Patent Publication Number: US-2021175629-A1

Title: Antenna module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/296,900, filed on Mar. 8, 2019, which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0046816 filed on Apr. 23, 2018 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0090870 filed on Aug. 3, 2018 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The following description relates to an antenna module. 
     2. Description of Background 
     Mobile communications data traffic is rapidly increasing every year. Technological developments are being actively conducted in order to support the transmission of such rapidly increased amounts of data in real time in wireless networks. For example, data generated by applications such as IoT (Internet of Thing), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), live VR/AR combined with SNS, autonomous driving, sync view (a real time image of a user&#39;s point of view is transmitted using an ultra small camera), and the like require communications (e.g., 5G communications, mmWave communications, etc.) for supporting the transmission and a reception of large amounts of data. 
     Therefore, recently, millimeter wave (mmWave) communications including 5th Generation (5G) communications have been researched, and research into the commercialization/standardization of an antenna module able to smoothly implement millimeter wave communications have also been performed. 
     Since radio frequency (RF) signals within high frequency bands (e.g., 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 36 GHz, 39 GHz, 60 GHz, and the like) are easily absorbed in a transmission process and lead to loss, quality of communications may be sharply deteriorated. Therefore, an antenna for communications in the high frequency bands requires a technical approach different from that of conventional antenna technology, and may require special technology developments such as a separate power amplifier for securing an antenna gain, integrating an antenna and an RFIC, securing effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one general aspect, an antenna module includes a ground layer including a through-hole; a feed via disposed to pass through the through-hole; a patch antenna pattern spaced apart from the ground layer and electrically connected to one end of the feed via; a coupling patch pattern spaced apart from the patch antenna pattern; a first dielectric layer to accommodate the patch antenna pattern and the coupling patch pattern; a second dielectric layer to accommodate at least a portion of the feed via and the ground layer; and electrical connection structures disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to separate the first dielectric layer from the second dielectric layer. 
     A dielectric constant of at least a portion of a space between the patch antenna pattern and the ground layer may be smaller than a dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer and a dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer. 
     A dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer may be greater than a dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer. 
     The first dielectric layer may include a cavity facing the second dielectric layer. 
     The second dielectric layer may include a cavity facing the first dielectric layer. 
     The electrical connection structures may surround the coupling patch pattern when viewed in a vertical direction. 
     The antenna module may include an end-fire antenna at least partially disposed in the second dielectric layer and spaced apart from the ground layer, and a length of a surface of the second dielectric layer may be greater than a length of a surface of the first dielectric layer. 
     A width of a portion of the feed via corresponding a level between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer may be greater than a width of other portions of the feed via. 
     The antenna module may include an encapsulant disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. 
     The antenna module may include a sub-substrate disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer and connected to the electrical connection structures, and the sub-substrate may include core vias connected to the electrical connection structures. 
     The antenna module may include a patch antenna feed line spaced apart from the ground layer and electrically connected to the feed via; an integrated circuit (IC) spaced apart from the patch antenna feed line; and a wiring via to electrically connect the patch antenna feed line to the IC. 
     In another general aspect, an antenna module includes a ground layer including a through-hole; a feed via disposed to pass through the through-hole; a patch antenna pattern spaced apart from the ground layer and electrically connected to one end of the feed via; a coupling patch pattern spaced apart from the patch antenna pattern; a first dielectric layer to accommodate the coupling patch pattern; a second dielectric layer to accommodate the patch antenna pattern and the ground layer; and electrical connection structures disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to separate the first dielectric layer from the second dielectric layer. 
     One or both of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer may include a cavity overlapping the patch antenna pattern when viewed in a vertical direction. 
     The electrical connection structures may be arranged to surround each of the cavities when viewed in the vertical direction. 
     A dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer may be greater than a dielectric constant of at least a portion of a space between the patch antenna pattern and the coupling patch pattern, and may be smaller than a dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer. 
     The antenna module may include an end-fire antenna at least partially disposed in the second dielectric layer and spaced apart from the ground layer; a feed line spaced apart from the ground layer and electrically connected to the feed via or the end-fire antenna; an integrated circuit (IC) spaced apart from the feed line; and a wiring via to electrically connect the feed line to the IC. 
     An electronic device may include the antenna module and a communications module electrically connected to the antenna module. 
     In another general aspect, an antenna module includes a feed via; a patch antenna pattern disposed on or in a first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the feed via; a coupling patch pattern disposed on or in a second dielectric layer spaced apart from the first dielectric layer; and electrical connection structures to couple the first dielectric layer to the second dielectric layer. 
     The electrical connection structures may have a melting point that is lower than a melting point of the patch antenna pattern and lower than a melting point of the coupling patch pattern. 
     Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view schematically illustrating an antenna module according to an example. 
         FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D  are side views illustrating a structure in which a patch antenna pattern is disposed on a first dielectric layer in an antenna module according to an example. 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D  are side views illustrating a structure in which a patch antenna pattern is disposed on a second dielectric layer in an antenna module according to an example. 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E  are plan views illustrating an inner portion of an antenna module according to an example. 
         FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  are plan views illustrating an antenna module according to an example. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views illustrating a lower structure of a connection member included in an antenna module according to an example. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating a structure of an antenna module according to an example. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are plan views illustrating a layout of an antenna module in an electronic device according to an example. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of features that are known in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
     The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. 
     Herein, it is noted that use of the term “may” with respect to an example or embodiment, e.g., as to what an example or embodiment may include or implement, means that at least one example or embodiment exists in which such a feature is included or implemented while all examples and embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate, is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other element, or there may be one or more other elements intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there can be no other elements intervening therebetween. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or sections are not to be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer, or section from another member, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first member, component, region, layer, or section referred to in examples described herein may also be referred to as a second member, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the examples. 
     Spatially relative terms such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” and “lower” may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another element as shown in the figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as being “above” or “upper” relative to another element will then be “below” or “lower” relative to the other element. Thus, the term “above” encompasses both the above and below orientations depending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be oriented in other ways (for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to be interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,” and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof. 
     Due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, variations of the shapes shown in the drawings may occur. Thus, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, but include changes in shape that occur during manufacturing. 
     The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various ways as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. Further, although the examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other configurations are possible as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. 
     Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view schematically illustrating an antenna module according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an antenna apparatus  100  may be disposed on a connection member  200 , and an antenna module may include a plurality of antenna apparatuses corresponding to the antenna apparatus  100 . Depending on a design, the connection member  200  may be included in the antenna module. An integrated circuit (IC) may be disposed below the connection member  200 . 
     The connection member  200  may be disposed on a third region  153 , electrically connect the antenna module to the IC, and provide electromagnetic isolation and/or impedance between the antenna module and the IC. 
     The connection member  200  may provide an electrical ground to the antenna module and the IC, and may include at least portions of a ground layer  125 , a second ground layer  202 , a third ground layer  203 , a fourth ground layer  204 , a fifth ground layer  205 , and a shielding via  245 . 
     Depending on a design, the connection member  200  may include at least one end-fire antenna. The end-fire antenna may include at least portions of an end-fire patch antenna pattern  210 , an end-fire antenna feed via  211 , a director pattern  215 , and an end-fire antenna feed line  220 , and may transmit and receive a radio frequency (RF) signal in an X direction. 
     The antenna module may include an antenna package  105  and a feed via  120 , and may transmit and receive the RF signal in a Z direction. 
     The antenna package  105  may be disposed on a first region  151 , and may include a coupling patch pattern and/or a patch antenna pattern to be described below. 
     The feed via  120  may be disposed on a second region  152  and electrically connect between the antenna package  105  and the connection member  200 . 
     The antenna module may be designed to have the antenna package  105  having a structure advantageous for improving antenna performance, and the connection member  200  having a structure advantageous for providing an electrical connection, electromagnetic isolation, and impedance. 
     For example, the antenna module may have a structure in which the antenna package  105  and the connection member  200 , which are separately manufactured, are bonded to each other. Accordingly, each of the antenna package  105  and the connection member  200  may easily have a structure advantageous for its role (a RF signal transmission and reception, an electrical connection, and the like). Therefore, the antenna module may provide a structure advantageous for miniaturization while having the improved antenna performance. 
     As compared to a case in which the antenna package  105  and the connection member  200  are manufactured together with each other, since the bonded structure of the antenna package  105  and the connection member  200  may be more efficiently manufactured, an overall manufacturing cost of the antenna module may be reduced and a manufacturing yield thereof may be increased. 
     According to the bonded structure of the antenna package  105  and the connection member  200 , since the antenna module may have a low dielectric region between the antenna package  105  and the connection member  200 , diversity of a dielectric constant may be improved. 
       FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D  are side views illustrating a structure in which a patch antenna pattern is disposed on a first dielectric layer in the antenna module. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A through 2D , the antenna module according may include patch antenna patterns  110 , coupling patch patterns  115 , feed vias  120 , ground layers  125 , electrical connection structures  130 , a second dielectric layer  140 , a low dielectric region  145 , and a first dielectric layer  150 . 
     The ground layer  125  may improve electromagnetic isolation between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the connection member described above, and serve as a reflector for the patch antenna pattern  110  to reflect the RF signal of the patch antenna pattern  110  in the Z direction to further concentrate the RF signal in the Z direction. The ground layer  125  may be disposed to secure a spaced distance from the patch antenna pattern  110  to have reflector characteristics. 
     Since the antenna module has a bonded structure between the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150 , the spaced distance may be easily secured, and the manufacturing cost for securing the spaced distance may be reduced and the manufacturing yield may be improved. 
     The ground layer  125  may have a through-hole through which the feed via  120  passes. The through-hole may overlap the patch antenna pattern  110  when viewed in the Z direction. 
     The feed via  120  may transmit the RF signal received from the patch antenna pattern  110  to the connection member and/or the IC described above, and transmit the RF signal received from the connection member and/or the IC to the connection member and/or the IC described above. Depending on a design, a plurality of feed vias  120  may be connected to a single patch antenna pattern  110  or a plurality patch antenna patterns  110 . In a case in which the plurality of feed vias  120  are connected to the single patch antenna pattern  110 , each of the plurality of feed vias  120  may be configured so that a horizontal (H) pole RF signal and a vertical (V) pole RF signal, which are polarized waves with respect to each other, flow therethrough. 
     The patch antenna pattern  110  may be disposed above the ground layer  125  and may be electrically connected to one end of the feed via  120 . The patch antenna pattern  110  may receive the RF signal from the feed via  120  to remotely transmit the RF signal in the Z direction, or may remotely receive the RF signal in the Z direction to transmit the RF signal to the feed via  120 . 
     The coupling patch pattern  115  may be disposed above the patch antenna pattern  110 . The coupling patch pattern  115  may be electromagnetically coupled to the patch antenna pattern  110 , and may further concentrate the RF signal in the Z direction to improve a gain of the patch antenna pattern  110 . 
     The first dielectric layer  150  may provide a space in which the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  are disposed. For example, the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  may be inserted into the first dielectric layer  150 , or may be disposed on an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the first dielectric layer  150 . 
     The second dielectric layer  140  may be disposed so that at least a portion of the feed via  120  is positioned therein, and may provide a space in which the ground layer  125  is disposed. For example, the ground layer  125  may be inserted into the second dielectric layer  140 , or may be disposed on an upper surface of the second dielectric layer  140 . 
     The electrical connection structures  130  may be disposed between the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  so as to separate the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  from each other. That is, the electrical connection structures  130  may support the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140 . 
     Accordingly, since the antenna module may easily increase the distance between the ground layer  125  included in the second dielectric layer  140  and the patch antenna pattern  110  included in the first dielectric layer  150 , antenna performance of the patch antenna pattern  110  may be easily improved. 
     Since the electrical connection structures  130  may have a predetermined height, the electrical connection structures  130  may provide a low dielectric region  145  while coupling the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  to each other. That is, a dielectric constant Dk of at least a portion of the space between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the ground layer  125  may be smaller than that of the first and second dielectric layers  150  and  140 . For example, the low dielectric region  145  may have the same dielectric constant as that of air. 
     Accordingly, the antenna module may have the low dielectric region  145  according to the coupling between the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  even though each of the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  does not have a separate low dielectric region. Accordingly, since each of the patch antenna pattern  110  and the ground layer  125  may easily have various boundary conditions of the dielectric constant, the antenna performance may be easily improved. 
     Therefore, since each of the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  may reduce the number of layers and/or height, an overall cost of manufacturing the antenna module may be reduced or an overall yield thereof may be increased. 
     Since the electrical connection structures  130  may have a melting point lower than that of the patch antenna pattern  110 , the coupling patch pattern  115 , and the ground layer  125 , the electrical connection structures  130  may provide an electrical bonded environment in a state in which the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  are separately manufactured. 
     The dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer  150  may be greater than that the dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer  140 . A size of the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  for maintaining a resonance frequency may become smaller as the dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer  150  becomes larger. In addition, a spaced distance between the patch antenna pattern  110  and an adjacent antenna apparatus may become smaller as the dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer  150  becomes larger. The antenna module may improve the antenna performance by providing the low dielectric region  145  while implementing the miniaturization by using the first dielectric layer  150  having the large dielectric constant. 
     For example, the first dielectric layer  150  may have a dielectric dissipation factor (DF) smaller than a dielectric dissipation factor of the second dielectric layer  140 . Accordingly, energy loss due to the RF signal transmission and reception of the patch antenna pattern  110  may be reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , the first dielectric layer  150  may provide a cavity  135  downwardly, or otherwise on a side of the first dielectric layer  150  that faces the second dielectric layer  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2C , the second dielectric layer  140  may provide a cavity  135  upwardly, or otherwise on a side of the second dielectric layer  140  that faces the first dielectric layer  150 . 
     The cavity  135  may reduce an effective dielectric constant without increasing a physical distance between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the ground layer  125  or without increasing an overall height of the antenna module. Therefore, the size of the antenna module may be further reduced compared to the antenna performance. 
     The antenna module may increase the distance between the ground layer  125  and the patch antenna pattern  110  or reduce a height of each of the first and second dielectric layers  150  and  140  by increasing the size and/or height of the electrical connection structures  130 , even in a case in which the cavity  135  is not present. For example, the electrical connection structures  130  may be designed to be larger than the electrical connection structures between the IC and the connection member. For example, the electrical connection structures  130  may be selected from structures such as solder balls, pins, pads, lands, or bumps, and may have a different structure from the electrical connection structures between the IC and the connection member to thereby increase the size and/or height. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2D , the antenna module may further include a sub-substrate  160  disposed between the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  and connected to the electrical connection structures  130 . The sub-substrate  160  may provide an environment capable of more easily extending an interval between the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140 , and may further improve electrical connection stability of the electrical connection structures  130 . 
     The sub-substrate  160  may include core vias  161  connected to the electrical connection structures  130 , and may include at least portions of an upper core layer  162  connected to upper ends of the core vias  161 , a lower core layer  163  connected to lower ends of the core vias  161 , upper electrical connection structures  164  connected to the upper core layer  162 , and lower electrical connection structures  165  connected to the lower core layer  163 . 
     The sub-substrate  160  may provide a space in which at least portions of second, third, and fourth portions  120   b ,  120   c , and  120   d  of the feed via are disposed, but may also be spaced apart from the feed via depending on a design. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2D , the antenna module may further include an encapsulant  147  encapsulating a space between the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140 . That is, the encapsulant  147  may be disposed to fill at least a portion of the low dielectric region  145  described above. Accordingly, insulation reliability, heat radiation performance, and impact protection performance between the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  may be improved. 
     Depending on a design, the encapsulant  147  may have a dielectric constant greater than that the dielectric constants of the first and second dielectric layers  150  and  140 . Accordingly, since the effective dielectric constant between the ground layer  125  and the patch antenna pattern  110  may be increased, a wavelength of the RF signal transmitting between the ground layer  125  and the patch antenna pattern  110  may be shortened. That is, since an electrical length between the ground layer  125  and the patch antenna pattern  110  may be increased, the antenna module may improve antenna performance according to the distance between the ground layer  125  and the patch antenna pattern  110  even though an overall height thereof is not increased. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2D , a size L 1  of an upper surface of the second dielectric layer  150  may be greater than a size L 2  of a lower surface of the first dielectric layer  150 . That is, the bonded structure of the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  may provide an environment in which the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  are easily coupled to each other even though they have different sizes. 
     For example, the second dielectric layer  140  may be greater (longer in the X direction) than the first dielectric layer  150  to provide the space in which the end-fire antenna, described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , is disposed, or to provide more stable electrical connection and ground, and may also be greater (longer in the X direction) than the first dielectric layer  150  for structural stability of the entirety of the antenna module. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2D , the feed via may have the first portion  120   a , the second portion  120   b , the third portion  120   c , and the fourth portion  120   d . The second portion  120   b  and the fourth portion  120   d  may have a form similar to that of the electrical connection structures  130 , and may be formed simultaneously with the electrical connection structures  130 . That is, a width of a portion of the feed via corresponding to a level between the first dielectric layer  150  and the second dielectric layer  140  may be greater than that of other portions of the feed via. 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D  are side views illustrating a structure in which a patch antenna pattern is disposed on a second dielectric layer in the antenna module. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A through 3D , the patch antenna pattern  110  may be disposed in the second dielectric layer  140 , and the coupling patch pattern  115  may be disposed in the first dielectric layer  150 . 
     A wavelength of the RF signal transmitting between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  may become longer as an effective dielectric constant between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  becomes smaller. A concentration of the RF signal in the Z direction according to an electromagnetic coupling between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  may be greater as the wavelength of the RF signal becomes longer. Therefore, the gain of the patch antenna pattern  110  may be improved as the effective dielectric constant between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  becomes smaller. 
     The electrical connection structures  130  may couple the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  to each other while electrically connecting the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  to each other. For example, the electrical connection structures  130  may have a melting point lower than that of the patch antenna pattern  110 , the coupling patch pattern  115 , and the feed via  120 . For example, the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  may be bonded to each other in a state in which the electrical connection structures  130  are disposed on the upper surface of the second dielectric layer  140  or the lower surface of the first dielectric layer  150 , and may be then thermal-treated at a temperature higher than the melting point of the electrical connection structures  130 . 
     The low dielectric region  145  may correspond to the height of the electrical connection structures  130  according to the coupling of the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150  through the electrical connection structures  130 . 
     Since the low dielectric region  145  is positioned between the second dielectric layer  140  and the first dielectric layer  150 , insulation reliability may be secured without a separate insulating material. Therefore, the low dielectric region  145  may be formed of air. The air may have the dielectric constant of substantially one and may not require a separate process to be filled in the low dielectric region  145 . Therefore, the effective dielectric constant between the patch antenna pattern  110  disposed in the second dielectric layer  140  and the coupling patch pattern  115  disposed in the first dielectric layer  150  may be easily lowered. 
     Depending on a design, the low dielectric region  145  may be filled with a dielectric material (e.g., the encapsulant  147 ) having a dielectric constant lower than that the dielectric constants of the first and second dielectric layers  150  and  140 , thereby further improving the insulation reliability. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , the first dielectric layer  150  may have a cavity  135 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C , the second dielectric layer  140  may have a cavity  135 . 
     Accordingly, the effective dielectric constant between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115  may be further lowered as a height of the cavity  135  becomes higher, and may be lowered even without increasing the physical distance between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115 . 
     The antenna module may further reduce the effective dielectric constant by increasing the size and/or height of the electrical connection structures  130  even in a case in which the cavity  135  is not present. For example, the electrical connection structures  130  may be designed to be larger than the electrical connection structures between the IC and the connection member. For example, the electrical connection structures  130  may be selected from structures such as solder balls, pins, pads, or lands, and may have a different structure from the electrical connection structures between the IC and the connection member to thereby increase the size and/or height. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D , the antenna module may include the sub-substrate  160  to more easily secure a spaced distance between the patch antenna pattern  110  and the coupling patch pattern  115 . 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E  are plan views illustrating an inner portion of the antenna module. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , the plurality of electrical connection structures  130  included in the antenna module may be arranged to surround a plurality of antenna patterns  110  and/or a plurality of coupling patch patterns, respectively, when viewed in the Z direction. 
     Accordingly, the electrical connection structures  130  may improve electromagnetic isolation between the plurality of antenna patterns  110 , may improve an electromagnetic shielding performance of the antenna module, and may provide an electromagnetic boundary condition for the plurality of antenna patterns  110  to further induce the RF signal transmitting the plurality of antenna patterns  110  in the Z direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , a ground layer  201   a  may have a through-hole through which the feed via  120   a  passes, and may be connected to the other end of a grounding via  185   a . The ground layer  201   a  may electromagnetically shield between the patch antenna pattern and the feed line. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4C , a second ground layer  202   a  may surround at least a portion of an end-fire antenna feed line  220   a  and a patch antenna feed line  221   a , respectively. The end-fire antenna feed line  220   a  may be electrically connected to a second wiring via  232   a , and the patch antenna feed line  221   a  may be electrically connected to a first wiring via  231   a . The second ground layer  202   a  may electromagnetically shield between the end-fire antenna feed line  220   a  and the patch antenna feed line  221   a . One end of the end-fire antenna feed line  220   a  may be connected to an end-fire antenna feed via  211   a.    
     Referring to  FIG. 4D , a third ground layer  203   a  may have a plurality of through-holes through which the first wiring via  231   a  and the second wiring via  232   a  pass, and may have a coupling ground pattern  235   a . The third ground layer  203   a  may electromagnetically shield between the feed line and the IC. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4E , a fourth ground layer  204   a  may have a plurality of through-holes through which the first wiring via  231   a  and the second wiring via  232   a  pass. An IC  310   a  may be disposed below the fourth ground layer  204   a , and may be electrically connected to the first wiring via  231   a  and the second wiring via  232   a . The end-fire patch antenna pattern  210   a  and a director pattern  215   a  may be disposed at substantially the same height as the fourth ground layer  204   a.    
     The fourth ground layer  204   a  may provide a circuit in the IC  310   a  and/or a ground used in the passive component as the IC  310   a  and/or as the passive component. Depending on the design, the fourth ground layer  204   a  may provide a transmission path of power and signals used in the IC  310   a  and/or the passive component. Therefore, the fourth ground layer  204   a  may be electrically connected to the IC and/or the passive component. 
     The second ground layer  202   a , the third ground layer  203   a , and the fourth ground layer  204   a  may have a depressed shape to provide a cavity. Accordingly, the end-fire patch antenna pattern  210   a  may be disposed closer to the fourth ground layer  204   a . The cavity may be disposed at a position different from the cavities described above in  FIGS. 1 through 4C . 
     A top and bottom relationship and shape of the second ground layer  202   a , the third ground layer  203   a , and the fourth ground layer  204   a  may vary depending on the design. The fifth ground layer illustrated in  FIG. 1  may have a structure/function similar to the fourth ground layer  204   a.    
       FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  are plan views illustrating an antenna module according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , an antenna module may include at least portions of a plurality of patch antenna patterns  110   c , a ground layer  125   c , a plurality of conductive layout patterns  130   c , a plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c , a plurality of director patterns  215   c , and a plurality of end-fire feed lines  220   c.    
     The plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c  may form a radial pattern in a second direction to transmit or receive the RF signal in the second direction (e.g., the lateral direction). For example, the plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c  may be disposed in the connection member to be adjacent to a side surface of the connection member, and may have a dipole shape or a folded dipole shape. Here, one end of a pole of each of the plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c  may be electrically connected to first and second lines of the plurality of end-fire antenna feed lines  220   c . A frequency band of the plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c  may be designed to be the substantially same as that of the plurality of patch antenna patterns  110   c , but is not limited to such a frequency band. 
     The plurality of director patterns  215   c  may be electromagnetically coupled to the plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c  to improve a gain or a bandwidth of the plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c.    
     The plurality of end-fire antenna feed lines  220   c  may transmit the RF signal received from the plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c  to the IC, and may transmit the RF signal received from the IC to the plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   c . The plurality of end-fire antenna feed lines  220   c  may be implemented as wirings of the connection member. 
     Therefore, since the antenna module may form the radial patterns in the first and second directions, a transmission and reception direction of the RF signal may be expanded omni-directionally. 
     A plurality of antenna apparatuses may be arranged in a structure of n×m as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , and the antenna module including the plurality of antenna apparatuses may be disposed to be adjacent to a vertex of an electronic device. 
     The plurality of antenna apparatuses may be arranged in a structure of n×1 as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , and the antenna module including the plurality of antenna apparatuses may be disposed to be adjacent to an intermediate point of an edge of the electronic device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5C , an antenna module may include at least portions of a plurality of patch antenna patterns  110   d , a ground layer  125   d , a plurality of conductive layout patterns  130   d , a plurality of end-fire antenna patterns  210   d , a plurality of director patterns  215   d , and a plurality of end-fire antenna feed lines  220   d.    
     That is, the plurality of conductive layout patterns  130   d  may be arranged in a structure of n×1, may be disposed to surround each of the plurality of patch antenna patterns  110   d , and may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, an influence of the plurality of antenna apparatuses on each other may be reduced. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views illustrating a lower structure of a connection member included in the antenna module according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , the antenna module may include at least portions of a connection member  200 , an IC  310 , adhesive members  320 , electrical connection structures  330 , an encapsulant  340 , passive components  350 , and sub-substrates  410 . 
     The connection member  200  may have a structure similar to the connection member described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5C . 
     The IC  310  may be the same as the IC described above and may be disposed below the connection member  200 . The IC  310  may be electrically connected to a wiring of the connection member  200  to transmit or receive the RF signal, and may be electrically connected to a ground layer of the connection member  200  to be provided with a ground. For example, the IC  310  may perform at least a portion of frequency conversion, amplification, filtering, phase control, and power generation to generate a converted signal. 
     The adhesive member  320  may bond the IC  310  and the connection member  200  to each other. 
     The electrical connection structures  330  may electrically connect the IC  310  and the connection member  200  to each other. For example, the electrical connection structures  330  may have a structure such as solder balls, pins, lands, and pads. The electrical connection structures  330  may have a melting point lower than a melting point of the wiring of the connection member  200  and the ground layer to electrically connect the IC  310  and the connection member  200  to each other through a predetermined process using the low melting point. 
     The encapsulant  340  may encapsulate at least a portion of the IC and may improve a heat radiation performance and a shock protection performance of the IC  310 . For example, the encapsulant  340  may be formed of a photo imageable encapsulant (PIE), Ajinomoto build-up film (ABF), epoxy molding compound (EMC), or the like. 
     The passive component  350  may be disposed on a lower surface of the connection member  200 , and may be electrically connected to the wiring of the connection member  200  and/or the ground layer through the electrical connection structures  330 . For example, the passive component  350  may include at least a portion of a capacitor (e.g., a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC)), an inductor, and a chip resistor. 
     The sub-substrate  410  may be disposed below the connection member  200 , and may be electrically connected to the connection member  200  to receive an intermediate frequency (IF) signal or a base band signal from the outside and to transmit the IF signal or the base band signal to the IC  310 , or to receive the IF signal or the base band signal from the IC  310  and transmit the IF signal or the base band signal to the outside. Here, frequencies (e.g., 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 36 GHz, 39 GHz, and 60 GHz) of the RF signal may be greater than frequencies (e.g., 2 GHz, 5 GHz, 10 GHz, and the like) of the IF signal. 
     For example, the sub-substrate  410  may transmit or receive the IF signal or the base band signal to the IC  310  or from the IC  310  through the wiring included in an IC ground layer of the connection member  200 . Since a first ground layer of the connection member  200  is disposed between the IC ground layer and the wiring, the IF signal or the base band signal and the RF signal may be electrically isolated within the antenna module. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B , the antenna module may include at least portions of a shielding member  360 , a connector  420 , and a chip antenna  430 . 
     The shielding member  360  may be disposed below the connection member  200  and may be disposed to confine the IC  310  together with the connection member  200 . For example, the shielding member  360  may be disposed to cover (e.g., conformal shield) the IC  310  and the passive component  350  together or cover (e.g., compartment shield) the IC  310  and the passive component  350 , respectively. For example, the shielding member  360  may have a hexahedron shape with one surface opened, and may have a receiving space of the hexahedron through coupling with the connection member  200 . The shielding member  360  may be formed of a material having high conductivity such as copper to have a short skin depth, and may be electrically connected to the ground layer of the connection member  200 . Therefore, the shielding member  360  may reduce electromagnetic noise that the IC  310  and the passive component  350  may receive. 
     The connector  420  may have a connection structure of a cable (e.g., a coaxial cable, a flexible PCB), may be electrically connected to the IC ground layer of the connection member  200 , and may perform a function similar to the sub-substrate described above. The connector  420  may be provided with an IF signal, a base band signal and/or power from the cable, or may provide the IF signal and/or the base band signal to the cable. 
     The chip antenna  430  may assist the antenna module to transmit or receive the RF signal. For example, the chip antenna  430  may include a dielectric block having a dielectric constant greater than a dielectric constant of the insulating layer, and a plurality of electrodes disposed on opposite surfaces of the dielectric block. One of the plurality of electrodes may be electrically connected to the wiring of the connection member  200 , and another electrode may be electrically connected to the ground layer of the connection member  200 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating a structure of an antenna module according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the antenna module may have a structure in which an end-fire antenna  100   f , a patch antenna pattern  1110   f , an IC  310   f , and a passive component  350   f  are integrated into a connection member  500   f.    
     The end-fire antenna  100   f  and the patch antenna pattern  1110   f  may be designed in the same manner as the end-fire antenna described above and the patch antenna pattern described above, respectively, and may receive the RF signal from the IC  310   f  to transmit the RF signal or transmit the received RF signal to the IC  310   f.    
     The connection member  500   f  may have a structure (e.g., a structure of a printed circuit board) in which at least one conductive layer  510   f  and at least one insulating layer  520   f  are stacked. The conductive layer  510   f  may have the ground layer and the feed line described above. 
     The antenna module may further include a flexible connection member  550   f . The flexible connection member  550   f  may include a first flexible region  570   f  overlapping the connection member  500   f  and a second flexible region  580   f  not overlapping the connection member  500   f  when viewed in a vertical direction. 
     The second flexible region  580   f  may be flexibly bent in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the second flexible region  580   f  may be flexibly connected to a connector of a set substrate and/or an adjacent antenna module. 
     The flexible connection member  550   f  may include a signal line  560   f . The IF signal and/or the base band signal may be transmitted to the IC  310   f  or transmitted to the connector of the set substrate and/or the adjacent antenna module through the signal line  560   f.    
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are plan views illustrating a layout of an antenna module in an electronic device according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8A , an antenna module including an end-fire antenna  100   g , a patch antenna pattern  1110   g , and an insulating layer  1140   g  may be disposed to be adjacent to a side boundary of an electronic device  700   g  on a set substrate  600   g  of the electronic device  700   g.    
     The electronic device  700   g  may be a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a digital video camera, a digital still camera, a network system, a computer, a monitor, a tablet, a laptop, a netbook, a television, a video game, a smart watch, an automotive component, or the like, but is not limited to such devices. 
     A communications module  610   g  and a baseband circuit  620   g  may be further disposed on the set substrate  600   g . The antenna module may be electrically connected to the communications module  610   g  and/or the baseband circuit  620   g  through a coaxial cable  630   g . Depending on the design, the coaxial cable  630   g  may be replaced with the flexible connection member illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     The communications module  610   g  may include at least a portion of a memory chip such as a volatile memory (for example, a DRAM), a non-volatile memory (for example, a ROM), a flash memory, or the like; an application processor chip such as a central processor (for example, a CPU), a graphics processor (for example, a GPU), a digital signal processor, a cryptographic processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or the like; and a logic chip such as an analog-digital converter, an application-specific IC (ASIC), or the like to perform a digital signal processing. 
     The baseband circuit  620   g  may generate a base signal by performing analog-digital conversion, and amplification, filtering, and frequency conversion of an analog signal. The base signal input and output from the baseband circuit  620   g  may be transmitted to the antenna module through a cable. 
     For example, the base signal may be transmitted to the IC through an electrical connection structure, a core via, and a wiring. The IC may convert the base signal into an RF signal of a millimeter wave (mmWave) band. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8B , a plurality of antenna modules each including an end-fire antenna  100   h , a patch antenna pattern  1110   h , and an insulating layer  1140   h  may be disposed to be adjacent to a boundary of one side surface of an electronic device  700   h  and a boundary of the other side surface thereof, respectively, on a set substrate  600   h  of the electronic device  700   h . A communications module  610   h  and a baseband circuit  620   h  may be further disposed on the set substrate  600   h . The plurality of antenna modules may be electrically connected to the communications module  610   h  and/or the baseband circuit  620   h  through a coaxial cable  630   h.    
     The patch antenna pattern, the patch antenna pattern, the coupling patch pattern, the feed via, the ground layer, the end-fire antenna pattern, the director pattern, and the electrical connection structure disclosed in the present specification may include a metal material (e.g., a conductive material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or an alloy thereof), and may be formed by a plating method such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), sputtering, subtractive, additive, semi-additive process (SAP), modified semi-additive process (MSAP), or the like, but are not limited to such materials and methods. 
     The dielectric layer disclosed in the present specification may be formed of FR4, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyimide resin, a resin in which the thermosetting resin or the thermoplastic resin is impregnated together with an inorganic filler in a core material such as a glass fiber (or a glass cloth or a glass fabric), for example, prepreg, Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF), FR-4, Bismaleimide Triazine (BT), a photo imagable dielectric (PID) resin, generic copper clad laminate (CCL), or a glass or ceramic based insulating material. The dielectric layer may be filled in at least a portion of positions at which the patch antenna pattern, the coupling patch pattern, the feed via, the ground layer, the end-fire antenna pattern, the director pattern, and the electrical connection structure are not disposed in the antenna module disclosed herein. 
     The RF signal disclosed herein may have a format according to wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) (Institute of Electrical And Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family, or the like), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) (IEEE 802.16 family, or the like), IEEE 802.20, long term evolution (LTE), evolution data only (Ev-DO), high speed packet access+(HSPA+), high speed downlink packet access+(HSDPA+), high speed uplink packet access+(HSUPA+), enhanced data GSM environment (EDGE), global system for mobile communications (GSM), global positioning system (GPS), general packet radio service (GPRS), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, and 5G protocols, and any other wireless and wired protocols designated after the abovementioned protocols, but is not limited to such protocols. 
     As set forth above, according to the examples, since the antenna module provides an environment in which each component easily has a structure advantageous for its role (RF signal transmission/reception, electrical connection, and the like), the antenna module may provide a structure advantageous for miniaturization while having the improved antenna performance. 
     In addition, since the antenna module according to the examples may be more efficiently manufactured for each of the components, the overall manufacturing cost of the antenna module may be reduced and the manufacturing yield may be increased. 
     In addition, since the antenna module according to the examples may easily have the low dielectric region, the antenna module may easily broaden diversity of the dielectric constant and may provide an efficient utilization environment of the low dielectric region. 
     While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.