Patent Description:
To satisfy a wireless data traffic demand which is growing after a <NUM>th generation (<NUM>) communication system is commercialized, efforts are exerted to develop an advanced <NUM>th generation (<NUM>) communication system or a pre-<NUM> communication system. For this reason, the <NUM> communication system or the pre-<NUM> communication system is referred to as a beyond <NUM> network communication system or a post long term evolution (LTE) system.

To achieve a high data rate, the <NUM> communication system considers its realization in an extremely high frequency (mmWave) band (e.g., <NUM> band). To mitigate a path loss of propagation and to extend a propagation distance in the extremely high frequency band, the <NUM> communication system is discussing beamforming, massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), full dimensional (FD)-MIMO, array antenna, analog beam-forming, and large scale antenna techniques.

Also, for network enhancement of the system, the <NUM> communication system is developing techniques such as evolved small cell, advanced small cell, cloud radio access network (RAN), ultra-dense network, device to device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), and receive interference cancellation.

Besides, the <NUM> system is developing hybrid frequency shift keying and quadrature amplitude modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as advanced coding modulation (ACM) schemes, and filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as advanced access technologies.

A product equipped with a plurality of antennas is being developed to increase communication performance, and equipment having more antennas is expected to be used by utilizing the massive MIMO technology. In addition, as signals of the extremely high frequency are transmitted and received in the <NUM> system, antenna module structures for improving the communication performance using the extremely high frequency signals are being studied. <CIT> discloses a directional coupling device includes a main line and a sub line, and line coupling (distributed constant coupling) is effected between the main line and the sub line, each of which has a portion that is arranged substantially parallel to each other and alongside each other. <CIT> discloses MIMO antenna assembly with a lightweight stacked structure. <CIT> discloses achieving high directional attenuation just by geometrical shaping of the conductor tracks. <CIT> discloses that a distribution device allows a received satellite signal to be supplied to a number of subscribers (T1. Tn) using distributor elements provided by a series circuit of stripline directional couplers (SR1. <CIT> discloses that a microwave directional coupler includes a microstrip conductor formed on a dielectric substrate and forming a main transmission line having in and out ports that receive signals to be coupled.

Based on the discussions described above, the present disclosure provides a structure of a coupler for an antenna module and an electronic device including the same in a wireless communication system.

In addition, the present disclosure provides a structure of a coupler for reducing signal loss and a coupler size and an electronic device including the same in a wireless communication system.

In addition, the present disclosure provides a structure for providing isolation between couplers and an electronic device including the same in a wireless communication system.

Devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce insertion loss of signals radiated by an antenna and concurrently reduce interference between an antenna board and a calibration board.

Effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects which are not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure through the following descriptions.

Terms used in the present disclosure are only used to describe specific embodiments, and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field described in the present disclosure. Among the terms used in the present disclosure, terms defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meanings as those in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in the present disclosure, may not be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings. In some cases, even terms defined in the present disclosure may not be interpreted to exclude embodiments of the present disclosure.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure described below describe a hardware approach by way of example. However, various embodiments of the present disclosure include a technology using both hardware and software, and thus the various embodiments of the present disclosure may not exclude a software-based approach.

Hereafter, the present disclosure relates to a coupler structure for an antenna module and an electronic device including the same in a wireless communication system. Specifically, the present disclosure explains a technique for forming an efficient antenna structure in terms of performance, space, and cost, by means of the coupler structure in which a length of a coupler line is reduced.

Terms indicating components of an electronic device (e.g., a filter, a coupler, an antenna array, a feeding network, a calibration network, a transmission layer, etc.), terms indicating component shapes, terms indicating circuits, terms indicating ports (e.g., an antenna port, a coupler port, an isolation port, a filter port), terms indicating lines constructing a coupler (e.g., a main path, a sub path) and the like used in the following explanations are provided as examples for convenience of description. Hence, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms to be described, and other terms having the same technical meaning may be used. In addition, terms such as '. device', '. material, '. body' used in the following may indicate at least one shape structure or may indicate a unit for processing a function.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A wireless communication environment <NUM> of <FIG>, represents a base station <NUM> and a terminal <NUM>, as some of nodes using a radio channel.

The base station <NUM> is a network infrastructure for providing the terminal <NUM> with radio access. The base station <NUM> has coverage defined as a specific geographical region based on a signal transmission distance. The base station <NUM> may be referred to as, besides the base station, an 'access point (AP)', an 'eNodeB (eNB)', a '<NUM>th generation (<NUM>) node', a '<NUM> NodeB', a 'next generation node B (gNB)', a 'wireless point', a 'transmission/reception point (TRP)', an 'access unit', a 'distributed unit (DU)', a 'transmission/reception point (TRP)', a 'radio unit (RU)', a remote radio head (RRH) or other term having the technically identical meaning. The base station <NUM> may transmit a downlink signal or a receive an uplink signal.

The terminal <NUM> is a device used by a user, and communicates with the base station <NUM> over the radio channel. In some cases, the terminal <NUM> may operate without user's involvement. That is, the terminal <NUM> is a device which performs machine type communication (MTC), and may not be carried by the user. The terminal <NUM> may be referred to as, besides the terminal, a 'user equipment (UE)', a 'mobile station', a 'subscriber station', a 'customer premises equipment (CPE)', a 'remote terminal', a 'wireless terminal', an 'electronic device', a 'vehicle terminal', a 'user device' or other term having technically equivalent meaning.

To improve communication performance, the number of antennas (or antenna elements) of equipment which performs wireless communication is increasing. Also, the number of radio frequency (RF) components for processing an RF signal transmitted or received through the antenna elements, and the number of components increase, and accordingly it is essential to satisfy the communication performance and to achieve spatial gain and cost efficiency in configuring the communication equipment. Hereafter, to describe a connection structure of the present disclosure and an electronic device including the same in <FIG>, RF components of the base station <NUM> of <FIG> are described by way of example, but various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. It is noted that the connection structure of the present disclosure and the electronic device including the same may be applied to the terminal <NUM> of <FIG>, wireless equipment (e.g., a TRP) connected to a base station, or other equipment requiring a stable connection structure of communication components for signal processing.

Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary functional configuration of the base station <NUM> is illustrated. The base station <NUM> may include an antenna unit <NUM>, a filter unit <NUM>, an RF processing unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>.

The antenna unit <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas. The antennas perform functions for transmitting and receiving a signal over the radio channel. The antenna may include a conductor formed on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)) or a radiator including a conductive pattern. The antenna may radiate an up-converted signal on the radio channel or obtain a signal radiated by another device. Each antenna may be referred to as an antenna element or an antenna device. In some embodiments, the antenna unit <NUM> may include an antenna array in which a plurality of antenna elements is arrayed. The antenna unit <NUM> may be electrically connected with the filter unit <NUM> through RF signal lines. The antenna unit <NUM> may be mounted on a PCB including the plurality of the antenna elements. The PCB may include the RF signal lines interconnecting each antenna element to a filter of the filter unit <NUM>. The RF signal lines may be referred to as a feeding network. The antenna unit <NUM> may provide a received signal to the filter unit <NUM> or radiate a signal provided from the filter unit <NUM> into the air.

The filter unit <NUM> may perform filtering, to provide a signal of an intended frequency. The filter unit <NUM> may form resonance to perform a function for selectively identifying the frequency. In some embodiments, the filter unit <NUM> may form resonance through a cavity structurally including a dielectric. Also, in some embodiments, the filter unit <NUM> may form resonance through elements which form inductance or capacitance. The filter unit <NUM> may include at least one of a band pass filter, a low pass filter, a high pass filter, or a band reject filter. That is, the filter unit <NUM> may include RF circuits for acquiring a signal of a frequency band for transmission or a frequency band for reception. The filter unit <NUM> according to various embodiments may electrically interconnect the antenna unit <NUM> and the RF processing unit <NUM>.

The RF processing unit <NUM> may include a plurality of RF paths. The RF path may be a unit of a path through which the signal received via the antenna or the signal radiated via the antenna passes. At least one RF path may be referred to as an RF chain. The RF chain may include a plurality of RF elements. The RF elements may include an amplifier, a mixer, an oscillator, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and so on. For example, the RF processing unit <NUM> may include an up converter for up-converting a digital transmit signal of a baseband into the transmission frequency, and a DAC for converting the up-converted digital transmit signal into an analog RF transmit signal. The up converter and the DAC build a part of a transmission path. The transmission path may further include a power amplifier (PA) or a coupler (or a combiner). Also, for example, the RF processing unit <NUM> may include an ADC for converting an analog RF receive signal into a digital receive signal and a down converter for converting a digital receive signal into a digital receive signal of the baseband. The ADC and the down converter build a part of a reception path. The reception path may further include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) or a coupler (or a divider). The RF components of the RF processing unit may be implemented on a PCB. The base station <NUM> may include a structure in which the antenna unit <NUM> - the filter unit <NUM> - the RF processing unit <NUM> are stacked in order. The antennas and the RF components of the RF processing unit may be implemented on PCBs, and filters may be repeatedly fastened between the PCBs to form a plurality of layers.

The control unit <NUM> may control general operations of the base station <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may include various modules for performing the communication. The control unit <NUM> may include at least one processor. The control unit <NUM> may include modules for digital signal processing. For example, in data transmission, the control unit <NUM> generates complex symbols by encoding and modulating a transmit bit string. In addition, in data reception, the control unit <NUM> restores a received bit string by decoding and demodulating a baseband signal. The control unit <NUM> may perform functions of a protocol stack required in a communication standard.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a configuration of an antenna module. An antenna module <NUM> represents a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMU) unit (MMU) antenna module.

Referring to <FIG>, the antenna module <NUM> may have a structure in which an antenna array <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM>, and a circuit board <NUM> are stacked. According to various embodiments, the circuit boards <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> each may be, but not limited to, a PCB.

Specifically, a feeding network for feeding power to a plurality of antenna elements may be implemented on the circuit board <NUM>, and the antenna array <NUM> including the plurality of the antenna elements may be installed on the circuit board <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> and the feeding network implemented on the circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected using a metal plate or the like.

In addition, a circuit building a calibration network may be implemented on the circuit board <NUM> disposed under the circuit board <NUM>. The calibration network may be used to detect signal amplitude and phase changes per transmission path and to correct errors during operations of the antenna module.

Also, a circuit building a transmission layer may be implemented on the circuit board <NUM> disposed under the circuit board <NUM>. The transmission layer may include power amplifiers, to thus transmit a signal with the amplified power to the feeding network.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a block diagram representing configurations included in an antenna module as circuits. <FIG> illustrates an example of a cross section of a separate antenna module. <FIG> illustrates an example of a cross section of an integrated antenna module. The antenna module represents the MMU antenna module. A block diagram <NUM> represents a part of the MMU antenna module.

Referring to <FIG>, the block diagram <NUM> may include filters, antenna elements <NUM>, and part of a calibration network <NUM>. A signal passing each filter may be radiated to outside by the antenna elements <NUM> through a coupler included in the calibration network <NUM>. In this case, the coupler included in the calibration network <NUM> may extract a part of the signal transmitted to the antenna elements, such that the calibration network <NUM> may identify and correct amplitude and phase of the corresponding signal. The calibration network <NUM> may include the coupler for extracting the signal for each path, and control whether to turn on/off the calibration operation for each path through switching.

Referring to <FIG>, the block diagram <NUM> of the configurations of the MMU antenna module may be implemented as the separate MMU antenna module. Specifically, a metal plate may be interposed between the antenna board on which the antenna elements <NUM> shown in <FIG> are implemented and the calibration board on which the calibration network <NUM> is implemented. Hence, the antenna board and the calibration board may be implemented separately.

Referring to <FIG>, the block diagram <NUM> of the configurations of the MMU antenna module may be implemented as the integrated MMU antenna module. Specifically, the antenna board on which the antenna elements <NUM> shown in <FIG> are implemented may be positioned directly on the calibration board on which the calibration network <NUM> is implemented without a metal plate. Hence, the antenna board and the calibration board may be integrally implemented.

In the antenna module as described above, the coupler may be used as means for extracting the signal transmitted to the antenna element, for the calibration network to check the amplitude and the phase of the communication signal radiated by the antenna element. Various couplers may be used to extract the signal, but the present disclosure describes an antenna module which uses a coupled line coupler which is a directional coupler utilizing a coupled line. The coupled line coupler is a coupler implemented by arranging two lines to be adjacent and making facing portions between the lines <NUM>/<NUM> of the signal wavelength, that is, λ/<NUM> in length, and the extracted and/or detected signal amplitude may be adjusted by a spacing between the lines. The coupled line coupler may be implemented in a line form such as a microstrip line or a strip line. In addition, the coupled line coupler includes an input port, a through port, a coupled port, and an isolation port. If a signal is inputted to the input port, most of the power of the inputted signal may pass through the through port, and some of the power of the inputted signal may be outputted through the coupled port, thus extracting some of the power of the signal. In addition, since a termination resistor is added to match impedance of the line, the isolation port is used to prevent reflection of leakage power, not for input/output of signals. Hereafter, the present disclosure describes in detail a coupler structure for reducing the size of the above-described coupled line coupler.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an antenna board structure and a calibration board structure included in an antenna module. <FIG> illustrates an example of an equivalent circuit of the calibration board included in the antenna module. <FIG> is described with reference to the equivalent circuit <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna board <NUM> includes antenna elements 402a and 402b and antenna ports 404a and 404b. Herein, the antenna port indicates a port through which a feeding line for feeding power to the antenna elements passes. The feeding line may be disposed on the antenna board to pass through the antenna port and connect with the antenna elements. The antenna port shown on the antenna board may be one of the antenna port 404a or the antenna port 404b implemented on the calibration board, and the antenna elements 402a and 402b may be used to radiate a signal delivered through the feeding line which passes through one of the antenna port 404a or the antenna port 404b.

In this case, a coupler for extracting part of the signal transmitted to the antenna elements is implemented on the calibration board <NUM>. Specifically, a line 456a interconnecting the antenna port 404a and a filter port 452a and a line 458a interconnecting a coupler port 454a and a termination resistor may be implemented on the calibration board <NUM>. In addition, a line 456b interconnecting the antenna port 404b and a filter port 452b and a line 458b interconnecting a coupler port 454b and a termination resistor may be implemented on the calibration board <NUM>. Herein, the line 456a and the line 456b each may be understood as a part of the feeding line for delivering signals to the antenna elements. Herein, the filter port indicates a port through which the line connected to the filter for filtering the signal delivered to the antenna element passes, as shown in <FIG>. In addition, the coupler port is a port through which a line connected to a calibration network circuit which corrects an error of the signal delivered to the antenna element passes, and may connect a coupler and a correction circuit to be described. The lines 456a, 458a, 456b, and 458b may be implemented in various forms such as a microstrip line and a strip line. Hence, a first directional coupler having capacitance Cgd may be formed by the line 456a and the line 458a, and a second directional coupler having capacitance Cgd may be formed by the line 456b and the line 458b. That is, with respect to the coupled line coupler, the filter ports 452a and 452b each may operate as the input port, the antenna ports 404a and 404b each may operate as the through port, and the coupler ports 454a and 454b each may operate as the coupled port. Accordingly, the line 456a and the line 456b for delivering the signal to the antenna element through the filter each may operate as a main path of the directional coupler, and the line 458a and the line 458b connected with the coupler port may operate as a sub path for extracting some signal component from the signal delivered to the antenna element.

It has been described that the capacitances between the lines have the same value for convenience of description, but the capacitances may be implemented differently. The above-described contents may be equally applied throughout the present disclosure.

If the antenna module structured as mentioned above is used, interference by a via may occur in the integrated MMU antenna module. For example, vias may be formed along the line forming the coupler on the calibration board and some of the antenna elements on the antenna board may overlap the calibration board circuit. These vias may affect the antenna board in the integrated antenna module. That is, signal interference may occur in the overlapping portion of the antenna board and the calibration board due to the vias connected to the antenna board.

Meanwhile, in the coupled line coupler, the portions which are adjacent and opposite to each other in the main path and the sub path must form <NUM>/<NUM> of the wavelength, that is, λ/<NUM> in length. However, if the coupler is implemented on the calibration board, a bypass path may be built for the main path of the coupler formed between the antenna port and the filter port. That is, due to restrictions in processing or designing, the line between the antenna port and the filter port operating as the main path is disposed to bypass and reach the antenna port, and accordingly insertion loss due to the bypass path may increase. For example, if the coupler is implemented on a low loss circuit board, the insertion loss may increase by <NUM> dB or more due to the bypass path.

Hereafter, the present disclosure describes coupler structures of two types for canceling interference due to vias formed in an antenna array and reducing insertion loss due to a bypass path. Hereafter, a first type coupler structure implemented on the antenna board is explained in detail, in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a basic structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna board <NUM> includes antenna elements 502a and 502b, an antenna port <NUM>, coupler ports 554a and 554b, a line <NUM> connected to the antenna port <NUM> and the antenna elements 502a and 502b, and a line <NUM> connected to the coupler ports 554a and 554b and a termination resistor. In addition, a calibration board <NUM> includes an antenna port <NUM>, a filter port <NUM>, coupler ports 554a and 554b, a line 560a connected to the coupler port 554a and a resistor, and a line 560b connected to the coupler port 554b and the resistor.

Specifically, the line <NUM> which is a part of the feeding line may be disposed to be connected with the antenna elements 502a and 502b on the antenna board <NUM>, and the line <NUM> may be disposed on the antenna board <NUM> to be adjacent and parallel to the line <NUM>. That is, the antenna port <NUM> may be the input port of the coupled line coupler, and the coupler ports 554a and 554b each may be the coupled port of the coupled line coupler. In addition, the line <NUM> may be configured as the main path of the coupled line coupler, and the line <NUM> may be configured as the sub path. In this case, since the coupler may be implemented directly on the antenna board regardless of the calibration network circuit, an additional bypass path is not required except that the length of the adjacent and opposite portions between the lines <NUM> and <NUM> should be λ/<NUM>. That is, since the bypass path of the feeding line which delivers a signal from the filter port of the calibration board toward the antenna port is not required, the length of the lines required to construct the coupler may be reduced.

In the first type coupler structure, the signal filtered at the filter passes through a line interconnecting the filter port <NUM> and the antenna port <NUM> and is delivered to the antenna elements 502a and 502b through the line <NUM> disposed on the antenna board <NUM> positioned on the calibration board <NUM>. That is, the signal passing through the antenna port <NUM> which is the input port of the coupler may reach the antenna elements 502a and 502b by passing through the through port through the line <NUM> which is the main path. In addition, part of the signal inputted to the antenna port <NUM> may pass through the coupler ports 554a and 554b which are the coupled ports, and thus may be used for signal error correction due to the calibration network below.

The example in which the coupler is formed between the single line and the single line has been described as the basic structure of the first type coupler in <FIG>, but it may be changed to various structures to be described.

<FIG> illustrates a first structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an example of a coupler structure formed on an antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna board <NUM> includes antenna elements 602a and 602b, an antenna port <NUM>, a coupler port <NUM>, a line <NUM> connected to the antenna port <NUM> and the antenna elements 602a and 602b, and a line <NUM> connected to the coupler port <NUM> and a termination resistor. In addition, a via may be formed at each of the antenna port <NUM> and the coupler port <NUM>. That is, the antenna board <NUM> may include the antenna elements 602a and 602b and a coupler for extracting part of a signal transmitted to the plurality of the antenna elements 602a and 602b, and a calibration board may be disposed under the antenna board <NUM>, and may include a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler.

The line <NUM> which is a part of the feeding line may be connected directly to the antenna elements 602a and 602b with one terminal end on the antenna board <NUM> or may be connected indirectly by contacting the line between the antenna elements 602a and 602b. The line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the antenna port <NUM> with the other terminal end, thus electrically connecting the calibration board below through the via formed in the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and the rest, a second portion. Specifically, the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be configured as a straight line contacting the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the second portion of the line <NUM> may include a bent line at the other terminal end point not connected with the antenna port <NUM> of the first portion. The terminal end not connected with the first portion <NUM> among both ends of the second portion may be connected directly or indirectly with the antenna elements 602a and 602b. That is, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion of the line <NUM> may be configured to form a specific angle based on a point which forms no straight line and is bent. <FIG> illustrates that the first portion <NUM> and the second portion form, but not limited to, the right angle, and the second portion may be disposed to form an angle for distinguishing from the first portion included as the component of the coupler. The first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the main path of the coupled line coupler as described above.

The line <NUM> may be disposed to capacitively connect with the line <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> may be connected to the termination resistor with one terminal end on the antenna board <NUM>. The line <NUM> is disposed to contact the coupler port <NUM> with the other terminal end, and thus may be electrically connected with the calibration board below through the via formed at the coupler port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may include at least a part <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is adjacent and parallel to the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. As described above, the at least the part <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler. In this case, since the coupler may be implemented directly on the antenna board regardless of the calibration network circuit, no additional bypass path is required except that the length of the adjacent and facing portions <NUM> and <NUM> between the lines <NUM> and <NUM> should be λ/<NUM>. That is, since no bypass path of the feeding line for delivering the signal from the filter port of the calibration board toward the antenna port is required, the length of the lines required to form the coupler is reduced and the size of the couplers used in the antenna module may be reduced.

The coupled line coupler formed on the antenna board as described above may reduce the return loss of the signal transmitted to the antenna elements 602a and 602b, by adjusting the spacing between the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the main path and the at least the part <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the sub path. Hereafter, the reduction of the return loss using the coupled line coupler is described in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit from a side of a first structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit for the first structure of the first type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the equivalent circuits for the coupled line coupler implemented on the antenna board <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a first capacitor may be formed each between the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the ground plane and between the at least the part <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the ground plane. In addition, a second capacitor may be formed between the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the at least the part <NUM> of the line <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, return loss S<NUM> of the signal inputted from the antenna port <NUM> is determined based on capacitance CP of the first capacitor and capacitance Cgd of the second capacitor. Among the capacitors formed by the lines, the capacitance CP of the first capacitor may be expressed as the following <Equation <NUM>>.

Herein, Cp denotes the capacitance formed between the line building the main path or the sub path of the coupler and the ground plane, ε<NUM> denotes permittivity of air, εr denotes permittivity of a dielectric constructing the circuit board, h denotes a thickness of the dielectric constructing the circuit board, and w denotes a width of the line building the main path or the sub path of the coupler. Hence, Cp is determined by factors which need to consider other components in designing the antenna module. In addition, the capacitance Cgd of the second capacitor among the capacitors formed by the lines may be expressed as the following <Equation <NUM>>.

Herein, Cgd denotes the capacitance formed between the line building the main path and the line building the sub path of the coupler, ε<NUM> denotes the permittivity of the air, εr denotes the permittivity of the dielectric constructing the circuit board, h denotes the thickness of the dielectric constructing the circuit board, and s denotes the spacing between the line building the main path or the line building the sub path of the coupler. Accordingly, by controlling the capacitance by adjusting the spacing between the lines constructing the coupler on the antenna board, the coupler which reduces the return loss S<NUM> may be implemented.

<FIG> illustrates a simulation environment for a first structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates simulation results for the first structure of the first type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the coupler may be configured to include a main path for inputting a signal to an antenna port <NUM> and delivering it to antenna elements, and a sub path for connecting a coupler port <NUM> for extracting the signal and an isolation port <NUM>. The isolation port <NUM> is connected to a termination resistor having a resistance value of <NUM> ohms. For the coupler shown in <FIG>, a curve <NUM> representing S parameter values for a signal component reflected back to the input port and a curve <NUM> representing S parameter values for a signal component extracted through the coupler port are shown in a signal frequency range from <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>. Referring to the curve <NUM>, in the signal frequency range from <NUM> to <NUM>, the S parameter values for the signal component extracted through the coupler port are maintained at about -<NUM> dB. That is, the coupler with the reduced size while maintaining the signal component extraction performance may be used.

<FIG> illustrates a second structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates another example of the coupler structure formed on the antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna board <NUM> includes antenna elements 902a and 902b, an antenna port <NUM>, a coupler port <NUM>, a line <NUM> connected to the antenna port <NUM> and the antenna elements 902a and 902b, and a line <NUM> connected to the coupler port <NUM> and a termination resistor. In addition, a via may be formed in each of the antenna port <NUM> and the coupler port <NUM>. That is, the antenna board <NUM> includes the antenna elements 902a and 902b and the coupler for extracting part of the signal transmitted to the plurality of the antenna elements 902a and 902b, and a calibration board may be disposed under the antenna board <NUM>, and may include a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler.

The line <NUM> which is a part of the feeding line may be connected directly to the antenna elements 902a and 902b with one terminal end on the antenna board <NUM> or may be connected indirectly by contacting a line between the antenna elements 902a and 902b. The line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the antenna port <NUM> with the other terminal end, thus electrically connecting the calibration board below through the via formed in the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. Specifically, the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be configured as a straight line which contacts the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may include a bent line at the other terminal end point not connected with the antenna port <NUM> of the first portion <NUM>. The terminal end not connected with the second portion <NUM> among both ends of the first portion <NUM> may be connected directly or indirectly with the antenna elements 902a and 902b. That is, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be configured to form a specific angle based on the point which forms no straight line and is bent. <FIG> illustrates that the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> form, but not limited to, the right angle, and the first portion <NUM> may be disposed to form an angle for distinguishing from the second portion <NUM> included as the component of the coupler. As described above, the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the main path of the coupled line coupler.

The line <NUM> may be disposed to capacitively connect with the line <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> may be disposed to connect with the termination resistor with one terminal end on the antenna board <NUM>. The line <NUM> is disposed to contact the coupler port <NUM> with the other terminal end, and thus may be electrically connected with the calibration board below through the via formed in the coupler port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may be formed to surround a via hole formed in the antenna port <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a third portion <NUM> including a line disposed adjacent to and parallel with the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> including a line disposed in a curved shape to surround the antenna port <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> includes a line disposed adjacent and parallel to a first side of the line constructing the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. The third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> includes a line adjacent and parallel to a second side of the line constructing the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. Herein, the side of the line constructing the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may indicate a surface parallel to a direction in which the line travels from the antenna port <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> is a portion of the line connected with the first portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> with the respective terminal ends, and may be formed to surround the antenna port <NUM> on the other side of the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> based on the antenna port <NUM>. That is, the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> are spaced apart to be parallel with the line <NUM> based on the line <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> is disposed to connect to the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> with the respective terminal ends and to surround a via hole penetrating the antenna board in a vertical direction. As mentioned above, the first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler.

In this case, since the coupler may be implemented directly on the antenna board regardless of the calibration network circuit, no additional bypass path is required except that each length of sums of the portion <NUM> constructing the coupled line coupler in the line <NUM> and the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> constructing the coupled line coupler in the line <NUM> should be about λ/<NUM>. In addition, the second structure of the first type coupler shown in <FIG> has the form in which the line operating as the sub path may form a double capacitor on both sides of the line operating as the main path, and thus the size of the coupler may be further reduced by increasing the capacitance per unit length. The coupled line coupler formed on the antenna board as described above may adjust the spacing between the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the main path and the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the sub path, thus reducing the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements 902a and 902b. Hereafter, the return loss reduction using the coupled line coupler is described in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit from a side of a second structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit for the second structure of the first type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the equivalent circuits of the coupled line coupler implemented in the antenna board <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a first capacitor may be formed each between the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the ground plane, between the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the ground plane, and between the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the ground plane. Also, a second capacitor may be formed between the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>, and a third capacitor may be formed between the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the third portions <NUM> of the line <NUM>. In addition, although not depicted in <FIG>, a fourth capacitor may be formed between the antenna port <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the return loss S<NUM> of the signal inputted from the antenna port <NUM> is determined based on the capacitance CP of the first capacitor, the capacitance Cgd1 of the second capacitor, the capacitance Cgd2 of the third capacitor, and the capacitance CV of the fourth capacitor. Herein, since the second capacitor, the third capacitor, and the fourth capacitor are connected in parallel, they may be interpreted as one equivalent capacitor <NUM>. Hence, capacitance CT of the equivalent capacitor <NUM> may have a value of CT=Cgd1+Cgd2+CV. The capacitance CP of the first capacitor among the capacitors formed by the lines may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. In addition, the capacitance Cgd1 of the second capacitor and the capacitance Cgd2 of the third capacitor among the capacitors formed by the lines each may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. Herein, since a spacing s<NUM> between the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and a spacing S<NUM> between the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be designed differently, Cgd1 and Cgd2 may have different values. Thus, the coupler for reducing the return loss S<NUM> may be implemented, by controlling the capacitance by adjusting the spacings between the lines constructing the coupler on the antenna board.

<FIG> illustrates a simulation environment for a second structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates simulation results of the second structure of the first type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the coupler may be implemented to include a main path for inputting a signal to an antenna port <NUM> and delivering it to antenna elements, and a sub path for interconnecting a coupler port <NUM> for extracting the signal and an isolation port <NUM>. The isolation port <NUM> is connected to a termination resistor having the resistance value of <NUM> ohms. With respect to the coupler shown in <FIG>, a curve <NUM> representing S parameter values for a signal component reflected back to the input port and a curve <NUM> representing S parameter values for a signal component extracted through the coupler port are shown in a signal frequency range from <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>. Referring to the curve <NUM>, in the signal frequency range from <NUM> to <NUM>, the S parameter values for the signal component extracted through the coupler port are maintained within the range of -<NUM> dB to -<NUM> dB. That is, the coupler with the reduced size while maintaining the signal component extraction performance may be used.

<FIG> illustrates a third structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows yet another example of the coupler structure formed on the antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna board <NUM> includes antenna elements 1202a and 1202b, an antenna port <NUM>, a coupler port <NUM>, a line <NUM> connected to the antenna port <NUM> and the antenna elements 1202a and 1202b, and a line <NUM> connected to the coupler port <NUM> and a termination resistor. In addition, a via may be formed in each of the antenna port <NUM> and the coupler port <NUM>. That is, the antenna board <NUM> includes the antenna elements 1202a and 1202b and a coupler for extracting part of a signal transmitted to the plurality of the antenna elements 1202a and 1202b, and a calibration board may be disposed under the antenna board <NUM>, and include a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler.

The line <NUM> which is a part of the feeding line may be connected directly to the antenna elements 1202a and 1202b with one terminal end on the antenna board <NUM> or may be connected indirectly by contacting a line between the antenna elements 1202a and 1202b. The line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the antenna port <NUM> with the other terminal end, thus electrically connecting the calibration board below through the via formed in the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. Specifically, the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be configured as a straight line contacting the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may include a bent line at the other terminal end point not connected to the antenna port <NUM> of the first portion <NUM>. The terminal end not connected with the second portion <NUM> among both ends of the first portion <NUM> may be directly or indirectly connected with the antenna elements 1202a and 1202b. That is, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be configured to form a specific angle based on the point which forms no straight line but is bent. <FIG> illustrates that the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> form, but not limited to, the right angle, and the first portion <NUM> may be disposed to form an angle for distinguishing from the second portion <NUM> included as the component of the coupler. As described above, the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the main path of the coupled line coupler.

The line <NUM> may be disposed to capacitively connect with the line <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> may be disposed to connect with the termination resistor on the antenna board <NUM> with one terminal end. The line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the coupler port <NUM> with the other terminal end, and thus may be electrically connected with the calibration board below through the via formed in the coupler port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may be formed to surround a via hole formed in the antenna port <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a third portion <NUM> including a line disposed adjacent and parallel to the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> including vias disposed in a curved shape to surround the antenna port <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> includes a line disposed adjacent and parallel to a first side of the line constructing the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. The third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> includes a line adjacent and parallel to a second side of the line constructing the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. Herein, the side of the line constructing the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may indicate a surface parallel to a direction in which the line travels from the antenna port <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> is an array of the vias connected with the first portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> with the respective terminal ends, and may be formed to surround the antenna port <NUM> on the other side of the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> based on the antenna port <NUM>. In this case, the plurality of the vias may be formed on the antenna board <NUM> with a narrow spacing between them to have a similar form to the line constructing the second portion <NUM> shown in <FIG>. That is, the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> are disposed apart to be parallel to the line <NUM> based on the line <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> is disposed to connect with the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> with the respective terminal ends and to surround the via hole penetrating the antenna board in the vertical direction. The first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler as aforementioned.

In this case, since the coupler may be implemented directly on the antenna board regardless of the calibration network circuit, no additional bypass path is required except that each length of sums of the portion <NUM> constructing the coupled line coupler in the line <NUM> and the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> constructing the coupled line coupler in the line <NUM> should be about λ/<NUM>. In addition, the line operating as the sub path forms a double capacitor on both sides of the line operating as the main path and the second portion <NUM> is formed with the vias, and thus the third structure of the first type coupler shown in <FIG> may further increase capacitance per unit length. Hence, the size of the coupler may be further reduced. The coupled line coupler formed on the antenna board as described above may adjust the spacings between the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the main path and the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the sub path, thus reducing the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements 1202a and 1202b.

<FIG> illustrates a simulation environment for a third structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates simulation results of the third structure of the first type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a fourth structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates still another example of the coupler structure formed on the antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna board <NUM> includes antenna elements 1402a and 1402b, an antenna port <NUM>, a coupler port <NUM>, a line <NUM> connected to the antenna port <NUM> and the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b, and a line <NUM> connected to the coupler port <NUM> and a termination resistor. In addition, a via may be formed in each of the antenna port <NUM> and the coupler port <NUM>. That is, the antenna board <NUM> includes the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b and a coupler for extracting part of a signal transmitted to the plurality of the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b, and a calibration board may be disposed under the antenna board <NUM>, and include a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler.

The line <NUM> which is a part of the feeding line may be connected directly to the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b with a first terminal end on the antenna board <NUM> or may be connected indirectly by contacting a line between the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b. Also, the line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the antenna port <NUM> with a second terminal end, thus electrically connecting the calibration board below through the via formed in the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may include a first portion operating as the main path of the coupler and a second portion <NUM> serving as an antenna matching stub. Specifically, the first portion of the line <NUM> may include a line portion disposed to proceed from the antenna port <NUM> directly to the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b. That is, the first portion of the line <NUM> indicates the line portion directly interconnecting the above-described first and second terminal ends without bypassing them. In addition, the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be disposed to be surrounded by the line <NUM>, by protruding to be distinguished from the first portion of the line <NUM>. As mentioned above, the first portion of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> is the main path of the coupled line coupler though which a signal destined for the antenna elements pass, and the second portion <NUM> may be an element added as the antenna matching stub.

The line <NUM> may be disposed to capacitively connect with the line <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> may be disposed to connect with the termination resistor on the antenna board <NUM> with one terminal end. The line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the coupler port <NUM> with the other terminal end, and thus may be electrically connected with the calibration board below through the via formed in the coupler port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may be formed to surround the antenna matching stub <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a third portion <NUM> including a line disposed adjacent and parallel to the antenna matching stub <NUM> of the line <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> including a line disposed to surround the antenna matching stub <NUM> with the line <NUM> by interconnecting the first portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may include a line disposed adj acent to and parallel to a first side of the line constructing the antenna matching stub <NUM> of the line <NUM>. The third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may include a line adj acent to and parallel to a second side of the line constructing the antenna matching stub <NUM> of the line <NUM>. Herein, the side of the line constructing the antenna matching stub <NUM> of the line <NUM> may indicate a surface parallel to a direction in which the line travels from the antenna port <NUM> to the antenna matching stub <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> is a line connected with the first portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> with the respective terminal ends, and may be formed to surround the antenna matching stub <NUM> on the other side of the antenna port <NUM> based on the antenna matching stub <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> form, but not limited to, the right angle in <FIG>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be disposed to form an arbitrary angle, or the second portion <NUM> may be formed to be curved. The first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler as mentioned above.

Since the line operating as the sub path interacts with both sides of the antenna matching stub, the fourth structure of the first type coupler shown in <FIG> forms a double capacitor, and the size of the coupler may be further reduced by increasing capacitance per unit length. In addition, by utilizing an inductor formed by the antenna matching stub for impedance matching, the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b may be further reduced. Further, by adjusting the spacings between the antenna matching stub <NUM> and the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the sub path, the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements 1402a and 1402b may be reduced.

<FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit for the fourth structure of the first type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit <NUM> for the coupled line coupler implemented on the antenna board <NUM> of <FIG>.

In the coupler shown in <FIG>, an inductor <NUM> having inductance LS and a first capacitor having capacitance CS may be formed by the antenna matching stub <NUM>, and a second capacitor having capacitance CP may be formed between the line <NUM> and the ground plane. In addition, a third capacitor having capacitance Cgd1 may be formed between the antenna matching stub <NUM> and the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>, and a fourth capacitor having capacitance Cgd2 may be formed the antenna matching stub <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. Further, a fifth capacitor having capacitance CV may be formed between the antenna matching stub <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. Hence, as shown in <FIG>, the return loss S<NUM> of the signal inputted from the antenna port <NUM> is determined based on the capacitance CS of the first capacitor, the capacitance CP of the second capacitor, the capacitance Cgd1 of the third capacitor, the capacitance Cgd2 of the fourth capacitor, the capacitance CV of the fifth capacitor, and the inductance LS. Herein, since the third capacitor, the fourth capacitor, and the fifth capacitor are connected in parallel, they may be interpreted as one equivalent capacitor <NUM>. Thus, capacitance CT of the equivalent capacitor <NUM> may have a value of CT=Cgd1+Cgd2+CV. The capacitance CP of the second capacitor may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. In addition, the capacitance Cgd1 of the third capacitor and the capacitance Cgd2 of the fourth capacitor among the capacitors formed by the lines may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. Hence, by using the antenna matching stub on the antenna board and adjusting the spacing between the antenna matching stub and the line, the return loss S<NUM> may be further reduced.

<FIG> illustrates a fifth structure of a first type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a further example of the coupler structure formed on the antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, an antenna board <NUM> includes antenna elements 1502a and 1502b, an antenna port <NUM>, a coupler port <NUM>, a line <NUM> connected to the antenna port <NUM> and the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b, and a line <NUM> connected to the coupler port <NUM> and a termination resistor. In addition, a via may be formed in each of the antenna port <NUM> and the coupler port <NUM>. That is, the antenna board <NUM> includes the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b and a coupler for extracting part of a signal transmitted to the plurality of the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b, and a calibration board may be disposed under the antenna board <NUM>, and include a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler.

The line <NUM> which is a part of the feeding line may be connected directly to the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b with a first terminal end on the antenna board <NUM> or may be indirectly connected by contacting a line between the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b. Also, the line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the antenna port <NUM> with a second terminal end, thus electrically connecting the calibration board below through the via formed in the antenna port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may include a first portion operating as the main path of the coupler and a second portion <NUM> operating as an antenna matching stub. Specifically, the first portion of the line <NUM> may include a line portion disposed to proceed from the antenna port <NUM> directly to the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b. That is, the first portion of the line <NUM> indicates the line portion directly interconnecting the above-described first and second terminal ends without bypassing them. the first portion of the line <NUM> may be disposed to be surrounded by the line <NUM>. In addition, the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> may be protruded to be distinguished from the first portion of the line <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the line <NUM> may be disposed to have a T shape by crossing the first portion and the second portion. As mentioned earlier, the first portion of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> is the main path of the coupled line coupler though which a signal destined for the antenna elements pass, and the second portion <NUM> may be an element added as the antenna matching stub.

The line <NUM> may be disposed to capacitively connect with the line <NUM>. Specifically, the line <NUM> may be disposed to connect with the termination resistor on the antenna board <NUM> with one terminal end. The line <NUM> may be disposed to contact the coupler port <NUM> with the other terminal end, and thus may be electrically connected with the calibration board below through the via formed in the coupler port <NUM>. In addition, the line <NUM> may be formed to surround the first portion of the line <NUM> building the main path of the coupler. Specifically, the line <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a third portion <NUM> including a line disposed adjacent and parallel to the antenna matching stub <NUM> of the line <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> including a line disposed to surround the antenna matching stub <NUM> with the line <NUM> by interconnecting the first portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> is a line connected with the first portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> with the respective terminal ends, and may be formed to surround the antenna port <NUM> on the other side of the antenna matching stub <NUM> based on the antenna port <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> form, but not limited to, the right angle in <FIG>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be disposed to form an arbitrary angle, or the second portion <NUM> may be formed to be curved. The first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM> implemented on the antenna board <NUM> may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler as mentioned above.

Since the line operating as the sub path interacts with both sides of the line building the main path to thus form a double capacitor, the fifth structure of the first type coupler shown in <FIG> may further reduce the size of the coupler by increasing capacitance per unit length. In addition, by utilizing an inductor formed by the antenna matching stub for impedance matching, the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b may be further decreased. Further, by adjusting the spacings between the first portion operating as the main path in the line <NUM> and the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the line <NUM> which is the sub path, the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements 1502a and 1502b may be reduced.

<FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit for the fifth structure of the first type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit <NUM> for the coupled line coupler implemented on the antenna board <NUM> of <FIG>.

In the coupler shown in <FIG>, a parallel connection <NUM> of a first inductor having inductance LS1 and a second inductor having inductance LS2 and a first capacitor having capacitance CS may be formed by the antenna matching stub <NUM>, and second capacitors having capacitance CP may be formed between the line <NUM> and the ground plane. In addition, a third capacitor having capacitance Cgd1 may be formed between the first portion of the line <NUM> and the first portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>, and a fourth capacitor having capacitance Cgd2 may be formed between the first portion of the line <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. Further, a fifth capacitor having capacitance CV may be formed between the antenna port <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the line <NUM>. Hence, as shown in <FIG>, the return loss S<NUM> of the signal inputted from the antenna port <NUM> is determined based on the capacitance CS of the first capacitor, the capacitance CP of the second capacitor, the capacitance Cgd1 of the third capacitor, the capacitance Cgd2 of the fourth capacitor, the capacitance CV of the fifth capacitor, the first inductance LS1, and the second inductance LS2. Herein, since the third capacitor, the fourth capacitor, and the fifth capacitor are connected in parallel, they may be interpreted as one equivalent capacitor <NUM>. Thus, capacitance CT of the equivalent capacitor <NUM> may have a value of CT=Cgd1+Cgd2+CV. The capacitance CP of the second capacitor may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. In addition, the capacitance Cgd1 of the third capacitor and the capacitance Cgd2 of the fourth capacitor among the capacitors formed by the lines may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. Thus, by using the antenna matching stub on the antenna board and adjusting the spacing between the antenna matching stub and the line, the return loss S<NUM> may be further reduced.

Hereafter, a second type coupler structure implemented on a calibration board among coupler structures of two types for canceling interference due to vias formed in an antenna array and reducing insertion loss due to a bypass path is described in detail, in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a first structure of a second type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an example of the coupler structure formed on a calibration board.

Referring to <FIG>, a calibration board <NUM> includes antenna ports 1602a and 1602b, coupler ports 1604a and 1604b, filter ports 1606a and 1606b, lines 1610a and 1610b connecting the antenna ports 1602a and 1602b and the filter ports 1606a and 1606b respectively, and lines 1620a and 1620b connecting the coupler ports 1604a and 1604b and termination resistors respectively. In addition, a via may be formed in each of the antenna ports 1602a and 1602b, the coupler ports 1604a and 1604b, and the filter ports 1606a and 1606b. The shape of the coupler shown in the upper section of <FIG> is described for convenience of explanation, and the following descriptions may be equally applied to the coupler shown in the lower section.

The line 1610a which is a part of the feeding line may be disposed to connect with the antenna port 1602a with one terminal end on the calibration board <NUM>, thus transmitting a signal to the antenna elements of the upper antenna board. In addition, the line 1610a is disposed to connect with the filter port 1606a with the other terminal end of the line 1610a, and accordingly a signal passing through the lower filter may pass through the lines formed on the calibration board. As described above, the line 1610a is a path through which the signal delivered to the antenna elements passes, and may operate as the main path of the coupled line coupler.

The line 1620a may include a first portion 1622a and a second portion 1624a. The first portion 1622a may include a line contacting the coupler port 1604a with one terminal end, and may be disposed adjacent to and parallel to the line 1610a. That is, a position of the via for the coupler port 1604a may be determined, such that a part of the line connected to the coupler port may be disposed adjacent to the line 1610a. In addition, the second portion 1624a may be disposed to be apart from the antenna port 1602a with a specific spacing and to form a straight line with the line 1610a. One terminal end of the second portion 1624a may be connected with the termination resistor. In addition, the first portion 1620a and the second portion 1624a may be connected to each other through a line surrounding a via hole formed in the antenna port 1602a. As described above, the line 1620a connected to the coupler port 1604a may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler.

In this case, on the calibration board, the coupler may be implemented without a bypass path for securing the length of λ/<NUM> for the coupling lines constructing the coupler, that is, the main path and the sub path. In addition, by using not only the capacitor between the lines building the main path and the line building the sub path but also the capacitor formed between the via formed in the antenna port and the line, the coupler structure shown in <FIG> may reduce the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements. Also, if the coupler is implemented on the calibration board, a calibration network including the coupler may be configured conveniently.

<FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit from a side of a first structure of a second type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an equivalent circuit for the first structure of the second type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the equivalent circuits for the coupled line coupler implemented on the calibration board <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a first capacitor may be formed each between the line 1610a and the ground plane, between the first portion 1622a of the line 1620a and the ground plane, and between the second portion 1624a of the line 1620a and the ground plane. In addition, a second capacitor may be formed between the line 1610a and the first portion 1622a of the line 1620a, and a third capacitor may be formed between the line 1610a and the second portion 1624a of the line 1620a. As shown in <FIG>, the return loss S<NUM> of the signal inputted from the antenna port 1602a is determined based on the capacitance CP of the first capacitor, the capacitance Cgd of the second capacitor, and the capacitance CV of the third capacitor. Herein, since the second capacitor and the third capacitor are connected in parallel, they may be interpreted as one equivalent capacitor <NUM>. Accordingly, capacitance CT of the equivalent capacitor <NUM> may have a value of CT=Cgd+CV. The capacitance CP of the first capacitor among the capacitors formed by the lines may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. In addition, the capacitance Cgd of the second capacitor among the capacitors formed by the lines may be expressed as <Equation <NUM>>. Thus, the coupler for reducing the return loss S<NUM> may be implemented, by controlling the capacitance by adjusting the spacings between the lines constructing the coupler on the calibration board.

<FIG> illustrates a simulation environment for a first structure of a second type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a cross section of the first structure of the second type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates simulation results of the first structure of the second type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the coupler may be implemented to include a main path for inputting a signal to the antenna ports 1602a and 1602b and delivering it to the antenna elements, and a sub path for connecting the coupler ports 1604a and 1604b for extracting signal and isolation ports 1808a and 1808b. The isolation ports 1808a and 1808b are connected with the termination resistor having the resistance value of <NUM> ohms. Referring to a side <NUM> of the antenna module in which the above-described coupler is implemented, a signal is delivered on the calibration board through the filter ports 1606a and 1606b, and the signal is delivered to the antenna board on the calibration board through the antenna ports 1602a and 1602b. In the simulation environment of the coupler shown in <FIG>, a curve <NUM> representing S parameter values for a signal component extracted through the coupler port and a curve <NUM> representing S parameter values for a signal component reflected back to the input port are shown in a signal frequency range from <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, in the signal frequency range from <NUM> to <NUM>, the S parameter values <NUM> for the signal component extracted through the coupler port are maintained within the range of -<NUM> dB to -<NUM> dB. That is, the coupler with the reduced size while maintaining the signal component extraction performance may be used.

<FIG> illustrates a second structure of a second type coupler in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates another example of a coupler structure formed on a calibration board.

Referring to <FIG>, a calibration board <NUM> may include antenna ports 1902a and 1902b, coupler ports 1904a and 1904b, filter ports 1906a and 1906b, lines 1910a and 1910b connecting the antenna ports 1902a and 1902b and the filter ports 1906a and 1906b respectively, and lines 1920a and 1920b connecting the coupler ports 1904a and 1904b and termination resistors respectively. In addition, a via may be formed in each of the antenna ports 1902a and 1902b, the coupler ports 1904a and 1904b, and the filter ports 1906a and 1906b. The shape of the coupler shown in the upper section of <FIG> is described for convenience of explanation, and the following descriptions may be equally applied to the coupler shown in the lower section.

The line 1910a which is a part of the feeding line is disposed to connect with the antenna port 1902a with one terminal end on the calibration board <NUM>, and accordingly a signal may be transmitted to antenna elements of the upper antenna board. In addition, the line 1910a is disposed to connect with the filter port 1906a with the other terminal end of the line 1910a, and thus the signal passing through the lower filter may pass through the lines formed on the calibration board. As described above, the line 1910a is a path through which the signal delivered to the antenna elements passes, and may operate as the main path of the coupled line coupler.

The line 1920a may include a first portion 1922a and a second portion 1924a. The first portion 1922a may include a line contacting the coupler port 1904a with one terminal end, and may be disposed to be adjacent and parallel to a first side of the line 1910a. That is, a position of the via for the coupler port 1904a may be determined to arrange a part of the line connected to the coupler port to be adjacent to the line 1910a. Herein, the side of the line 1910a may indicate a surface parallel to a direction in which the line travels from the antenna port 1902a. In addition, the second portion 1924a may be formed to surround a via hole formed in the antenna port 1902a. Specifically, the second portion 1924a may be formed to surround the antenna port 1902a on the opposite side of the line 1910a based on the antenna port 1902a. Further, the other terminal end not connected to the first portion 1922a in the second portion 1924a may be connected with the termination resistor through a line disposed adjacent and parallel to a second side of the line 1910a. As described above, the line 1920a connected to the coupler port 1904a may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler.

In this case, on the calibration board, the coupler may be implemented without a bypass path for securing the length of λ/<NUM> for the coupling lines constructing the coupler, that is, the main path and the sub path. In addition, the second structure of the second type coupler shown in <FIG> has the form in which the line operating as the sub path may form a double capacitor on both sides of the line operating as the main path, and thus the size of the coupler may be further reduced by increasing the capacitance per unit length. In addition, by using the capacitor formed the vias formed in the antenna port and the line as well as the capacitor between the line building the main path and the line building the sub path, the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements may be reduced. Further, if the coupler is implemented on the calibration board, calibration network configuration including the coupler may be facilitated.

<FIG> illustrates the third structure of the second type coupler in the antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows yet another example of the coupler structure formed on the calibration board.

Referring to <FIG>, a calibration board <NUM> may include antenna ports 1952a and 1952b, coupler ports 1954a and 1954b, filter ports 1956a and 1956b, lines 1960a and 1960b connecting the antenna ports 1952a and 1952b and the filter ports 1956a and 1956b respectively, and lines 1970a and 1970b connecting the coupler ports 1954a and 1954b and termination resistors respectively. In addition, a via may be formed in each of the antenna ports 1952a and 1952b, the coupler ports 1954a and 1954b, and the filter ports 1956a and 1956b. A shape of the coupler shown in the upper section of <FIG> is described for convenience of explanation, and the following descriptions may be equally applied to the coupler shown in the lower section.

The line 1960a which is a part of the feeding line is disposed to connect with the antenna port 1952a with one terminal end on the calibration board <NUM>, and accordingly a signal may be transmitted to antenna elements of the upper antenna board. Also, by arranging the line 1960a to connect with the filter port 1956a with the other terminal end of the line 1960a, a signal passing through the lower filter may pass through the lines formed on the calibration board. As described above, the line 1960a is a path through which the signal delivered to the antenna elements passes, and may operate as the main path of the coupled line coupler.

The line 1970a may include a first portion 1972a and a second portion 1974a. The first portion 1972a may include a line contacting the coupler port 1954a with one terminal end, and may be disposed to be adjacent and parallel to a first side of the line 1960a. That is, the position of the via for the coupler port 1954a may be determined, such that a part of the line connected to the coupler port may be disposed adjacent to the line 1960a. Herein, the side of the line 1960a may indicate a surface parallel to a direction in which the line travels from the antenna port 1952a. In addition, the second portion 1974a may be formed to surround a via hole formed in the antenna port 1952a. Specifically, the second portion 1974a may be formed to surround the antenna port 1952a on the opposite side of the line 1960a based on the antenna port 1952a. Further, the other terminal end not connected with the first portion 1972a in the second portion 1974a may be connected to the termination resistor. As described above, the line 1970a connected to the coupler port 1954a may operate as the sub path of the coupled line coupler.

In this case, on the calibration board, the coupler may be implemented without a bypass path for securing the length of λ/<NUM> for the coupling lines constructing the coupler, that is, the main path and the sub path. In addition, by using the capacitor formed the vias formed in the antenna port and the line as well as the capacitor between the main path and the sub path, the coupler size and the return loss of the signal delivered to the antenna elements may be reduced by increasing the capacitance per unit length. Further, if the coupler is implemented on the calibration board, calibration network configuration including the coupler may be facilitated.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate examples of a structure for shielding couplers in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that the couplers are disposed on an antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, a feeding line 2002a and a coupling line 2004a constructing a first coupler and a feeding line 2002b and a coupling line 2004b constructing a second coupler are disposed on an antenna board <NUM>. That is, the couplers mounted in <FIG> may have the same structure as the coupler shown in <FIG>. The first coupler is to extract a signal delivered to first antenna elements through the feeding line 2002a, and may be required to block signals delivered to other antenna elements. Similarly, the second coupler is to extract a signal delivered to second antenna elements through the feeding line 2002b, and may be required to block signals transmitted to other antenna elements including the first antenna elements. Hence, at least one structure for shielding the coupler may be formed on the antenna board. That is, at least one of a structure 2006a for shielding the first coupler or a structure 2006b for shielding the second coupler may be implemented over the corresponding coupler. For example, the structure for shielding the coupler is a sealed can, and may be implemented using a metal material. The coupling structures 2006a and 2006b each may be securely mounted on the antenna board <NUM>, by coupling portions contacting the antenna board <NUM> by use of coupling components (e.g., a rivet, surface mounter technology (SMT)). Further, shielding performance may be further improved, by additionally forming vias penetrating the antenna board <NUM>, under the portions of the structures 2006a and 2006b contacting the antenna board <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a feeding line 2062a and coupling lines 2064a and 2066a constructing a first coupler, and a feeding line 2062b and coupling lines 2064b and 2066b constructing a second coupler are disposed on an antenna board <NUM>. That is, the couplers mounted in <FIG> may have the same structure as at least one of the couplers shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. In the same manner as <FIG>, it is required to block signals delivered to other antenna elements, and accordingly the first coupler and the second coupler may be shielded by structures for shielding the couplers respectively. For example, other signals than the signal passing through the feeding line 2062a may be blocked by mounting a structure 2068a over the first coupler, and other signals than the signal passing through the feeding line 2062b may be blocked by mounting a structure 2068b over the second coupler. In addition, the structure for shielding the coupler is a shield can, and may be implemented using a metal material. The coupling structures 2068a and 2068b each may be securely mounted on the antenna board <NUM>, by coupling portions contacting the antenna board <NUM> by use of coupling components (e.g., a rivet, SMT). Further, shielding performance may be further improved, by additionally forming vias 2070a and 2070b penetrating the antenna board <NUM>, under the portions of the structures 2068a and 2068b contacting the antenna board <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example of a structure using a coupler line to which a dielectric is attached in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that a coupler is disposed on an antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, a side surface <NUM> of a structure in which a feeding line <NUM> and a coupling line <NUM> constructing a coupler are disposed on an antenna board <NUM> is shown. In addition, referring to <FIG>, a plane <NUM> viewed from above the structure in which the feeding line <NUM> and the coupling line <NUM> constructing the coupler are disposed on the antenna board <NUM> is shown. Specifically, the coupling line <NUM> may be disposed on the antenna board <NUM> with a dielectric <NUM> attached onto the coupling line <NUM>. In this case, since capacitance per unit length increases thanks to the attachment of the dielectric <NUM> having a high dielectric constant, the length of the line constructing the coupler may be reduced.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate another example of a structure using a coupler line to which a dielectric is attached in an antenna module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that a coupler is disposed on an antenna board.

Referring to <FIG>, a side surface <NUM> of a structure in which a feeding line <NUM> and a coupling line <NUM> constructing a coupler are disposed on an antenna board <NUM> is shown. In addition, referring to <FIG>, a plane <NUM> viewed from above the structure in which the feeding line <NUM> and the coupling line <NUM> constructing coupler are disposed on the antenna board <NUM> is shown. Specifically, the coupling line <NUM> may be disposed on the antenna board <NUM> with a dielectric <NUM> attached onto the coupling line <NUM>. In this case, since the capacitance per unit length increases thanks to the attachment of the dielectric <NUM> having a high dielectric constant, the length of the line constructing the coupler may be reduced. In addition, vias <NUM> may be formed at both ends of the dielectric <NUM> for isolation from other ports.

An antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as stated above, may include an antenna board including a plurality of antenna elements and a coupler for extracting part of a signal transmitted to the plurality of the antenna elements and a calibration board disposed under the antenna board, and including a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler, the coupler may include a first transmission line connected with the plurality of the antenna elements and a second transmission line disposed to be capacitively connected with the first transmission line, and the second transmission line may include a third transmission line and a fourth transmission line spaced apart from each other to be parallel to the first transmission line based on the first transmission line and a fifth transmission line disposed to connect with the third transmission line and the fourth transmission line with respective terminal ends, and to surround a via hole penetrating the antenna board in a vertical direction.

In an embodiment, the first transmission line may build a main path of the coupler through which the signal is delivered to the plurality of the antenna elements, and the second transmission line may build a sub path of the coupler for extracting the part of the signal.

In an embodiment, the third transmission line may be connected to a coupler port of the coupler for delivering the extracted signal to the correction circuit, and the fourth transmission line may be connected to an isolation port of the coupler connected to a termination resistor.

In an embodiment, the antenna port may correspond to the via hole, and a return loss of the signal measured at the antenna port may be controlled based on capacitance formed by connecting in parallel a first capacitor formed between the first transmission line and the third transmission line, a second capacitor formed between the first transmission line and the fourth transmission line, and a third capacitor formed between the via hole and the fifth transmission line.

In an embodiment, the fifth transmission line may be formed by a plurality of vias.

In an embodiment, the antenna board may further include a stub for impedance matching protruding from the first transmission line and disposed not to be parallel to the first transmission line, and the stub may be disposed to be spaced from the second transmission line.

In an embodiment, the antenna port may correspond to the via hole, and a return loss of the signal measured at the antenna port may be controlled based on capacitance formed by connecting in parallel a first capacitor formed between the first transmission line and the third transmission line, a second capacitor formed between the first transmission line and the fourth transmission line, and a third capacitor formed between the via hole and the fifth transmission line and inductance formed by the stub.

In an embodiment, the antenna board may further include a structure for shielding the coupler, the structure may be disposed to cover an upper portion of the coupler, and both terminal ends of the structure may be fixed to the antenna board by a component for coupling.

In an embodiment, vias vertically penetrating the antenna board may be formed, at portions which contact both terminal ends of the structure.

In an embodiment, the second transmission line may include a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface, a dielectric may be attached to the first surface of the second transmission line, and the second transmission line may be mounted on the antenna board through the second surface.

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as stated above, may include at least one processor and an antenna device, the antenna device may include an antenna board including a plurality of antenna elements and a coupler for extracting part of a signal delivered to the plurality of the antenna elements and a calibration board disposed under the antenna board, and including a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler, the coupler may include a first transmission line connected with the plurality of the antenna elements and a second transmission line disposed to be capacitively connected with the first transmission line, and the second transmission line may include a third transmission line and a fourth transmission line spaced apart from each other to be parallel to the first transmission line based on the first transmission line and a fifth transmission line disposed to connect with the third transmission line and the fourth transmission line with respective terminal ends, and to surround a via hole penetrating the antenna board in a vertical direction.

The methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or the specification of the present disclosure may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.

As for the software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. One or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be configured for execution by one or more processors of an electronic device. One or more programs may include instructions for controlling the electronic device to execute the methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or the specification of the present disclosure.

Such a program (software module, software) may be stored to a random access memory, a non-volatile memory including a flash memory, a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a compact disc (CD)-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVDs) or other optical storage devices, and a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, it may be stored to a memory combining part or all of those recording media. In addition, a plurality of memories may be included.

Also, the program may be stored in an attachable storage device accessible via a communication network such as Internet, Intranet, local area network (LAN), wide LAN (WLAN), or storage area network (SAN), or a communication network by combining these networks. Such a storage device may access a device which executes an embodiment of the present disclosure through an external port. In addition, a separate storage device on the communication network may access the device which executes an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
An antenna device for a wireless communication system, comprising:
an antenna board (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a plurality of antenna elements and a coupler for extracting part of a signal transmitted to the plurality of the antenna elements; and
a calibration board disposed under the antenna board (<NUM>, <NUM>), and comprising a correction circuit for correcting an error using the part of the signal extracted by the coupler,
wherein the coupler disposed on the antenna board comprises,
a first transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) and connected with the plurality of the antenna elements, wherein the first transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) feeds power to the plurality of antenna elements; and
a second transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed to be capacitively connected with the first transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the second transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises,
a third transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a fourth transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) spaced apart from each other to be parallel to the second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the first transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a fifth transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed to connect with the third transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the fourth transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) with respective terminal ends, and disposed in a curved shape to surround a via hole corresponding to an antenna port and penetrating the antenna board (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a vertical direction, and
wherein the first transmission line electrically connects the via hole corresponding to the antenna port and the plurality of antenna elements.