Antenna system for optimizing antenna pattern

Abstract

This invention provides an antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern, comprising an open circuit between a first antenna metal portion and a second antenna metal portion. A first feed contact is electrically connected to the first antenna metal portion, and a second feed contact is electrically connected to the second antenna metal portion. A first ground point is electrically connected to the first antenna metal portion, and a second ground point is electrically connected to the second antenna metal portion. A first matching circuit is electrically connected to the first feed contact, and a second matching circuit is electrically connected to the second feed contact. A plurality of first ground paths are provided connected to the first feed contact. One end of a first switching circuit is electrically connected between the first feed contact and the first matching circuit, and the other end of the first switching circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of first ground paths to selectively connect the first feed contact to one of the plurality of first ground paths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case relates to an antenna system that can dynamically switch antenna patterns to optimize the antenna pattern. Prior Technology

[0002] In existing wireless communication electronic products, taking mobile phones as an example, the number of built-in antennas is increasing, and the space available for antenna design is decreasing, making every inch of space precious. In previous antenna designs, two adjacent antennas were used: a primary antenna and a secondary antenna. The primary antenna typically handled signal transmission and reception for the first communication module, while the secondary antenna handled signal transmission and reception for the second. However, in a space-constrained environment, it is impossible to dynamically enhance and switch antenna patterns without altering the antenna space. Therefore, in electronic products with limited space but requiring the most functionality, existing technology struggles to further improve antenna patterns. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides an antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern, comprising a first antenna metal portion, a second antenna metal portion, a first feed contact, a second feed contact, a first ground point, a second ground point, a first matching circuit, a second matching circuit, a plurality of first grounding paths, and a first switching circuit. In the antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern, the first antenna metal portion and the second antenna metal portion are spaced apart, creating an open circuit between them. The first feed contact is electrically connected to the first antenna metal portion, and the second feed contact is electrically connected to the second antenna metal portion. The first ground point is electrically connected to the first antenna metal portion and is located further away from the open circuit than the first feed contact, and the second ground point is electrically connected to the second antenna metal portion and is located further away from the open circuit than the second feed contact. The first matching circuit is electrically connected to the first feed contact, and the second matching circuit is electrically connected to the second feed contact. The plurality of first grounding paths are provided to connect to the first feed contact. One end of the first switching circuit is electrically connected between the first feed contact and the first matching circuit, and the other end of the first switching circuit is electrically connected to a plurality of first ground paths to selectively connect the first feed contact to one of the plurality of first ground paths.

[0004] In summary, this invention relates to an antenna system capable of optimizing antenna pattern. Within a limited and compact antenna design environment, it alters the antenna's impedance and current path by switching the ground path using a switching circuit, thereby dynamically changing the antenna pattern and ultimately increasing and enhancing the antenna's range. Therefore, this invention can increase the antenna's receiving range and enhance its performance by optimizing the antenna pattern. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the antenna system architecture for optimizing the second antenna metal section according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 2 is a circuit block diagram of an antenna system for optimizing the second antenna metal part according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the antenna system architecture for optimizing the metal part of the first antenna according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 4 is a circuit block diagram of an antenna system for optimizing the metal part of the first antenna according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the antenna system architecture that optimizes the first antenna metal part and the second antenna metal part according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 6 is a circuit block diagram of an antenna system that optimizes the first antenna metal part and the second antenna metal part according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the actual architecture of the antenna system for optimizing the metal part of the first antenna according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 8 is a circuit block diagram of the antenna system switching to the second open-circuit ground path according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 9 is a circuit diagram of an antenna system switching to a zero-ohm resistance ground path according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 10 is an XY planar field diagram of an antenna system with optimized first antenna metal part according to an embodiment of the present invention under the operating frequency band WiFi 5G. Figure 11 is an XZ-planar field diagram of an antenna system with optimized first antenna metal part according to an embodiment of the present invention in the operating frequency band WiFi 5G. Figure 12 is a YZ-planar field pattern diagram of an antenna system with optimized first antenna metal part according to an embodiment of the present invention under the operating frequency band WiFi 5G. Figure 13 is a simulation diagram of the reflection coefficient curve (S 11 parameter) generated by the antenna system according to this case under the operating frequency band WiFi 5G. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the radiation efficiency generated by the antenna system according to this case under the operating frequency band WiFi 5G. Implementation

[0006] The embodiments of this case will be described below with reference to relevant figures. Furthermore, some components or structures are omitted in the figures of the embodiments to clearly show the technical features of this case. In these figures, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components or circuits. It must be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., can be used herein to describe various components, parts, areas, or functions, these components, parts, areas, and / or functions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component, part, area, or function from another.

[0007] Referring to Figure 1, an antenna system 10 with an optimizable antenna pattern includes a first antenna metal section 12, a second antenna metal section 14, a first feed contact 16, a second feed contact 18, a first ground point 20, a second ground point 22, a first matching circuit 24, a second matching circuit 26, multiple first grounding paths 28, and a first switching circuit 30. In the antenna system 10, the first antenna metal section 12 is located on one side of the second antenna metal section 14, and there is a gap between the first antenna metal section 12 and the second antenna metal section 14, so that there is an open circuit 32 between the first antenna metal section 12 and the second antenna metal section 14, so that the first antenna metal section 12 and the second antenna metal section 14 can be used as radiators. The first feed contact 16 is electrically connected to the first antenna metal section 12 and is close to the open circuit 32. The second feed contact 18 is electrically connected to the second antenna metal section 14 and is close to the open circuit 32. The first grounding point 20 is electrically connected to the first antenna metal part 12 and is located further away from the path 32 terminal than the first feed inlet contact 16. The second grounding point 22 is electrically connected to the second antenna metal part 14 and is located further away from the path 32 terminal than the second feed inlet contact 18. One end of the first matching circuit 24 is electrically connected to the first feed inlet contact 16, and the other end is electrically connected to a first signal source 34. One end of the second matching circuit 26 is electrically connected to the second feed inlet contact 18, and the other end is electrically connected to a second signal source 36. A plurality of first grounding paths 28 are provided connected to the first feed inlet contact 16, wherein the plurality of first grounding paths 28 includes a first open-circuit grounding path 281 and at least one first passive element grounding path 282, wherein the first open-circuit grounding path 281 is composed of an open-circuit connection to a ground terminal, and the first passive element grounding path 282 is composed of a passive element connection to a ground terminal. To optimize the antenna performance and field pattern range of the second antenna metal part 14, a first switching circuit 30 is added to the first antenna metal part 12. One end of the first switching circuit 30 is electrically connected between the first feed contact 16 and the first matching circuit 24, and the other end of the first switching circuit 30 is electrically connected to a plurality of first ground paths 28. The first switching circuit 30 selectively turns on the first feed contact 16 to connect to one of the plurality of first ground paths 28, so as to switch the first ground path 28 through the first switching circuit 30.

[0008] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The first matching circuit 24 is electrically connected to a first communication module 38, making the first communication module 38 a first signal source 34. The first antenna metal part 12 is responsible for the signal transmission and reception of the first communication module 38. The second matching circuit 26 is electrically connected to a second communication module 40, making the second communication module 40 a second signal source 36. The second antenna metal part 14 is responsible for the signal transmission and reception of the second communication module 40. Furthermore, the first switching circuit 30, the first communication module 38, and the second communication module 40 are electrically connected to a control unit 42, such as a central processing unit (CPU), which controls the first switching circuit 30, the first communication module 38, and the second communication module 40. In this case, when the antenna system 10 is transmitting and receiving signals, if the first communication module 38 and the second communication module 40 are operating simultaneously, the control unit 42 controls the first switching circuit 30 to selectively connect the first feed contact 16 to the first open-circuit grounding path 281 to maintain the normal operation of the first antenna metal part 12 and the second antenna metal part 14. When the first communication module 38 is off and the second communication module 40 is operating, the control unit 42 controls the first switching circuit 30 to selectively connect the first feed contact 16 to the first passive element grounding path 282 to change the original impedance or current path of the second antenna metal part 14, thereby changing the antenna pattern and optimizing the antenna pattern.

[0009] To optimize the antenna performance and field pattern range of the first antenna metal part 12, a second switching circuit 46 is added to the second antenna metal part 14. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the antenna system 10 includes a first antenna metal part 12, a second antenna metal part 14, a first feed contact 16, a second feed contact 18, a first ground point 20, a second ground point 22, a first matching circuit 24, a second matching circuit 26, a plurality of second grounding paths 44, and a second switching circuit 46. In the antenna system 10, the plurality of second grounding paths 44 are connected to the second feed contact 18. Each of the plurality of second grounding paths 44 includes a second open-circuit grounding path 441 and at least one second passive element grounding path 442. The second open-circuit grounding path 441 is composed of an open circuit connected to a ground terminal, and the second passive element grounding path 442 is composed of a passive element connected to a ground terminal. One end of the second switching circuit 46 is electrically connected between the second feed inlet contact 18 and the second matching circuit 26, and the other end of the second switching circuit 46 is electrically connected to a plurality of second grounding paths 44. The second switching circuit 46 selectively connects the second feed inlet contact 18 to one of the plurality of second grounding paths 44, so as to switch the second grounding path 44 through the second switching circuit 46. Furthermore, the second switching circuit 46, the first communication module 38, and the second communication module 40 are electrically connected to the control unit 42, so as to control the second switching circuit 46, the first communication module 38, and the second communication module 40 through the control unit 42. The remaining structure is the same as that shown in the embodiments of FIG1 and FIG2, and therefore will not be described again here. In this case, when the antenna system 10 is transmitting and receiving signals, if the first communication module 38 and the second communication module 40 are operating simultaneously, the control unit 42 controls the second switching circuit 46 to selectively connect the second feed contact 18 to the second open-circuit grounding path 441 to maintain the normal operation of the first antenna metal part 12 and the second antenna metal part 14. When the second communication module 40 is off and the first communication module 38 is operating, the control unit 42 controls the second switching circuit 46 to selectively connect the second feed contact 18 to the second passive element grounding path 442 to change the original impedance or current path of the first antenna metal part 12, thereby changing the antenna pattern and optimizing the antenna pattern.

[0010] To simultaneously optimize the antenna performance and field pattern range of the first antenna metal part 12 and the second antenna metal part 14, this invention further adds a first switching circuit 30 to the first antenna metal part 12 and a second switching circuit 46 to the second antenna metal part 14. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the antenna system 10 includes a first antenna metal part 12, a second antenna metal part 14, a first feed contact 16, a second feed contact 18, a first ground point 20, a second ground point 22, a first matching circuit 24, a second matching circuit 26, multiple first grounding paths 28, multiple second grounding paths 44, a first switching circuit 30, and a second switching circuit 46. In antenna system 10, a plurality of first ground paths 28 are provided connected to a first feed contact 16, and a plurality of second ground paths 44 are provided connected to a second feed contact 18. Each of the first ground paths 28 includes a first open-circuit ground path 281 and at least one first passive element ground path 282, and each of the second ground paths 44 includes a second open-circuit ground path 441 and at least one second passive element ground path 442. One end of a first switching circuit 30 is electrically connected between the first feed contact 16 and the first matching circuit 24, and the other end of the first switching circuit 30 is electrically connected to the plurality of first ground paths 28. The first switching circuit 30 selectively connects the first feed contact 16 to one of the plurality of first ground paths 28, thereby switching the first ground path 28 via the first switching circuit 30. One end of the second switching circuit 46 is electrically connected between the second feed inlet contact 18 and the second matching circuit 26, and the other end of the second switching circuit 46 is electrically connected to a plurality of second grounding paths 44. The second switching circuit 46 selectively connects the second feed inlet contact 18 to one of the plurality of second grounding paths 44, so as to switch the second grounding path 44 through the second switching circuit 46. Furthermore, the first switching circuit 30, the second switching circuit 46, the first communication module 38, and the second communication module 40 are electrically connected to the control unit 42, so as to control the first switching circuit 30, the second switching circuit 46, the first communication module 38, and the second communication module 40 through the control unit 42. The remaining structure is the same as that shown in the embodiments of FIG1 and FIG2, and therefore will not be described again here. In this case, when the antenna system 10 is transmitting and receiving signals, if the first communication module 38 and the second communication module 40 are operating simultaneously, the control unit 42 controls the first switching circuit 30 to selectively connect the first feed inlet contact 16 to the first open-circuit grounding path 281, and controls the second switching circuit 46 to selectively connect the second feed inlet contact 18 to the second open-circuit grounding path 441, so as to maintain the normal operation of the first antenna metal part 12 and the second antenna metal part 14. When the first communication module 38 is off and the second communication module 40 is operating, the control unit 42 controls the first switching circuit 30 to selectively connect the first feed inlet contact 16 to the first passive element grounding path 282, so as to optimize the antenna pattern of the second antenna metal part 14.When the second communication module 40 is off and the first communication module 38 is operating, the control unit 42 controls the second switching circuit 46 to selectively connect the second feed contact 18 to the second passive element grounding path 442, thereby optimizing the antenna pattern of the first antenna metal part 12.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first antenna metal portion 12 is selected from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna, a WiFi antenna, a wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna, a global positioning system (GPS) antenna, or an ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna. The second antenna metal portion 14 is also selected from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna, a WiFi antenna, a wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna, a global positioning system (GPS) antenna, or an ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna.

[0012] In one embodiment, at least one first passive element grounding path 282 and at least one second passive element grounding path 442 may be selected from a zero-ohm resistor grounding path, a resistor grounding path, an inductor grounding path, a capacitor grounding path, or a combination of resistor, inductor, and capacitor grounding path, respectively.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first switching circuit 30 and the second switching circuit 46 are respectively selected from a single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch, at least one single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch or multiple single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches, so that the first switching circuit 30 can select an appropriate switch type according to the number of first grounding paths 28 and the second switching circuit 46 can select an appropriate switch type according to the number of second grounding paths 44.

[0014] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the first antenna metal portion 12 and the second antenna metal portion 14 described above can be a metal frame antenna of an electronic device, but are not limited thereto. The first antenna metal portion 12 and the second antenna metal portion 14 can vary depending on the application of the antenna system 10, such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) antenna, a laser direct-formed (LDS) antenna or a metal antenna, but this application is not limited thereto.

[0015] In one embodiment, the aforementioned electronic device is a mobile phone, a digital assistant, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc., but this application is not limited to this, and any electronic device with mobile communication function is included in this application.

[0016] Continuing with the description of a practical example of an antenna system 10 with optimized antenna configuration, this section will detail an embodiment of the optimized first antenna metal part 12 shown in Figures 3 and 4. Referring also to Figures 7, 8, and 9, in this embodiment, the first communication module 38 used in the antenna system 10 is a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communication module, and the first antenna metal part 12 is a WLAN antenna supporting frequency bands of 2400 MHz to 2500 MHz and 5150 MHz to 7125 MHz. When the second communication module 40 is a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) communication module, the second antenna metal part 14 is a WWAN antenna supporting frequency bands of 3300 MHz to 4200 MHz. Furthermore, this embodiment aims to optimize the first antenna metal section 12 (wireless local area network antenna), so a second switching circuit 46 is configured on the second antenna metal section 14. This second switching circuit 46 employs a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch, which is connected to two grounding paths: a second open-circuit grounding path 441 and a zero-ohm resistance grounding path 443. When the first communication module 38 and the second communication module 40 operate simultaneously, the control unit 42 controls the second switching circuit 46 to selectively connect the second feed inlet contact 18 to the second open-circuit grounding path 441, as shown in FIG8, to maintain the normal operation of the first antenna metal section 12 and the second antenna metal section 14. When the second communication module 40 is off and the first communication module 38 is operating, this environment only supports wireless local area networks. The control unit 42 will control the second switching circuit 46 to selectively connect the second feed contact 18 to the zero-ohm resistance ground path 443, as shown in Figure 9, to change the original impedance or current path of the first antenna metal part 12, so that the antenna field pattern of the first antenna metal part 12 changes. Please refer to Figures 10, 11 and 12 at the same time. In the antenna system 10 with the addition of the second switching circuit 46 and the second ground path 44, there will be two field patterns in the XY plane, XZ plane and YZ plane, so as to effectively optimize the antenna field pattern range.

[0017] Furthermore, regardless of whether the second switching circuit 46 selectively conducts the second open-circuit grounding path 441 or the zero-ohm resistance grounding path 443, the simulation results of the S-parameters (reflection coefficient curve S 11) and efficiency of the antenna system 10 under these two conditions are shown in Figures 13 and 14, respectively. As shown in Figure 13, the reflection coefficient curve (S 11) shows good performance regardless of whether it is switched to the second open-circuit grounding path 441 or the zero-ohm resistance grounding path 443. As shown in Figure 14, the radiation efficiency in the WiFi band is above a certain level, demonstrating good performance. Therefore, this invention can adaptively optimize the antenna pattern according to the current usage scenario and signal status.

[0018] In summary, this invention relates to an antenna system capable of optimizing antenna pattern. Within a limited and compact antenna design environment, it alters the antenna's impedance and current path by switching the ground path using a switching circuit, thereby dynamically changing the antenna pattern and ultimately increasing and enhancing the antenna's range. Therefore, this invention can increase the antenna's receiving range and enhance its performance by optimizing the antenna pattern.

[0019] The embodiments described above are merely for illustrating the technical ideas and features of this case. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this case and implement it accordingly. They should not be used to limit the scope of the patent in this case. That is, all equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit disclosed in this case should still be covered within the scope of the patent application in this case.

[0020] 10: Antenna System 12: Metal part of the first antenna 14: Second day's metal section 16: First feed contact 18: Second feed contact 20: First grounding point 22: Second grounding point 24: First matching circuit 26: Second Matching Circuit 28: First underground route 281: First underground path 282: Grounding path of the first passive component 30: First switching circuit 32: Opening the way 34: First Signal Source 36: Second signal source 38: First Communication Module 40: Second communication module 42: Control Unit 44: Second underground route 441: Second underground route 442: Grounding path of the second passive component 443: Zero-ohm resistance grounding path 46: Second switching circuit

Claims

1. An antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern, comprising: a first antenna metal portion; a second antenna metal portion having a distance from the first antenna metal portion such that an open circuit exists between the first antenna metal portion and the second antenna metal portion; a first feed contact electrically connected to the first antenna metal portion; a second feed contact electrically connected to the second antenna metal portion; a first ground point electrically connected to the first antenna metal portion and located further away from the open circuit than the first feed contact; a second ground point electrically connected to the second antenna metal portion and located further away from the open circuit than the second feed contact; a first matching circuit electrically connected to the first feed contact; and a second matching circuit electrically connected to the second feed contact. A plurality of first ground paths are provided for connection to the first feed inlet contact, the plurality of first ground paths including an open ground path and at least one passive component ground path; and a first switching circuit, one end of which is electrically connected between the first feed inlet contact and the first matching circuit, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the plurality of first ground paths to selectively connect the first feed inlet contact to one of the plurality of first ground paths, wherein the first matching circuit is further electrically connected to a first communication module, and the second matching circuit is further electrically connected to a second communication module, wherein when the first communication module and the second communication module are operating, the first switching circuit selectively connects the first feed inlet contact to the open ground path.

2. The antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 1, wherein the grounding path of the at least one passive element can be selected from a zero-ohm resistor grounding path, a resistor grounding path, an inductor grounding path, a capacitor grounding path, or a combination of resistor, inductor, and capacitor grounding path.

3. The antenna system with optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 1, wherein when the first communication module is off and the second communication module is in operation, the first switching circuit selectively connects the first feed contact to the grounding path of the passive element to change the impedance or current path of the second antenna metal part and optimize the antenna pattern.

4. The antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 1 further comprises: a plurality of second grounding paths for connection to the second feed contact; and a second switching circuit, one end of which is electrically connected between the second feed contact and the second matching circuit, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the plurality of second grounding paths to selectively enable the second feed contact to be connected to one of the plurality of second grounding paths.

5. The antenna system with an optimizable antenna pattern as described in claim 4, wherein the plurality of first ground paths each includes a first open-circuit ground path and at least one first passive element ground path; and the plurality of second ground paths each includes a second open-circuit ground path and at least one second passive element ground path.

6. The antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 5, wherein the grounding path of the at least one first passive element and the grounding path of the at least one second passive element can be selected from a zero-ohm resistor grounding path, a resistor grounding path, an inductor grounding path, a capacitor grounding path, or a combination of resistor, inductor, and capacitor grounding path, respectively.

7. An antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 5, wherein when the first communication module and the second communication module are in operation, the first switching circuit selectively connects the first feed contact to the first open-circuit ground path, and the second switching circuit selectively connects the second feed contact to the second open-circuit ground path.

8. An antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 5, wherein when the first communication module is off and the second communication module is on, the first switching circuit selectively connects the first feed contact to the grounding path of the first passive element to change the impedance or current path of the second antenna metal part and optimize the antenna pattern; and when the first communication module is on and the second communication module is off, the second switching circuit selectively connects the second feed contact to the grounding path of the second passive element to change the impedance or current path of the first antenna metal part and optimize the antenna pattern.

9. An antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 1, wherein the first switching circuit is a single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch, at least one single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch, or multiple single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches.

10. The antenna system with an optimized antenna pattern as described in claim 4, wherein the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit are respectively selected from a single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch, at least one single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch or multiple single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches.

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