Patent ID: 12255401

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Technical solutions in illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the accompanying drawings in the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the illustrated embodiments are only some of embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of embodiments of the disclosure. The embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure can be combined with each other as appropriate.

FIG.1illustrates a schematic structural view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device100may be a device capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic wave signals, such as a telephone, a television, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a camera, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a vehicle mounted device, a headset, a watch, a wearable device, a base station, a vehicle mounted radar, or customer premise equipment (CPE). The present disclosure is illustrated by taking the electronic device100being the mobile phone as an example.

It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure, same reference signs denote same components, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted in different embodiments. It can be understood that dimensions such as thicknesses, lengths and widths of various components in the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings are only illustrative and should not constitute any limitation to the present disclosure.

FIG.2illustrates a schematic disassembled structural view of the electronic device100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device100includes a display screen101, a middle frame102, and a battery cover103, which are fixedly connected to and engaged with one another sequentially in that order. The electronic device100further includes devices capable of realizing basic functions of the mobile phone, such as an antenna module10, a battery104, a main board (also referred to as mother board)105, a camera106, a small board107, a microphone, a receiver, a speaker, a face recognition module, and a fingerprint recognition module, which are disposed in an internal space surrounded by the display screen101, the middle frame102, and the battery cover103, and detailed description thereof is omitted in the embodiment. The present disclosure does not specifically limit a position of the antenna module10in the electronic device100.

As shown inFIG.2, at least part of the antenna module10is disposed on or electrically connected to the main board105. In an embodiment, the antenna module10through one a board-to-board (BTB) connector is directly electrically connected to another BTB connector on the main board105. InFIG.2, the BTB connector on the antenna module10and the BTB connector on the main board105are blocked and thus the connectors are not shown herein.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the antenna module10may be electrically connected to the main board105through a flexible circuit board108. Specifically, an end of the flexible circuit board108is disposed with a BTB connector181electrically connected to the antenna module10, and the other end of the flexible circuit board108is disposed with another BTB connector182electrically connected to the main board105.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the antenna module10may be arranged to be parallel to the battery cover103(i.e., the antenna module10is arranged opposite to the main board105). In another embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the antenna module10may be disposed perpendicular to the battery cover103, and more specifically, the antenna module10may be located on a side of the battery104or a side of the main board105. In other embodiments, the antenna module10may have a certain inclination angle with respect to the main board105.

The antenna module10is used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals of a preset frequency band. The preset frequency band includes at least one of a frequency band below 1 gigahertz (GHz), a sub-6 GHz frequency band from 1 GHz to 5 GHz, a millimeter wave frequency band, a sub-millimeter wave frequency band, and a terahertz wave frequency band. In the illustrated embodiment, the preset frequency band being the millimeter wave frequency band is taken as an example, which will not be repeated below. A frequency range of the millimeter wave frequency band is from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. Third generation partnership project (3GPP) Release 15 version specifies the current 5G millimeter wave frequency band as follows: n257 (26.5˜29.5 GHz), n258 (24.25˜27.5 GHZ), n261 (27.5˜28.35 GHz), and n260 (37˜40 GHz).

As shown inFIG.5, the antenna module10according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one antenna unit1and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver chip2. In this embodiment, four antenna units1are taken as an example for description. The four antenna units1are arranged in a manner of one column and four rows (1*4). Of course, in other embodiments, the number of antenna units1may be eight and arranged in a manner of two columns and four rows (2*4); alternatively, the number of antenna units1may be sixteen and arranged in a manner of four columns and four rows (4*4). It can be understood that the four antenna units1are interconnected as a whole. In other words, the four antenna units1may be disposed on a same carrier substrate to form a hard circuit board or a flexible circuit board.

For convenience of description, the antenna module10is defined with reference to a first viewing angle, a width direction of the antenna module10is defined as an X-axis direction, a length direction of the antenna module10is defined as a Y-axis direction, and a thickness direction of the antenna module10is defined as a Z-axis direction. A width dimension of the antenna module10is smaller than a length dimension of the antenna module10. A direction indicated by an arrow is the positive direction. In this embodiment, four antenna units1are arranged along the Y-axis direction.

The structure of the antenna unit1will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown inFIG.5, the antenna unit1includes a first protective layer F1, a first conductive layer L1, a first plate layer S1, a second conductive layer L2, a second plate layer S2, a third conductive layer L3, a third plate layer S3, a fourth conductive layer L4, a fourth plate layer S4, a fifth conductive layer L5, a fifth plate layer S5, a sixth conductive layer L6, and a second protective layer F2, stacked sequentially in that order. Of course, in other embodiments, the number of conductive layers may be five, seven, or the like.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.5, the first protective layer F1, the first conductive layer L1, the first plate layer S1, the second conductive layer L2, the second plate layer S2, the third conductive layer L3and the third plate layer S3are defined as a first antenna layer A. The fourth conductive layer L4, the fourth plate layer S4, the fifth conductive layer L5, the fifth plate layer S5, the sixth conductive layer L6and the second protective layer F2are defined as a second antenna layer B. The first antenna layer A and the second antenna layer B are stacked.

Specifically, the first conductive layer L1, the second conductive layer L2, the third conductive layer L3, the fourth conductive layer L4, the fifth conductive layer L5, and the sixth conductive layer L6each may be made of a metal with good electrical conductivity. Materials of the six conductive layers may all be copper or aluminum. In this embodiment, the materials of the six conductive layers all being copper is taken as an example. In other words, the six conductive layers are all copper foil layers, and shapes of the respective copper foil layers may be the same or different. Materials of the first plate layer S1, the second plate layer S2, the third plate layer S3, the fourth plate layer S4and the fifth plate layer S5each are an insulation material, and these plate layers serve as carrier plates of the respective conductive layers and are further used to electrically insulate every adjacent two of the conductive layers from each other. In this embodiment, the first conductive layer L1through the sixth conductive layer L6will be mainly described in detail.

As shown inFIG.6, the first antenna layer A includes at least one main radiation unit11and at least one feeder portion12. The first antenna layer A includes a main radiation layer A1, the at least one main radiation unit11is disposed on the main radiation layer A1, and the at least one feeder portion12may be partially disposed on the main radiation layer A1or completely disposed outside the main radiation layer A1.

As shown inFIG.6, the at least one main radiation unit11is disposed on the second conductive layer L2(the first conductive layer L1will be described later). Each the main radiation unit11includes at least two main radiation patches110arranged symmetrically and spaced apart from each other. The main radiation patches110serve as a receiving end (or a transmitting end) of the antenna module10that receives (or transmits) electromagnetic wave signals. A material of the main radiation patch110is electrically conductive material. Specifically, the material of the main radiation patch110includes but is not limited to a metal, an electrically conductive plastic, an electrically conductive polymer, an electrically conductive oxide, etc. The main radiation patches are printed on a plate in a form of flat patch, and thus processing thereof is simple and cost is low.

In this embodiment, a shape of the main radiation patch110is not specifically limited. For example, the shape of the main radiation patch110may be rectangular, fan-shaped, triangular, circular, ring-shaped, cross-shaped, etc. In this embodiment, the shape of the main radiation patch110being substantially rectangular is taken as an example for description.

The number of the main radiation patches110in one main radiation unit11is not specifically limited in the present disclosure. For example, the number of main radiation patches110in one main radiation unit11may be two, three, four, six, eight, and so on. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the main radiation patches110being four is taken as an example for description, and the four main radiation patches110are centrosymmetrically arranged. In other words, each of the four main radiation patches110occupies a space of one quadrant, and the four main radiation patches110respectively occupy four quadrants on a plane.

It should be understood that shapes of the respective four main radiation patches110may be the same or different, and this disclosure does not specifically limit this. In this embodiment, the shapes of the four main radiation patches110being all the same is taken as an example for description.

As shown inFIG.7, a first gap111and a second gap112are formed between the four main radiation patches110and intersected with each other in a substantially cross-shaped manner. Specifically, the four main radiation patches110are respectively defined as a first main radiation patch110a, a second main radiation patch110b, a third main radiation patch110c, and a fourth main radiation patch110d. The first gap111extends in the X-axis direction, and the second gap112extends in the Y-axis direction.

As shown inFIG.7, each the feeder portion12is located in or corresponds to a gap (including the first gap111and the second gap112) between adjacent two main radiation patches110. The feeder portion12is electrically or coupled to the main radiation patches110to thereby transmit an excitation signal to the main radiation patches110. This embodiment of the present disclosure takes the feeder portion12being coupled to the main radiation patch110as an example for description, and the feeder portion12is spaced apart from the main radiation patches110.

The multiple main radiation patches110and the feeder portion12form an electric dipole.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.7, the feeder portion12includes a first feeder part121and a second feeder part122. Orthographic projections of the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122on the second conductive layer L2are intersected with each other. The first feeder part121and the second feeder part122are insulated from each other. The first feeder part121is located in or arranged corresponding to the first gap111. The first feeder part121may feed the first main radiation patch110aand the second main radiation patch110bon a side of the first feeder part121, and also feed the third main radiation patch110cand the fourth main radiation patch110don the other side of the first feeder part121. The second feeder part122is located in or arranged corresponding to the second gap112. The second feeder part122may feed the first main radiation patch110aand the third main radiation patch110con a side of the second feeder part122, and also feed the fourth main radiation patch110dand the second main radiation patch110bon the other side of the second feeder part122. It can be understood that the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122each are made of an electrically conductive material, including but not limited to a metal, an electrically conductive plastic, an electrically conductive polymer, an electrically conductive oxide, etc.

By arranging the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122to be orthogonal to each other, the first feeder part121feeds the two pairs of main radiation patches110on two sides thereof, and the second feeder part122feeds the two pairs of main radiation patches110on two sides thereof, so as to realize two polarization modes, which can effectively improve communication capacity, transmit and receive simultaneously, and resist multipath attenuation. In this embodiment, the first feeder part121is located in the first gap111, a part of the second feeder part122is located in the first gap111, and a part of an orthogonal projection of the second feeder part122on the second conductive layer L2overlapped with an orthogonal projection of the first feeder part121is located in the second gap112.

As shown inFIG.6, the second antenna layer B includes a reference ground13and at least one microstrip14.

As shown inFIG.6, the reference ground13may be disposed on any one or more of the fourth conductive layer L4, the fifth conductive layer L5and the sixth conductive layer L6. In this embodiment, the reference ground13is disposed on the fifth conductive layer L5and the sixth conductive layer L6. Specifically, the fifth conductive layer L5and the sixth conductive layer L6each have a large area of copper foil. The fifth conductive layer L5and the sixth conductive layer L6are electrically connected through multiple vias, so that potentials of the fifth conductive layer L5and the sixth conductive layer L6are equal. The vias include through holes penetrating through the fifth conductive layer L5and the fifth plate layer S5, and electrically conductive coatings disposed on inner walls of the through holes. A material of the electrically conductive coating may be the same as that of the fifth conductive layer L5. The electrically conductive coatings are electrically connected to the fifth conductive layer L5and the sixth conductive layer L6.

The reference ground13is arranged opposite to the main radiation patches110. The reference ground13may cover multiple main radiation units11. In other words, the multiple main radiation units11share one reference ground13.

As shown inFIG.6andFIG.8, the antenna unit1further includes at least one first electrically conductive member15. The at least one first electrically conductive member15is electrically connected to the main radiation patches110and the reference ground13. Specifically, in this embodiment, each the first electrically conductive member15is a via. An extension direction of each the first electrically conductive member15is the Z-axis direction. The number of the at least one first electrically conductive member15is the same as the number of the main radiation patches110. In this embodiment, the number of the at least one first electrically conductive member15is four. Each of the four first electrically conductive members15is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the main radiation patches110. A connection point between the first electrically conductive member15and the corresponding main radiation patch110is a position of the main radiation patch110close to a geometric center of the main radiation unit11.

As described above, the multiple main radiation patches110, the multiple first electrically conductive members15, the feeder portion12and the reference ground13constitute a magnetic dipole for radiating electromagnetic wave signals.

The disclosure does not specifically limit a position of the at least one microstrip14. For example, the at least one microstrip14may be disposed on the layer where the reference ground13is located, and disposed between the reference ground13and the main radiation patches110or disposed on a side of the reference ground13facing away from the main radiation patches110. In other words, the at least one microstrip14may be disposed on any one of the fourth conductive layer L4, the fifth conductive layer L5and the sixth conductive layer L6. In this embodiment, the at least one microstrip14is disposed on the fifth conductive layer L5.

It can be understood that, as shown inFIG.6andFIG.9, a material of each the microstrip14is an electrically conductive material, such as copper. The microstrip14is insulated from the reference ground13. Specifically, a large area of copper foil is disposed on the fifth conductive layer L5as the reference ground13. The fifth conductive layer L5is further defined with a hollow portion130enclosed by the reference ground13. The hollow portion130is a vacant area. The microstrip14is disposed in the hollow portion130. By adjusting a distance between the microstrip14and the reference ground13and a length of the microstrip14, an impedance formed between the microstrip14and the reference ground13can be adjusted, and thereby an impedance matching of the antenna unit1at a working frequency point can be adjusted. In other words, the microstrip14forms a matching network of the antenna module10.

The present disclosure does not specifically limit a structure of the microstrip14.

For example, as shown inFIG.9, the microstrip14includes two opposite end sections141and a middle section142connected between the two end sections141.

In an implementation, as shown inFIG.9, a line width of the middle section142in an extension direction thereof is kept unchanged. In other words, the line width of the middle section142is uniform. In a case that a part of the middle section142extends along the Y-axis direction, a width dimension of the part of the middle section142along the X-axis direction is the line width of the part of the middle section142. In a case that a part of the middle section142extends along the X-axis direction, a width dimension of the part of the middle section142along the Y-axis direction is a line width of the part of the middle section142. The line width of the middle section142is smaller than a width of each of the two end sections141. In this implementation, since the line width of the middle section142is uniform, it is convenient to control the impedance of the microstrip14by controlling a length of the middle section142.

In another implementation, as shown inFIG.10, the line width of the middle section142in its extension direction may not be uniform. Specifically, the middle section142includes at least one body portion146and at least one widened portion144interconnected in the extension direction. A line width of each the widened portion144is larger than a line width of the body portion146. In this implementation, the impedance of the entire microstrip14can be adjusted by adjusting a length of the widened portion144and a length of the body portion146. In addition, by providing the widened portion144, the length of the microstrip14can be reduced while the impedance of the microstrip14is constant, compared with the microstrip14having a uniform line width.

In still another implementation, as shown inFIG.11, the microstrip14further includes at least one branch145. An end of each branch145is electrically connected to the middle section142. The other end of each branch145is open-circuited. The branch145extends in a direction inclined or perpendicular with respect to the middle section142. By providing the branch145, the impedance of the microstrip14can be adjusted without increasing the overall length of the microstrip14, thereby adjusting the impedance matching of the antenna unit1at the working frequency point.

Several different types of microstrips14that can be used in the present disclosure are described above, and by adjusting the structure of the microstrip14, a spacing between the microstrip14and the reference ground13, and the length of the microstrip14, the impedance formed between the microstrip14and the reference ground13can be adjusted, and the impedance matching of the antenna unit1at the working frequency point can be adjusted consequently.

As shown inFIG.12, a spacing between the end section141and the reference ground13is greater than a spacing between the middle section142and the reference ground13. A peripheral line of a clearance area143around the end section141may be a larger circle or square. In this way, the clearance around the end section141is adjusted, to thereby adjust the spacing between the microstrip14and the reference ground13, and adjust the impedance matching of the antenna unit1at the working frequency point consequently.

The RF transceiver chip2is disposed on a side of the reference ground13facing away from the main radiation patches110. An end of each the microstrip14is electrically connected to the RF transceiver chip2.

As shown inFIG.6andFIG.8, the antenna unit1further includes at least one second electrically conductive member16. Each the second electrically conductive member16may be a via. An end of the second electrically conductive member16is electrically connected to the feeder portion12, and the other end of the second electrically conductive member16is electrically connected to the other end of the microstrip14. The second electrically conductive member16is connected to one end of the feeder portion12facing away from the geometric center of the main radiation unit11. The second electrically conductive member16extends along the Z-axis direction, to reduce the loss of an excitation signal during transmission and improve antenna efficiency of the antenna module10. In this embodiment, each the second electrically conductive member16is a via.

In this embodiment, one antenna unit1includes two second electrically conductive members16and two microstrips14. One second electrically conductive member16is electrically connected to one end of the first feeder part121and one end of one of the microstrips14, and the other end of the microstrip14is electrically connected to one pin of the RF transceiver chip2. The other second electrically conductive member16is electrically connected to one end of the second feeder part122and one end of the other one of the microstrips14, and the other end of the microstrip14is electrically connected to another pin of the RF transceiver chip2.

In this embodiment, the RF transceiver chip2is disposed at or close to a geometric center of the antenna module10on a X-Y plane.

As shown inFIG.6, when the number of the main radiation units11is four, the fifth conductive layer L5is disposed with four sets of pins21of the RF transceiver chip2close to a center of the fifth conductive layer. Each set of pins21includes two pins21. Each set of pins21are electrically connected to two microstrips14of one main radiation unit11respectively. In other words, the microstrips14corresponding to each main radiation unit11extends in a direction facing towards the RF transceiver chip2. The microstrip14may extend in a curved line.

In this embodiment, the RF transceiver chip2is disposed corresponding to a geometric center of the fifth conductive layer L5. The multiple microstrips14on the fifth conductive layer L5may be symmetrically disposed about a center line passing through the geometric center of the fifth conductive layer L5and extending in the X direction. Of course, the RF transceiver chip2may also be disposed at other positions.

The present disclosure does not specifically limit the length of the microstrip14. By adjusting the length of the microstrip14, the impedance of the antenna unit1can be adjusted, and then the impedance matching of the antenna unit1at the working frequency point can be adjusted.

According to the antenna module10provided in this embodiment, by designing the structure of the antenna module10, the main radiation patches110and the feeder portion12form an electric dipole, and the main radiation patches110, the first electrically conductive member15, the feeder portion12and the reference ground13form a magnetic dipole, so that the antenna module10is a combination of an electric dipole and a magnetic dipole, which can achieve a broad frequency band, obtain a stable gain and a directional view throughout the working frequency band, taking into account its characteristics such as bandwidth, isolation, cross-polarization, and gain. By providing the microstrips14between the feeder portion12and the RF transceiver chip2, the impedance can be adjusted by setting the length of the microstrip14and the spacing between the microstrip14and the reference ground13, and the impedance matching of the antenna unit1at the working frequency point can be adjusted consequently, a broadband and miniaturized antenna module10can be realized.

As shown inFIG.13, an antenna module10according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, which has substantially the same structure as that of the antenna module10according to the first embodiment, and the main difference is that in this embodiment, the multiple main radiation units11are arranged along a third direction (a first direction and a second direction are described in detail below), the third direction is the Y-axis direction. An included angle between the extension direction of the first gap111and the third direction is in a range of from 0 degree to 45 degrees, and an included angle between the extension direction of the second gap112and the third direction is in a range of from 0 degree to 45 degree.

In other words, compared with the first embodiment, each of the main radiation units11according to this embodiment is rotated by a degree in a range of from 0 degree to 45 degrees around a geometric center thereof. In this embodiment, a rotation angle is 45 degrees.

By rotating the main radiation units11, a distance between feeders of different polarizations of the first feeder part121and an edge of the reference ground13is relatively balanced, so that the difference in scanning loss in results of different polarizations is reduced.

After rotating the main radiation units11, shapes of respective main radiation patches110are adaptively changed, and the shapes of respective main radiation patches110are similar to be fan-shaped.

In other embodiments, the shapes of respective main radiation patches110may be triangular to thereby make an outer contour of the whole main radiation patches110is close to a square.

In combination with any embodiment of the present disclosure, optionally, as shown inFIG.14toFIG.17, an edge of at least one of the main radiation patches110of one main radiation unit11is defined with at least one first groove113. The first groove113may be a rectangular groove, a circular groove, a triangular groove, or a T-shaped groove. In this embodiment, each main radiation patch110is disposed with at least one first groove113. It should be noted thatFIG.14toFIG.17illustrating the main radiation unit11in the first embodiment are taken as an example for description. Of course, the first groove113according to the present disclosure is also applicable to the main radiation unit11according to the second embodiment.

By providing the first groove113on the main radiation patch110to change an upper current path on a surface of the main radiation patch110, the impedance matching of the antenna unit1can be effectively improved. By reasonably adjusting parameters of the first groove113, the impedance of the antenna unit1can be changed to thereby match the impedance of the antenna unit1at the required frequency point.

As shown inFIG.14, the first groove113is communicated with the gap between adjacent two of the main radiation patches110. Specifically, two adjacent sides of each of the main radiation patches110are defined with first grooves113. Of course, each of the main radiation patches110may also be defined with one, three, or other number of grooves. The two adjacent sides of the each of the main radiation patches are defined with first grooves113to be communicated with the first gap111and the second gap112respectively. Specifically, a shape of the first groove113is rectangular. In other embodiments, the first groove113may be a rectangular groove, a circular groove, a triangular groove, or a T-shaped groove.

As shown inFIG.15, the main radiation patch110includes a first end1101and a second end1102opposite to each other. The first end1101is close to a geometric center of the main radiation unit11. The first groove113is defined at the second end1102and extends towards the first end1101. A shape of the first groove113is rectangular. In other embodiments, the first groove113may be a rectangular groove, a circular groove, or a triangular groove.

As shown inFIG.16, each of the main radiation patches110is defined with two first grooves113. The two first grooves113are respectively defined on adjacent two sides of the second end1102on each of the main radiation patches110and extend in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction respectively. Opening directions of the two first grooves113both face outside the main radiation unit11. Of course, in other embodiments, each of the main radiation patches110may also be defined with one, three, or other number of grooves113. A direction of the first groove113is not specifically limited. Specifically, the shape of the first groove113is rectangular. In other embodiments, the first groove113may be a rectangular groove, a circular groove, a triangular groove, or a T-shaped groove.

As shown inFIG.17, this embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG.15except that each of the first grooves113according to this embodiment is a T-shaped groove.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.18, the first groove113is communicated with the first gap111or the second gap112between the adjacent two of the main radiation patches110. A part of the feeder portion12extends into the first groove113. For example, the first main radiation patch110aand the second main radiation patch110beach are defined with first grooves113. The second feeder part122includes a main body section311, and a first second extension section312and a second extension section313respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main body section311. The main body section311is disposed in a gap between the first main radiation patch110aand the second main radiation patch110b. The first extension section312and the second extension section313are respectively disposed in the first groove113of the first main radiation patch110aand the first groove113of the second main radiation patch110b.

By extending the first extension section312and the second extension section313of the second feeder part122into the first grooves113respectively, on the one hand, the impedance of the feeder portion12can be adjusted to thereby improve the impedance matching of the antenna unit1; on the other hand, the compactness between the feeder portion12and the main radiation patches110can be improved and the miniaturization of the antenna unit1can be promoted.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.19, the main radiation unit11further includes a first main radiation patch110aand a second main radiation patch110bdisposed adjacent to each other. A side of the first main radiation patch110aadjacent to the second main radiation patch110bis disposed with at least one first protrusion314. The first protrusion314extends towards the second main radiation patch110b. In this embodiment, the main radiation unit11according to the second embodiment is taken as an example for description. The first main radiation patch110aand the second main radiation patch110bare fan-shaped. There is a vacant area315between the first main radiation patch110aand the second main radiation patch110b. The opposite sides of each main radiation patch110may be respectively disposed with first protrusions314. The first protrusion314extends towards the vacant area315.

As shown inFIG.6, the antenna module10further includes one or more parasitic radiation layers A2.

In an embodiment, the parasitic radiation layer A2is disposed between the main radiation layer A1and the second antenna layer B. Specifically, as shown inFIG.5, when the main radiation layer A1is the second conductive layer L2, the parasitic radiation layer A2may be the third conductive layer L3.

In an embodiment, the parasitic radiation layer A2is disposed on a side of the main radiation layer A1facing away from the second antenna layer B. Specifically, as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6, when the main radiation layer A1is the second conductive layer L2, the parasitic radiation layer A2may be the first conductive layer L1.

In an embodiment, the parasitic radiation layer A2may be at least two layers. The at least two parasitic radiation layers A2are respectively located on opposite sides of the main radiation layer A1. That is, the at least two parasitic radiation layers A2are respectively disposed between the main radiation layer A1and the second antenna layer B and disposed on a side of the main radiation layer A1facing away from the second antenna layer B. Specifically, as shown inFIG.5, when the main radiation layer A1is the second conductive layer L2, the two parasitic radiation layers A2may be the first conductive layer L1and the third conductive layer L3.

As shown inFIG.6, the parasitic radiation layer A2includes at least one parasitic radiation unit17. The parasitic radiation unit17includes at least two parasitic radiation patches170symmetrically and spaced apart from each other. Each of the parasitic radiation patches170is disposed opposite to a corresponding one of the main radiation patches110.

In an embodiment, the number of parasitic radiation units17may be the same as the number of main radiation units11. Each of the parasitic radiation units17faces one of the main radiation units11. The parasitic radiation patches170are not electrically connected to the first electrically conductive members15. The number of parasitic radiation patches170in one parasitic radiation unit17is the same as the number of main radiation patches110in one main radiation unit11.

In this embodiment, there are four parasitic radiation units17, and each of the parasitic radiation units17is disposed with four parasitic radiation patches170. A shape of the parasitic radiation patch170may be triangular, rectangular, square, rhombus, circular, ring-shaped, or an approximate pattern of the above shapes. The shapes of the multiple parasitic radiation patches170in one parasitic radiation unit17may be the same or different. The shape of each of the parasitic radiation patches170is the same as or different from the shape of its corresponding main radiation patch110. In this embodiment, the parasitic radiation patches170having the same shapes as the main radiation patches110are taken as an example for description.

By providing the parasitic radiation patches170, the parasitic radiation patches170are respectively coupled with the main radiation patches110to change the current intensity on the surfaces of the main radiation patches110, thereby improving the impedance matching of the antenna unit1, and increase the gain and widen the impedance bandwidth of the antenna unit1consequently. The impedance bandwidth of the antenna unit1can be adjusted by properly adjusting sizes of the parasitic radiation patches170.

In an embodiment, the feeder portion12may not only be disposed in the gap between the main radiation patches110, but may also be at least partially disposed in the gap between adjacent two of the parasitic radiation patches170. In this embodiment, the gap formed between the parasitic radiation patches170is substantially the same as the gap formed between the main radiation patches110.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.20, the parasitic radiation layer A2and the main radiation layer A1may be on a same layer, and the multiple parasitic radiation patches170of one parasitic radiation unit17are arranged around a periphery of a main radiation unit11. For example, one main radiation unit11includes four main radiation patches110, one parasitic radiation unit17includes four parasitic radiation patches170, the four parasitic radiation patches170are sequentially circumscribed on a peripheral side of one main radiation unit11, and each of the parasitic radiation patches170is opposite to one of the main radiation patches110.

The further improvement of the parasitic radiation unit17will be described below in combination with the accompanying drawings, the parasitic radiation unit17inFIG.13is taken as an example for description.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.21toFIG.24, an edge of at least one of the parasitic radiation patches170of the parasitic radiation unit17is defined with at least one second groove171or at least one second protrusion172.

As shown inFIG.21toFIG.22, an opening of the at least one second groove171faces outside the parasitic radiation unit17. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment in which the edges of the main radiation patches110in the main radiation unit11is defined with the at least one first groove113, with reference to the embodiments inFIG.15throughFIG.17for details.

As shown inFIG.23, the edge of the parasitic radiation patch170is disposed with the second protrusion172. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment in which the edge of the main radiation patch110in the main radiation unit11is disposed with the first protrusion314, with reference to the embodiment inFIG.19for details.

As shown inFIG.24, the second groove171is communicated with the gap between adjacent two of the parasitic radiation patches170, and a part of the feeder portion12extends into the second groove171. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment in which the edges of the main radiation patches110in the main radiation unit11is defined with the first grooves113, with reference to the embodiment ofFIG.18for details.

As shown inFIG.25, an antenna module10is provided according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a second antenna layer B of the third embodiment has the same structure as that of the second antenna layer B of the antenna module10according to the first embodiment. In a first antenna layer A according to the third embodiment, the first conductive layer L1and the second conductive layer L2are respectively disposed with two layers of parasitic radiation units17, and the third conductive layer L3is disposed with main radiation units11. The first feeder part121is disposed in the gap between the main radiation patches110, and the second feeder part122is disposed in the gap between the parasitic radiation patches170on the second conductive layer L2.

It should be noted that the layers on which the parasitic radiation units17are located are disposed with through holes, which are directly opposite to the first electrically conductive members15respectively. These through holes are formed when the first electrically conductive members15are processed on the whole plate, and do not mean that the parasitic radiation units17are electrically connected to the first electrically conductive members15.

The first antenna layer A further includes a carrier layer. The carrier layer is disposed between the main radiation layer A1and the second antenna layer B or disposed on a side of the main radiation layer A1facing away from the second antenna layer B. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.6, when the main radiation layer A1is the second conductive layer L2, the carrier layer may be the third conductive layer L3or the first conductive layer L1. The parasitic radiation layer A2may be a carrier layer or the other layer independent of the carrier layer. When the parasitic radiation layer A2is not a carrier layer, the parasitic radiation layers A2may be arranged on the same side of the main radiation layer A1as the carrier layers, or arranged on opposite sides of the main radiation layer A1, and this disclosure is not limited to this.

The first feeder part121and the second feeder part122both are long strips.

Arrangement positions of the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122include but are not limited to the following implementations.

As shown inFIG.6andFIG.7, all of the first feeder part121is disposed in the first gap111of the main radiation layer A1, and a part of the second feeder part122is disposed in the second gap112, and another part of the second feeder part122is disposed on the carrier layer and electrically connected to the part of the second feeder part122disposed in the second gap112. The carrier layer is the third conductive layer L3.

As shown inFIG.6,FIG.7, andFIG.26, the first feeder part121is at least partially located in the first gap111of the second conductive layer L2. The second feeder part122includes two ends122aand122barranged opposite to each other and a middle part122cconnected between the two ends122aand122b. The two ends122aand122bare located on the second conductive layer L2and disposed on opposite sides of the first feeder part121respectively. The middle part122cof the second feeder part122is disposed on the carrier layer (i.e., the third conductive layer L3), and the two ends122aand122bare electrically connected to the opposite ends of the middle part122cof the second feeder part122through the first vias (blocked). The first vias are disposed along the Z-axis direction.

In order to prevent the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122from being overlapped, the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122are arranged in a bridged manner, which effectively improves the isolation of the antenna unit1, reduces the complexity of the multi-layered structure of the conventional antenna unit, and simplifies the structure of the antenna module10.

As shown inFIG.13, in an embodiment, all of the first feeder part121is disposed in the first gap111, and all of the second feeder part122is disposed on the carrier layer. The carrier layer is the third conductive layer L3.

In an embodiment, all of the second feeder part122is disposed in the second gap112, and a part of the first feeder part121is disposed in the first gap111, and another part of the first feeder part121is disposed on the carrier layer and electrically connected to the part of the first feeder part121disposed in the first gap111.

As shown inFIG.25, all of the second feeder part122is disposed in the second gap112, and all of the first feeder part121is disposed on the carrier layer. The carrier layer is the parasitic radiation layer A2.

As shown inFIG.27, when the first feeder part121is disposed on the second conductive layer L2, the two ends122aand122bof the second feeder part122are disposed on the second conductive layer L2and are respectively located on opposite sides of the first feeder part121. The middle part122cof the second feeder part122is disposed on the first conductive layer L1.

The structural improvement of the feeder portion12will be described below in conjunction with the first embodiment.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.28, the first feeder part121includes a main body part125and at least one extension part126connected to the main body part125. The main body part125is disposed in the first gap111. The extension part126is disposed on the carrier layer (i.e., third conductive layer L3). An orthogonal projection of the main body part125on the carrier layer at least partially covers the extension part126. The extension part126is electrically connected to the main body part125through a second via127.

In an embodiment, the number of the extension parts126is multiple, the multiple extension parts126are stacked along the Z-axis direction, and adjacent two of the extension parts126are electrically connected through the second vias127. Of course, the second feeder part122can also be improved as described above, and will not be described again here.

By arranging the first feeder part121to be stacked, and layers thereof are connected through the second vias127, the extension parts126and the second vias127are equivalent to the introduction of reactance, which can not only to adjust the impedance of the first feeder part121, thereby improving the impedance matching of the antenna unit1, but also to adjust the frequency corresponding to a mode generated by the antenna unit1by changing the height and number of the second vias127.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.29, the middle part122cof the second feeder part122includes a first edge block211, a middle block212, and a second edge block213connected sequentially in that order. An extension direction of the middle block212is the same as that of the second gap112. Extension directions of the first edge block211and the second edge block213are the same as the extension direction of the first gap111. An orthogonal projection of the first feeder part121on the carrier layer is located between the first edge block211and the second edge block213.

In this way, the middle part122cof the second feeder part122is H-shaped, and the structure of the second feeder part122is improved to introduce reactance, which can not only adjust the impedance of the second feeder part122, thereby improving the impedance matching of the antenna unit1, but also adjust the frequency corresponding to the mode generated by the antenna unit1by changing sizes of the first edge block211, the middle block212and the second edge block213.

Of course, the above improvement is also applicable to the first feeder part121.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.30, the second electrically conductive member16is electrically connected to a first end121aof the first feeder part121and one end of the microstrip14. A second end121bof the first feeder part121is opposite to the first end121aof the first feeder part121. In an embodiment, the second end121bof the first feeder part121and the first end121aof the first feeder part121may be symmetrical about a symmetric center of the main radiation patches110(i.e., a geometric center of the main radiation unit11). That is, a distance between the first end121aof the first feeder part121and the symmetric center of the main radiation patches110is equal to a distance between the second end121bof the first feeder part121and the symmetric center of the main radiation patches110.

As shown inFIG.31, in other embodiments, a distance between the first end121aof the first feeder part121and the symmetric center of the main radiation patches110is greater than a distance between the second end121bof the first feeder part121and the symmetric center of the main radiation patches110. Specifically, a connection point between the first feeder part121and the second electrically conductive member16is defined as a first coupling point131, and a distance between the first coupling point131and the geometric center of the main radiation unit11is greater than a distance between the second end121bof the first feeder part121and the symmetric center of the main radiation patches110.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.31, a connection point between the second feeder part122and the second electrically conductive member16is defined as a second coupling point132. A distance between the second coupling point132and the geometric center of the main radiation unit11is greater than a distance between the second end of the second feeder part122and the symmetric center of the main radiation patches110. In this way, compared with the first embodiment, a distance between the first coupling point131and the second coupling point132is larger in this embodiment, so that the influence of the operation of the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122is smaller, and the isolation of the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122is further increased.

In the first embodiment, the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122both are long strips.

As shown inFIG.32, in other embodiments, orthogonal projections of middle part121cof the first feeder part121and the middle part122cof the second feeder part122are overlapped on the main radiation layer A1. A width of the middle part121cof the first feeder part121in a first direction is smaller than a width of each of two ends121aand121bof the first feeder part121in the first direction, and/or the width of the middle part122cof the second feeder part122in a second direction is smaller than the width of each of the two ends122aand122bof the second feeder part122in the second direction. The first direction is an extension direction of the second gap112and the second direction is an extension direction of the first gap111.

In this embodiment, a part where the projections of the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122overlapped is relatively thin, so that the impedance of the first feeder part121and the second feeder part122can be adjusted, thereby the impedance matching of the antenna unit1at the required frequency point can be adjusted consequently.

As shown inFIG.33, an antenna module10is provided according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The structure of the antenna module10according to the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment, and the main difference is that the arrangement of the feeder portion of each main radiation unit11is different.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.34, on the third conductive layer L3, the at least one main radiation unit11includes a third main radiation unit11c, a first main radiation unit11a, a second main radiation unit11b, and a fourth main radiation unit11darranged sequentially in that order along the Y-axis direction. A connection point between the first feeder part121coupled to the first main radiation unit11aand the second electrically conductive member16is a first feeding point128. A connection point between the first feeder part121coupled to the second main radiation unit11band the second electrically conductive member16is a second feeding point129. A distance between the first feeding point128and the second feeding point129is greater than a distance between a geometric center of the first main radiation unit11aand a geometric center of the second main radiation unit11b.

Specifically, inFIG.34, the first feeding point128is located at an upper left corner of the feeder portion12, and the second feeding point129is located at a lower left corner of the feeder portion12. In this way, the distance between the first feeding point128and the second feeding point129can be as large as possible to reduce the coupling degree between the first feeding point128and the second feeding point129to thereby improve the isolation thereof.

InFIG.34, a connection point between the first feeder part121coupled to the third main radiation unit11cand the second electrically conductive member16is located at the upper left, and the connection point between the first feeder part121coupled to the fourth main radiation unit11dand the second electrically conductive member16is located at the lower left. In this way, the distance between the feeding points of each main radiation unit11is increased as much as possible to increase the isolation.

It can be understood that, as shown inFIG.34, on the second conductive layer L2, a connection point between the second feeder part122coupled to a first parasitic radiation unit17a(opposite to the first main radiation unit11a) and the second electrically conductive member16is defined as a third feeding point214, and a connection point between the second feeder part122coupled to a second parasitic radiation unit17b(opposite to the second main radiation unit11b) and the second electrically conductive member16is defined as a fourth feeding point215. A distance between the third feeding point214and the fourth feeding point215is greater than a distance between a geometric center of first parasitic radiation patches170and a geometric center of second parasitic radiation patches170.

Specifically, inFIG.34, the third feeding point214is located at an upper right corner of the feeder portion12, and the fourth feeding point215is located at a lower right corner of the feeder portion12. In this way, the distance between the third feeding point214and the fourth feeding point215can be as large as possible to reduce the coupling degree between the third feeding point214and the fourth feeding point215to thereby improve the isolation.

InFIG.34, a connection point between the second feeder part122coupled to a third parasitic radiation unit17cand the second electrically conductive member16is located at the upper right, and a connection point between the second feeder part122coupled to a fourth parasitic radiation unit17dand the second electrically conductive member16is located at the lower right. In this way, a distance between the feeding points of each parasitic radiation unit17is increased as much as possible to thereby increase the isolation.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.13andFIG.35, the second antenna layer B further includes a first metal barrier31and a second metal barrier32arranged opposite to each other. The first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32are disposed between the main radiation unit11and the reference ground13. The first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32both extend in an arrangement direction of the main radiation units11. The first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32are respectively close to two opposite edges of the antenna module10. Orthographic projections of the main radiation units11(or the parasitic radiation units17) on the second antenna layer B partially cover between the first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32.

In this embodiment, the first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32both are disposed on the fourth conductive layer L4. The first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32are respectively disposed at edges of the fourth conductive layer L4.

The first metal barrier31may be a row of metal vias penetrating through the reference ground13of the fifth conductive layer L5to thereby be electrically connected the first metal barrier31with the reference ground13. The first metal barrier31may also be a metal sheet. The structure of the second metal barrier32may refer to the structure of the first metal barrier31and will not be described here.

The first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32both form reflection walls of electromagnetic waves, and are used to change the current distribution on the main radiation unit11to make an electric field shape more concentrated, thereby increasing the gain.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.36, the second antenna layer B further includes at least one third metal barrier33. The third metal barrier33is located between the orthographic projections of adjacent two of the main radiation units11(or parasitic radiation units17) on the second antenna layer B.

The third metal barrier33may be located on the fourth conductive layer L4, and the third metal barrier33is located between the orthographic projections of the adjacent two of the main radiation units11(or parasitic radiation units17) on the fourth conductive layer L4, so that the third metal barrier33is an isolation barrier between the adjacent two of the main radiation units11, thereby improving the isolation between the adjacent two of the main radiation units11.

In an embodiment, the third metal barrier33may be elongated on the X-Y plane and extend along the X-axis direction. Two ends of the third metal barrier33are electrically connected to the first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32respectively.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.37, the third metal barrier33may include a first barrier331and a second barrier332. The first barrier331and the second barrier332may be elongated on the X-Y plane and extend along the X-axis direction. The first barrier331is electrically connected to the first metal barrier31and spaced apart from the second metal barrier32. The second barrier332is electrically connected to the second metal barrier32and spaced apart from the first metal barrier31. The first barrier331and the second barrier332are overlapped in the Y-axis direction but are spaced apart from each other.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.38, the third metal barrier33is turned by 90 degrees on the X-Y plane to thereby being presented as a H-shaped. The multiple H-shaped structures are arranged along the Y-axis direction.

By providing the third metal barrier33in a H-shaped structure turned by 90 degrees, not only the isolation between adjacent main radiation units11can be increased, but also the third metal barrier33can make full use of a space between the main radiation units11.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.39, the third metal barrier33includes at least two metal blocks333spaced apart from each other. The number of metal blocks333being four is taken as an example for description. The two metal blocks333are electrically connected to the first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32respectively, and are close to opposite sides of one main radiation patch110in one main radiation unit11. The other two metal blocks333are electrically connected to the first metal barrier31and the second metal barrier32respectively, and are close to opposite sides of one main radiation patch110of the other main radiation unit11.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.40, the metal block333may include a first metal piece333aand a first metal piece333barranged in layers, where the first metal piece333aand the first metal piece333bare arranged in layers along the Z-axis direction, and are electrically connected to each other through a metal via333c.

The materials of the first metal barrier31, the second metal barrier32, and the third metal barrier33may be the same as those of the reference ground13.

FIG.41illustrates a schematic curve diagram of input return loss (S11) and frequency of the antenna module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. A point C corresponding to a frequency f1is a resonance point generated by the electric dipole, a point D corresponding to a frequency f2is a resonance point generated by the matching network, a point E corresponding to a frequency f3is a resonance point generated by the magnetic dipole, and a point F corresponding to a frequency f4is a resonance point generated by the matching network. It can be seen that the matching network according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can widen the bandwidth of the electric dipole and the magnetic dipole. In addition, the point C may also correspond to the frequency f2, while the point D corresponds to the frequency f1. Similarly, for example, the point E may correspond to the frequency f4, while the point F corresponds to the frequency f3. For example, the frequency f0-f5is the bandwidth widened by the matching network acting on the electric dipole. Moreover, the combination of the electric dipole and the magnetic dipole can increase the bandwidth of the antenna module10.

The antenna module10according to the embodiment of the present disclosure combines the electric dipole and the magnetic dipole to thereby obtain a magneto-electric dipole, thereby improving the antenna bandwidth and reducing the thickness of the antenna module10, and can be flexibly applied in various communication products. By arranging the microstrip14between the feeder portion12and the RF transceiver chip2, the impedance can be adjusted by designing the length of the microstrip14, and the impedance matching of the antenna unit1at the working frequency point can be adjusted consequently. By changing the clearance dimension around the end section141of the microstrip14, the impedance mismatch caused by the impedance discontinuity of the vertical interconnection with vias can be optimized, so as to reduce the transmission loss. The antenna unit1with rotating magnetoelectric dipole is adopted to thereby reduce the scanning loss. The antenna gain is improved by the double-layer parasitic radiation unit17so that the antenna size is reduced without sacrificing the gain of the antenna. By increasing the spacing between the feeding points of adjacent two antenna units1, the antenna isolation is improved and the scanning loss is further reduced. The antenna gain is improved by setting the metal barriers.

The above are some embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted out that, for those skilled in the related art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present disclosure, and these improvements and modifications are also considered as the scope of protection of the present disclosure.