Patent Publication Number: US-11050154-B2

Title: Chip antenna

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0144539 filed on Nov. 21, 2018 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The following description relates to a chip antenna. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A 5G communications system is implemented in higher frequency bands (mmWave), between 10 GHz and 100 GHz, for example, to attain a high data transfer rate. To reduce loss of radio waves and to increase a transmission distance, techniques such as beamforming, large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional multiple-input multiple-output (FD-MIMO), implementation of an array antenna, analog beamforming, and other large-scale antenna techniques have been considered in the 5G communications system. 
     Mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones, PDAs, navigation devices, laptops, and the like, which support wireless communications have been designed to have functions such as CDMA, wireless LAN, DMB, near field communication (NFC), and the like. One of the main components that enable such functions is an antenna. 
     However, it may be difficult to use a generally used antenna in the GHz bands applied in a 5G communications system, since wavelengths are as small as several millimeters in the GHz bands. Thus, a small-sized chip antenna module that can be mounted on a mobile communication device and can be used in GHz bands is required. 
     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, a chip antenna includes: a body portion; a radiating portion disposed on one surface of the body portion in a width direction; and a ground portion disposed on another surface of the body portion in a width direction, wherein the radiating portion includes a dielectric substance and a conductor, and the dielectric substance and the conductor are respectively disposed in different regions in a thickness direction. 
     A thickness of the conductor may be different from a thickness of the dielectric substance. 
     The thickness of the conductor may be greater than the thickness of the dielectric substance. 
     The conductor and the dielectric substance may have a same thickness. 
     The conductor may be disposed on two ends of the radiating portion in a thickness direction. 
     A length and a width of each of the conductor and the dielectric substance may be the same as a length and a width, respectively, of the radiating portion. 
     The dielectric substance and the body portion may be formed of a same material. 
     The conductor may include a plurality of conductors, and the dielectric substance may include a plurality of dielectric substances. Dielectric substances among the plurality of dielectric substances may be disposed between conductors among the plurality of conductors. 
     In another general aspect a chip antenna includes: a body portion; a radiating portion disposed on one surface of the body portion in a width direction; and a ground portion disposed on another surface of the body portion in a width direction, wherein the radiating portion includes a plurality of dielectric substances and a plurality of conductors, and the plurality of dielectric substances and the plurality of conductors are respectively disposed in different regions in a length direction. 
     A length of each of the conductors may be different from a length of each of the dielectric substances. 
     The length of each of the conductors may be greater than the length of each of the dielectric substances. 
     A length of each of the conductors may be the same as a length of each of the dielectric substances. 
     Two conductors among the plurality of conductors may be respectively disposed on two ends of the radiating portion in a length direction. 
     A thickness and a width of each of the conductors and each of the dielectric substances may be the same as a thickness and a width, respectively, of the radiating portion. 
     The dielectric substances and the body portion may be formed of a same material. 
     Dielectric substances among the plurality of dielectric substances may be disposed between conductors among the plurality of conductors. 
     In another general aspect, a chip antenna includes: a body portion; a radiating portion disposed on a first side surface of the body portion; and a ground portion disposed on a second side surface of the body portion, opposite the radiating portion, wherein the radiating portion includes a dielectric substance and a conductor. 
     The dielectric substance and the conductor may be disposed adjacent to each other in a direction parallel to a plane of the first side surface. 
     The body portion may be formed of a dielectric material. 
     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 plan diagram illustrating a chip antenna module, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating the chip antenna module illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the chip antenna module illustrated in  FIG. 1 , viewed from the below. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional diagram taken along line I-I′ in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective diagram illustrating a chip antenna illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional diagram taken along line II-II-′ in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are perspective diagrams illustrating chip antennas, according to embodiments. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective diagrams illustrating chip antennas, according to embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal device on which an antenna module is mounted, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     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. 
     In the drawings, the thicknesses, sizes, and shapes of lenses have been slightly exaggerated for convenience of explanation. Particularly, the shapes of spherical surfaces or aspherical surfaces illustrated in the drawings are illustrated by way of example. That is, the shapes of the spherical surfaces or the aspherical surfaces are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings. 
     The chip antenna module in the example embodiments may operate in a high frequency range, in a frequency band between 3 GHz to 60 GHz, for example. The chip antenna module in the example embodiments may be mounted on an electronic device configured to receive, or to receive and transmit, a wireless signal. For example, the chip antenna may be mounted on a portable phone, a portable laptop, a drone, and the like. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan diagram illustrating a chip antenna module  1 , according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating the chip antenna module  1 .  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the chip antenna module  1 , viewed from the bottom.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional diagram taken along line I-I′ in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the chip antenna module  1  may include a substrate  10 , an electronic element  50 , and a chip antenna  100 . 
     The substrate  10  may be a circuit substrate on which a circuit or an electronic component required for a wireless antenna is mounted. For example, the substrate  10  may be a printed circuit board (PCB) including one or more electronic components therein or on a surface thereof. Thus, the substrate  10  may include circuit wiring lines electrically connecting electronic components. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the substrate  10  may be a multilayer substrate formed by alternately layering insulting layers  17  and wiring layers  16 . In example embodiments, wiring layers  16  may be formed on two opposite surfaces of a single insulating layer  17 . 
     A material of the insulating layers  17  may not be limited to any particular material. For example, a material of the insulating layers  17  may be a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyimide, a resin in which the thermosetting resin or the thermoplastic resin is impregnated together with an inorganic filler in a core material as a glass fiber (a glass cloth or a glass fabric), such as prepreg, ajinomoto build-up film (ABF), FR-4, bismaleimide triazine (BT), or the like, for example. If desired, a photoimageable encapsulant resin (a photoimageable dielectric substance, PID) may also be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the wiring layers  16  may electrically connect the electronic element  50  to the antennas  90  and  100 , and may electrically connect the electronic element  50  or the antennas  90  and  100  to an external entity. A conductive material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or alloys of Cu, Al, Ag, Sn Au, Ni, Pb or Ti may be used as a material of the wiring layer  16 . 
     Interlayer connection conductors  18  may be disposed inside the insulating layer  17  to interconnect the wiring layers  16  layered therein. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , insulating protective layers  19  may be respectively disposed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate  10 . The insulating protective layers  19  may respectively cover the uppermost and lowermost insulating layers  17  and the wiring layers  16  disposed on an upper surface of the uppermost insulating layer  17  and a lower surface of the lowermost insulating layer  17 , and may protect the wiring layers  16  disposed on the upper surface of the uppermost insulating layer  17  and the lower surface of the lowermost insulating layer  17 . 
     The insulating protective layers  19  may have openings exposing at least a portion of the uppermost and lowermost wiring layers  16 , respectively. The insulating protective layer  19  may include an insulating resin and an inorganic filler, and may not include a glass fiber. As an example, a solder resist may be used as the insulating protective layer  19 , but a material of the insulating protective layer  19  is not limited to a solder resist. 
     Various types of generally used substrates (e.g., a printed circuit board, a flexible substrate, a ceramic substrate, a glass substrate, and the like) may be used as the substrate  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a first surface, or upper surface, of the substrate  10 , may be divided into an element mounting portion  11   a , a ground region  11   b , and a feed region  11   c.    
     The element mounting portion  11   a  may be a region in which the electronic element  50  is mounted, and may be disposed within the ground region  11   b . The element mounting portion  11   a  may include connection pads  12   a  to which the electronic element  50  is electrically connected. 
     The ground region  11   b  may be a region in which a ground wiring layer  16   b  (see  FIG. 4 ) is disposed, and may surround the element mounting portion  11   a . Thus, the element mounting portion  11   a  may be disposed within the ground region  11   b.    
     One of the wiring layers  16  of the substrate  10  may be used as the ground wiring layer  16   b . Thus, the ground wiring layer  16   b  may be disposed on an upper surface of the insulating layer  17  or between two layered insulating layers  17 . 
     In the example embodiment, the element mounting portion  11   a  may have a quadrangular shape. Thus, the ground region  11   b  may surround the element mounting portion  11   a  in a form of quadrangular ring. In example embodiments, a shape of the element mounting portion  11   a  may vary. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ground region  11   b  may be disposed along a circumference of the element mounting portion  11   a . Accordingly, the connection pads  12   a  of the element mounting portion  11   a  may be electrically connected to an external entity or other elements by the interlayer connection conductor  18  penetrating the insulating layers  17  of the substrate  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , ground pads  12   b  may be disposed in the ground region  11   b . When the ground wiring layer  16   b  is disposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer  17 , the ground pads  12   b  may be formed by partially opening the insulating protective layer  19  covering the ground wiring layer  16   b . Thus, in this case, the ground pad  12   b  may become one portion of the ground wiring layer  16   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to the foregoing an example. When the ground wiring layer  16   b  is disposed between two insulting layers  17 , the ground pad  12   b  may be disposed on an upper surface of one of the two insulating layers  17 , and the ground pad  12   b  and the ground wiring layer  16   b  may be connected to each other through the interlayer connection conductor. 
     The ground pads  12   b  may be configured to form a pair with a feed pad  12   c . Thus, the ground pads  12   b  may be disposed adjacent to the feed pads  12   c.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the feed region  11   c  may be disposed externally of the ground region  11   b . In the example embodiment, the feed region  11   c  may be formed externally of two sides formed by the ground region  11   b . Thus, the feed region  11   c  may be disposed along edges of the substrate, at least partially around a perimeter of the ground region  11   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to the foregoing configuration. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of the feed pads  12   c  may be disposed in the feed region  11   c . The feed pads  12   c  may be disposed on an upper surface of the insulating layer  17 , and may be bonded to a radiating portion  130   a  of the chip antenna  100  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the feed pad  12   c  may be electrically connected to the electronic element  50  or other elements via a feed via  18   a  penetrating one or more of the insulating layers  17  of the substrate  10 , and a feed wiring layer  16   a . The feed pad  12   c  may be provided with a feed signal through the feed via  18   a  and the feed wiring layer  16   a.    
     The element mounting portion  11   a , the ground region  11   b , and the feed region  11   c  may be distinguished from one another by a shape or a position of the ground wiring layer  16   b  disposed on an upper portion of the substrate  10 . Also, the connection pad  12   a , the ground pad  12   b , and the feed pad  12   c  may be externally exposed in pad form through an opening from which the insulating protective layer  19  is removed. 
     The feed pad  12   c  may have a length or an area the same as or similar to a length or an area of a lower surface of the radiating portion  130   a . In example embodiments, a length or an area of the feed pad  12   c  may be one half or less of a length or an area of a lower surface of the radiating portion  130   a . In this case, the feed pad  12   c  may only be bonded to a portion of the lower surface of the radiating portion  130   a , rather than being bonded to an overall lower surface of the radiating portion  130   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a patch antenna  90  may be disposed on a second surface, or lower surface, of the substrate  10 . The patch antenna  90  may be formed by the wiring layers  16  provided on the substrate  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the patch antenna  90  may include a feed portion  91  including a driven patch  92  and a coupling patch  94 , and a ground portion  95 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in the patch antenna  90 , a plurality of the feed portions  91  may be distributed on the second surface of the substrate  10 . In the example embodiment, four feed portions  91  may be provided, but the disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. 
     The driven patch  92  may be formed of a planar, plate shaped metal layer having a specified area, and may be configured as a single conductor plate. The driven patch  92  may have a polygonal structure, and in the example embodiment, the driven patch  92  may have a quadrangular shape. However, the disclosure is not limited to this example, and the driven patch  92  may have a circular shape, or another shape. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the driven patch  92  may be connected to the electronic element  50  by the interlayer connection conductor  18 . The interlayer connection conductor  18  may penetrate through a second ground wiring layer  97   b  and may be connected to the electronic element  50 . 
     The coupling patch  94  may be spaced apart from the driven patch  92  by a specified distance, and may be a single planar conductor plate having a specified area. The coupling patch  94  may have an area the same as or similar to an area of the driven patch  92 . As an example, an area of the coupling patch  94  may be larger than an area of the driven patch  92  such that the coupling patch  94  may face an entire area of the driven patch  92 . 
     The coupling patch  94  may be disposed externally of the driven patch  92 . Thus, the coupling patch  94  may be disposed on the wiring layer  16  disposed in a lowermost portion of the substrate  10  (e.g., the wiring layer  16  disposed on the lower surface of the lowermost insulating layer  17 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the ground portion  95  may surround the feed portion  91 . To this end, the ground portion  95  may include a first ground wiring layer  97   a , a second ground wiring layer  97   b , and a ground via  18   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , first ground wiring layer  97   a  may be disposed on the same layer on which the coupling patch  94  is disposed, and may be disposed around the coupling patch  94  and may surround the coupling patch  94 . The first ground wiring layer  97   a  may be spaced apart from the coupling patch  94  by a specified distance. 
     The second ground wiring layer  97   b  may be disposed on another wiring layer  16 , different from the wiring layer on which the first ground wiring layer  97   a  is disposed. As an example, the second ground wiring layer  97   b  may be disposed between the driven patch  92  and the first surface of the substrate  10 . In this case, the driven patch  92  may be disposed between the coupling patch  94  and the second ground wiring layer  97   b.    
     The second ground wiring layer  97   b  may be disposed in an overall area (e.g., substantially an entire area) of the respective wiring layer  16 , and only a portion in which the interlayer connection conductor  18  connected to the driven patch  92  is disposed may be removed. 
     The ground via  18   b  may be an interlayer connection conductor electrically connecting the first ground wiring layer  97   a  and the second ground wiring layer  97   b  to each other, and a plurality of ground vias  18   b  may be disposed to surround the driven patch  92  and the coupling patch  94 . The ground vias  18   b  may be disposed in one column, but the disclosure is not limited to this example. If desired, the ground vias  18   b  may be disposed in multiple columns. Accordingly, the feed portion  91  may be disposed in a ground portion  95  having a form of a container, which is formed by the first ground wiring layer  97   a , the second ground wiring layer  97   b , and the ground via  18   b.    
     Thus, the feed portion  91  of the patch antenna  90  may radiate a wireless signal in a thickness direction (towards a lower portion, for example) of the substrate  10 . 
     The first ground wiring layer  97   a  and the second ground wiring layer  97   b  may not be disposed in a region opposing the feed region ( 11   c  in  FIG. 2 ) defined on the first surface of the substrate  10 . The configuration described above may reduce interference between a wireless signal radiated from the chip antenna  100  and the ground portion  95 , but the disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. 
     The patch antenna  90  may be configured to include a single driven patch  92  and a single coupling patch  94 , but the disclosure is not limited to this example. In example embodiments, the patch antenna  90  may only include the driven patch  92 , or may include a plurality of the driven patches  92  and a plurality of the coupling patches  94 . 
     The electronic element  50  may be mounted on the element mounting portion  11   a  of the substrate  10 . The electronic element  50  may be bonded to the connection pad  12   a  of the element mounting portion  11   a  using a conductive adhesive as a medium. 
     A single electronic element  50  may be mounted on the element mounting portion  11   a , but the disclosure is not limited to this example. If desired, a plurality of electronic elements  50  may be mounted. 
     The electronic element  50  may include at least one active element. For example, the electronic element  50  may include a signal processing element which applies a feed signal to the radiating portion  130   a  of the antenna. If desired, the electronic element  50  may also include a passive device. 
     The chip antenna  100  may be used in wireless communications performed in Ghz frequency bands. The chip antenna  100  may be mounted on the substrate  10 , may receive feed signals from the electronic element  50 , and may externally radiate the feed signals. 
     The chip antenna  100  may have a hexahedral shape. Both ends of the chip antenna  100  may be bonded to the feed pad  12   c  and the ground pad  12   b  of the substrate  10 , respectively, using a conductive adhesive such as a solder, and the chip antenna  100  may be mounted on the substrate  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective diagram illustrating the chip antenna  100 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional diagram taken along line II-II′ in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the chip antenna  100  may include a body portion  120 , a radiating portion  130   a , and a ground portion  130   b.    
     The body portion  120  may have a hexahedral shape, and may be formed of a dielectric substance. As an example, the body portion  120  may be formed of a polymer or a ceramic sintered substance having a dielectric constant. The body portion  120  may be formed of a material having a dielectric constant of 3.5 to 25. The body portion  120  may be formed of a material having a dielectric constant significantly higher than a dielectric constant of air to reduce a length of the chip antenna. 
     The radiating portion  130   a  may be coupled to a first surface of the body portion  120 . The ground portion  130   b  may be coupled to a second surface of the body portion  120 . The first surface and the second surface may refer to two surfaces of the body portion  120  facing opposite directions, with the body portion  120  being configured as a hexahedron. 
     In the example embodiment, a width W 1  of the body portion  120  may be defined as a distance between the first surface and the second surface. Thus, a direction from the first surface of the body portion  120  to the second surface (or a direction from the second surface of the body portion  120  to the first surface) may be defined as a width direction of the body portion  120  or the chip antenna  100 . 
     Widths W 2  and W 3  of the radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may be defined as a distance taken in a width direction of the chip antenna. Thus, the width W 2  of the radiating portion  130   a  may refer to a minimum distance from a surface of the radiating portion  130   a  bonded to the first surface of the body portion  120  to a surface opposite to the bonded surface, and the width W 3  of the ground portion  130   b  may refer to a minimum distance from a surface of the ground portion  130   b  bonded to the second surface of the body portion  120  to an surface opposite to the bonded surface. 
     The radiating portion  130   a  may be in contact with only one surface among six surfaces of the body portion  120 , and may be coupled to the body portion  120 . Similarly, the ground portion  130   b  may also be in contact with only one surface among six surfaces of the body portion  120 , and may be coupled to the body portion  120 . The radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may not be disposed on the other surfaces except the first surface and the second surface, and may be disposed parallel to each other with the body portion  120  therebetween. 
     The radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may be formed of the same material, and may have the same shape and the same structure. In this case, the radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may be distinguished from each other by a type of pad to which the radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  are bonded when being mounted on the substrate  10 . 
     As an example, a portion bonded to a feed pad  12   c  of the substrate  10  may function as the radiating portion  130   a , and a portion bonded to a ground pad  12   b  of the substrate  10  may function as the ground portion  130   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to this example. 
     The radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may include a conductor  131 . The conductor  131  may be directly bonded to the body portion  120 , and may be formed as a block. A thickness and a length of the conductor  131  may be the same as thickness T 1  and length L 1  of the body portion  120 . 
     The conductor  131  may be formed on one surface of the body portion  120  through a printing process or a plating process, and may be formed of one of elements selected from among Ag, Au, Cu, Al, Pt, Ti, Mo, Ni, and W, or alloys thereof. The conductor  131  may also be formed of a conductive paste made of a metal containing organic materials such as a polymer, glass, and the like, or a conductive epoxy. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the thickness T 1  of the radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may be configured to be the same as the thickness T 1  of the body portion  120 , and the length L 1  of the radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may be the same as the length L 1  of the body portion  120 . 
     Since the radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b  are in contact with only one surface of the body portion  120 , a resonance frequency may easily be tuned out, and an antenna radiation efficiency may be increased by adjusting a volume of the antenna. As an example, a resonance frequency of the chip antenna  100  may easily be adjusted by changing the length L 1  of the body portion  120  and the length L 1  of the radiating portion  130   a  and the ground portion  130   b . However, when a resonance frequency is adjusted by adjusting a volume of the chip antenna  100 , a spaced distance between adjacent chip antennas  100  may also need to be adjusted in accordance with the changed volume of the chip antenna  100 , and thus, the method of tuning a resonance frequency by adjusting a volume of the chip antenna  100  may have several limitations in terms of design. 
     The radiating portion  130   a  may include a conductor and a dielectric substance to easily adjust a resonance frequency of the chip antenna  100 , which may expand a bandwidth and may improve a gain. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are perspective diagrams illustrating chip antennas  200  and  300 , respectively, according to embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in the description below, it is assumed that, in the chip antenna  200 , a radiating portion  230   a  and the ground portion  130   b  may be bonded to the body portion  120  in a width direction (first direction), and the chip antenna  200  may be mounted on the substrate  10  in a thickness direction (second direction) such that the body portion  120 , the radiating portion  230   a , and the ground portion  130   b  may oppose the substrate  10 , for ease of description. A direction perpendicular to the width direction (first direction) and the thickness direction (second direction) may be defined as a length direction (third direction) of the chip antenna  200 . 
     The radiating portion  230   a  in the example embodiment may include a conductor  231  and a dielectric substance  232 . 
     The conductor  231  and the dielectric substance  232  each may have a length and a width the same as length L 1  and width W 2  of the radiating portion  230   a . The conductor  231  and the dielectric substance  232  may be disposed in different regions of the radiating portion  230   a  in the thickness direction (second direction). 
     As an example, a plurality of the conductors  231  may be provided, and the plurality of conductors  231  may be spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction (second direction). The dielectric substance  232  may be disposed between the conductors  231 . The dielectric substance  232  may be interposed between the conductors  231 . Thus, one surface and another surface of the dielectric substance  232  taken in the thickness direction may be bonded to the conductors  231 , and the conductors  231  may be disposed on both ends of the radiating portion  230   a  in the thickness direction. 
     Since the conductors  231  and the dielectric substance  232  each have a length and a width that are the same as the length L 1  and the width W 2 , respectively, of the radiating portion  230   a , one surface and another surface of each of the conductors  231  and the dielectric substance  232  taken in the length direction may be externally exposed. One surface of each of the conductors  231  and the dielectric substance  132  taken in the width direction may be externally exposed, and the other surface of each of the conductors  231  and the dielectric substance  232  may be bonded to the body portion  120 . As an example, the dielectric substance  232  may be the same as a material of the body portion  120 . 
     The conductor  231  and the dielectric substance  232  may have different thicknesses. As an example, a thickness of the conductor  231  may be configured to be greater than a thickness of the dielectric substance  232 . In the example embodiment, the conductor  231  may be configured to have a thickness greater than a thickness of the dielectric substance  232  such that radiating properties of the chip antenna  200  may be improved. However, in example embodiments, the conductor  231  and the dielectric substance  232  may have the same thickness. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the radiating portion  230   a  of the chip antenna  200  may include two conductors  231  and a single dielectric substance  232  disposed between the two conductors  231 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a radiating portion  330   a  of a chip antenna  300  may include three conductors  331  and two dielectric substances  332  disposed among the three conductors  331 . Also, in other example embodiments, the radiating portion  330   a  of the chip antenna  300  may include four or more conductors  331  and three or more dielectric substances  332 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate examples in which thicknesses of the conductors  231 / 331  may be the same, but in other example embodiments, thicknesses of the conductors  231 / 331  may be different from one another. Similarly,  FIG. 8  illustrates the example in which thicknesses of the dielectric substances  332  are the same, but in other example embodiments, thicknesses of the dielectric substances  332  may be different from each other. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective diagrams illustrating chip antennas  400  and  500 , respectively, according to embodiments. 
     The chip antennas  400  and  500  illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  are similar to the chip antennas  200  and  300  illustrated in the examples in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and overlapping descriptions will therefore not be provided, and only differences will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a radiating portion  430   a  in the chip antenna  400  may include a conductor  431  and a dielectric substance  432 . 
     The conductor  431  and the dielectric substance  432  each may have a length and a width the same as thickness T 1  and width W 2  of the radiating portion  430   a . The conductor  431  and the dielectric substance  432  may be disposed in different regions of the radiating portion  430   a  in a length direction (third direction). 
     As an example, a plurality of the conductors  431  may be provided, and the plurality of conductors  431  may be spaced apart from each other in the length direction (third direction), and the dielectric substance  432  may be disposed between the conductors  431 . The dielectric substance  432  may be interposed between the conductors  431 . Thus, an upper surface and a lower surface of the dielectric substance  432  taken in the length direction (third direction) may be bonded to the conductors  431 , and the conductors  431  may be disposed on both ends of the radiating portion  430   a  in the length direction. 
     Since the conductors  431  and the dielectric substance  432  each have a thickness and a width that are the same as the thickness T 1  and the width W 2 , respectively, of the radiating portion  430   a , one surface and another surface of each of the conductors  431  and the dielectric substance  432  taken in the thickness direction may be externally exposed. One surface of each of the conductors  431  and the dielectric substance  432  taken in the width direction may be externally exposed, and the other surface of each of the conductors  431  and the dielectric substance  432  may be bonded to the body portion  120 . As an example, the dielectric substance  432  may be the same as a material of the body portion  120 . 
     The conductor  431  and the dielectric substance  432  may have different lengths. As an example, a length of the conductor  431  may be longer than a length of the dielectric substance  432 . The conductor  431  may be configured to have a length longer than a length of the dielectric substance  432  such that radiating properties of the chip antenna  400  may improve. However, in other example embodiments, the conductor  431  and the dielectric substance  432  may have the same length. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the radiating portion  430   a  of the chip antenna  400  may include two conductors  431  and a single dielectric substance  432  disposed between the two conductors  431 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a radiating portion  530   a  of the chip antenna  500  may include three conductors  531  and two dielectric substances  532  disposed among the three conductors  531 . Also, in other example embodiments, the radiating portion  530   a  of the chip antenna  500  may include four or more conductors  531  and three or more dielectric substances  532 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate examples in which lengths of the conductors  431 / 531  may be the same, but in other example embodiments, lengths of the conductors  431 / 531  may be configured to be different from one another. Similarly,  FIG. 10  illustrates the example in which lengths of the dielectric substances  532  may be the same, but in other example embodiments, lengths of the dielectric substances  532  may be different from each other. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal device  1000  on which antenna modules  1  are mounted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the antenna module  1  may be disposed on the corners of a portable terminal device  1000 . The antenna module  1  may be disposed such that a chip antenna  100  is adjacent to the corners of the portable terminal device  1000 . 
     The antenna modules  1  may be disposed on the four corners of the portable terminal device  1000 , but the disclosure is not limited to this configuration. When an internal space of the portable terminal device  1000  is insufficient, only two antenna modules  1  may be disposed in a diagonal direction of the portable terminal device  1000 . Thus, an arrangement of the antenna modules  1  may vary if desired. Also, the antenna module  1  may be coupled to the portable terminal device  1000  such that the feed region  11   c  is be adjacent to edges of the portable terminal device  1000 . Accordingly, electromagnetic waves radiated via the chip antenna  100  may be radiated in a surface direction of the portable terminal device  1000 , towards the outside of the portable terminal device  1000 . Electromagnetic waves radiated via the patch antenna  90  of the antenna module  1  may be radiated in a thickness direction of the portable terminal device  1000 . 
     According to the aforementioned example embodiments, by using a chip antenna, rather than a dipole antenna disposed in the form of wiring lines, a size of an antenna module may decrease, and transmission/reception efficiency may improve. 
     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.