Patent Description:
Therefore, the <NUM> or pre-<NUM> communication system is also called a 'beyond <NUM> Network' communication system or a 'post LTE System'. The <NUM> communication system is considered to be implemented in ultrahigh frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., <NUM> bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates. To mitigate a path loss of the radio waves and increase the transmission distance on the radio waves in the ultrahigh frequency, the beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, an analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques are discussed in <NUM> communication systems. In addition, in <NUM> communication systems, development for system network improvement is under way based on evolved small cell, advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (cloud RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellation and the like. In addition, in the <NUM> system, hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation (ACM) systems, and filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology have been developed.

On the other hand, the Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of everything (IoE), which is a combination of the loT technology and the Big Data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has emerged. As technology elements, such as "sensing technology", "wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure", "service interface technology", and "security technology" have been demanded for loT implementation, a sensor network, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and so forth have been recently researched. Such an loT environment may provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value to human life by collecting and analyzing data generated among connected things.

In line with this, various attempts have been made to apply <NUM> communication systems to loT networks. For example, technologies such as a sensor network, machine Type communication (MTC), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication may be implemented by beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas, which correspond to the <NUM> communication technology. Application of a cloud radio access network (cloud RAN) as the above-described big data processing technology may also be considered to be as an example of convergence between the <NUM> technology and the loT technology.

Further, with the universality of communication schemes, such as near field communication, Bluetooth, and so on, an electronic device, for example, a mobile communication terminal, may be provided with an antenna corresponding to various different frequency bands and communication schemes for wireless communication in the respective frequency bands, and in accordance with this, an external device that communicates with such an electronic device may also be provided with an antenna. In this case, however, there may be limitations in space where the antenna is deployed depending on the size of the external device in which the antenna is installed. <CIT> relates to a mobile device comprising an antenna array. <CIT> discloses antennas that can transceive signals in horizontally-polarized omnidirectional manners. <CIT> relates to omnidirectional MIMO antennas with polarization diversity. <CIT> relates to a radiating or receiving element for orthogonally polarized high-frequency signals. <CIT> relates to aircraft and space vehicle, flushmounted, microwave band antennas.

As a space where an antenna is deployed in an electronic device or a space where an antenna is deployed in a separate external device is gradually reduced, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to secure ground regions used for the antenna to perform transmission or reception. If sufficient ground regions are not secured, current leak may occur as the antenna radiates radio waves, and this may cause the antenna efficiency to be decreased.

Further, in order to deploy an antenna radiating radio waves of a high-frequency range while using the space in which the existing antenna radiating radio waves of a low-frequency range is deployed as it is, it is necessary to secure wider ground regions than the ground regions used by the antenna radiating the radio waves of the low-frequency range. However, due to the spatial limitations, it is difficult to secure such wider ground regions.

Further, in order to use a slot antenna, it is necessary to secure a sufficient propagation distance of the radio waves, but due to the spatial limitations, it is difficult to use such a slot antenna.

The disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and aspects of the disclosure provide an antenna device capable of securing a ground region.

According to the antenna device in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure, since respective ground regions corresponding to radiation parts (metal patterns or slot) that output various radio waves are shared, wide ground regions can be secured as compared with narrow mount regions of the antenna.

According to the antenna device in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure, since wide ground regions can be secured as compared with narrow mount regions of the antenna, leak current can be reduced, and thus antenna efficiency can be further increased.

According to the antenna device in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure, since wide ground regions can be secured, it is possible to deploy an antenna radiating radio waves of a high-frequency range in the space in which the existing antenna radiating radio waves of a low-frequency range.

According to the antenna device in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure, since metal patterns radiating radio waves in a slot antenna are deployed on a surface that is different from the surface on which the slot is formed, it is possible to use the slot antenna in a narrow mount space.

According to the antenna device in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure, it is possible to radiate both vertical polarized waves and horizontal polarized waves.

According to the antenna device in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure, since circular polarized waves can be generated using the vertical polarized waves and the horizontal polarized waves, the antenna efficiency can be heightened.

The expressions such as "include" and "may include" which may be used in the present disclosure denote the presence of the disclosed functions, operations, and constituent elements and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, and constituent elements. In the present disclosure, the terms such as "include" and/or "have" may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, component or a combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the expression "and/or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed words. For example, the expression "A and/or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B. In the present disclosure, expressions including ordinal numbers, such as "first" and "second," etc., may modify various elements. However, such elements are not limited by the above expressions. For example, the above expressions do not limit the sequence and/or importance of the elements. The above expressions are used merely for the purpose to distinguish an element from the other elements. For example, a first user device and a second user device indicate different user devices although both of them are user devices. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be also termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the case where a component is referred to as being "connected" or "accessed" to other component, it should be understood that not only the component is directly connected or accessed to the other component, but also there may exist another component between them. Meanwhile, in the case where a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly accessed" to other component, it should be understood that there is no component therebetween. The terms used in the present disclosure are only used to describe specific various embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

An electronic device according to the present disclosure may be a device including a communication function. For example, the device corresponds to a combination of at least one of a smartphone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone , an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), adigital audio player, a mobile medical device, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic accessory, a camera, a wearable device, an electronic clock, a wrist watch, home appliances (for example, an air-conditioner, vacuum, an oven, a microwave, a washing machine, an air cleaner, and the like), an artificial intelligence robot, a Television (TV), a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player, an audio device,.

An electronic device according to the present disclosure may be a device including various medical devices (for example, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), a scanning machine, a ultrasonic wave device, or the like), a navigation device, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), a set-top box, a TV box (for example, Samsung HomeSyncTM, Apple TVTM, or Google TVTM), an electronic dictionary, vehicle infotainment device, an electronic equipment for a ship (for example, navigation equipment for a ship, gyrocompass, or the like), avionics, a security device, electronic clothes, an electronic key, a camcorder, game consoles, a Head-Mounted Display (HMD), a flat panel display device, an electronic frame, an electronic album, furniture or a portion of a building/structure that includes a communication function, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, and the like. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the electronic device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an antenna device <NUM> according to the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna device <NUM> includes a first metal pattern <NUM>, a second metal pattern <NUM>, a slot <NUM>, a first ground pattern <NUM>, a first connection pattern <NUM>, a second connection pattern <NUM>, and a second ground pattern <NUM>. For convenience in explanation, it is assumed that the antenna illustrated in <FIG> is deployed on a plane that is parallel to a ground surface.

The first ground region is a region including ground having a voltage of 0V, and may mean the first ground region used for the first metal pattern <NUM> to radiate. The first ground region may include the first ground pattern <NUM>, the first connection pattern <NUM>, and the second ground pattern <NUM>.

The first metal pattern <NUM> may mean a pattern radiating specific radio waves. The first metal pattern <NUM> may radiate specific radio waves in a specific direction using a power supplied from a first feeding part <NUM> connected to the first metal pattern <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first feeding part <NUM> formed on a surface on which the first ground pattern <NUM> is formed, and may form horizontal polarized waves.

The horizontal polarized waves mean radio waves in which the direction of an electric field is in parallel to the ground surface. In <FIG>, the horizontal polarized waves may mean radio waves having an electric field having a direction parallel to the first ground pattern <NUM> deployed horizontally to the ground surface. Since the first metal pattern <NUM> is electrically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM>, the direction of the electric field of the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> may be in parallel to the surface that is parallel to the first ground pattern <NUM> (e.g., ground surface).

In <FIG>, the first metal pattern <NUM> is illustrated as a bar type pattern, but the shape of the first metal pattern <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be implemented in a curved pattern.

In order to adjust the shape of the radiation pattern of the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be formed in a position spaced apart for a predetermined distance from the center of a substrate <NUM> of the first ground pattern <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be formed in the position that is spaced apart for the predetermined distance from the center of the substrate <NUM> in the radiation direction of the radio waves. In an embodiment of the disclosure, in order to make the direction of the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern coincide with the direction of the radio waves radiated from the slot <NUM>, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed at an edge portion existing in a predetermined distance from a corner created as the first connection pattern <NUM> and the first ground pattern <NUM> come in contact with each other among edge portions of the first ground pattern.

The first ground pattern <NUM> is electrically connected to the second ground pattern <NUM> by the first connection pattern <NUM> and the second connection pattern <NUM>. The second ground pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to a third ground pattern <NUM>, and the third ground pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second connection pattern <NUM>. Accordingly, the first ground region that can be used by the first metal pattern <NUM> may include the first ground pattern <NUM>, the first connection pattern <NUM>, the second connection pattern <NUM>, the second ground pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, and a fourth ground pattern <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, in order to output an electric field (corresponding to radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM>) having polarized waves in a direction that is parallel to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>, a sufficiently long ground should be secured. However, in case where the antenna is deployed inside a car door handle, it may have the drawback that the first ground pattern <NUM> that is a ground in an antenna structure using the first metal pattern <NUM> has insufficient length. To solve this, the antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> connecting the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other.

As described above, the first ground region including the first metal pattern <NUM>, the first ground pattern <NUM>, the second ground pattern <NUM>, the first connection pattern <NUM>, and the second connection pattern <NUM> may operate as one pole antenna outputting horizontal polarized waves.

The second metal pattern <NUM> is deployed in a position that is spaced apart for a predetermined distance from the first metal pattern <NUM> in a vertical direction, and is electrically connected to a second feeding point <NUM> formed on a surface that is parallel to a surface on which the second ground pattern <NUM> is formed in parallel to the first ground pattern <NUM>. The second metal pattern <NUM> may be formed on a second surface facing a first surface of the substrate <NUM> on which the first metal pattern is formed.

The second metal pattern <NUM> forms vertical polarized waves using a power transferred to a second feeding part <NUM>. The vertical polarized waves mean radio waves having an electric field polarized in a direction that is vertical to the ground surface. In <FIG>, the vertical polarized waves may mean radio waves having an electric field polarized in a direction that is vertical to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM> that are in parallel to the ground surface. The electric field of the radio waves radiated from the second metal pattern <NUM> may be generated in a direction directed toward the second ground pattern <NUM>, and thus the radio waves formed by the second ground pattern <NUM> may mean the vertical polarized waves having the electric field in the direction that is vertical to the surface (e.g., ground surface) that is parallel to the second ground pattern <NUM>.

The slot <NUM> is deployed vertically to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>.

The slot <NUM> is formed by the second ground pattern <NUM>, the second connection pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, and a fourth ground pattern <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second connection pattern <NUM> may be physically connected to the fourth ground pattern <NUM>, and the fourth ground pattern <NUM> may be connected to the second connection pattern <NUM> and the third ground pattern <NUM>, and the third ground pattern <NUM> may be connected to the fourth ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may mean a space created as the second ground pattern <NUM>, the second connection pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, and the fourth ground pattern <NUM> are connected to one another.

The vertical polarized waves formed by the second metal pattern <NUM> may be radiated through the slot <NUM>. In particular, the radio waves radiated from the second metal pattern <NUM> may be radiated in a direction opposite to a second direction <NUM> via the slot <NUM>. The electric field corresponding to the radio waves radiated through the slot <NUM> may be polarized waves in a vertical direction to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the third ground pattern <NUM> may be physically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second connection pattern <NUM>. Accordingly, the third ground pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second connection pattern <NUM> and the first ground pattern <NUM>.

As described above, the second ground region including the slot <NUM>, the second connection pattern <NUM>, the second ground pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, and the fourth ground pattern <NUM> may operate as one pole antenna outputting the vertical polarized waves.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the direction of the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> may coincide with or may be similar to the direction of the radio waves radiated from the slot <NUM>. For example, the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> may be output in a first direction <NUM>, and even the radio waves radiated from the slot <NUM> may be output in the first direction <NUM>.

The electric field corresponding to the radio waves radiated from the second metal pattern <NUM> and the electric field corresponding to the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> may be vertical to each other. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electric field corresponding to the radio waves radiated through the slot <NUM> may be polarized waves in a vertical direction to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>, and the electric field corresponding to the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> may be polarized waves in a parallel direction to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>.

The second ground region <NUM> may mean the ground region in the antenna structure using the slot <NUM>. The second ground region may mean the region including the ground having the voltage of 0V. The second ground region may include the second connection pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, the fourth ground pattern <NUM>, and the second ground pattern <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, in order to output an electric field (corresponding to radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM>) having the polarized waves in the parallel direction to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM> among radio waves in <NUM> band, the ground having a sufficient length should be secured. However, the first ground pattern <NUM> that is the ground in the antenna structure using the first metal pattern <NUM> may have insufficient length. To solve this, the antenna according to an embodiment may include the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> connecting the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other.

The second connection pattern <NUM> may be used as a ground when the slot <NUM> radiates radio waves, and the second connection pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the fourth ground pattern <NUM>. Accordingly, due to the second connection pattern <NUM>, the first ground pattern <NUM> and the fourth ground pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other.

The third ground pattern <NUM> may be physically connected to the fourth ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>.

The fourth ground pattern <NUM> may be physically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM>, or may not be physically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM>, but may be electrically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM> by the second connection pattern <NUM>.

The first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> may be physically connected to the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern, and may also be electrically connected to them. Accordingly, due to the existence of the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM>, the length of the ground can be secured, and the efficiency of the output of the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> can be increased. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first connection pattern <NUM> may be vertically deployed to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>. In this case, the electric field of the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> may be polarized waves in parallel to the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM>, and the electric field of the radio waves radiated through the slot <NUM> may be polarized waves in a vertical direction to the connection pattern <NUM>. Through this, the antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure may generate the vertical pattern and the horizontal pattern corresponding to two vertical polarized waves.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> may be deployed in the form of a curve connecting the first ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM> to each other. As described above, due to the existence of the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM>, two vertical polarized waves can be generated.

The first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> may be differently deployed depending on the antenna deployment structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure. As described above, the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> may connect the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other, may secure the ground region in which the first ground region and the second ground region are added together, and may have the effect that the size of the ground region used for the first metal pattern <NUM> to radiate can be increased.

If the first metal pattern <NUM> radiates radio waves corresponding to <NUM> in an antenna structure in which the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> does not exist (see <FIG> and <FIG>), the first ground pattern <NUM> should secure the ground region of about <NUM>. However, if the first ground pattern <NUM> is equal to or shorter than <NUM>, a sufficient ground region may not be secured. Due to this, current leak may occur to lower the output of the radio waves. However, if the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM> is deployed, the second ground pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, the fourth ground pattern <NUM>, and the first ground pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to one another. The first connection pattern <NUM> and the second connection pattern <NUM> may serve to share the ground region used for the first metal pattern <NUM> and the slot <NUM> to radiate, and through this, the size of the ground region can be increased in effect. Accordingly, current leak can be reduced, and thus the strength of the radio waves radiated by the first metal pattern <NUM> can be increased in effect. Referring to <FIG>, it can be identified that the radio waves <NUM> radiated by the first metal pattern <NUM> are radiated in a vertical direction to the ground surface.

Referring to <FIG>, if the first metal pattern <NUM> is located at an edge of the first ground pattern <NUM>, the radio waves <NUM> may be radiated in an inclined direction to the ground surface as compared with the radiation direction of the radiated radio waves <NUM> in <FIG>.

As described above, explanation has been made on the assumption that the radio waves corresponding to <NUM> are radiated, but the frequency band of the radio waves radiated by the antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure is not limited thereto.

If the slot <NUM> connected to the second metal pattern <NUM> radiates the radio waves corresponding to <NUM> in the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second ground region including the second ground pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, the fourth ground pattern <NUM>, and the second connection pattern <NUM> should secure the ground region of <NUM>. However, if the second ground region is equal to or shorter than <NUM>, a sufficient ground region may not be secured. However, if the first connection pattern <NUM> is deployed, the second ground pattern <NUM> and the first ground pattern <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other. The connection pattern <NUM> may serve to share the ground region, and through this, the size of the ground region can be increased in effect. Accordingly, current leak can be reduced, and thus the strength of the radio waves radiated by the slot <NUM> can be increased in effect. Referring to <FIG>, it can be identified that the radio waves <NUM> and <NUM> radiated by the slot <NUM> are radiated in a parallel direction to the ground surface.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the antenna may further include the substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be made of a dielectric material, and the kind of the dielectric material may be differently configured depending on the frequency of the radio waves transmitted and received through the antenna. The deployment structure of the substrate <NUM> will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an antenna device as seen in a specific direction <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be connected to the first ground pattern <NUM>.

The second metal pattern <NUM> may be spaced apart from the first metal pattern <NUM>, and may be vertically deployed to the first metal pattern <NUM>. Further, the substrate <NUM> may be deployed in a space that is spaced apart from the second metal pattern <NUM> and the first metal pattern <NUM>.

That is, in the antenna structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed on the substrate <NUM>, and the second metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed below the substrate <NUM>.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed on an upper portion of the substrate <NUM> of the antenna, and the second metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed on a lower portion of the substrate <NUM>.

The second feeding part <NUM> connected to the second metal pattern <NUM> may be connected to the fourth ground pattern <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fourth ground pattern <NUM> may be physically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM>. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the fourth ground pattern <NUM> may be physically connected to the second connection pattern <NUM> other than the first ground pattern <NUM>, and may be electrically connected to the first ground pattern <NUM> by the second connection pattern <NUM>.

The propagation direction of the radio waves radiated from the first metal pattern <NUM> may be similar to the propagation direction of the radio waves radiated from the slot <NUM>. This will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the slot <NUM> may mean a surface formed as the second connection pattern <NUM>, the third ground pattern <NUM>, the fourth ground pattern <NUM>, and the second ground pattern <NUM> meet one another.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second connection pattern <NUM> may be deployed on the right side of the slot <NUM>, and the third ground pattern <NUM> may be deployed on the left side of the slot <NUM>. The fourth ground pattern <NUM> may be deployed on the upper portion of the slot <NUM>, and the second ground pattern <NUM> may be deployed on the lower portion of the slot <NUM>.

As described above, the electric field of the radio waves radiated through the slot <NUM> may correspond to polarized waves in a direction in which the fourth ground pattern <NUM> and the second ground pattern <NUM> are connected to each other.

The electric field corresponding to the radio waves radiated from the slot <NUM> may correspond to the polarized waves in the vertical direction to the substrate <NUM>. If the antenna is deployed so that the substrate becomes in parallel to the ground surface, the radio waves generated by the second metal pattern <NUM> and radiated from the slot <NUM> through the power supply from the second feeding part <NUM> may have the characteristics of the vertical polarized waves. As illustrated in <FIG>, it can be identified that the electric field propagates in the vertical direction to the ground surface.

In the antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the direction of the polarized waves radiated through the slot <NUM> and the direction of the polarized waves radiated by the first metal pattern <NUM> are vertical to each other. For example, if the antenna illustrated in <FIG> is deployed on the ground, the radio waves radiated by the first metal pattern <NUM> may be horizontal polarized waves, and the radio waves radiated through the slot <NUM> may be vertical polarized waves. That is, the antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure can generated both the horizontal polarized waves and the vertical polarized waves.

For this, an electronic device provided with the antenna as illustrated in <FIG> may be provided with a separate processor (not illustrated).

The processor may control plural hardware or software constituent elements connected to the processor by driving, for example, an operating system or an application program, and may perform various kinds of data processes and operations. The processor may be implemented by, for example, system on chip (SoC). In an embodiment, the processor may further include a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor. The processor may load a command or data received from at least one of other constituent elements (e.g., nonvolatile memories) in a volatile memory to process the loaded command or data, and may store the resultant data in a nonvolatile memory.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor may control the radio waves radiated from the antenna as controlling the power supplied to the first metal pattern <NUM> or the power supplied to the second metal pattern <NUM>.

Accordingly, the processor may generate circular polarized waves in which the horizontal polarized waves and the vertical polarized waves are combined with each other by controlling the power supplied to the first metal pattern <NUM> and the power supplied to the second metal pattern <NUM>.

The processor may generate the polarized waves as controlling the phases of the power supplied to the first metal pattern <NUM> and the power supplied to the second metal pattern <NUM>.

The processor may control the phases of the power supplied to the first metal pattern <NUM> and the power supplied to the second metal pattern <NUM> based on the rotation direction of the circular polarized waves. For example, if the rotation direction of the circular polarized waves is counterclockwise (RHCP) and clockwise (LHCP), the processor may differently control the phases of the power supplied to the first metal pattern <NUM> and the power supplied to the second metal pattern <NUM>.

The circular polarized waves may mean circular polarized waves or elliptical polarized waves.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an antenna device according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna device according to another embodiment of the disclosure includes a slot <NUM>, a feeding part <NUM>, and a metal pattern <NUM>.

The slot <NUM> may be formed by a second ground pattern <NUM>, a second connection pattern <NUM>, a third ground pattern <NUM>, and a fourth ground pattern <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may radiate radio waves (vertical polarized waves).

The feeding part <NUM> may supply a power to the metal pattern <NUM>, and may be formed on a surface that is different from a surface on which the slot <NUM> is formed. For example, if the slot <NUM> is deployed on x-y plane, the feeding part <NUM> may be deployed on another plane (e.g., y-z plane) that is not parallel to the slot <NUM>.

The metal pattern <NUM> is deployed to extend for a predetermined distance from the feeding part <NUM>, and generates the vertical polarized waves. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the metal pattern <NUM> is deployed to form a predetermined angle to the surface on which the slot is formed. For example, the metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed at right angles to the surface on which the slot <NUM> is formed. That is, the metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed vertically to the surface on which the slot <NUM> is formed.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the metal pattern <NUM> and the feeding part <NUM> may be deployed to form a predetermined angle that is not <NUM> degrees to the surface on which the slot <NUM> is formed. For example, the metal pattern <NUM> and the feeding part <NUM> may be deployed on the lower surface of the substrate <NUM> as forming <NUM> degrees to the surface on which the slot <NUM> is formed.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, in contrast with the existing antenna device, the feeding part <NUM> and the metal pattern <NUM> may be formed on another surface that is not in parallel to the surface on which the slot <NUM> is formed. Through this, even in a narrow space in which the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the vertical polarized waves can be effectively radiated.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an antenna device as illustrated in <FIG> as seen in a specific direction <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the fourth ground pattern <NUM> connected to the first ground pattern <NUM> that forms an upper end of the slot may be connected to a feeding part <NUM>. In particular, it can be identified that the feeding part <NUM> is deployed on another surface that is different from the surface on which the slot (not illustrated) is formed. Although <FIG> illustrates that the feeding part <NUM> and the metal pattern <NUM> are formed on the surface that is vertical to the surface on which the slot is formed, it is not always necessary that the feeding part <NUM> and the metal pattern <NUM> meet vertically to the surface on which the slot is formed. For example, the feeding part <NUM> and the metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed on a virtual surface that forms a specific angle to the surface (e.g., x-y plane) on which the slot is formed.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which an antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure radiates vertical polarized waves and horizontal polarized waves.

Referring to <FIG>, a radiation pattern <NUM> of the radio waves radiated by the antenna <NUM> and a flat plate <NUM> on the back side of the antenna are illustrated.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the first metal pattern <NUM> of the antenna <NUM> may form the horizontal polarized waves and the second metal pattern <NUM> may form the horizontal polarized waves.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, in order to make the propagation direction of the horizontal polarized waves formed by the first metal pattern <NUM> coincide with the propagation direction of the vertical polarized waves formed by the second metal pattern <NUM>, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed at an edge located far apart from the slot among edges of the first ground pattern <NUM>. Further, in order to make the direction of the radio waves radiated by the first metal pattern <NUM> and the second metal pattern <NUM> parallel to the ground surface, the antenna may be deployed in front of the flat plate <NUM>. The type and material of the flat plate <NUM> are not limited. In an embodiment, the flat plate <NUM> may mean a rectangular flat plate formed of a metal conductor, and may be deployed spaced apart for a predetermine distance from the antenna <NUM>. The horizontal polarized waves radiated by the first metal pattern <NUM> and the vertical polarized waves radiated by the slot <NUM> may be reflected by the flat plate <NUM>. Through this, the propagation direction of the horizontal polarized waves formed by the first metal pattern <NUM> may coincide with or may be similar to the propagation direction of the vertical polarized waves radiated from the slot <NUM>, and the polarized waves may be radiated in a vertical direction to the flat plate <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, it can be identified that the propagation direction of the horizontal polarized waves formed by the first metal pattern <NUM> is similar to the propagation direction of the of the vertical polarized waves formed by the second metal pattern <NUM>, and the radiation pattern <NUM> radiates the vertical polarized waves and the horizontal polarized waves in a parallel direction to the ground surface.

<FIG> are diagrams explaining examples of antenna application according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an automobile <NUM>, and door handles <NUM> and <NUM> are deployed on side doors of the automobile <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged diagram of the door handle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In general, the height of the door handle deployed on the automobile <NUM> is equal to or smaller than <NUM>, and the width may be equal to or smaller than <NUM>. Inside the door handles <NUM> and <NUM>, antennas for communication between an electronic device outside the automobile and the automobile may be deployed.

In order to perform communication with the automobile <NUM>, the electronic device outside the automobile may be provided with a communication module capable of receiving and transmitting frequencies for the communication with the automobile <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating that an antenna <NUM> having the same structure as that of the antenna illustrated in <FIG> is deployed inside the door handle <NUM>.

In accordance with the frequency band used for the communication between the automobile <NUM> and the external electronic device, the length of the ground region to be secured in the antenna may differ. For example, in case of performing communication between the automobile <NUM> and the electronic device using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the communication can be performed using a signal having the frequency band of <NUM>. If the frequency band is <NUM>, the ground region of <NUM> may be necessary in radiating the horizontal polarized waves through the antenna.

In case of the first ground pattern <NUM> corresponding to the first metal pattern <NUM> that radiates the radio waves having the horizontal polarized waves in parallel to the ground surface, it is not possible to secure the ground region of <NUM> in consideration of the height of the door handle (about <NUM>).

In case of the second ground pattern <NUM> corresponding to the slot <NUM> that radiates the radio waves having the vertical polarized waves vertical to the ground surface, it is possible to secure the ground region of <NUM> in consideration of the width of the door handle (about <NUM> to <NUM>).

In the antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the connection pattern <NUM> may electrically connect the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other. Due to the first connection pattern <NUM> or the second connection pattern <NUM>, the ground region corresponding to the first metal pattern <NUM> radiating the radio waves having the horizontal polarized waves in parallel to the ground surface may include both the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern. Accordingly, the first metal pattern <NUM> can secure the ground region having a sufficient length.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an antenna <NUM> deployed inside a door handle <NUM> and an automobile <NUM>.

If the distance between an antenna and a conductor corresponds to <NUM>/<NUM> of the wavelength of radio waves transmitted or received through the antenna, the radio waves radiated by the antenna and the radio waves reflected from the conductor have the same phase, and the strength of the output radio waves may be increased (analysis according to an image theory). Since the exterior of the automobile <NUM> is made of a metal, it may correspond to a conductor. It can be identified that the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the automobile <NUM> is about <NUM> to <NUM>. If the band in which the automobile <NUM> and the external electronic device communicate with each other is <NUM>, the wavelength of the radio waves corresponds to <NUM>, and the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the automobile <NUM> corresponds to <NUM> that is <NUM>/<NUM> of the wavelength (<NUM>) of the radio waves, resulting in the increase of a gain.

Although it is assumed that the frequency for performing communication between the automobile <NUM> and the electronic device is <NUM> in <FIG>, the antenna according to the disclosure can also be used to perform communication using different frequency bands.

Using the antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the automobile <NUM> and the electronic device can perform communication with each other. For example, the electronic device may transmit a signal for controlling opening/closing of the door of the automobile <NUM>. The automobile <NUM> may receive the signal using the antenna <NUM>, and may control opening or closing of the door that is an operation corresponding to the received signal. As another example, the electronic device may start ignition of the automobile <NUM> or may make the automobile <NUM> in a standby state. The automobile <NUM> may receive the signal using the antenna <NUM>, and may perform operations, such as ignition start and standby state of the automobile <NUM>, corresponding to the received signal.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams explaining radiation of radio waves through an antenna illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates radiation of radio waves radiated by a slot <NUM> in a dielectric material (e.g., air), and <FIG> illustrates radiation of radio waves radiated by a first metal pattern <NUM> in a dielectric material (e.g., air).

As described above, the slot <NUM> may radiate the radio waves having the polarized waves in a vertical direction to the ground surface, and the first metal pattern may radiate the radio waves having the polarized waves in a horizontal direction to the ground surface.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, in order to make the propagation direction of the radio waves having the polarized waves in the vertical direction to the ground surface coincide with the propagation direction of the radio waves having the polarized waves in the horizontal direction to the ground surface, the first metal pattern <NUM> may be deployed at an edge of a first surface. Accordingly, it can be identified that the propagation direction of the radio waves having the polarized waves in the vertical direction to the ground surface as illustrated in <FIG> is almost similar to the propagation direction of the radio waves having the polarized waves in the horizontal direction to the ground as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram explaining an example of antenna application according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna may be deployed inside a handle of a hinged door, and communication may be performed between an electronic device and a controller deployed on the hinged door. For example, the electronic device may transmit a signal for requesting opening or closing of the hinged door. The controller of the hinged door may receive the signal using the antenna according to various embodiments of the disclosure, and may control to perform the operation of the hinged door.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an antenna device may include a slot formed by a first ground pattern, a second ground pattern, a third ground pattern, and a fourth ground pattern; a feeding part formed on a surface different from a surface on which the slot is formed; and a metal pattern deployed to extend for a predetermined distance from the feeding part and configured to form vertical polarized waves, wherein the metal pattern is deployed at a predetermined angle to the surface on which the slot is formed.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an antenna device may include a first metal pattern electrically connected to a first ground pattern and configured to radiate horizontal polarized waves; a second metal pattern deployed in a position spaced apart for a predetermined distance from the first metal pattern, and electrically connected to a second ground pattern formed in parallel to the first ground pattern, and configured to generate vertical polarized waves; a connection pattern configured to connect the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other; and a slot deployed vertically to the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern, wherein the first metal pattern and the second metal pattern are formed vertically to each other in a direction of a plane that is parallel to the second ground pattern.

The antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may further include a substrate, and the first metal pattern may be formed on a first surface of the substrate, and the second metal pattern may be formed on a second surface facing the first surface of the substrate.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the connection pattern may include a first connection pattern configured to connect the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other and deployed in a direction facing the slot; and a second connection pattern configured to connect the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other and to form one surface of the slot.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the slot may be formed by the second connection pattern, the second ground pattern, a third ground pattern, and a fourth ground pattern.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first ground pattern may be formed on the first surface of the substrate.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first metal pattern may be electrically connected to an edge existing in a predetermined distance from a corner created as the first connection pattern and the first ground pattern come in contact with each other among edge portions of the first ground pattern.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first metal pattern may be formed at a corner created as the first connection pattern and the first ground pattern come in contact with each other.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, a propagation direction of a radiation pattern radiated from the first metal pattern may coincide with a propagation direction of a radiation pattern output from the slot.

In the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second metal pattern may be connected to an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the slot.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device provided with an antenna device includes the antenna device; and a controller configured to control an operation of the antenna device, wherein the antenna device includes a first metal pattern electrically connected to a first ground pattern and configured to radiate horizontal polarized waves; a second metal pattern deployed in a position spaced apart for a predetermined distance from the first metal pattern, and electrically connected to a second ground pattern formed in parallel to the first ground pattern, and configured to generate vertical polarized waves; a connection pattern configured to connect the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern to each other; and a slot deployed vertically to the first ground pattern and the second ground pattern, and wherein the first metal pattern and the second metal pattern are formed vertically to each other in a direction of a plane that is parallel to the second ground pattern, and the controller is configured to control a power supplied to the first metal pattern and a power supplied to the second ground pattern.

In the electronic device provided with the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the controller may be configured to generate polarized waves as controlling phases of a power supplied to the first metal pattern and a power supplied to the second metal pattern, and the polarized waves may include any one of the vertical polarized waves, the horizontal polarized waves, and circular polarized waves.

In the electronic device provided with the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the controller may be configured to control a power supplied to the first metal pattern and a power supplied to the second metal pattern based on a rotation direction of the circular polarized waves.

In the electronic device provided with the antenna device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the controller may be configured to generate the circular polarized waves as controlling phases of a power supplied to the first feeding part and a power supplied to the second feeding part.

Claim 1:
An antenna device comprising:
a slot (<NUM>) formed by a second connection pattern (<NUM>), a second ground pattern (<NUM>), a third ground pattern (<NUM>), and a fourth ground pattern (<NUM>);
a feeding part (<NUM>) formed on a surface different from a surface on which the slot (<NUM>) is formed; and
a metal pattern (<NUM>) deployed to extend for a predetermined distance from the feeding part (<NUM>) and configured to form vertical polarized waves, wherein the vertical polarized waves mean radio waves having an electric field polarized in a direction that is vertical to a first ground pattern (<NUM>) and the second ground pattern (<NUM>) that are in parallel,
wherein the metal pattern (<NUM>) is deployed at a predetermined angle to the surface on which the slot (<NUM>) is formed, and
wherein the second connection pattern (<NUM>) and a first connection pattern (<NUM>) disposed to face the second connection pattern (<NUM>) electrically connect the first ground pattern (<NUM>) disposed to face the second ground pattern (<NUM>) and the second ground pattern (<NUM>).