An apparatus and method having a cavity-extended antenna

Abstract

Various embodiments relate to antenna designs that can improve performance and antenna volume, particularly in foldable mobile devices. A device can include an antenna cavity substantially enclosed by at least four conductor walls, and a gap between two substantially perpendicular conductor walls at a first side of the antenna cavity. The device can also include a cavity extension extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side of the cavity and aligned with the gap. Devices, methods, and computer programs are disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communication. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention relate to the design of cavity antennas. BACKGROUND

[0002] The number of antennas in small mobile devices is continuously increasing with the frequency bands allocated for radio communication, while the volume reserved for antennas remains the same or even decreases. As a result, antennas can easily become inefficient, leading to a significant reduction in achievable data rates and coverage. It is known that at least a portion of the metal frame of a mobile phone can be used as an antenna radiator. At the same time, there is a design option to extend the size of the display to cover the entire front of the device. This would therefore reduce the available antenna volume. Finally, achieving sufficient antenna performance on the required frequency bands becomes a very challenging task. Furthermore, for devices with foldable display mechanisms, the antenna needs to work in both the "folded" and "unfolded" states of the device, which further limits the design freedom to achieve the required antenna performance. SUMMARY

[0003] This summary introduces a selection of concepts that can be further described in the detailed description. It is not intended to determine key or essential features of the claimed subject matter or to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that achieves sufficient antenna performance in a mobile device where the space available for antennas is limited. Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna design that is able to exploit the structure of a foldable mobile device such that the available antenna volume in a foldable device is increased without unduly impacting antenna performance.

[0005] The above and other objects can be achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are evident from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a device for radio frequency communication is provided. The device can comprise an antenna cavity substantially enclosed by at least four conductor walls; a gap between two substantially perpendicular conductor walls at a first side of the antenna cavity; and a cavity extension extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side of the antenna cavity and aligned with the gap. This approach improves the achievable performance and volume of antennas in mobile devices. The device is able to overcome antenna design limitations due to the use of a display that covers the entire front of the device and foldable display mechanisms. This is achieved by extending the cavity aligned with the gap.

[0007] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the cavity extension can extend from a second side of the antenna cavity opposite the first side of the antenna cavity. The cavity extension can be closed at its end. This approach can improve antenna performance. Furthermore, the resonant frequency of the cavity antenna can be tuned with the size of the cavity extension. In addition to this, this approach can reduce the size of the antenna cavity required for a certain resonant frequency.

[0008] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the cavity extension can extend from a first side of the antenna cavity. The cavity extension can be open at its end. This approach can use the cavity extension as a guiding mechanism for the electromagnetic field excited by the antenna feed of the device.

[0009] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the device can further comprise a first frame and a second frame coupled by a folding mechanism. The antenna cavity can be located near the folding mechanism in the first frame, wherein the cavity extension extends outward from the folding mechanism. This approach can improve antenna performance in the folded state of the device by guiding the excited electromagnetic field away from the folding mechanism. Furthermore, the volume of the antenna in the foldable device can be increased by improving the possible location of the antenna designed with the antenna cavity having a cavity extension using the side of the frame with the folding mechanism.

[0010] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the second frame can comprise a conductor wall for forming a cover for at least a part of the cavity extension when the device is in the folded state. This approach enables the formation of the cavity extension when the device is folded. Thus, the antenna design in a mobile device with a folding display can be improved by utilizing the space within the folding display mechanism to accommodate the cavity extension in the folded state of the device. When the gap and the cavity extension are located on the same side of the antenna cavity, the resonant frequency of the antenna cavity is substantially not affected by the size of the cavity extension. This enables the device to maintain almost the same antenna performance whether it is in the folded state or the unfolded state.

[0011] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the device can comprise a plurality of the antenna cavities near the folding mechanism. Thus, the antenna performance and diversity can be improved by utilizing the space near the folding mechanism.

[0012] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the first frame can comprise at least one of the plurality of the antenna cavities and the second frame can comprise at least one of the plurality of the antenna cavities. Thus, the antenna cavities can be located on the available space on both sides of the folding mechanism. This enables the volume of the antenna on the device to be increased.

[0013] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, at least two of the plurality of antenna cavities can be configured to operate at different frequencies. This enables the device to avoid coupling of the antenna cavities when the device is folded.

[0014] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the first frame can be configured to be turned off in the folded state. This enables the device to avoid coupling of the antenna cavities when the device is folded.

[0015] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the first frame can be configured to operate at the same frequency as at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the second frame, and at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the first frame operating at the same frequency can be configured to be turned off in the folded state. This enables the device to avoid coupling of antennas operating at the same frequency in different frames.

[0016] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the cavity extension can extend between an internal component of the device and a surface opposite to a display of the device in the first frame or the second frame. This improves the use of antenna space in foldable devices, while the cavity extension can be accommodated in the space within the folding display mechanism.

[0017] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the first frame can comprise a first portion of the display and the second frame can comprise a second portion of the display. The cavity extension can end at a portion of the first frame, wherein in the folded state the first portion of the display and the second portion of the display do not overlap at the portion of the first frame. This improves the radiation of the open end of the cavity extension.

[0018] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the gap or the cavity extension of at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the first frame and the gap or the cavity extension of at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the second frame can be directed towards opposite directions away from the folding mechanism when the device is in the unfolded state. Thus, the antennas can operate simultaneously even if they are at the same frequency.

[0019] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the cavity extension can extend between an internal component of the device and a surface opposite to a display of the device. This improves the use of antenna space in non-foldable devices.

[0020] According to an implementation form of the first aspect, the device can comprise a non-foldable device. This improves the antenna performance in non-foldable devices. Furthermore, the use of antenna space in non-foldable devices can be enhanced since the cavity extension enables to reduce the size of the antenna cavities.

[0021] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for operating a radio frequency communication device. The method can comprise detecting a folded state of the device according to the first aspect, and in response to detecting the folded state, switching off at least one of a plurality of antenna cavities of the device. This approach allows for the use of antennas on both sides of the device folding mechanism while avoiding coupling of the cavity antennas when placed on top of each other.

[0022] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program code for performing the method according to the second aspect when the computer program is executed on a computer.

[0023] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program code for performing the method according to the second aspect when the computer program is executed on a computer.

[0024] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program code for performing the method according to the second aspect when the computer program is executed on a computer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the example embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the example embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the example embodiments. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 An example of an antenna cavity coupled with an open-ended cavity extension is shown according to embodiments of the application;

[0027] Figure 2 An example of an antenna cavity coupled with an open-ended cavity extension is shown according to embodiments of the application;

[0028] Figure 3 An example of an antenna cavity coupled with an open-ended cavity extension is shown according to embodiments of the application;

[0029] Figure 4 An example of an antenna cavity coupled with an open-ended cavity extension is shown according to embodiments of the application;

[0030] Figure 5 An example of a foldable device comprising an antenna cavity with a cavity extension is shown according to embodiments of the application, wherein the foldable device is in a folded state;

[0031] Figure 6 An example of a foldable device comprising an antenna cavity with a cavity extension is shown according to embodiments of the application, wherein the foldable device is in an unfolded state;

[0032] Figure 7 An example of a foldable device comprising antenna cavities proximate to a folding mechanism of the foldable device is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the application;

[0033] Figure 8 An example of a foldable device comprising multiple antenna cavities on both sides of a folding mechanism of the foldable device is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the application;

[0034] Figure 9 An example of a method for operating a device adapted for radio frequency communication is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0035] In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to refer to like components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the example embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description, which is presented below, is intended to be a description of the exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the examples can be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of the operations for the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different examples.

[0037] The predetermined location and available volume of antennas in a mobile device can severely limit the design flexibility of the mobile antenna. The antenna elements can be located on the top and / or bottom of the device. In addition, the antenna elements can be placed on a certain distance (gap) to achieve the required impedance bandwidth and other antenna radiation performance requirements.

[0038] Additionally, the display screen of a mobile device can be surrounded by a metal frame, which can be used at least partially as an antenna radiator. The metal frame can have a cutout / gap in order to achieve the length that can be required by different antennas. At the same time, there is a design option to extend the size of the display screen to cover the entire front of the device. This would therefore reduce the available antenna volume. It is known that there is a close correlation between the achievable impedance bandwidth, total efficiency and the available antenna gap, so by increasing the ground gap, the achievable bandwidth and efficiency can be improved, and the optimal gap depends on the frequency.

[0039] For example, antennas such as capacitive coupling element (CCE) antennas, inverted F antennas, or monopole / inverted L antennas can be applied in devices with rectangular display screens, where all four sides of the device are designed with multiple gaps / cuts to implement many different antennas. However, this becomes very challenging for devices with foldable display mechanisms. In foldable devices, three sides of the frame can be used to design antennas. However, the fourth side of the frame is difficult to use to design antennas to implement the foldable display structure due to the folding hinge. Moreover, since the device needs to work in both “folded” and “unfolded” states, it is very challenging to design antennas using only two frames of the foldable device. This problem applies to both folding directions, i.e., folding from left to right, where the folding hinge is on one of the vertical sides of the frame of the foldable device, and folding from top to bottom, where the folding hinge is on one of the horizontal sides of the frame. The display screen can be on either side of the frame. The three sides of the first frame can be used to design antennas, while the three sides of the second frame can be symmetrical to the first frame such that the required gaps / cuts do not interfere with the antennas designed in the first frame. Another approach is to introduce a so-called strip region so that the frames do not fully overlap each other when the device is folded. This helps to design a sufficient number of antennas in the strip region that is not affected by the folding mechanism. However, if many antennas are placed in the strip region, i.e., only on one side of the first frame, the antenna performance can be limited by the achievable isolation between the antennas. The performance of many antennas can also be affected when the device is held by the user’s hand in the strip region.

[0040] An antenna cavity can include a structure created by warping a conductor around a dielectric material. The conductor can enclose at least four surfaces filled with the dielectric material such that there is a gap between the vertical and horizontal cavity walls on one side of the antenna cavity. The antenna cavity can be excited by a voltage source (antenna feed) configured between the two horizontal walls enclosed by the conductor. The resonant frequency of the excited antenna cavity is determined by the size (length / width / height) of the cavity and the location of the antenna feed. Moreover, antenna matching can also be achieved by designing the gap.

[0041] According to one embodiment, an antenna cavity is extended to increase the design freedom of an antenna in a mobile device. The cavity extension can be used to design the resonant frequency of the antenna cavity. The antenna cavity can be enclosed by at least four conductor walls. The antenna cavity can include a gap between two substantially perpendicular conductor walls at a first side of the antenna cavity. In addition, the antenna cavity can also include a cavity extension in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side of the antenna cavity and aligned with the gap. The cavity extension can extend from the same side of the antenna cavity as the gap location or from an opposite side of the antenna cavity as the gap location. The direction of the cavity extension and the location of the gap depend on whether the antenna is for a non-foldable device or a foldable device. The cavity extension can be open or closed from the end of the cavity extension, for example, depending on which device it is used for. In one embodiment, one or more antenna cavities with a cavity extension can be designed in the internal mechanical structure of a foldable device, close to the folding mechanism of the foldable device. For the previous limitations in the antenna design created by the folding mechanism, the cavity extension can be made to become a supporting feature by utilizing the folding mechanism, such that the cavity extension is formed when the device is folded.

[0042] Figure 1 An example of an antenna cavity 104 coupled with an open-ended cavity extension 103 is shown according to an embodiment of the present application; a device 100 can include an antenna cavity 104 with a cavity extension 103. In one embodiment, the device 100 can be an antenna. The antenna cavity 104 can be substantially enclosed by at least four conductor walls 101. In one embodiment, the cavity extension 103 extends from a first side of the antenna cavity 104. The antenna cavity 104 and the cavity extension 103 can form an extended antenna cavity, for example, a continuous space within the conductor walls of the antenna cavity 104 and the cavity extension 103. The antenna cavity 104 can include a gap 102 between two substantially perpendicular conductor walls 101 at the first side of the antenna cavity 104. The cavity extension 103 can be open at its end. In other words, a gap 102 can also exist in the open end of the cavity extension 103. The antenna cavity 104 can include an antenna feed 105 between two horizontal conductor walls 101.

[0043] The antenna cavity 104 can have a cuboid shape with height (H), width (W), and length (L) dimensions determined by the conductor walls 101. Thus, the antenna cavity 104 can have a rectangular cross-section of any size. The antenna cavity 104 can be open at the end of the cuboid (as shown in FIG. 1) or closed at the end of the cuboid (as shown in FIG. 2). The antenna cavity 104 can be open at the end of the cuboid (as shown in FIG. 1) or closed at the end of the cuboid (as shown in FIG. 2). Figure 1The antenna's main design parameters are related to the size of the antenna cavity 104 and the location of the antenna feed 105. Thus, the antenna's resonant frequency can be substantially unaffected by the size of the cavity extension 103. The open-ended cavity extension 103 acts as a guiding mechanism for the electromagnetic field excited by the antenna feed 105. In one embodiment, the device 100 can comprise a foldable device. Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of the device 100 is shown. The conductor walls 101 can surround a dielectric material 200, such as air. The dielectric material 200 can also be disposed inside the cavity extension 103.

[0044] Figure 3 An example of an antenna cavity 104 coupled with a closed-end cavity extension 103 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. The device 100 can comprise an antenna cavity 104 with a cavity extension 103. As described above, the antenna cavity 104 and the cavity extension 103 can form an extended antenna cavity. In one embodiment, the device 100 can be an antenna. The antenna cavity 104 can be substantially enclosed by at least four conductor walls 101. In one embodiment, the cavity extension 103 extends from a second side of the antenna cavity 104. The antenna cavity 104 can comprise a gap 102 between two substantially perpendicular conductor walls 101 of the antenna cavity 104 at a first side of the antenna cavity 104. The first side can be opposite the second side. The cavity extension 103 can be closed at its end. The beginning of the cavity extension 103 can be open such that a uniform space is enclosed by the conductor walls 101. The antenna cavity 104 can comprise an antenna feed 105 between two horizontal conductor walls 101. The space formed by the antenna cavity 104 and the cavity extension 103 can be filled by a dielectric material 200, such as air, as shown in the side cross-sectional view of the device 100. Figure 4 A side cross-sectional view of the device 100 is shown.

[0045] The antenna cavity 104 can have a cuboid shape with height (H), width (W), and length (L) dimensions determined by the conductor walls 101. If the size of the cavity extension 103 is increased, the size of the antenna cavity 104 can be reduced compared to an antenna cavity not coupled with a cavity extension. For example, the width of the antenna cavity 104 can be reduced by half such that the antenna cavity 104 achieves a relatively narrow extension to improve the performance of the antenna. The resonant frequency of the antenna can be tuned lower with a larger cavity extension 103. In one embodiment, the device 100 can comprise a non-foldable device. In the non-foldable device, the antenna cavity 104 can be located at a first side of the non-foldable device. The cavity extension 103 can extend between an internal component of the non-foldable device and a surface opposite the display screen of the non-foldable device, towards a second side of the non-foldable device.

[0046] Figure 5An example of a foldable device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The foldable device includes an antenna cavity 104 coupled to a cavity extension 103, wherein the foldable device is in a folded state. The foldable device may include device 100.

[0047] In one embodiment, device 100 includes a first frame 505 and a second frame 506 coupled by a folding mechanism 500. An antenna cavity 104 may be located near the folding mechanism 500 in the first frame 505. A cavity extension 103 may extend outward from the folding mechanism 500. Alternatively, the antenna cavity 104 may also be located near the folding mechanism in the second frame 506. In one embodiment, the cavity extension 103 extends within the first frame 505 and / or the second frame 506 between an internal component 503 of device 100 and a surface of device 100 opposite to the display screen 502. The internal component 503 may include a battery, such as that of device 100. The cavity extension 103 may be located between the battery and the housing of device 100.

[0048] Display screen 502 may cover one side of device 100. When folded, display screen 502 may substantially surround the exterior of device 100. First frame 505 may include a first portion of display screen 502, and second frame 506 may include a second portion of display screen 502. Cavity extension 103 may terminate at portion 501 of first frame 505, wherein in the folded state, the first and second portions of display screen 502 do not overlap at portion 501. Portion 501 may include a strip-shaped area of ​​the device, wherein portions of display screen 502 do not overlap in the folded state, such as... Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, in portion 501 of the first frame 505, where portions of the display screen 502 do not overlap, space can be provided for other antennas, such as CCE antennas, inverted-F antennas, or monopole antennas and / or inverted-L antennas. When the antenna is excited by an antenna feed located between the horizontal conductor walls of the antenna cavity 104, the antenna cavity 104 can be used as an electromagnetic radiation source. The cavity extension portion 103 can be used as a guiding mechanism for electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, portion 501 can serve as an open path for electromagnetic radiation.

[0049] Advantageously, one side of the first frame 505 having the folding mechanism 500 can be used in an antenna design such that the operation of the antenna is not affected when the device 100 is opened or folded. At least one of the first frame 505 or the second frame 506 may include a conductor wall 508, which is used to adjust the antenna's operation when the device 100 is opened or folded. Figure 6 The unfolded state shown becomes Figure 5The cover forms an extension of at least a portion of the cavity 103 when the device 100 is in the folded state. Thus, when the device 100 is unfolded, the antenna cavity 104 functions as a cavity antenna without an extension. Furthermore, the cavity extension 103 can be formed immediately when the device 100 is in the folded state. In the folded state, the conductor walls 508 included in the first frame 505 or the second frame 506 without the corresponding antenna cavity 104 are placed on the first frame 505 or the second frame 506 with the antenna cavity 104 to form a continuation of the top conductor wall 101 of the antenna cavity 104 and align with the base conductor wall 507 of the cavity extension 103. Placing the antenna cavity 104 near the folding mechanism can provide robust hand performance, where the performance of the antenna is not substantially affected when a user of the device 100 holds the device 100 in his or her hand.

[0050] Figure 7 An example of a foldable device including an antenna cavity 104 near a folding mechanism 500 of the foldable device is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. The foldable device can include the device 100.

[0051] The device 100 can include a first frame 505 and a second frame 506. The device 100 can include a display screen covering a side of the device 100 in an unfolded state, where a first portion of the display screen 502A is included in the first frame 505 and a second portion of the display screen 502B is included in the second frame 506. The first frame 505 can include a portion 501 where the first portion and the second portion of the display screen 502A, 502B do not overlap in the folded state. An antenna cavity 104 substantially surrounded by a conductor can be located next to a folding mechanism 500 for folding the device 100. The folding mechanism 500 can include one or more hinges. Furthermore, the device 100 can also include at least one internal component 503, such as a battery, and the antenna cavity 104 can be located between the folding mechanism 500 and the internal component 503. The portion 501 can extend to a side of the first frame 505 opposite a side of the folding mechanism 500. The antenna cavity 104 can include a cavity extension (not shown) that can extend through the first frame 505 and end at the first portion 501. The cavity extension can be formed when the second frame 506 is folded on top of the first frame 505. The second frame 506 can include a conductor wall for completing the cavity extension. The conductor wall included in the second frame 506 can supplement the antenna cavity 104 by providing an extension to the top horizontal conductor wall of the antenna cavity 104. Figure 7

[0052] Figure 8 ​An example of a foldable device according to an embodiment of the application is shown, which includes a plurality of antenna cavities 104 on both sides of a folding mechanism 500 of the foldable device. The device 100 can correspond to the device 100 in Figure 7 here, the device 100 includes a plurality of antenna cavities 104, wherein both the first frame 505 and the second frame 506 include at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities 104. When the device is in an unfolded state, a gap or a cavity extension of at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities 104 in the first frame 505 and a gap or a cavity extension in at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities 104 in the second frame 506 can be directed towards opposite directions away from the folding mechanism 500. Both the first frame 505 and the second frame 506 can include at least one conductor wall for forming a cover for one or more cavity extensions when the device 100 is in a folded state. In one embodiment, the side of the device 100 opposite to the display screens 502A, 502B includes metal, wherein the metal serves as a conductor wall for forming a cover for the cavity extension. In one embodiment, at least two of the plurality of antenna cavities 104 are used for operating at different frequencies. In addition, at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities 104 can be used for being turned off in the folded state. In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities 104 in the first frame 505 is used for operating at the same frequency as at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities 104 in the second frame 506. At least one of the plurality of antenna cavities 104 operating at the same frequency in the first frame 505 can be used for being turned off in the folded state. Thus, when the device 100 is folded, coupling of the antenna cavities can be avoided. Furthermore, when the device 100 is folded, the turned-off antenna cavity can be used as an auxiliary device to enhance the operation of the rest of the antenna cavities 104.

[0053] Figure 9 An example of a method 900 for operating a device 100 adapted for radio frequency communication according to an embodiment of the application is shown. The device 100 includes a plurality of antenna cavities 104 and is configured to provide at least one cavity extension 103, as described previously.

[0054] At 901, the method includes detecting a folding state of the device 100. For example, the folding state can be detected in response to receiving an indication of the folding state from a sensor of the device 100.

[0055] At 902, the method includes turning off at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities of the device 100 in response to detecting the folding state. Thus, when the device is in a folded state and the antenna cavities in different frames are placed close to each other, the functionality of the antenna cavities 104 for radio frequency communication can not be disturbed.

[0056] Other features of the methods are directly derived from the functions and parameters of the methods and apparatuses, such as apparatus 100, as described in the appended claims and throughout the specification, and thus are not repeated here.

[0057] An apparatus or system can be used to perform or cause the performance of any aspect of one or more of the methods described herein. Further, a computer program can include program code that, when executed on a computer, is used to perform one aspect of one or more of the methods described herein. Further, a computer program product can include a computer-readable storage medium having stored the program code that includes instructions for performing any aspect of one or more of the methods described herein. Further, an apparatus can include means for performing any aspect of one or more of the methods described herein. According to an example embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including program code, the at least one processor, the program code, when executed by the at least one processor, to perform any aspect of the one or more methods.

[0058] Any ranges or apparatus values given herein can be extended or modified without losing the intended effect. Unless explicitly prohibited, any embodiment can be combined with another embodiment.

[0059] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example implementations of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the claims.

[0060] It will be understood that the advantages and benefits described above can relate to one embodiment or can be realized with multiple embodiments. Embodiments are not limited to solutions addressing any or all of the problems described, nor are they limited to embodiments having all or any of the advantages and benefits described. It should also be understood that a reference to“one” item can mean one or more items. Further, a reference to“at least one” item or“one or more” items can mean one or more of such items.

[0061] The operations of the methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order, or simultaneously, where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks can be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above can be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.

[0062] The term "include" as used herein means including, but not limited to, the identified method, block or element, and such block or element does not include exclusive list, and the method or device can include additional block or element.

[0063] It should be understood that the above description is provided only as an example and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide complete description of the structure and use of the exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments are described in relative detail or in connection with one or more individual embodiments, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the application.

Claims

1. An apparatus for radio frequency communication, the apparatus comprising: The device comprises: an antenna cavity surrounded by at least four conductor walls; the antenna cavity for being excited by an antenna feed to generate an electromagnetic field; a gap between two perpendicular conductor walls of a first side of the antenna cavity; a cavity extension extending in a direction perpendicular to the first side of the antenna cavity and aligned with the gap, the antenna cavity and the cavity extension forming a continuous space; the antenna cavity and the cavity extension being coupled; the cavity extension extending from a second side of the antenna cavity opposite the first side of the antenna cavity, the cavity extension being closed at an end of the cavity extension, or the cavity extension extending from the first side of the antenna cavity and the cavity extension being open at an end of the cavity extension.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, further comprising a first frame and a second frame coupled by a folding mechanism, wherein the antenna cavity is located near the folding mechanism in the first frame and the cavity extension extends outward from the folding mechanism.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, the second frame comprises a conductor wall for forming a cover for at least a portion of the cavity extension when the device is in a folded state.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein, the device comprises a plurality of the antenna cavities near the folding mechanism.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, the first frame comprises at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities and the second frame comprises at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, at least two of the plurality of antenna cavities are for operating at different frequencies.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities is for being closed in a folded state.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the first frame is for operating at a same frequency as at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the second frame, the at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the first frame operating at the same frequency is for being closed in a folded state.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein, the cavity extension extends in the first frame or the second frame between internal components of the device and a surface opposite a display screen of the device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, the first frame comprises a first portion of the display screen and the second frame comprises a second portion of the display screen and the cavity extension ends at a portion of the first frame, wherein the first portion of the display screen and the second portion of the display screen do not overlap at the portion of the first frame when the device is in a folded state.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, the gap or cavity extension of at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the first frame and the gap or cavity extension of at least one of the plurality of antenna cavities in the second frame face in opposite directions away from the folding mechanism when the device is in an unfolded state.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the cavity extension extends between internal components of the device and a surface opposite a display screen of the device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 or 12, wherein, the device comprises a non-foldable device.

14. A method for operating a device adapted for radio frequency communication, characterized in that, the method comprises: detecting a folded state of the device according to any one of claims 4 to 11; in response to detecting the folded state, closing at least one of a plurality of antenna cavities of the device.

15. A computer program product, characterised in that, which comprises computer instructions or programs which, when run on a computer, cause the method of claim 14 to be performed.

16. A computer readable medium characterized by The computer readable medium stores computer instructions or programs which, when run on a computer, cause the method of claim 14 to be performed.

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