Patent Description:
In order to satisfy the increasing demands of radio data traffic after the commercialization of a <NUM> communication system, efforts have been made to develop an advanced <NUM> communication system or a pre-<NUM> communication system. For this reason, the <NUM> communication system or the pre-<NUM> communication system is also referred to as a beyond-<NUM> network communication system or a post-LTE system. In order to accomplish a higher data transfer rate, the implementation of the <NUM> communication system in a super-high frequency (mmWave) band (e.g., about a <NUM> band) is being considered. Also, in order to obviate a propagation loss of a radio wave and increase a delivery distance of a radio wave in the super-high frequency band, discussions for the <NUM> communication system are underway about various techniques such as a beamforming, a massive MIMO, a full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), an array antenna, an analog beam-forming, and a large scale antenna. Additionally, for an improvement in network of the <NUM> communication system, technical developments are being made in an advanced small cell, a cloud radio access network (cloud RAN), an ultra-dense network, a device to device (D2D) communication, a wireless backhaul, a moving network, a cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), a reception-end interference cancellation, and the like. Also, in the <NUM> communication system, a hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and a sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) are developed as advanced coding modulation (ACM) schemes, and a filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and a sparse code multiple access (SCMA) are also developed as advanced access techniques.

Meanwhile, 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. Further, the Internet of everything (IoE), which is a combination of IoT technology and 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 IoT implementation, a sensor network, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and so forth have been recently researched. The IoT may be applied to a variety of fields including smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, smart grid, health care, smart appliances, advanced medical service, etc. through convergence and combination between existing information technology (IT) and various industrial applications.

In line with this, various attempts have been made to apply the <NUM> communication system to the IoT network. For example, technologies such as a sensor network, machine type communication (MTC), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication are being implemented on the basis of <NUM> communication technologies such as beamforming, MIMO, and an array antenna. The use of a cloud radio access network (cloud RAN) for big data processing technology is one example of convergence between the <NUM> technology and the IoT technology.

<NPL>, discloses a Fabry-Perot Resonator (FPR) antenna comprising a primary radiator backed with a metal ground plate and a partially reflective covered plate.

<CIT> relates to a method for producing a radio frequency communication device which comprises an antenna system provided with a stack of layers and at least one antenna on the surface of the stack.

<CIT> discloses a device for controlling electromagnetic radiation emitted by a structure.

<CIT> discloses a Gaussian beam antenna.

A next generation communication system may use a super-high frequency (mmWave) band. In the super-high frequency band, a gain value of an antenna may be degraded due to path loss of radio waves. In order to prevent this, various devices such as a lens may be combined with the antenna. However, improving the gain value of the antenna through the lens requires a separation distance greater than a specific distance between the antenna and the lens.

On the other hand, an electronic device to which the next generation communication system is applied tends to have a gradually decreased size. Thus, there may be a case in which the separation distance between the antenna and the lens is not sufficiently secured in the electronic device. This may cause a problem that the gain value of the antenna significantly decreases.

The invention is set out in the appended set of claims, wherein the figures and respective description relate to advantageous embodiments thereof.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, even if a separation distance between an antenna array and an insulator (or lens) is close, it is possible to maintain a gain value of an antenna module through a reflector disposed around the antenna array.

In addition, the separation distance between the antenna array and the insulator can be reduced through a structure disclosed herein, so that it is possible to reduce sizes of an antenna module and an electronic device including the antenna module.

In the following description of embodiments, descriptions of techniques that are well known in the art and not directly related to the disclosure are omitted. This is to clearly convey the subject matter of the disclosure by omitting any unnecessary explanation.

For the same reason, some elements in the drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. Also, the size of each element does not entirely reflect the actual size. In the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The advantages and features of the disclosure and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to embodiments described in detail below and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art, the disclosure is only defined by the scope of claims. In the disclosure, similar reference numbers are used to indicate similar constituent elements.

It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which are executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer usable or computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions that are executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

In addition, each block of the flowchart illustrations may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).

The term "unit", as used herein, refers to a software or hardware component or device, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks. A unit may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and configured to execute on one or more processors. Thus, a module or unit may include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided for in the components and units may be combined into fewer components and units or further separated into additional components and modules. In addition, the components and units may be implemented to operate one or more central processing units (CPUs) in a device or a secure multimedia card. Also, in embodiments, the unit may include one or more processors.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an antenna module structure including a lens.

An antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna array <NUM> including a plurality of antenna elements, a lens <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from the antenna array <NUM> by a predetermined distance, and a case <NUM> fixing the antenna array <NUM> and the lens <NUM>.

The lens <NUM> may receive a beam radiated from the antenna array <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM>, which is used in the next generation mobile communication system, may radiate beams at various angles while changing the angle of the beam by using a beam sweeping function. The lens <NUM> may receive beams radiated in various phases, change the phases of the beams, and radiate the phase-changed beams to the outside of the case <NUM>.

The lens <NUM> may improve the gain value of the antenna module <NUM>. However, in order to improve the gain value, a separation distance (d) equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance between the antenna array <NUM> and the lens <NUM> is required. For example, in the mmWave band used in the next generation mobile communication system, a separation distance (d) of <NUM> or more may be required.

However, in a recent trend of reduction in the size of an electronic device, an antenna module structure having a separation distance of several centimeters between the antenna and the lens is excluded. Therefore, an antenna module structure capable of reducing the separation distance between the antenna array <NUM> and the lens <NUM> is required. Described hereinafter is an antenna module structure for satisfying such a need.

<FIG> is a side view showing an antenna module.

An antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna array <NUM> radiating a beam through a top surface thereof, a dielectric <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from the top surface of the antenna array <NUM> by a first predetermined length, a first reflector <NUM> including a metallic material and disposed to be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> by a second predetermined length, and second reflectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> each including a metallic material and disposed in a partial region of the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM>, which faces the top surface of the antenna array <NUM>.

The antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna array <NUM> may perform beamforming by controlling the respective antenna elements. That is, the antenna array <NUM> may perform beam steering at various angles.

A plurality of beams <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be radiated from the top surface of the antenna array <NUM>. The beam <NUM> vertically radiated from the top surface of the antenna array <NUM> may be vertically incident on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from the antenna array <NUM> by the first length.

The beam <NUM> vertically incident on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> may pass through the dielectric <NUM> without a change of a beam phase value. A beam <NUM> transmitted by passing through the dielectric <NUM> may be radiated outside the antenna module <NUM> while maintaining verticality to the dielectric <NUM>.

By beamforming of the antenna array <NUM>, the beam <NUM> having a specific phase value may be incident on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM>. In this case, the dielectric <NUM> may change the phase of the beam <NUM>, and a phase-changed beam <NUM> may be radiated outside the antenna module <NUM>.

The beam <NUM> whose phase is changed by the dielectric <NUM> may have the same phase as the beam <NUM> radiated outside the antenna module <NUM> while maintaining verticality to the dielectric <NUM>. Through this, the gain value of the antenna module <NUM> may be improved.

A certain beam <NUM> radiated from the antenna array <NUM> may be incident on the second reflector <NUM>. The second reflector <NUM> includes a metallic material, and the beam incident on the second reflector <NUM> may partially reflect from the second reflector <NUM> thereby forming a reflected beam <NUM> having a phase changed by <NUM> degrees.

The beam incident on the second reflector <NUM> may partially pass through the second reflector <NUM> thereby forming a transmitted beam <NUM>. The phase of the transmitted beam <NUM> may be changed by the dielectric <NUM> disposed on a top surface of the second reflector <NUM>, and the phase-changed beam <NUM> may be radiated outside the antenna module <NUM>.

The beam <NUM> whose phase is changed may have the same phase as the beams <NUM> and <NUM> radiated outside the antenna module <NUM> while maintaining verticality to the dielectric <NUM>. Through this, the gain value of the antenna module <NUM> may be improved.

The beam <NUM> reflecting from the second reflector <NUM> has a specific phase and may be incident on the first reflector <NUM>. The beam <NUM> incident on the first reflector <NUM> may not pass through the first reflector <NUM> and may totally reflect from the first reflector <NUM> while having a phase changed by <NUM> degrees.

A beam <NUM> reflected by the first reflector <NUM> may have the same phase as the specific beam <NUM> and may be incident on the second reflector <NUM>. The second reflector <NUM> includes a metallic material, and the beam incident on the second reflector <NUM> may partially reflect from the second reflector <NUM> thereby forming a reflected beam <NUM> having a phase changed by <NUM> degrees.

The beam incident on the second reflector <NUM> may partially pass through the second reflector <NUM> thereby forming a transmitted beam <NUM>. The phase of the transmitted beam <NUM> may be changed by the dielectric <NUM> disposed on the top surface of the second reflector <NUM>, and the phase-changed beam <NUM> may be radiated outside the antenna module <NUM>.

The beam <NUM> whose phase is changed may have the same phase as the beams <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> radiated outside the antenna module <NUM> while maintaining verticality to the dielectric <NUM>. Through this, the gain value of the antenna module <NUM> may be improved.

A beam <NUM> reflected by the first reflector <NUM> may have the same phase as the specific beams <NUM> and <NUM> and may be incident on the second reflector <NUM>. The beam incident on the second reflector <NUM> may be partially radiated outside the antenna module <NUM> while forming a beam <NUM> having a phase changed by the dielectric <NUM>.

The beam <NUM> whose phase is changed may have the same phase as the specific beams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> radiated outside the antenna module <NUM> while maintaining verticality to the dielectric <NUM>. Through this, the gain value of the antenna module <NUM> may be improved.

Although not shown, the beam <NUM> incident on the second reflector <NUM> may also partially reflect toward the first reflector <NUM> with a phase changed by <NUM> degrees. That is, some of the beams radiated from the antenna array <NUM> may move inside the antenna module <NUM> while reflecting from the first reflector <NUM> and the second reflectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and may be radiated to the outside of the antenna module <NUM>.

Therefore, the area of radiating the beam through the dielectric <NUM> can be widened, so that the performance (e.g., a gain value) of the antenna module can be improved.

The first reflector <NUM> may be disposed to surround the antenna array <NUM> on a horizontal plane on which the antenna array <NUM> is disposed. That is, a first length which is a separation distance between the antenna array <NUM> and the dielectric <NUM> may be equal to a second length which is a separation distance between the dielectric <NUM> and the first reflector <NUM>.

The first length, which is the separation distance between the antenna array <NUM> and the dielectric <NUM>, may be shorter than or equal to the second length, which is the separation distance between the dielectric <NUM> and the first reflector <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> may be disposed on a top surface of a printed circuit board (PCB). The antenna array <NUM> may be a patch type antenna.

The first reflector <NUM> may be formed by extending from a ground layer disposed on a bottom surface of the PCB. That is, the first reflector <NUM> may be disposed to surround the antenna array <NUM> on a horizontal plane on which the ground layer is disposed. The first reflector <NUM> and the ground layer may be electrically connected to each other.

Meanwhile, in <FIG> is exemplary only for implementing the disclosure.

<FIG> is a view showing a top surface of an antenna module.

A second reflector <NUM> may have a grid shape. That is, an edge of a grid pattern may be composed of the second reflector <NUM>, and the second reflector <NUM> may be disposed on a bottom surface of a dielectric (not shown) having a plate shape. Through the grid-shaped second reflector <NUM>, a region of the bottom surface of the dielectric where the edge of the grid pattern is disposed may be used as a reflector, and the other region of the bottom surface of the dielectric where the edge of the grid pattern is not disposed may be used as a dielectric.

The second reflector <NUM> may be disposed to face a top surface of an antenna array <NUM>, and the antenna array <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the second reflector <NUM> by a predetermined length. A first reflector <NUM> may be disposed around the antenna array <NUM> such that a beam radiated from the antenna array <NUM> and then reflecting from the second reflector <NUM> can reflect again toward the second reflector <NUM>.

The first reflector <NUM> may contain a metallic material in order to reflect, toward the second reflector <NUM>, all of beams reflected by the second reflector <NUM>. The first reflector <NUM> may be disposed to surround the antenna array <NUM> on a horizontal plane on which the antenna array <NUM> is disposed. That is, a separation distance between the antenna array <NUM> and the second reflector <NUM> may be equal to a separation distance between the first reflector <NUM> and the second reflector <NUM>.

Each grid pattern forming the second reflector <NUM> may have a rectangular shape. (Specifically, dx and dy shown in <FIG> may be different from each other. ) In addition, sizes of the respective grid patterns may be different from each other. (Specifically, wx and wy shown in <FIG> may be different from each other.

Each grid pattern forming the grid-shaped second reflector <NUM> may be asymmetric. Through the asymmetric grid-shaped second reflector <NUM>, a gain value of a specific phase (e.g., a phase of a beam to be radiated from the antenna module) may be improved.

For example, the second reflector <NUM> may have a hexagon grid shape, not a grid shape having a grid pattern.

<FIG> is a view showing a top surface of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, each grid pattern forming a second reflector <NUM> having a grid shape may be non-uniform. According to an embodiment, when the antenna module is viewed from above, the size of a grid pattern of the second reflector <NUM> overlapped with an antenna array <NUM> may be greater than the size of a grid pattern of the second reflector <NUM> not overlapped with the antenna array <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the antenna module is viewed from above, a region overlapped with the antenna array <NUM> is likely to be a beam radiated perpendicularly to the antenna array <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, it is desirable to minimize the arrangement of the second reflector in the above region in terms of improving the gain value of the antenna module.

Each grid pattern forming a second reflector <NUM> having a grid shape may be non-uniform. When the antenna module is viewed from above, the size of each grid pattern may increase as each grid pattern is further away from the central axis of an antenna array <NUM>.

The base length of a grid pattern located closest to the antenna array <NUM> is d<NUM>, and the base length of a grid pattern located next to the grid pattern having the base length d<NUM> is d<NUM>. Here, d<NUM> may be greater than d<NUM>. In the same manner, the relationship between the base lengths of the grid patterns shown in <FIG> is as follows. <MAT> d<NUM>, d<NUM>, d<NUM>, d<NUM>, d<NUM>, d<NUM>, d<NUM>: Base length of grid pattern.

A gain value of a specific phase (e.g., a phase of a beam to be radiated from an antenna module) may be improved through the second reflector <NUM> having such a non-uniform grid shape.

<FIG> is a view showing a shape of a second reflector.

The second reflector <NUM> may include a plurality of unit reflectors each having a square shape, and the plurality of unit reflectors may be periodically disposed on a bottom surface of a dielectric <NUM>. That is, the unit reflectors may be repeatedly disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> while being spaced apart from each other by the same distance.

Some of beams radiated from an antenna array may be reflected by the second reflector <NUM> with a phase changed by <NUM> degrees, and the others of the beams may be radiated outside the antenna module while passing through the dielectric <NUM>.

The transmitted beams passing through the dielectric <NUM> may have phases changed by the dielectric <NUM>.

The second reflector <NUM> may include a plurality of unit reflectors each having a circular shape, and the plurality of unit reflectors may be periodically disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM>. That is, the unit reflectors may be repeatedly disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> while being spaced apart from each other by the same distance.

Excepting that the unit reflector is formed in a circular shape, the structures and effects of the second reflector and the dielectric may be the same as or similar to those of the second reflector and the dielectric shown in <FIG>.

The second reflector <NUM> may include a plurality of unit reflectors each having a square ring shape, and the plurality of unit reflectors may be periodically disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM>. That is, the unit reflectors may be repeatedly disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> while being spaced apart from each other by the same distance.

Excepting that the unit reflector is formed in a square ring shape, the structures and effects of the second reflector and the dielectric may be the same as or similar to those of the second reflector and the dielectric shown in <FIG>.

The second reflector <NUM> may include a plurality of unit reflectors each having a cross shape, and the plurality of unit reflectors may be periodically disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM>. That is, the unit reflectors may be repeatedly disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> while being spaced apart from each other by the same distance.

Excepting that the unit reflector is formed in a cross shape, the structures and effects of the second reflector and the dielectric may be the same as or similar to those of the second reflector and the dielectric shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a side view showing an antenna module.

The antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna array <NUM> radiating a beam through a top surface thereof, a dielectric <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from the top surface of the antenna array <NUM> by a first predetermined length, and a first reflector <NUM> including a metallic material and disposed to be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> by a second predetermined length.

The antenna module <NUM> may include a second reflector including a metallic material and disposed in a partial region of the bottom surface of the dielectric, which faces the top surface of the antenna array. The second reflector may include a plurality of layers <NUM> and <NUM>.

The respective layers <NUM> and <NUM> constituting the second reflector may be formed of periodically disposed unit reflectors having different shapes. For example, a reflector having a grid shape may be disposed in the layer <NUM>, and a reflector composed of periodically disposed unit reflectors having a square shape may be disposed in the layer <NUM>.

The respective layers <NUM> and <NUM> constituting the second reflector may be formed of periodically disposed unit reflectors having the same shape. For example, if the layer <NUM> is a reflector composed of periodically disposed unit reflectors having a circular shape, the layer <NUM> may also be a reflector composed of periodically disposed unit reflectors having a circular shape.

<FIG> is a side view showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include an antenna module and a housing <NUM> formed to surround the antenna module. The antenna module may include an antenna array <NUM> radiating a beam through a top surface thereof, a dielectric <NUM> disposed to be spaced apart from the top surface of the antenna array <NUM> by a first predetermined length, a first reflector <NUM> including a metallic material and disposed to be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM> by a second predetermined length, and a second reflector <NUM> including a metallic material and disposed in a partial region of the bottom surface of the dielectric <NUM>, which faces the top surface of the antenna array <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the dielectric <NUM> and the second reflector <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the housing <NUM> along the outer periphery of the housing <NUM>. That is, when the housing <NUM> is formed with a curved surface, the dielectric <NUM> and the second reflector <NUM> may also be formed with a curved surface.

According to an embodiment, the dielectric <NUM> and the second reflector <NUM> may be printed on one surface of the housing. According to an embodiment, the second reflector <NUM> may be disposed on the dielectric <NUM> through a patterning process.

Claim 1:
An antenna module (<NUM>) comprising:
an antenna array (<NUM>) radiating a beam through a top surface of the antenna array (<NUM>);
a dielectric (<NUM>) disposed to be spaced apart from the top surface of the antenna array (<NUM>) by a first length;
a first reflector (<NUM>) including a metallic material and disposed to be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the dielectric (<NUM>) by a second length, wherein the first reflector (<NUM>) is disposed to surround the antenna array (<NUM>) on a horizontal plane on which the antenna array (<NUM>) is disposed; and
a second reflector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a metallic material and disposed in a partial region of the bottom surface of the dielectric, which faces the top surface of the antenna array (<NUM>),
characterized in that the second reflector (<NUM>) has a grid shape composed of a plurality of grid patterns comprising grid elements, and a grid pattern overlapped with the antenna array (<NUM>) among the plurality of grid patterns has grid elements of a larger size than grid elements of a grid pattern not overlapped with the antenna array (<NUM>) (<NUM>) among the plurality of grid patterns,
wherein the antenna module (<NUM>) further comprises a housing (<NUM>) formed to surround the antenna module,
wherein the dielectric (<NUM>) and the second reflector (<NUM>) ) are disposed on one surface of the housing (<NUM>) along an outer periphery of the housing (<NUM>), and
wherein the housing (<NUM>), the second reflector (<NUM>), and the dielectric (<NUM>) are formed to have a curved shape.