Patent ID: 12228599

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the spirit of the present invention and do not limit subject matters to be protected as disclosed in the detailed description and appended claims.

Reference numeral indicating process steps include in the accompanying drawings are used for convenience of easily specifying the process steps, and are not intended to limit an sequential order of the process steps.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, fourth etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The terms “one”, “the other”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are relatively used based on an orientation of the drawings, and are not intended to designate absolute positions.

FIG.1is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system for inspecting an antenna in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1, a system for inspecting an antenna100may include an antenna device110and an apparatus for inspecting an antenna (also referred to as an antenna inspection apparatus)120.

The antenna device110may be, e.g., a microstrip patch antenna fabricated in the form of a transparent film. The antenna device110may be applied to communication devices for a mobile communication of a high or ultrahigh frequency band corresponding to a mobile communication of, e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G or more.

The antenna device110may be applied to an image display device. The image display device may be implemented in the form of various electronic devices such as a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a wearable device, a digital camera, etc.

However, an application of the antenna device110is not limited to the image display device, and may be applied to various objects or structures such as a vehicle, a home electronic appliance, an architecture, etc.

For example, the antenna inspection apparatus120may measure an S parameter and a radiation efficiency of the antenna device110, and may inspect whether a bonding defect or an antenna pattern loss occurs using a non-optical method.

Detailed description of the antenna inspection apparatus120will be provided with reference toFIGS.2to6.

FIG.2schematically illustrates an apparatus for inspecting an antenna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG.2, an antenna inspection apparatus200may include a stage210, an inspection board220, a connection maintaining unit230and an inspection unit240.

The antenna device110to be inspected may be disposed on the stage210.

The antenna device110to be inspected may include an antenna element111and an antenna board112. The antenna element111may include a dielectric layer and an antenna conductive layer.

The dielectric layer may include an insulating material having a predetermined dielectric constant. In an embodiment, the dielectric layer may include an inorganic insulating material such as glass, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a metal oxide, etc., or an organic insulating material such as an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, an imide-based resin, etc. The dielectric layer may serve as a film substrate of the antenna element on which the antenna conductive layer is formed.

In an embodiment, the dielectric layer may include, e.g., a transparent resin material. For example, the dielectric layer may include a polyester-based resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and polybutylene terephthalate; a cellulose-based resin such as diacetyl cellulose and triacetyl cellulose; a polycarbonate-based resin; an acrylic resin such as polymethyl (meth)acrylate and polyethyl (meth)acrylate; a styrene-based resin such as polystyrene and an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer; a polyolefin-based resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, a cycloolefin or polyolefin having a norbomene structure and an ethylene-propylene copolymer; a vinyl chloride-based resin; an amide-based resin such as nylon and an aromatic polyamide; an imide-based resin; a polyethersulfone-based resin; a sulfone-based resin; a polyether ether ketone-based resin; a polyphenylene sulfide resin; a vinyl alcohol-based resin; a vinylidene chloride-based resin; a vinyl butyral-based resin; an allylate-based resin; a polyoxymethylene-based resin; an epoxy-based resin; a urethane or acrylic urethane-based resin; a silicone-based resin, etc. These may be used alone or in a combination of two or more thereof.

In an embodiment, the dielectric layer may include an adhesive material such as an optically clear adhesive (OCA), an optically clear resin (OCR), or the like.

In an embodiment, the dielectric layer may be provided as a substantially single layer. In an embodiment, the dielectric layer105may include a multi-layered structure of at least two layers.

Capacitance or inductance may be formed in the dielectric layer, so that a frequency band at which the antenna element111may be driven or operated may be adjusted. If the dielectric constant exceeds about 12, a driving frequency may be excessively decreased, and driving in a desired high frequency or ultrahigh frequency band may not be implemented. Thus, according to an embodiment, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer may be adjusted in a range from about 1.5 to about 12, preferably from 2 to 12.

The antenna conductive layer may be disposed on a top surface of the dielectric layer. The antenna conductive layer may include at least one antenna unit including a radiator and a transmission line.

The antenna unit may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca) or an alloy containing at least one of the metals. These may be used alone or in a combination of at least two therefrom.

In an embodiment, the antenna unit may include silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (e.g., silver-palladium-copper (APC)), or copper (Cu) or a copper alloy (e.g., a copper-calcium (CuCa)) to implement a low resistance and a fine line width pattern.

In an embodiment, the antenna unit may include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnOx), etc.

In an embodiment, the antenna unit may include a stacked structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer. For example, the antenna unit may include a double-layered structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer, or a triple-layered structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer-transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, flexible property may be improved by the metal layer, and a signal transmission speed may also be improved by a low resistance of the metal layer. Corrosive resistance and transparency may be improved by the transparent conductive oxide layer.

The antenna board112may be electrically connected to the antenna element111. For example, the antenna board112may be bonded to a top surface of the antenna element111, and a transmission line of the antenna board112may be electrically connected to the antenna unit of the antenna element111.

For example, the antenna board112may be bonded using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) to enable an electrical conduction in a vertical direction and to be insulated in a horizontal direction. The antenna board112may also be electrically connected to the antenna element111using a coaxial cable.

In an embodiment, the antenna board112may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The stage210may include a ground211and a board supporting portion212.

A portion of the antenna element111may be disposed on the ground211, and a remaining portion of the antenna element111and the antenna board112may be disposed on the board supporting portion212. The board supporting portion212may support the antenna board220.

As illustrated inFIG.2, a stepped portion may be formed at an upper portion of the board supporting portion212such that a bonding portion of the antenna element111to which the antenna board112is bonded and the antenna board112may be disposed.

In an embodiment, the ground211may be formed of a metal having a low resistance. In this case, the low resistance may be 3Ω or less, preferably 1Ω or less. For example, the ground211may be formed of silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), or an alloy containing at least one of the metals (e.g., a silver-palladium-copper (APC) alloy).

In an embodiment, the board supporting portion212may be formed of a material having a low dielectric constant, preferably a material having a dielectric constant of less than 5 (e.g., fluororesin (PTFE), foamed polystyrene, Teflon, isopink, etc.).

The inspection board220may contact the antenna board112to be connected to the antenna board112. For example, the inspection board220may be in contact with a top surface of the antenna board112, and a transmission line of the inspection board220may be electrically connected to a transmission line of the antenna board112.

In an embodiment, the inspection board220may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The connection maintaining unit230may maintain a contact and a connection between the antenna board112and the inspection board220. For example, in a state in which the stage210is fixed, the connection maintaining unit230may descend from an upper region of the inspection board220according to a predetermined control signal, so that a contact region between the inspection board220and the antenna board112may be pressed with a predetermined pressure to maintain contact and connection between the inspection board220and the antenna board112.

Alternatively, the stage210may be ascended while the connection maintaining unit230is fixed. Accordingly, the connection maintaining unit230may press the contact portion between the inspection board220and the antenna board122with a predetermined pressure to maintain the contact and connection between the inspection board220and the antenna board112.

As described above, the contact and connection between the inspection board230and the antenna board112may be stably maintained.

The inspection unit240may be mounted or connected to the inspection board220to inspect the antenna element111. For example, the inspection unit240may measure an S parameter and a radiation efficiency of the antenna, and may inspect whether bonding defects or an antenna pattern loss occurs based on the measured values.

FIG.3schematically illustrates an apparatus for inspecting an antenna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Detailed description on elements and operations substantially the same as those described with reference toFIG.2are omitted herein.

Referring toFIG.3, an antenna inspection apparatus300may include the stage210, the inspection board220, the connection maintaining unit230, the inspection unit240, a first adjustment unit250, a second adjustment unit260and a control unit270.

The first adjustment unit250may determine a alignment state between the antenna element111and the ground211, and may adjust a position of the antenna element111or the ground211based on the determined alignment state. The first adjustment unit250may include a camera positioned above or below the ground211and an actuator that moves the antenna element111or the ground211.

Properties of the antenna element111may be changed according to the position of the ground211or the alignment state between the antenna element111and the ground211. Accordingly, according to an exemplary embodiment, the first adjustment unit250may precisely locate and align the ground211under the antenna element111to increase an accuracy of an antenna element inspection.

The second adjusting unit260may determine the alignment state and/or contact state of the inspection board220and the antenna board112, and may adjust a position of the inspection board220or the antenna board112based on the determined alignment state and/or contact state. The second adjustment unit260may include a camera positioned above the inspection board220and an actuator that moves the inspection board220or the stage210.

The transmission line of the inspection board220and the transmission line of the antenna board112may contact each other, so that the inspection board220and the antenna board112may be electrically connected. Accordingly, the accurate alignment and contact between the inspection board220and the antenna board112may be required.

In an embodiment, the second adjustment unit260may electrically connect the inspection board220and the antenna board112by accurately aligning and/or contacting the inspection board220and the antenna board112. Accordingly, the accuracy of the antenna element inspection may be enhanced.

The control unit270may control an overall operation of the antenna inspection apparatus300, and process signals related to the operation of the antenna inspection apparatus300. In an embodiment, the control unit270may be implemented with one or more processor, one or more memory, or a combination thereof. The control unit270may be mounted on the inspection board220or may be mounted on an additional board connected to the inspection board220.

FIG.4schematically illustrates an apparatus for inspecting an antenna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Detailed descriptions of elements and operations substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference toFIGS.2and3are omitted herein.

Referring toFIG.4, an antenna inspection apparatus400may include a stage410, the inspection board220, the connection maintaining unit230, the inspection unit240, the first adjusting unit250, the second adjusting unit260and the control unit270.

The antenna element110to be inspected may be disposed on the stage410. The stage410may include a ground411and a board supporting portion412.

The antenna element111may be disposed on the ground411, and the antenna board112may be disposed on the board supporting portion412. The board supporting portion412may supports the antenna board112, and may have a flat upper surface without a stepped portion at an upper portion thereof.

FIG.5schematically illustrates an apparatus for inspecting an antenna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Detailed descriptions of elements and operations substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference toFIGS.2to4are omitted herein.

Referring toFIG.5, an antenna inspection apparatus500includes a stage510, an inspection substrate520, the connection maintaining unit230, the inspection unit240, the first adjusting unit250, a second adjustment unit560and the control unit270.

An antenna device including the antenna element111to be inspected may be disposed on the stage510, and the antenna board112may be omitted.

The stage510may include a ground511and a board supporting portion512.

A portion of the antenna element111may be disposed on the ground511, and a remaining portion of the antenna element111and the inspection board520may be disposed on the board supporting portion512. The board supporting portion512may support the inspection board520.

As illustrated inFIG.5, a stepped portion may be formed at an upper portion of the board supporting portion512such that a bonding portion of the antenna element111which the inspection board contacts and the inspection board520may be disposed.

The inspection board520may contact the antenna element111to be connected to the antenna element111. The inspection board520may be in contact with the top surface of the antenna element111, and a transmission line of the inspection board520may be electrically connected to an antenna pattern of the antenna element111.

The second adjustment unit560may determine an alignment state and/or a contact state of the inspection board520and the antenna element111, and positions of the inspection board520or the antenna element may be adjusted based on the determined alignment state and/or contact state. The second adjustment unit560may include a camera positioned above the inspection board520and an actuator that moves the inspection board520or the stage510.

The transmission line of the inspection board520may contact the antenna pattern of the antenna element111to electrically connect the inspection board520and the antenna element111. Accordingly, the accurate alignment and contact between the inspection board520and the antenna element111may be required.

In an embodiment, the second adjustment unit560may electrically connect the inspection board520and the antenna element111by accurately aligning and/or contacting the inspection board520and the antenna element111. Accordingly, the accuracy of the antenna element inspection may be enhanced.

FIG.6schematically illustrates an apparatus for inspecting an antenna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Detailed descriptions of elements and operations substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference toFIGS.2to5are omitted herein.

Referring toFIG.6, an antenna inspection apparatus600may include a stage610, the inspection substrate520, the connection maintaining unit230, the inspection unit240, the first adjustment unit250, the second adjustment unit560and the control unit270.

An antenna device including the antenna element111to be inspected may be disposed on the stage610, and the antenna board112may be omitted.

The stage610may be formed of a metal, preferably a metal having a low resistance value (e.g., 1Ω), and may function as a ground.

FIG.7is a flow diagram for describing a method for inspecting an antenna in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The antenna inspection method ofFIG.7may be performed by the antenna inspection apparatus200ofFIG.2.

Referring toFIG.7, the antenna inspection apparatus may place the antenna device on the stage including the ground (e.g., in a step710). The antenna device may include the antenna element and the antenna board connected to the antenna element.

The inspection board may be in contact with the top surface of the antenna board in the antenna device to electrically connect the inspection board and the antenna board (e.g., in a step720).

The antenna inspection apparatus may maintain the connection between the antenna board and the inspection board by pressing a contact portion of the inspection board in contact with the top surface of the antenna board (e.g., in a step730).

The antenna inspection apparatus may inspect the antenna apparatus (e.g., in a step740). For example, the antenna inspection apparatus may measure an S parameter and a radiation efficiency of the antenna device, and may inspect whether bonding defects or an antenna pattern loss occurs based on the measured values.

FIG.8is a flow diagram for describing a method for inspecting an antenna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The antenna inspection method ofFIG.8may be performed by the antenna inspection apparatus300and400ofFIGS.3and4.

Referring toFIG.8, the antenna inspection apparatus may place the antenna device on the stage including the ground (e.g., in a step810). The antenna device may include the antenna element and the antenna board connected to the antenna element.

The antenna inspection apparatus may determine an alignment state of the antenna element and the ground, and may adjust a position of the antenna element or the ground based on the determined alignment state (e.g., in a step820).

Properties of the antenna device may be changed according to the position of the ground, that is, the alignment state between the antenna element and the ground. The antenna inspection apparatus may increase the accuracy of the antenna apparatus inspection by finely positioning and aligning the ground under the antenna element.

The inspection board may be in contact with the top surface of the antenna board to electrically connect the inspection board and the antenna board (e.g., in a step830).

The antenna inspection apparatus may determine the alignment state and/or contact state of the inspection board and the antenna board, and may adjust the position of the inspection board or the antenna board based on the determined alignment state and/or contact state (e.g., in a step840).

The transmission line of the inspection board and the transmission line of the antenna board may be in contact with each other, so that the inspection board and the antenna board may be electrically connected. Thus, the accurate alignment and contact between the inspection board and the antenna board may be required. The antenna inspection apparatus may electrically connect the inspection board and the antenna board by finely aligning and/or contacting the inspection board and the antenna board. Accordingly, the accuracy of the antenna device inspection may be enhanced.

The antenna inspection apparatus may maintain the connection between the antenna board and the inspection board by pressing a contact portion of the inspection board in contact with the top surface of the antenna board (e.g., in a step850).

The antenna inspection apparatus may inspect the antenna device (e.g., in a step860). For example, the antenna inspection apparatus may measure an S parameter and a radiation efficiency of the antenna device, and may inspect whether a bonding defect or an antenna pattern loss occurs based on the measured values.

FIG.9is a flow diagram for describing a method for inspecting an antenna in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The antenna inspection method ofFIG.9may be performed by the antenna inspection apparatus500and600ofFIGS.5and6.

Referring toFIG.9, the antenna inspection apparatus may place the antenna apparatus on the stage including the ground (e.g., in a step910). The antenna device may include the antenna element.

The antenna inspection apparatus may determine the alignment state of the antenna element and the ground, and may adjust the position of the antenna element or the ground based on the determined alignment state (e.g., in a step920).

Properties of the antenna device may be changed according to the position of the ground, that is, the alignment state between the antenna element and the ground. The antenna inspection apparatus may increase the accuracy of the antenna apparatus inspection by finely positioning and aligning the ground under the antenna element.

The inspection board may be in contact with the top surface of the antenna element to electrically connect the inspection board and the antenna element (e.g., in a step930).

The antenna inspection apparatus may determine the alignment state and/or contact state of the inspection board and the antenna element, and may adjust the position of the inspection board or the antenna element based on the determined alignment state and/or contact state (e.g., in a step940).

The transmission line of the inspection board may contact the antenna pattern of the antenna element, so that the inspection board and the antenna element may be electrically connected. Accordingly, precise alignment and contact between the inspection board and the antenna element may be required. The antenna inspection apparatus may electrically connect the inspection board and the antenna element by accurately aligning and/or contacting the inspection board and the antenna element. Accordingly, the accuracy of the antenna device inspection may be enhanced

The antenna inspection apparatus may maintain the connection between the antenna element and the inspection board by pressing a contact portion of the inspection board in contact with the top surface of the antenna element (e.g., in a step950).

The antenna inspection apparatus may inspect the antenna device (e.g., in a step960). For example, the antenna inspection apparatus may measure an S parameter and a radiation efficiency of the antenna device, and may inspect whether a bonding defect or an antenna pattern loss occurs based on the measured values.

The above-described embodiments may be implemented as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include any type of recording device in which data readable by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium may include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, etc. The computer-readable recording medium may be distributed in network-connected computer systems, and may be written and executed as computer-readable codes in a distributed manner.