KR200417843Y1 - Combination Antenna with multiple feed points - Google Patents

Abstract

The multiple antenna of the present invention provides a common structure for combining the first and second electromagnetic wave radiation member. The first and second electromagnetic wave radiating members are tuned to operate simultaneously and independently in the first and second frequency bands. The common structure includes a common antenna structure, a common mounting structure, and a common ground structure, which can save the occupied space compared with the first and second electromagnetic wave radiating members individually mounted as independent antennas.

Information processing system, antenna, common antenna, multiple antenna, common mounting structure

Description

Multiple Antennas with Multiple Feed Points {Combination Antenna with multiple feed points}

1 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement for multiple antennas in a conventional notebook computer system

2 is a block diagram of an information processing system having one embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram of a multiple antenna of an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a state in which the antenna of another embodiment of the present invention mounted on the notebook computer

5 is a flowchart of a method for accommodating multiple antennas according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

300. Antenna assembly 310. First electromagnetic wave radiation member

312. First Feed Point 314. Second Feed Point

320. Second electromagnetic wave emitting member 332. Conductive metal strip

342. Mounting tab 344. Mounting tab

The present invention relates to an information processing system, and more particularly, to an information processing system having an antenna for wireless communication.

As the value and utility of information increases day by day, individuals and businesses are exploring additional ways to process and store information. An option available to users is an information processing system. An information processing system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other uses, to make the information valuable to users. Because the demands and demands for processing information vary among different users or applications, the information processing system also processes what information, how it processes it, how much information is processed, stored and communicated. And how you want to process, store and communicate information quickly and efficiently. As the information processing system varies, the information processing system must be configured (configured) or generalized for a specific user or financial transaction processing, flight booking, corporate data storage, or global use. In addition, the information processing system may include various hardware and software configured to process, store, and communicate information, and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

In recent years, the use of wireless LANs has been greatly increased because wireless technology can be combined with information accessibility and user mobility when used with portable information processing systems such as notebook computers. Many information processing systems, especially portable information processing systems such as laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, and game / entertainment devices, use various wireless peripherals such as radios or wireless network interface cards (NICs) to access themselves and / or the Internet and intranets. Communicate with other wired and wireless networks, including Wireless communication technology continues to develop and mature. Recently available wireless communication technologies are wireless personal area networks (WPAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), and wireless wide area networks (WWAN).

Several technical standards for wireless communication are being adopted. For example, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and Infrared Data Association (IrDA) are widely accepted as wireless communication standards. Despite these standards, all radios all operate at a specific band of frequencies.

Each radio device in a wireless communication system typically includes one or more antennas for transmitting and receiving signals. The specific type of antenna or antenna system deployed within the information processing system is customized for each wireless application and is adapted to communication standards, frequency ranges, data throughput, distance, power levels, micro-quality of service (QOS) standards, and other factors. Will depend.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a multi-antenna in a conventional portable computer. In general, all antennas are optimized to operate within the two portions of a plastic case of a portable computer system. The location chosen for multiple antennas will affect the performance of the antenna. For example, the antenna mounted on the top of the LCD display unit has superior transmission / reception performance compared to the antenna mounted on the side or base of the LCD display unit. Since portable computers generally have separate antennas for each wireless function, it is difficult to add antennas to already densely packed spaces in portable computers. The rapid adoption of new wireless communication standards such as WWAN, WLAN, and Bluetooth will promote the problem of overcrowding in portable computer systems. In addition, improper positioning of the antenna can limit the performance of the wireless function. In some cases, multiple antennas may be shared with a wireless device through the use of a radio frequency (RF) switch (not shown). However, this technology generally does not allow the simultaneous use of all radios, resulting in increased costs due to the addition of RF switches.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved method and system for accommodating multiple antennas in an information processing system. There is also a need to accommodate multiple antennas without using additional space in the information processing system where possible and without causing an increase in product cost. It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved antenna structure that is coupled to a radio device of an information processing system without the problems of the prior art described above.

The present invention relates to a system and method for receiving a plurality of antennas in a predetermined space. According to the present invention, the common antenna structure includes a first electromagnetic radiation member tuned to operate in a first frequency band, a second electromagnetic radiation member tuned to operate in a second frequency band, and a first electromagnetic radiation member and a second electromagnetic wave. It includes a common structure shared by the radiating member, and the common structure includes a common antenna structure, a common mounting structure, and a common ground structure.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The functionality of the various circuits, devices, boards, cards, and / or components described herein may be hardware (including discrete devices, ICs, or system-on-chips) or firmware (ICs or programmable chips specific to the application) and / or By software or a combination thereof.

The following terms will help in understanding the present invention, but are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Device-An apparatus or component electrically coupled to an information processing system to perform at least one predetermined function. Examples are power supplies, fan assemblies, chargers, controllers, disk drives, scanners, printers, card readers, keyboards and communication interfaces. Many devices require software programs called device driver programs that function as translators between the application and the device.

Radio-communication device. Radios typically allow two-way communication between two devices. Wired or wireless radios generally include hardware, firmware, driver software and user interfaces and / or combinations thereof. The radio is integrated in an information processing system such as a notebook or PDA to enable wired and wireless communication between the information processing system and an external device.

Antenna-A device for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves radiated at radio frequencies. The transmitting antenna converts current into electromagnetic waves, and the receiving antenna converts electromagnetic waves into current. Most antennas are resonators, which operate in at least one predetermined frequency band. An array of one or more antennas operating in a given frequency band is an antenna system. The antenna is tuned (tuned) to the same frequency band as the radio device coupled thereto. Mismatches between radio devices and antennas result in disturbances in transmission and reception.

The computer system is provided with a separate antenna to perform each radio function. Therefore, adding new antennas supporting new and / or additional frequency bands is difficult due to space constraints in computer systems, especially portable computers already filled with high density. Increasing adoption of new wireless standards promotes the problem of overcrowding in portable computers. There are currently no tools and methods for accommodating multiple antennas while maintaining space within a portable computer. As a result, the user has a limitation in selecting a wireless system using several antennas. Therefore, there is a need for an improved method of accommodating multiple antennas while maintaining space in a portable computer.

According to the present invention, in a method and system for accommodating a plurality of antennas, the combination antenna provides a common structure combining the first electromagnetic wave radiation member and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member. The first electromagnetic radiation member and the second electromagnetic radiation member are tuned to operate independently and simultaneously in the first and second frequency bands, respectively. The common structure has a common antenna structure, a common mounting structure, and a common ground structure, and the first electromagnetic wave radiating member and the second electromagnetic wave radiating member are separately mounted as independent antennas to save space compared to the space occupied.

In the present invention, an information processing system is used for computing, classifying, processing, transmitting, receiving, searching, generating, switching, storing, displaying, manifesting, detecting, recording, reproducing, Manipulation, or instrumentality or set of means to use. For example, the information processing system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or other suitable device, and its specifications, forms, performances, functions, and prices may vary. The information processing system may include one or more processing resources, such as RAM, CPU or hardware or software control logic, ROM and / or other nonvolatile memory. An additional configuration of the information processing system may include one or more disk drives, various input / output devices such as keyboards, mice, and video displays, and at least one network port for communicating with external devices. The information processing system may include at least one bus for communicating communications between various hardware components.

2, a block diagram of an information processing system 200 with an improved antenna in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. This information processing system 200 with an improved antenna 247 includes a processor 210, RAM 220 (to main memory), nonvolatile ROM 222, display device 205, keyboard 225 and various other. And an I / O controller 240 for controlling different input / output devices. For example, I / O controller 240 includes a keyboard controller, a memory storage drive controller, and / or a serial I / O controller. The term " information processing system " herein refers to an apparatus having a processor that executes instructions from memory.

Although some systems do not include a hard disk drive 230, the illustrated information processing system 200 includes a hard disk drive 230 that is coupled to the processor 210. Processor 210 communicates with system components via bus 250, which includes data, address, and control lines. In one embodiment, the information processing system 200 has a plurality of buses 250. The communication device 245, for example, a network interface card or a radio device, is connected to the bus 250 to enable wired and wireless information exchange between the information processing system 200 and another device (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the improved antenna 247 is coupled to the communication device 245 via communication links or cables 242 and 244. For example, communication links 242 and 244 may be coupled to separate communication devices. In this embodiment, the information processing system 200 is a portable computer system. Additional features of the antenna of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The processor 210 executes an operation command and operates the information processing system 200. The memory, RAM 220, preferably stores instructions (software program) for executing the methods according to the present invention. For example, in a particular software program, processor 210 instructs communication device 245 to communicate using a particular frequency supported by antenna 247 of the present invention. In embodiments, instructions and software programs may be performed in a variety of ways, such as procedure-based, component-based, or object-oriented. Specific examples may include assemblers, C, XML, C ++ objects, Java, and Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC).

3 is a block diagram of a combination antenna according to the present invention. As shown, the antenna assembly 300 includes a first electromagnetic radiation member 310 tuned to operate in a first frequency band, a second electromagnetic radiation member 320 tuned to operate in a second frequency band, and It includes a common structure shared by the first electromagnetic wave radiation member 310 and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member (320). Common structures include common antenna structures, common mounting structures and common ground structures. By sharing functions such as structural support, mounting, and grounding in common among a plurality of antennas, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the antenna assembly as compared to legacy antennas having dedicated redundant common functions.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the first electromagnetic radiation member 310 is coupled to the first feed point 312, and the second electromagnetic radiation member 320 is coupled to the second feed point 314. The first electromagnetic wave emitting member 310 may transmit and receive a radio frequency signal of a first frequency band through the first feed point 312. Similarly, the second electromagnetic wave emitting member 320 may transmit and receive a radio frequency signal of the second frequency band through the second feed point 322. Antenna assembly 300 is substantially the same as antenna 247 shown in FIG. Radio devices, such as communication device 245, are coupled to antenna assembly 300 via cables 242 and 244, which are coupled to first and second feed points 312 and 314, respectively. The first and second electromagnetic wave emitting members 310 and 320 may operate independently of each other and simultaneously.

The size and shape of the first and second electromagnetic wave emitting members 310 and 320 may vary depending on the selected frequency band of the wireless application. Typical structures of these electromagnetic radiation members are stub antennas, dipole antennas, patch antennas, slot antenna inverted F antennas (INFA), Yagi antennas, and others. The antenna element may be stamped from a metal sheet or assembled on a printed circuit board assembly. In an embodiment not shown, the antenna assembly 300 is a multi-frequency band antenna, and may include one or more electromagnetic wave radiation members corresponding to each frequency band. The specification and shape of the antenna assembly 300 is similar to a rectangular prism having a length L, a height H and a depth D. The specifications vary depending on the wireless application and the information processing system 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, the common antenna structure includes a conductive metal strip 332 which is a support frame for mounting the first and second electromagnetic wave emitting members 310 and 320. The specific structure of the first and second electromagnetic wave emitting members 310 and 320 is determined by the space and size occupied by the first and second electromagnetic wave emitting members 310 and 320 separately mounted according to the legacy antenna as shown in FIG. Compared to the installation space and size can be reduced. Although not shown, another type of space-saving common antenna including a three-dimensional frame may support the first and second electromagnetic wave emitting members 310 and 320 while saving the total space occupied by the antenna assembly 300. In the three-dimensional structure, the spaces of the first and second electromagnetic wave emitting members 310 and 320 may overlap each other.

Each end of the common antenna structure is provided with a common mounting structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the common mounting structure includes a pair of mounting tabs 342 and 344 located at each end of the conductive metal strip 322. Each of the pair of mounting tabs 342, 344 is conductive and has corresponding punching holes 346, 348. Although not shown, the pair of punching holes 346 and 348 may detachably attach the first electromagnetic wave emitting member 310, the second electromagnetic wave emitting member 320 and the common structure to a part of the information processing system 200 with screws at each end. To be fixed. A detailed mounting structure of the antenna assembly 300 in the information processing system 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the common mounting structure includes a conductive metal strip 332 and a pair of mounting tabs 342 and 344. Although not shown, the common ground structure 350 is coupled to the common ground reference in the information processing system 200 through a pair of screws at each end. In this embodiment, the common ground structure 350 may include a flexible conductive foil 352. The flexible conductive foil 352 provides an additional connection between the common contact structure 350 and the common ground reference in the information processing system 200, such as a metallic body that houses the LCD display.

4 is a view showing an antenna assembly mounted in a portable information processing system. In this embodiment, antenna assembly 300 (not shown with conductive foil 352) is located in one of the locations for the legacy antenna shown in FIG. For example, the antenna assembly 300 may be an LCD that is used as a display screen 205 and an upper edge 420 of the information processing system 200 within a gap, window or slot located on either side of the latch assembly 410. Located between the displays 430. Cables 242 and 244 provide RF signals to the first and second electromagnetic wave radiating members, not shown. The shape of the window or slot that houses the antenna assembly 300 is generally similar to a rectangular prism having a predetermined size of length 422, height 432, and depth 442. In this embodiment, the height 432 and depth 442 are generally the same as the mounting slot for the legacy antenna described in FIG. The length of the antenna assembly 300 is larger than the respective length when the first electromagnetic wave radiation member 312 and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member 314 are separately mounted as a legacy structure, that is, an independent antenna. However, the length of the antenna assembly 300 is shorter than the combined length when the first electromagnetic wave radiation member 312 and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member 314 are mounted in a legacy structure. Therefore, the antenna assembly 300 occupies only a smaller space than the space in which the first electromagnetic wave radiating member 312 and the second electromagnetic wave radiating member 314 are individually occupied as independent legacy antennas.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of accommodating a plurality of antennas according to the present invention. In step 510, a common structure is provided to the plurality of antennas. In one embodiment, the common structure for the plurality of antennas includes a common antenna structure, a common mounting structure and a common ground structure. In step 520, a first electromagnetic wave emitting member tuned to operate in a first frequency band is provided to be structurally coupled to a common antenna structure and electrically coupled to a common ground structure. In step 530, the second electromagnetic wave radiation member 314 tuned to operate in the second frequency band is additionally structurally coupled to the common antenna structure and electrically coupled to the common ground structure. In step 540, the common mounting structure for the first electromagnetic radiation member and the second electromagnetic radiation member is fixed to a portion of the portable information processing system detachably by screws or the like. The various steps described above may be performed by adding, omitting, combining, changing, or changing the order. For example, steps 530 and 530 may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical features of the present invention. Although a combination antenna has been described as being applied to a portable information processing system, it may be applied to any information processing system using wireless technology. In addition, the combination antenna has been described as using two radiating members having respective feed points, but consisting of a combined antenna having two or more radiating members, each radiating member has a respective feed point, two or more The radiating member may share a common structure.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an improved technique capable of accommodating a plurality of antennas operated simultaneously in a plurality of frequency bands within a limited space. This improved technology can also share one or more components between multiple antennas, thereby reducing the cost of the product. Therefore, new radio standards can be easily integrated without increasing installation space.

Claims (20)

A first electromagnetic radiation member tuned to operate in a first frequency band, A second electromagnetic radiation member tuned to operate in a second frequency band, and A common structure shared by the first electromagnetic wave radiation member and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member and including a common antenna structure, a common mounting structure, and a common ground structure. Multiple antenna, characterized in that consisting of. The method of claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic radiation member, the second electromagnetic radiation member and the common structure are more than the sum of the space occupied when the first electromagnetic radiation member and the second electromagnetic radiation member are separately mounted as an independent antenna. An antenna, which occupies a small space. 2. The multi-antenna shape element according to claim 1, wherein the shape element for multiple antennas includes a predetermined standard for length, width, and height, wherein the width and height of the multi-antenna are first electromagnetic wave radiating member and second electromagnetic wave when individually mounted as independent antennas. And an antenna substantially equal to the width and height of the radiating member. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic radiation member and the second electromagnetic radiation member operate independently of each other. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the common antenna structure comprises a conductive metal strip that provides structural support and electrical coupling to the first and second electromagnetic wave radiating members. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the common mounting structure includes a pair of mounting tabs positioned at each end of the conductive metal strip, wherein the pair of mounting tabs includes a pair of punching holes at each end, and the punching And a first electromagnetic radiation member, a second electromagnetic radiation member, and a common structure detachably mounted to a portion of the portable information processing system by screws through the holes. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the common grounding structure comprises a flexible conductive foil, wherein the flexible conductive foil provides a common ground reference for the first electromagnetic radiation member, the second electromagnetic radiation member and the information processing system. Antenna. 7. The antenna of claim 6 wherein the common grounding structure comprises a conductive metal strip, a pair of mounting tabs, and screws coupled to the common ground reference of the information processing system. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic radiation member and the second electromagnetic radiation member are tuned to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in first and second frequency bands, respectively. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic wave radiation member is coupled to the first feed point. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the second electromagnetic wave radiation member is coupled to the second feed point. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic radiation member and the second electromagnetic radiation member are operated simultaneously. Providing a common structure having a common antenna structure, a common mounting structure and a common grounding structure for a plurality of antennas, Providing a first electromagnetic radiation member tuned to operate in a first frequency band, structurally coupled to a common antenna structure, and electrically coupled to a common ground structure, Adding a second electromagnetic wave radiation member tuned to operate in a second frequency band, structurally coupled to a common antenna structure, and electrically coupled to a common ground structure, and And mounting a common mounting structure for the first electromagnetic wave radiating member and the second electromagnetic wave radiating member to a part of the information processing system. The method according to claim 13, wherein the adding of the second electromagnetic wave radiation member occupies a small space compared to the sum of the spaces occupied when the first electromagnetic wave radiation member and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member are separately mounted as independent antennas. A plurality of antenna accommodation method. 14. The plurality of antennas of claim 13, wherein providing a common antenna structure comprises providing a conductive metal strip for structural support and electrical coupling to the first and second electromagnetic wave radiating members. Acceptance method. The method of claim 13, wherein the first electromagnetic wave radiation member and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member are operated simultaneously. The method of claim 13, wherein the first electromagnetic wave radiation member and the second electromagnetic wave radiation member are operated independently of each other. Processor, A radio device coupled to the processor, and Consists of multiple antennas coupled to a radio device, The multi-antenna is shared by a first electromagnetic radiation member tuned to operate in a first frequency band, a second electromagnetic radiation member tuned to operate in a second frequency band, and the first and second electromagnetic wave radiation members. An information processing system comprising a common structure including a common antenna structure, a common mounting structure and a common ground structure. 19. An information processing system according to claim 18, wherein the common ground structure provides a ground reference between multiple antennas, a processor and a radio device. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first electromagnetic radiation member, the second electromagnetic radiation member, and the common structure are compared with the sum of the spaces occupied when the first electromagnetic radiation member and the second electromagnetic radiation member are individually mounted as independent antennas. An information processing system, characterized by occupying a small space.

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