Antenna module and communication apparatus equipped with the same

An antenna module comprising:

• a dielectric substrate;
• a ground electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate;
• a plurality of radiating elements disposed to face the ground electrode;
• and
• a first dielectric and a second dielectric that are disposed on a top part of the dielectric substrate, the first dielectric having a dielectric constant that is different from a dielectric constant of the second dielectric,
• wherein each of the plurality of radiating elements includes
• a first radiating electrode, and
• in a plan view in a direction of a normal line of the dielectric substrate, a second radiating electrode that is disposed to overlap with the first radiating electrode and that is smaller in size than the first radiating electrode,
• wherein in the dielectric substrate, the first radiating electrode is disposed between the second radiating electrode and the ground electrode, and
• wherein in the plan view in the direction of the normal line of the dielectric substrate:
• the second dielectric lies over the second radiating electrode and is disposed within an area of the first radiating electrode,
• the first dielectric lies over at least a peripheral edge of the first radiating electrode,
• in the plan view in the direction of the normal line of the dielectric substrate, the first dielectric includes a first cavity, the first cavity being within the area of the first radiating electrode, and
• the second dielectric is disposed in the first cavity.

A communication apparatus comprising:

• a casing including a first dielectric and a second dielectric, the first dielectric having a dielectric constant that is different from a dielectric constant of the second dielectric;
• and
• an antenna module disposed in the casing,
• wherein the antenna module includes
• a dielectric substrate,
• a first radiating electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate,
• in a plan view in a direction of a normal line of the dielectric substrate, a second radiating electrode that is disposed to overlap with the first radiating electrode and that is smaller in size than the first radiating electrode, and
• a ground electrode disposed to face the first radiating electrode and the second radiating electrode,
• wherein in the dielectric substrate, the first radiating electrode is disposed between the second radiating electrode and the ground electrode, and
• wherein in the plan view in the direction of the normal line of the dielectric substrate:
• the second dielectric lies over the second radiating electrode and is disposed within an area of the first radiating electrode,
• the first dielectric lies over at least a peripheral edge of the first radiating electrode,
• in the plan view in the direction of the normal line of the dielectric substrate, the first dielectric includes a first cavity, the first cavity being within the area of the first radiating electrode, and
• the second dielectric is disposed in the first cavity.