JP2011193244A - Radio communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact, lightweight, inexpensive, and robust radio communication device having two antennas. <P>SOLUTION: This radio communication device 1 is a USB dongle equipped with: a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped armoring case 2 formed of a synthetic resin; first and second films 3, 4 stuck to an inner wall surface of the armoring case 2; a circuit board 5 housed in the armoring case 2; and a USB connector 6 fixed to the circuit board 5 and projecting to the outside of the armoring case 2, wherein antenna electrodes 7, 8 are patterned on the respective films 3, 4, respectively. A high-frequency circuit 11 and a coupling electrode 14 are formed on one principal surface 5a of the circuit board 5, and a high-frequency circuit 12 and a coupling electrode 15 are formed on the other principal surface 5b thereof. The coupling electrode 14 faces the antenna electrode 7 to be electromagnetically coupled thereto, and the coupling electrode 15 faces the antenna electrode 8 to be electromagnetically coupled thereto. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a small wireless communication device used by being mounted on an electronic device such as a personal computer, and more particularly, a wireless communication device having two antennas and suitable for MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output) transmission and the like. It is about.

  Conventionally, as a small wireless communication device that is mounted on a personal computer and used for a wireless LAN or the like, a USB type device or a card type device in which an antenna electrode is provided at one end of a circuit board housed in an outer case Is widely known. However, the circuit board is provided with a high-frequency circuit including many electronic components, and if the space for forming the antenna electrode is secured on the circuit board, the board becomes large. Therefore, like a wireless communication device for MIMO transmission In addition, when applied to a structure that requires two antennas, the circuit board becomes undesirably large and the entire apparatus must be enlarged.

  On the other hand, for example, in the wireless LAN card disclosed in Patent Document 1, slits are formed at two locations on a metal plate outer case to form two slot antennas, which are provided on a circuit board in the outer case. The microstrip line and these two slot antennas are electromagnetically coupled (capacitively coupled). If a slot antenna is opened in an exterior case made of a metal plate in this way, a wireless communication apparatus capable of operating two antennas at the same time can be obtained without enlarging the circuit board in the exterior case.

JP 2003-234615 A

  However, in the conventional wireless communication apparatus in which the slit formed in the outer case is operated as a slot antenna, as in the wireless LAN card disclosed in Patent Document 1, the metal plate having a relatively high rigidity is punched out. Since the outer case has to be manufactured by bending or bending, there is a problem that the cost and weight of the wireless communication device are hindered by the component cost and weight of the outer case. In particular, in the case of a USB type wireless communication device, it is not practical to form the outer case with a metal plate, so that it is not suitable for application to such a wireless communication device. In addition, when a slot antenna is established in a part of the outer case, even if a blindfold label is attached and the slot antenna (slit) is closed, the label is not supported from the back side, so it is weak against external force. Therefore, the label may be damaged and the slot antenna may be exposed. In this case, not only the appearance of the wireless communication device is impaired, but also foreign matters are likely to enter the outer case via the slot antenna, thereby increasing the risk of short circuiting or poor conduction of the circuit board.

  The present invention has been made in view of the situation of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device that has two antennas, is small and lightweight, is inexpensive, and is not easily damaged.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit board provided with a first high-frequency circuit and a second high-frequency circuit, and a rectangular parallelepiped external appearance that houses the circuit board in an internal space. An exterior case made of synthetic resin, a first antenna electrode and a second antenna electrode integrated with the exterior case, and the first antenna on one of the two opposing wall portions of the exterior case An electrode and the second antenna electrode on the other side; and a first coupling electrode that is derived from the first high-frequency circuit and faces the first antenna electrode on the circuit board; A second coupling electrode that is derived from the second high-frequency circuit and faces the second antenna electrode is provided, the first antenna electrode and the first coupling electrode are electromagnetically coupled, and the second Ante It was constructed and the and the electrode second coupling electrode so as to electromagnetically coupled.

  In the wireless communication apparatus configured as described above, the first antenna electrode and the second antenna electrode are distributed and disposed on two opposing wall portions of the rectangular parallelepiped outer case, and the first antenna electrode Is electromagnetically coupled to the first coupling electrode on the circuit board side, so that signals can be exchanged with the first high-frequency circuit, and the second antenna electrode is electromagnetically coupled to the second coupling electrode on the circuit board side Therefore, signals can be exchanged with the second high frequency circuit. Therefore, this wireless communication apparatus can operate the first and second antenna electrodes simultaneously, and is suitable for MIMO transmission and the like. Moreover, since the outer case is made of synthetic resin, it is easy to reduce the weight and cost. In addition, since the first and second antenna electrodes are integrated with the outer case, they are strong against external force, and it is easy to protect both antenna electrodes with the outer case.

  In the above configuration, a first film having an adhesive layer on one side and a first antenna electrode on the other side, and a second film having an adhesive layer on one side and a second antenna electrode on the other side. When the film is dispersed and attached to two opposing wall portions of the outer case, each antenna electrode can be attached to the outer case simply by attaching the first and second films to the surface of the outer case. Since they can be integrated, the assemblability is good.

  In the above configuration, when the first antenna electrode is disposed on one of the opposing inner wall portions of the exterior case and the second antenna electrode is disposed on the other, the first and second antenna electrodes are disposed on the exterior case. Therefore, there is almost no risk that each antenna electrode will be damaged even if an external force is applied.

  In the above configuration, when the circuit board is a multilayer board having a ground electrode in the inner layer, and the ground electrode is interposed between the first coupling electrode and the second coupling electrode, the first antenna Electromagnetic isolation between the electrode and the first coupling electrode, and the second antenna electrode and the second coupling electrode is preferably ensured easily.

  In the above configuration, a USB connector is fixed to one end of the circuit board. If the USB connector protrudes outward through the opening of the outer case, the antenna has two antennas. A small, lightweight and inexpensive USB dongle suitable for MIMO transmission and the like can be obtained.

  According to the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention, the first antenna electrode and the second antenna electrode are distributed and arranged on two opposing wall portions of the rectangular parallelepiped outer case, and the first antenna electrode is Since it is electromagnetically coupled to the first coupling electrode on the circuit board side, signals can be exchanged with the first high-frequency circuit, and the second antenna electrode is electromagnetically coupled to the second coupling electrode on the circuit board side. Signals can be exchanged with the second high-frequency circuit. Moreover, since the outer case is made of synthetic resin, it is easy to reduce the weight and cost. In addition, since the first and second antenna electrodes are integrated with the outer case, they are strong against external force, and it is easy to protect both antenna electrodes with the outer case. Therefore, a wireless communication device that has two antennas and is suitable for MIMO transmission and the like can be easily realized.

1 is an external view of a wireless communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the radio | wireless communication apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the radio | wireless communication apparatus shown in FIG. It is an external view of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the radio | wireless communication apparatus shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a wireless communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The wireless communication device 1 shown in these drawings is a so-called USB dongle, and is used by being attached to an electronic device such as a personal computer. The wireless communication device 1 is housed in an exterior case 2 having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance, a first film 3 and a second film 4 attached to the inner wall surface of the exterior case 2, and an internal space of the exterior case 2. The circuit board 5 and the USB connector 6 fixed to one end of the circuit board 5 and projecting outward from the exterior case 2 are mainly configured. Are provided.

  The outer case 2 is made of synthetic resin, and the box-shaped outer case 2 having the opening 2 a is obtained by combining the first case 21 and the second case 22. An engagement portion (not shown) for holding the circuit board 5 is formed on the inner wall portion of the exterior case 2, and the opening 2 a is for inserting the USB connector 6. The first film 3 is attached to the inner wall surface of the top plate portion 21 a of the first case 21, and the second film 4 is attached to the inner wall surface of the bottom plate portion 22 a of the second case 22. . When the exterior case 2 is formed by combining the first and second cases 21 and 22, the top plate portion 21a and the bottom plate portion 22a become parallel wall portions facing each other. The films 4 are arranged in a parallel positional relationship.

  One surface of the first film 3 is an affixing surface having an adhesive layer, and the first film 3 is adhered to a predetermined position on the inner wall surface of the top plate portion 21a by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer. In addition, the first antenna electrode 7 is patterned on the other surface of the first film 3 by printing or the like. In this embodiment, a substantially rectangular conductor pattern that can operate as a loop antenna is formed, and the first antenna electrode 7 is formed. 1 antenna electrode 7. The structure of the second film 4 is the same as that of the first film 3. That is, one side of the second film 4 is an affixing surface having an adhesive layer, and the second film 4 is affixed to a predetermined position on the inner wall surface of the bottom plate portion 22a by the adhesive force. On the other surface, a second antenna electrode 8 having the same shape as the first antenna electrode 7 is patterned.

  The circuit board 5 is a multilayer board and is held in a positioning state in the outer case 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit board 5 is provided with the first high-frequency circuit 11 on the main surface 5a on the side facing the top plate portion 21a, and on the main surface on the side facing the bottom plate portion 22a. A second high-frequency circuit 12 is provided in 5b. These first and second high-frequency circuits 11 and 12 are transmission / reception circuits constituted by various electronic components 13 and wiring patterns (not shown). A first coupling electrode 14 derived from the first high-frequency circuit 11 is provided at one end of the main surface 5 a of the circuit board 5, and the first coupling electrode 14 is a first antenna electrode 7. Therefore, the first antenna electrode 7 and the first coupling electrode 14 can be electromagnetically coupled (capacitive coupling). Similarly, a second coupling electrode 15 derived from the second high-frequency circuit 12 is provided at one end portion of the main surface 5b of the circuit board 5, and the second coupling electrode 15 is a second antenna electrode. Therefore, the second antenna electrode 8 and the second coupling electrode 15 can be electromagnetically coupled (capacitively coupled). Furthermore, a ground electrode layer 16 is provided on the inner layer of the circuit board 5, and the ground electrode layer 16 includes the first high-frequency circuit 11 and the first coupling electrode 14, the second high-frequency circuit 12 and the second high-frequency circuit 12. And the coupling electrode 15. The USB connector 6 fixed to the other end of the circuit board 5 is electrically connected to the first and second high-frequency circuits 11 and 12, and the USB connector 6 penetrates the opening 2a to provide an exterior case. 2 protrudes outward.

  As described above, the wireless communication device (USB dongle) 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first antenna electrode 7 and the second antenna on the two opposing wall portions (the top plate portion 21a and the bottom plate portion 22a) of the exterior case 2. Antenna electrodes 8 are distributed, the first antenna electrode 7 is electromagnetically coupled to the first coupling electrode 14, and the second antenna electrode 8 is electromagnetically coupled to the second coupling electrode 15. It is configured. Accordingly, a signal received by the first antenna electrode 7 is supplied to the first high-frequency circuit 11 via the first coupling electrode 14, or from the first high-frequency circuit 11 via the first coupling electrode 14. A transmission signal can be supplied to one antenna electrode 7. Similarly, a signal received by the second antenna electrode 8 can be supplied to the second high-frequency circuit 12 via the second coupling electrode 15, and the second high-frequency circuit 12 sends a second signal as necessary. It is also possible to change the design so that a transmission signal is supplied to the second antenna electrode 8 through the coupling electrode 15.

  That is, since this wireless communication device 1 can operate two antennas (antenna electrodes 7 and 8) simultaneously, it is suitable for MIMO transmission or diversity. However, in this embodiment, since it is designed as a USB dongle corresponding to MIMO transmission, the first antenna electrode 7 is used as a transmission / reception antenna and the second antenna electrode 8 is used as a reception-only antenna.

  In addition, the wireless communication device 1 according to this embodiment is easy to reduce the weight and cost because the outer case 2 is made of synthetic resin. When the wireless communication device 1 is assembled, the first film 3 and the second film 4 are simply attached to the inner wall surface of the first case 21 and the inner wall surface of the second case 22, respectively. Since the antenna electrode 7 and the second antenna electrode 8 can be integrated into the exterior case 2, the assemblability is good. Moreover, since both the films 3 and 4 are covered and reliably protected by the outer case 2, there is almost no risk of the first and second antenna electrodes 7 and 8 being damaged even if an external force is applied. Therefore, the wireless communication device 1 is a small, lightweight, inexpensive, and difficult to break USB dongle suitable for MIMO transmission and the like, and high practicality can be expected.

  In this wireless communication device 1, since the ground electrode layer 16 provided in the inner layer of the circuit board 5 is interposed between the first coupling electrode 14 and the second coupling electrode 15, the first antenna electrode 7 and the first coupling electrode 14 and the electromagnetic isolation between the second antenna electrode 8 and the second coupling electrode 15 are good.

  Next, a wireless communication apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, in these FIGS. 4 and 5, since the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to the first embodiment described above, the overlapping description is omitted.

  In the wireless communication apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, the films 3 and 4 formed by patterning the antenna electrodes 7 and 8 in a meander shape are dispersed and attached to the opposing side wall portions of the exterior case 2. Accordingly, an L-shaped metal plate is erected on the circuit board 5 to form the first and second coupling electrodes 14 and 15, which is greatly different from the first embodiment. That is, in the wireless communication device 10, the first antenna electrode 7 and the second antenna electrode 8 are distributed and arranged on the inner wall surfaces of the two opposite side plate portions of the first case 21, and the circuit board. First coupling electrode 14 is erected at one corner of one main surface 5a of 5 and is opposed to first antenna electrode 7 in close proximity, and second coupling is performed at one corner of the other main surface of circuit board 5. An electrode 15 is erected and faces the second antenna electrode 8 in close proximity.

  If the first and second coupling electrodes 14 and 15 are thus raised with respect to the main surface of the circuit board 5, the first and second antenna electrodes 7 and 8 are opposed to the opposing side walls of the outer case 2. Even when the first antenna electrode 7 and the first coupling electrode 14 are electromagnetically coupled to each other, the second antenna electrode 8 and the second coupling electrode 15 can be electromagnetically coupled. Further, in the second embodiment, since each antenna electrode 7 and 8 has a meander-shaped conductor pattern to increase the electrical length, it is easy to cope with downsizing. However, the pattern shapes of the first and second antenna electrodes 7 and 8 can be appropriately selected unexpectedly.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the films 3 and 4 on which both antenna electrodes 7 and 8 are patterned are adhered to the inner wall surface of the outer case 2. 4 may be attached to the outer wall surface of the outer case 2. In this case, it is preferable to cover the antenna electrodes 7 and 8 with a coating layer, a label, or the like, because the antenna electrodes 7 and 8 can be protected and are not visible from the outside.

  It is also possible to omit the first and second films 3 and 4 and to directly integrate the first and second antenna electrodes 7 and 8 into the outer case 2. For example, if an antenna electrode made of a metal plate is inserted into a mold when molding the outer case 2 (the first case 21 or the second case 22), an antenna electrode embedded in a predetermined position of the outer case 2 is obtained. It is done. The antenna electrode integrated at a predetermined position of the outer case 2 can also be obtained by filling a conductive paste in a recess having a predetermined shape formed in the outer case 2 and curing it.

1,10 Wireless communication device (USB dongle)
2 Exterior Case 2a Opening 3 First Film 4 Second Film 5 Circuit Board 6 USB Connector 7 First Antenna Electrode 8 Second Antenna Electrode 11 First High Frequency Circuit 12 Second High Frequency Circuit 14 First Coupling electrode 15 Second coupling electrode 16 Ground electrode layer 21a Top plate (wall)
22a Bottom plate (wall)

Claims (5)

A circuit board provided with the first high-frequency circuit and the second high-frequency circuit, a synthetic resin outer case having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance and housing the circuit board in an internal space, and a first integrated with the outer case 1 antenna electrode and a second antenna electrode,
The first antenna electrode is disposed on one of the two opposing wall portions of the outer case and the second antenna electrode is disposed on the other, and the circuit board is derived from the first high-frequency circuit. A first coupling electrode opposed to the first antenna electrode and a second coupling electrode derived from the second high-frequency circuit and opposed to the second antenna electrode. A radio communication apparatus, wherein an antenna electrode and the first coupling electrode are electromagnetically coupled, and the second antenna electrode and the second coupling electrode are electromagnetically coupled.   The first film having an adhesive layer on one side and the first antenna electrode on the other side, and the second antenna electrode on the other side having an adhesive layer on the other side. The second film is distributed and attached to two opposing wall portions of the exterior case.   3. The wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna electrode is disposed on one of opposing inner wall portions of the exterior case and the second antenna electrode is disposed on the other. apparatus.   The circuit board according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the circuit board is a multilayer board having a ground electrode layer as an inner layer, and the ground electrode layer is formed of the first coupling electrode and the second coupling electrode. A wireless communication apparatus having an intervening structure.   5. The USB connector according to claim 1, wherein a USB connector is fixed to one end of the circuit board, and the USB connector protrudes outward through the opening of the exterior case. A wireless communication apparatus.

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