Planar Antennas to Achieve Near-equal Spherical Coverage for Compact Mobile Scenarios

Abstract

This dissertation presents a novel concept of a symmetrically stacked planar antenna realized using rectangular-shaped microstrip patch antennas. In order to achieve near-equal spherical coverage, which is the most required in antenna theory, this approach has been studied and verified in microwave and millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) 5G communication. Based on the transmission line model of the patch antenna theory, operating principle is studied. In addition, the parameters that affect the radiation characteristics are described based on antenna array theory and electromagnetic phenomena. In microwave band, an electric dipole mode or magnetic dipole mode, which are complementary each other, are achieved by separately controlling the phase of the signals applied to each port. Collectively, these two complementary dipoles enable a near-equal coverage without any change in performance even in actual usage scenarios. Also, phased array symmetrically stacked planar antenna is studied and demonstrated to enhance spherical beamforming coverage for 5G metal-frame handsets. This first-of-its-kind concept can mitigate metal frame blockage issue and achieve near-equal spherical coverage in 5G mobile handsets condition without any deformation of metal frame, which is favored in the industry.