portion of the chip antenna 20 are formed. In the embodiment (a) of the present invention, the direction in which the conductive line pattern 52 extends in the region overlapping the chip antenna 20 is parallel to the winding direction of the antenna coil 24 constituting the chip antenna 20. On the contrary, in Comparative Example (b) of the present invention, the direction in which the conductive line pattern 52 extends in the region overlapping with the chip antenna 20 is different from the winding direction of the antenna coil 24 constituting the chip antenna 20. Vertical

Referring to Table 1, the NFC recognition range was 36.42mm in the card mode and 26.50mm in the reader mode of the type 1 when only the single chip of the chip antenna 20 was provided without providing the above-mentioned recognition range increase unit. When the capacitance of the matching element 55 is 820pF, the NFC recognition range is 36.42mm in the card mode and 26.50mm in the type 1 reader mode in the configuration of FIG. There was no difference from the case of providing only a single product. In contrast, in the configuration of FIG. 4A illustrating the antenna structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the matching element 55 has a capacitance of 820 pF, the NFC recognition range is 90.04 mm in the card mode. It measured 52.65mm in reader mode.

Configuration	Matching Capacitor	Card Mode (mm)	Type1Reader Mode (mm)	Type2Reader Mode (mm)	Type3Reader Mode (mm)	Type4Reader Mode (mm)
Chip antenna	-	36.42	26.50	26.50	23.32	12.04
Fig. 4 (a)	100 pF	18.07	16.59	16.59	13.33	4.22
Fig. 4 (a)	820pF	90.04	52.65	52.65	50.11	28.46
Fig. 4 (a)	22 pF	46.21	39.45	39.45	37.23	19.53
Figure 4 (b)	100 pF	36.42	26.50	26.50	23.32	12.04
Figure 4 (b)	820pF	36.42	26.50	26.50	23.32	12.04
Figure 4 (b)	22 pF	36.42	26.50	26.50	23.32	12.04

According to this, when the conductive line pattern 52 passes in the direction parallel to the winding direction of the antenna coil 24 in the chip antenna 20, it can be seen that there is an improvement in the antenna recognition range. On the contrary, when the conductive line pattern 52 passes through the chip antenna 20 in a direction perpendicular to the winding direction of the antenna coil 24, there is no improvement in the antenna recognition range. Furthermore, it can be seen that the effect of increasing and decreasing the antenna performance varies depending on the material and size of the conductor used.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and 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 (12)

1. A chip antenna having an antenna coil wound around at least part of the core; And a recognition range increasing unit disposed to be spaced apart from the chip antenna.

   The recognition range increasing part includes a conductive line pattern at least partially overlapping the chip antenna, wherein a direction in which the conductive line pattern extends in a region overlapping the chip antenna and a winding direction of the antenna coil are parallel to each other. , Antenna structure.
2. The method of claim 1,

   The recognition range increasing unit is grounded, not controlled by a separate element.
3. The method of claim 1,

   The recognition range increasing unit further comprises a matching element electrically connected with the conductive line pattern.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein

   And the matching element comprises a matching capacitor.
5. The method of claim 1,

   The recognition range increasing unit further includes an external conductive structure electrically connected to the conductive line pattern.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein

   Wherein the outer conductive structure comprises a metal back case of a smartphone.
7. A chip antenna having an antenna coil wound around at least part of the core; An antenna package for implementing a part of an antenna system comprising a; and a recognition range increasing unit having a conductive line pattern and a matching element spaced apart from the chip antenna.

   First terminals spaced apart from each other; A second terminal electrically spaced from the first terminals; The chip antenna mounted at both ends on the first terminals; The matching element mounted on the second terminal; And an encapsulation material configured to expose the terminals to the outside while sealing the chip antenna and the matching element.
8. Main SET-Board;

   A chip antenna mounted on the main set board, the antenna coil wound around at least a part of the core; And

   A recognition range increase unit disposed on the main set board and spaced apart from each other without being connected to the chip antenna;

   Including, the electronic device.
9. The method of claim 8,

   The recognition range increase unit, which is not controlled by a separate element, is grounded.
10. The method of claim 8,

    The recognition range increasing unit further includes a matching element electrically connected to the conductive line pattern.
11. The method of claim 8,

    The recognition range increasing part further comprises an external conductive structure electrically connected to the conductive line pattern and disposed outside the main set board.
12. The method of claim 11,

    And the outer conductive structure comprises a metal case of the electronic device.

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