Wearable computing device with multiple antennas for communication diversity

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling wireless data transmission in a wearable computing device are disclosed herein. The method may include receiving a first signal associated with the one of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna, and receiving a second signal associated with the other of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna. The method may also include comparing the first signal and the second signal to determine whether the second signal indicates that the one of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna has a stronger signal reception, and if the second signal indicates a stronger signal reception strength, generating a control signal for a switching device to perform a switching operation, the switching operation includes disconnecting the one of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna from a primary communication path and connecting the other of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna to the primary communication path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wearable computing devices and more particularly to wearable computing devices having multiple (eg, two) antennas for communication diversity. Background Art

[0002] A wearable computing device (e.g., a wristwatch) can communicate wirelessly with other computing devices via various wireless communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution ("LTE"), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. The wireless communication standards can cover various frequency bands. The wearable computing device can include an antenna for wireless communication.

[0003] It may be difficult to use one antenna to communicate via each wireless communication standard. For example, various operators and providers of wireless communication services may require certain connectivity standards from the wearable computing device, which may not be met by using only one antenna for wireless communication. In addition, using only one antenna may make the wearable computing device susceptible to antenna sensitivity reduction (e.g., radio frequency chain sensitivity reduction) or antenna sensitivity degradation due to noise sources (such as other electronic components of the wearable computing device or other noise sources). Accessories of the wearable computing device (e.g., a metal band used to wear the wearable computing device on a wrist) and the like may also change the radiation pattern of the antenna and cause sensitivity degradation. Summary of the invention

[0004] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

[0005] In one embodiment, a wearable computing device may be provided. The wearable computing device may include: a main antenna disposed at a first position at the wearable computing device; a diversity antenna disposed at a second position at the wearable computing device, the second position being different from the first position; and a switching device electrically coupled to the main antenna and the diversity antenna. The wearable computing device may also include: one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a process. The process may include: receiving a first signal associated with one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and receiving a second signal associated with the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna. The process may also include: comparing the first signal and the second signal to determine whether the second signal indicates that the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna has a stronger signal reception than the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna; and in response to determining that the second signal indicates a stronger signal reception strength than the first signal, generating a control signal for the switching device to perform a switching operation, the switching operation including disconnecting the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna from a main communication path and connecting the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna to the main communication path.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for controlling wireless data transmission in a wearable computing device may be provided. The method may include: receiving a first signal associated with the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and receiving a second signal associated with the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna. The method may also include: comparing the first signal and the second signal to determine whether the second signal indicates that the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna has a stronger signal reception than the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna; and in response to determining that the second signal indicates a stronger signal reception strength than the first signal, generating a control signal for a switching device to perform a switching operation, the switching operation including disconnecting the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna from a main communication path and connecting the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna to the main communication path.

[0007] In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a process. The process may include: receiving a first signal associated with the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and receiving a second signal associated with the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna. The process may also include: comparing the first signal and the second signal to determine whether the second signal indicates that the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna has a stronger signal reception than the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna; and in response to determining that the second signal indicates a stronger signal reception strength than the first signal, generating a control signal for a switching device to perform a switching operation, the switching operation including disconnecting the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna from the main communication path and connecting the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna to the main communication path.

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the relevant principles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A detailed discussion of the embodiments for those skilled in the art is set forth in this specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 A wearable computing device according to some implementations of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0011] Figure 2 Depicted are views of components of a wearable computing device housed in a housing, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 A block diagram of components of an antenna selection system for a wearable computing device is depicted, in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4 A block diagram of components of an antenna selection system for a wearable computing device is depicted in accordance with further implementations of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 A block diagram of components of a wearable computing device including an antenna selection system is depicted, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method for selecting an antenna for wireless data transmission is depicted in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 7 Depicted are tables and graphs illustrating performance characteristics of wireless data transmission for a wearable computing device having two antennas, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 8 Depicted are tables and graphs illustrating performance characteristics of wireless data reception for a wearable computing device having two antennas, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure, rather than by way of limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For example, a feature shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used together with another embodiment to produce yet further embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover such modifications and changes as within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0019] Example aspects of the present disclosure relate to a wearable computing device that can be worn, for example, on a user's wrist. The wearable computing device includes a housing and an antenna disposed within a cavity defined by the housing. In this manner, the wearable computing device and an external device (e.g., a smart phone) are connected. However, using only one antenna in a wearable computing device may risk not meeting operator specifications covering all communication bands (particularly low-band long-term evolution ("LTE") bands), may cause antenna sensitivity to decrease, may cause interference with other functions of the wearable computing device, and may not be easily integrated with accessories for the wearable computing device.

[0020] A wearable computing device according to the present disclosure may include multiple antennas positioned within a cavity defined by a housing. For example, in some implementations, the wearable computing device may include a main antenna configured to communicate via multiple different wireless communication standards (e.g., LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) for a wide area network (e.g., a cellular network), a local area network (e.g., Wi-Fi), or both. The wearable computing device may further include a diversity antenna configured to communicate via a frequency band associated with a wireless communication standard (e.g., LTE) for a cellular network. The wearable computing device may also include a separator that divides the cavity into a first portion and a second portion, the main antenna being located in the first portion and the diversity antenna being located in the second portion. In some embodiments, the separator may be a printed circuit board, such as a printed circuit board for other electronic components of the wearable computing device (e.g., a processor, a memory, an input / output interface, a display interface circuit, a sensor circuit, etc.). Separating antennas provides the advantage of minimizing interference of each antenna with other antennas.

[0021] The wearable computing device may include a switching device (e.g., a double-pole double-throw switch) that selectively couples one of the two antennas to a wireless transmission / reception data path (a "primary communication path") and selectively couples the other of the two antennas to a wireless reception data path (a "diversity communication path"). One or more processors may determine a signal strength of a signal received from the switching device (e.g., a signal from the primary antenna or the diversity antenna). Additionally, the one or more processors may receive a signal strength indicating the strength of another signal (e.g., a signal from the other of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna). Based on the received signal, the one or more processors determine which of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna should be used for wireless transmission and / or reception of data from the wearable computing device to other computing devices. For example, the one or more processors may determine that the primary antenna receives data better than the diversity antenna. Based on this determination, if, for example, the wearable computing device is currently using the diversity antenna for wireless data transmission, the one or more processors may generate a control signal for the switching device to switch to the primary antenna for wireless data transmission.

[0022] By dynamically switching between two different antennas, an antenna (e.g., a primary antenna or a diversity antenna) that provides better performance at a frequency band associated with a wireless communication standard for a cellular network (e.g., low-band LTE) may be selected. In this way, a wearable computing device according to the present disclosure may meet wireless data carrier specifications and provide improved communications over a cellular network. For example, all frequency bands associated with a wireless standard for a cellular network (e.g., LTE) may be covered, and a dynamic switching capability may be used to select a better antenna for data transmission performance for each frequency band, which improves the user experience when using the wearable computing device. Furthermore, the addition of a diversity antenna reduces interference between LTE Band 13 transmissions (transmissions in a bandwidth of 698 MHz to 806 MHz near 700 MHz used for commercial cellular communications, among other functionality) and GPS data transmissions.

[0023] The addition of a diversity antenna also helps alleviate the problem of total radiated power loss in the transmit antenna and the problem of desensitization or overloading the receiver, such as the introduction of white noise, intermodulation distortion, etc., which makes the receiver less sensitive to wireless data communications. Because a single antenna solution does not provide an alternate path for communication, a wearable computing device with a single antenna is forced to operate with this antenna desensitization. In contrast, a wearable computing device with two antennas and a switching scheme according to an implementation of the present disclosure can alternate between antennas for data transmission, which minimizes antenna desensitization and enables better communication between the wearable computing device and other computing systems.

[0024] In addition, the dual antenna solution allows the wearable computing device to combine the wireless data received from the two antennas, which allows for better total isotropic sensitivity for the wearable computing device as a whole. The addition of a diversity antenna may also allow the wearable computing device to support certain accessories. For example, a user of the wearable computing device may wish to wear the wearable computing device on their wrist using a metal band or other material band. The material of the band may cause interference in antennas located near the band. Therefore, having two antennas allows the wearable computing device to select a different antenna to provide certain communication services when the other antenna receives interference from various noise sources or when certain accessories change the radiation pattern of the antenna (which may cause sensitivity degradation).

[0025] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 and Figure 2A wearable computing device 100 is depicted according to some implementations of the present disclosure. As shown, the wearable computing device 100 can be worn, for example, on an arm 102 (e.g., a wrist) of a user. For example, the wearable computing device 100 can include a band 104 and a housing 110. In some implementations, the housing 110 can include a conductive material (e.g., a metal). In alternative implementations, the housing 110 can include a non-conductive material (e.g., a plastic material, a ceramic material).

[0026] Housing 110 may be coupled to band 104. In this manner, band 104 may be secured to a user's arm 102 to secure housing 110 to the user's arm 102. Additionally, housing 110 may define a cavity 111 for one or more electronic components of the wearable computing device (e.g., disposed on a printed circuit board).

[0027] In some implementations, the wearable computing device 100 may include a display screen 112. The display screen 112 may display content (e.g., time, date, biometrics, etc.) for a user to view. In some implementations, the display screen 112 may include an interactive display screen (e.g., a touch screen or a touch-free screen). In such implementations, a user may interact with the wearable computing device 100 via the display screen 112 to control the operation of the wearable computing device 100.

[0028] In some implementations, the wearable computing device 100 may include one or more input devices 114 that can be manipulated (e.g., pressed) by a user to interact with the wearable computing device 100. For example, the one or more input devices 114 may include a mechanical button that can be manipulated (e.g., pressed) to interact with the wearable computing device 100. In some implementations, the one or more input devices 114 may be manipulated to control the operation of a backlight (not shown) associated with the display screen 112. It should be understood that the one or more input devices 114 may be configured to allow a user to interact with the wearable computing device 100 in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, the one or more input devices 114 may be manipulated by a user to navigate content (e.g., one or more menu screens) displayed on the display screen 112.

[0029] The wearable computing device 100 may include a main antenna 116, a diversity antenna 118, and a separator 120. The main antenna 116 may be an antenna configured to communicate via a plurality of different wireless communication standards (e.g., LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) for a wide area network (e.g., a cellular network), a local area network (e.g., Wi-Fi), or both. The main antenna 116 may be located at a first location within the cavity 111 of the wearable computing device 100, such as within an upper portion of the cavity 111 near a display element of the wearable computing device 100 (e.g., near a display screen). The diversity antenna 118 may be configured to communicate via a frequency band associated with a wireless communication standard (e.g., LTE) for a cellular network. The diversity antenna 118 may be located at a second location within the cavity 111 of the wearable computing device 100, such as within a lower portion of the cavity 111 near a biometric sensor of the wearable computing device 100.

[0030] The divider 120 may divide the cavity into a first portion in which the main antenna 116 is located (e.g., a first position) and a second portion in which the diversity antenna 118 is located (e.g., a second position). In some embodiments, the divider 120 may be a printed circuit board, such as a printed circuit board for other electronic components of the wearable computing device (e.g., a processor, memory, input-output interface, display interface circuit, sensor circuit, etc.). Using the divider 120 to separate the main antenna 116 and the diversity antenna 118 provides the advantage of minimizing interference of the main antenna 116 with the diversity antenna 118 and vice versa.

[0031] Figure 3 A block diagram of components of an antenna selection system 300 for a wearable computing device 100 is depicted, in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. The antenna selection system 300 may include a primary antenna 116, a diversity antenna 118, and a switching device 305.

[0032] The main antenna 116 can wirelessly receive and transmit data for all mid-high band communications ("MHB TX / Rx"), including mid-high band LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other wireless communication standards. In some embodiments, the main antenna 116 can be coupled to other components of the antenna selection system 300 via the RF connector 310, such as electronically coupled to a switching device, one or more processors, one or more communication buses, etc.

[0033] In some implementations, the switch 305 may be a double-pole double-throw switch. The switch 305 may be electrically coupled to both the main antenna 116 and the diversity antenna 118. The switch 305 may also be electrically coupled to one or more processors and signal diversity control circuits. Additional details regarding these components of the antenna selection system 300 will be discussed below.

[0034] In the first configuration 315, the switching device 305 electrically couples the main antenna 116 to a wireless data transmission / reception path or a main communication path (“LB TX” and / or “LB PRx”). In the first configuration 315, the switching device 305 also electrically couples the diversity antenna 118 to a wireless data reception path or a diversity communication path (“LB DRx”). In the first configuration 315, the main communication path allows the wearable computing device 100 to both receive data and transmit data via the main antenna 116. Additionally, the diversity communication path allows the wearable computing device 100 to receive data via the diversity antenna 118.

[0035] In the second configuration 320, the switching device 305 electrically couples the diversity antenna 118 to the primary communication path. Additionally, the switching device 305 electrically couples the primary antenna 116 to the diversity communication path. In the second configuration 320, the primary communication path allows the wearable computing device 100 to both receive data and transmit data via the diversity antenna 118. Additionally, the diversity communication path allows the wearable computing device 100 to receive data via the primary antenna 116.

[0036] Figure 4 1 is a block diagram of components of an antenna selection system 300 for a wearable computing device 100 according to further implementations of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As discussed, one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 is electrically coupled to one or more processors (not shown) via a switching device 305 for cellular low-band (e.g., low-band LTE) wireless data transmission and reception ("Cellular LB"). The other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 is electrically coupled to a signal diversity module (not shown) ("Diversity Module Cellular LB") for wireless data reception only via a switching device 305.

[0037] Figure 5 A block diagram of components of a wearable computing device 100 including an antenna selection system 300 is depicted in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. Specifically, as shown, the wearable computing device 100 may also include at least one controller 502 communicatively coupled to a sensor 514 as described herein. Furthermore, in embodiments, the controller 502 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU) for executing instructions that may be stored in a memory device 504 (such as flash memory or DRAM, among other such options). For example, in embodiments, the memory device 504 may include RAM, ROM, FLASH memory, or other non-transitory digital data storage, and may include a control program that includes a sequence of instructions that, when loaded from the memory device 504 and executed using the controller 502, causes the controller 502 to perform the functions described herein.

[0038] As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the wearable computing device 100 may include many types of memory, data storage, or computer-readable media, such as data storage for program instructions executed by a controller or any suitable processor. The same or separate storage may be used for images or data, removable storage may be used to share information with other devices, and any number of communication methods may be used to share with other devices. In addition, as shown, the wearable computing device 100 includes a display screen 112, which may be a touch screen, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or a liquid crystal display (LCD), but the device may communicate information via other means, such as through an audio speaker, a projector, or projecting a display or streaming data to another device (such as a mobile phone), where an application on the mobile phone displays the data.

[0039] The wearable computing device 100 also includes one or more power supply components 508, such as batteries that can be operable to be recharged by conventional plug-in methods or by other methods (such as capacitive charging by proximity to a power pad or other such device). In further embodiments, the wearable computing device 100 may also include at least one additional I / O device 510 capable of receiving conventional input from a user. The conventional input may include, for example, a button, a touch pad, a touch screen, a scroll wheel, a joystick, a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad, or any other such device or element, whereby a user can input commands to the wearable computing device 100. In another embodiment, the I / O device 210 may also be connected by a wireless infrared or Bluetooth or other link in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wearable computing device 100 may also include a microphone or other audio capture element that accepts voice or other audio commands. For example, in a particular embodiment, the wearable computing device 100 may not include any buttons at all, but may be controlled only by a combination of visual and audio commands, so that the user can control the wearable computing device 100 without having to contact it. In certain embodiments, the I / O element 510 may also include one or more sensors 514 , such as an optical sensor, a barometric pressure sensor (eg, an altimeter, etc.), and the like.

[0040] In embodiments, the wearable computing device 100 may communicate with one or more external computers 522 over one or more networks 520 via, for example, the main antenna 116 , the diversity antenna 118 , or other wireless communication components.

[0041] The wearable computing device 100 also includes an antenna selection system 300, which may include a main antenna 116, a diversity antenna 118, a switching device 305, and a signal diversity control circuit 525. The main antenna 116 may be an antenna designed to communicate across various communication frequencies, such as wide area networks (e.g., LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other cellular networks), local area networks (e.g., Wi-Fi), or both. The diversity antenna 118 may be configured to communicate over a frequency band associated with a wireless communication standard for a cellular network (e.g., LTE).

[0042] The signal diversity control circuit 525 may be electrically coupled to the wireless data receiving path and the one or more processors. In some embodiments, the signal diversity control circuit 525 may receive a signal from the diversity communication path. The signal diversity control circuit may determine the signal strength of the signal received from the diversity communication path and provide the signal strength to the one or more processors for comparison with the signal strength of the signal from the main communication path. If the signal associated with the diversity communication path has a greater signal strength than the signal strength of the signal associated with the main communication path, the one or more processors may generate a control signal for the switching device 305, which may then disconnect the one of the main antenna 116 and the diversity antenna 118 that is currently connected to the diversity communication path and connect the other antenna to the diversity communication path.

[0043] Figure 6 A flowchart of an example method 600 for selecting an antenna for wireless data transmission is depicted according to some implementations of the present disclosure. Figures 3 to 5 The antenna selection system 300 discussed implements the method 600 . Figure 6 The steps are depicted as being performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. One of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosure provided herein, will appreciate that the various steps of method 600 or any of the other methods disclosed herein may be adjusted, modified, rearranged, performed simultaneously, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] At (602), method 600 may include receiving, at one or more processors, a first signal having a first signal strength value. The first signal strength value may indicate a wireless data signal reception strength of one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 based on which of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 is electrically coupled to the primary communication path through the switching device 305. In some embodiments, the primary communication path is directly coupled to the one or more processors and the switching device 305.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first signal strength value is calculated by one or more processors based on the signal received from the primary communication path. For example, the first signal strength value may be an estimated total radiated power of one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118, an estimated total isotropic sensitivity of one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118, or another indication of the strength of the wireless data signal received by one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118, such as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a reference signal received power (RSRP). In other embodiments, the first signal strength value may be calculated by one or more other processors or other control circuits and then received by one or more processors from one or more other processors or other control circuits.

[0046] At (604), method 600 may include receiving, at one or more processors, a second signal having a second signal strength value. The second signal strength value may indicate a wireless data signal reception strength of the other of main antenna 116 or diversity antenna 118 based on which of main antenna 116 or diversity antenna 118 is electrically coupled to the main communication path through switching device 305 and which of main antenna 116 or diversity antenna 118 is electrically coupled to the diversity communication path.

[0047] In some embodiments, the second signal strength value is calculated by one or more processors based on the signal received from the diversity communication path. For example, the second signal strength value may be an estimated total radiated power of the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118, a total isotropic sensitivity of the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118, or another indication of the strength of the wireless data signal received by the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118. In other embodiments, the second signal strength value may be calculated by one or more other processors or other control circuits and then received by one or more processors from one or more other processors or other control circuits.

[0048] For example, in some embodiments, the signal diversity control circuit 525 may be electrically coupled to the switching device 305 via a diversity communication path and may receive a signal from the diversity communication path. In some embodiments, the signal diversity control circuit 525 may calculate the second signal strength value as the total radiated power of the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118, the total isotropic sensitivity of the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118, or another indication of the strength of the wireless data signal received by the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118. The signal diversity control circuit 525 may then provide the calculated second signal strength value to the one or more processors via an electrical coupling that couples the signal diversity control circuit 525 to the one or more processors.

[0049] At (606), method 600 may include comparing, by one or more processors, a first signal strength value of the first signal and a second signal strength value of the second signal. In some embodiments, the comparison is performed to determine whether the second signal strength value is greater than the first signal strength value. If the second signal strength value is greater than the first signal strength value, the antenna of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 that is currently connected to the diversity communication path (wireless data reception path) is currently receiving wireless data more efficiently than the other antenna of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 that is currently connected to the main communication path.

[0050] In some embodiments, a comparison is made to determine which of the antennas associated with the first signal and the second signal has a greater total radiated power, to determine which of the antennas associated with the first signal and the second signal has a greater total isotropic sensitivity, or another indication of which of the antennas associated with the first signal and the second signal has a greater wireless data reception strength.

[0051] In some embodiments, the antenna associated with the stronger wireless data reception strength is currently the antenna that is experiencing better wireless data communication with the external computing device. Therefore, it can be inferred that the antenna associated with the higher wireless data reception strength will also have a higher wireless data transmission strength.

[0052] In response to the second signal indicating that the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 has a greater signal reception strength, at (608), the method 600 may include generating, using one or more processors, a control signal for the switching device 305 to perform a switching operation.

[0053] In some embodiments, the switching operation of the switching device 305 includes disconnecting the one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 from the main communication path (wireless data transmission / reception path) because the one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 has a lower wireless data reception strength. Then, the switching operation includes connecting the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 to the main communication path.

[0054] The switching operation may also include disconnecting the other of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 from the diversity communication path (wireless data reception path), and connecting the one of the main antenna 116 or the diversity antenna 118 to the diversity communication path. In other words, if an antenna that is not currently used to wirelessly transmit data from the wearable computing device 100 to other computing devices has a better wireless data reception strength, the one or more processors generate a switching operation of the switching device 305 to connect the antenna with the better wireless data reception strength to the main communication path (a wireless communication path for both transmission and reception of data), and connect the antenna with the worse wireless data reception strength to the diversity communication path (a wireless communication path for data reception only).

[0055] Figure 7 Depicted are a table 700 and a graph 710 showing performance characteristics of wireless data transmission of a wearable computing device 100 having two antennas according to some implementations of the present disclosure. Table 700 and graph 710 show the total radiated power (in decibel milliwatts) of the antennas of the wearable computing device 100 in different communication bands when the main antenna 116 is the only antenna used for data transmission (column 701), when the diversity antenna 118 is the only antenna used for data transmission (column 702), and when the better transmission of the two antennas is selected based on the signal strength associated with the main antenna 116 and the diversity antenna 118 (column 703). As shown, using a dual antenna system instead of a single antenna system allows the antenna with better communication to be selected for data transmission in different communication bands, which results in better communication of the wearable computing device 100 over the spectrum of the communication band.

[0056] Figure 8 Depicted are a table 800 and a graph 810 showing performance characteristics of wireless data reception for a wearable computing device 100 having two antennas according to some implementations of the present disclosure. The table 800 and the graph 810 show the total isotropic sensitivity (in decibel milliwatts) of the antennas of the wearable computing device 100 in different communication bands when the main antenna 116 is the only antenna used for data reception (column 801), when the diversity antenna 118 is the only antenna used for data reception (column 802), and when the signals from both the main antenna 116 and the diversity antenna 118 are combined for data reception (column 803). As shown, using a dual antenna system and combining the signals received from the two antennas rather than using a single antenna system allows the wearable computing device 100 to have better data reception across the spectrum of the communication band.

[0057] Although the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to various specific example embodiments of the present subject matter, each example is provided by way of explanation rather than limitation of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art, after understanding the foregoing, can easily produce changes, modifications and equivalents of such embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure does not exclude such modifications, changes and / or additions to the present subject matter that will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a feature shown or described as part of an embodiment can be used together with another embodiment to produce yet further embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such changes, modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A wearable computing device, comprising: a main antenna disposed at a first location at the wearable computing device; a diversity antenna disposed at a second location at the wearable computing device, the second location being different from the first location; a switching device electrically coupled to the main antenna and the diversity antenna; one or more processors; as well as a non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a process comprising: receiving a first signal associated with one of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna; receiving a second signal associated with another of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna; comparing the first signal and the second signal to determine whether the second signal indicates that the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna has stronger signal reception than the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna; and In response to determining that the second signal indicates a stronger signal reception strength than the first signal, a control signal is generated for the switching device to perform a switching operation, the switching operation including disconnecting the main antenna or the one of the diversity antennas from the main communication path and connecting the main antenna or the other of the diversity antennas to the main communication path.

2. The wearable computing device of claim 1 , further comprising: a housing defining a cavity, wherein the first position at the wearable computing device is a first position within the cavity and the second position at the wearable computing device is a second position within the cavity; as well as A divider is disposed in the cavity, the divider dividing the cavity into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including the first position in the cavity, and the second portion including the second position in the cavity. The wearable computing device of claim 2 , wherein the separator comprises a printed circuit board. 4 . The wearable computing device of claim 1 , wherein the diversity antenna is configured to communicate over a frequency band associated with a wireless communication standard for a cellular network. The wearable computing device of claim 4 , wherein the wireless communication standard is LTE. The wearable computing device of claim 5 , wherein the frequency band is a frequency range associated with low-band LTE.

7. The wearable computing device of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna is configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless communication standards for a cellular network and a plurality of wireless communication standards for a local area network.

8. The wearable computing device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of wireless communication standards for the cellular network comprises Long Term Evolution (LTE).

9. The wearable computing device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of wireless communication standards used for the local area network include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

10. The wearable computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first signal has a first signal strength value indicating a signal reception strength from the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and wherein the second signal has a second signal strength value indicating a signal reception strength from the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna.

11. The wearable computing device of claim 10, wherein the first signal strength value indicates a total radiated power of the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and the second signal strength value indicates a total radiated power of the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna.

12. The wearable computing device of claim 10, wherein the first signal strength value indicates a total isotropic sensitivity of the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and the second signal strength value indicates a total isotropic sensitivity of the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna.

13. The wearable computing device of claim 1, wherein the switching operation further comprises disconnecting the other of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna from a diversity communication path and connecting the one of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna to the diversity communication path.

14. The wearable computing device of claim 1, wherein the wearable computing device wirelessly receives data by combining signals received from the primary communication path and the diversity communication path.

15. The wearable computing device of claim 1, wherein the process further comprises: At the one or more processors, receiving a first received signal from the switching device as the first signal, wherein the signal is a signal from one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna; as well as Determine, with the one or more processors, a first signal strength value for the first signal based on the first received signal.

16. The wearable computing device of claim 15, wherein the process further comprises: receiving, at the one or more processors, a second receive signal from the other of the main antenna and the diversity antenna as the second signal; as well as Determine, with the one or more processors, a second signal strength value for the second signal based on the second received signal.

17. A method for controlling wireless data transmission in a wearable computing device, the method comprising: receiving a first signal associated with one of a main antenna or a diversity antenna; receiving a second signal associated with another of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna; comparing the first signal and the second signal to determine whether the second signal indicates that the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna has stronger signal reception than the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna; as well as In response to determining that the second signal indicates a stronger signal reception strength than the first signal, a control signal is generated for a switching device to perform a switching operation, the switching operation including disconnecting the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna from a main communication path and connecting the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna to the main communication path.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first signal has a first signal strength value indicating a signal reception strength from the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and wherein the second signal has a second signal strength value indicating a signal reception strength from the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first signal strength value indicates a total radiated power of the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna, and the second signal strength value indicates a total radiated power of the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a process comprising: receiving a first signal associated with one of a main antenna or a diversity antenna; receiving a second signal associated with another of the primary antenna or the diversity antenna; comparing the first signal and the second signal to determine whether the second signal indicates that the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna has stronger signal reception than the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna; as well as In response to determining that the second signal indicates a stronger signal reception strength than the first signal, a control signal is generated for a switching device to perform a switching operation, the switching operation including disconnecting the one of the main antenna or the diversity antenna from a main communication path and connecting the other of the main antenna or the diversity antenna to the main communication path.

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