Terminal equipment and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to terminal equipment and a control method. The terminal equipment comprises a control chip, a plurality of communication modules and a plurality of antennas, each communication module is connected with one or more antennas, the antennas connected with different communication modules respectively cover different communication frequency bands, and the plurality of communication modules at least comprise a cellular communication module and a short-distance communication module; the control chip is connected with the plurality of communication modules and is used for controlling the antennas connected with the plurality of communication modules to work cooperatively. According to the invention, the technical problem that the communication quality is reduced due to frequent switching of antennas in the prior art is solved, and the technical effect of improving the communication quality of the terminal equipment is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a terminal device and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Optimizing the antenna performance of smart terminals (such as smartphones), especially the reasonable antenna switching in different network environments, is a key link in the design of modern smart terminals, which directly affects the communication quality and experience of users. However, with the increasing number and types of antennas on smart terminals, the traditional method of switching antennas by comparing the signal strength of each antenna can easily lead to frequent antenna switching and even a ping-pong effect, thereby reducing the communication quality. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a terminal device and a control method to at least solve the technical problem in the related art that frequent switching of antennas leads to reduced communication quality.

[0004] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device is provided, comprising: a control chip, multiple communication modules and multiple antennas, wherein each communication module is respectively connected to one or more of the antennas, the antennas connected to different communication modules respectively cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module; the control chip is connected to the multiple communication modules, and is used to control the antennas connected to the multiple communication modules to work in coordination.

[0005] Optionally, the control chip is specifically used to: when the first antenna of the first communication module and the second antenna of the second communication module are working at the same time, control the second communication module to reduce the power of the second antenna, or control the second communication module to stop using the second antenna, wherein the priority of the first communication module is higher than that of the second communication module, and the first antenna is arranged adjacent to the second antenna.

[0006] Optionally, the first antenna of the first communication module is a satellite communication antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module is a WI FI antenna; or, the first antenna of the first communication module is a WI FI antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module is a cellular medium and high frequency antenna located at the top of the terminal device; or, the first antenna of the first communication module is a millimeter wave antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module includes at least one of the following: a cellular medium and high frequency antenna, a WI FI antenna, a satellite communication antenna, a near-field communication NFC antenna, and an ultra-wideband UWB antenna located at the top of the terminal device; or, the first antenna of the first communication module is a UWB antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module includes at least one of the following: a cellular medium and high frequency antenna, a WI FI antenna, a satellite communication antenna, a NFC antenna, and a millimeter wave antenna located at the top of the terminal device.

[0007] Optionally, after the control chip controls the second communication module to stop using the second antenna, the second antenna is also used as a parasitic antenna of the first antenna.

[0008] Optionally, the control chip is also used to: determine the holding state of the terminal device; when the current working antenna of the terminal device is blocked by holding, control the communication module connected to the current working antenna to switch part or all of the signals to other antennas, wherein the other antennas support the frequency band where the part or all of the signals are located.

[0009] Optionally, the third communication module is connected to a third antenna, and a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, wherein the third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device, and the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on two opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is specifically used to: when the third antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signal on the third antenna to the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

[0010] Optionally, the third communication module is connected to a fourth antenna and a fifth antenna, wherein the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is specifically used to: when the fourth antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signal on the fourth antenna to the fifth antenna; when the fifth antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signal on the fifth antenna to the fourth antenna.

[0011] Optionally, the third communication module is connected to a sixth antenna, and a third antenna and / or a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, wherein the sixth antenna is located at the bottom of the terminal device, the third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device, and the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is specifically used to: when the sixth antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signal on the sixth antenna to the third antenna and / or the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

[0012] Optionally, the third communication module is connected to a third antenna and / or a sixth antenna, and a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, wherein the third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device, the sixth antenna is located at the bottom of the terminal device, and the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is also used to: determine the screen status of the terminal device; in response to the screen status of the terminal device switching from vertical screen to horizontal screen, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the third antenna and / or the sixth antenna to the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

[0013] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a control method is also provided, which is applied to a terminal device including multiple communication modules and a control chip, each communication module is respectively connected to one or more antennas, the antennas connected to different communication modules respectively cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module, the method comprising: sending a control instruction to the one or more communication modules to control the antennas connected to the one or more communication modules to work in coordination.

[0014] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, an electronic device is provided, including: a processor, and a memory storing a program, wherein the program includes instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor executes the method in any of the above embodiments.

[0015] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing computer instructions is also provided, where the computer instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the method in any of the above embodiments.

[0016] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program, which, when executed by a processor of a computer, causes the computer to execute the method in any of the above embodiments.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device includes: a control chip, multiple communication modules and multiple antennas, wherein each communication module is respectively connected to one or more of the antennas, the antennas connected to different communication modules respectively cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module; the control chip is connected to the multiple communication modules to control the antennas connected to the multiple communication modules to work together. In other words, a control chip is newly added to the terminal device, and the control chip can control the antennas connected to the multiple communication modules to work together, instead of each communication module independently detecting the signal strength of the connected antenna to select the working antenna, which reduces the frequent switching of the antenna, thereby solving the technical problem of reduced communication quality caused by frequent switching of the antenna in the related technology, and achieving the technical effect of improving the communication quality of the terminal device.

[0018] Details of one or more embodiments of the present application are set forth in the following drawings and description to make other features, objects, and advantages of the present application more readily apparent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the prior art descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 is a working schematic diagram of a parasitic antenna according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of antenna layout on a smart phone according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a control method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 6 is a structural block diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although certain embodiments of the present embodiment are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present embodiment can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein, which are instead provided for a more thorough and complete understanding of the present embodiment. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present embodiment are only for exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present embodiment.

[0028] Terminal devices (e.g., smartphones) generally include multiple communication modules for signal transmission and reception. Each communication module involves different frequency bands, protocols, and application scenarios. In the related art, each communication module independently optimizes its own antenna performance, for example, independently switches antennas in different network environments. However, there are more and more antennas on the terminal device, and the antennas are mutually coupled, with poor isolation and more and more obvious mutual influence. Therefore, each communication module cannot achieve the best effect by optimizing antenna performance. For example, in one implementation of the related art, in a network environment where 5G and wireless fidelity (Wireless Fidelity, WIFI) are simultaneously covered, the cellular communication module on the terminal device will detect the signal strength of the connected antenna and select and switch the antenna according to the detection results. At the same time, the WLAN communication module will also detect the signal strength of the connected antenna and select and switch the antenna according to the detection results. This working mechanism can easily lead to frequent switching of antennas.

[0029] Since the related art switches by comparing the signal strength of each antenna, and there is no effective interconnection between them, it is easy to cause frequent switching of antennas, or even produce a ping-pong effect, thereby causing communication delays and reducing user experience. In order to solve the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide relevant solutions, which are described in detail below.

[0030] Figure 1 is a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the terminal device 10 includes: a control chip 102, multiple communication modules 104 and multiple antennas 106, wherein each communication module is connected to one or more antennas, and the antennas connected to different communication modules cover different communication frequency bands; the control chip 102 is connected to the multiple communication modules 104, and is used to control the antennas connected to the multiple communication modules 104 to work together.

[0031] It should be noted that the terminal device 10 includes but is not limited to: wireless communication devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, wearable devices, etc. In other words, the embodiment of the present application can be applied to all electronic devices that transmit data through multiple antennas.

[0032] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the control chip 102 stores a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to multiple communication modules, and the control strategy includes but is not limited to: a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to multiple communication modules according to the priority of the communication modules, a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to the communication modules according to the holding state of the terminal device 10, a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to the communication modules according to the screen state of the terminal device 10, etc.

[0033] The control chip 102 is provided with an independent Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) logic analysis unit, which can collect the user's usage habits and predict the user's behavior through self-learning, so as to update or adjust the control strategy in advance to meet the user's communication needs. For example, the terminal device 10 takes a smart phone as an example. When the user holds the lower part of the phone and the receiver is close to the ear, the signal change detected by the mobile phone sensor changes accordingly. The smart phone can predict that the user is going to make a call based on the signal change of the mobile phone sensor. The control chip 102 can switch the mobile phone communication resources to the best state of cellular communication, thereby optimizing the user's call experience.

[0034] In addition, the control chip 102 is configured with an independent power supply system, and can work in a low power consumption state, a normal power consumption state, etc. according to its own needs, so as to achieve the purpose of saving power of the terminal device 10. For example, when only the WI FI signal is covered and the WI FI signal is very strong, the WI FI antenna is directly used for communication, and the control chip 102 does not need to work, that is, the control chip 102 does not need to control the antennas connected to multiple communication modules to work together. In this case, the power supply system of the control chip 102 can be turned off to put it in a low power consumption state. For another example, when only the cellular signal is covered and the signal is very strong, only the part of the control chip 102 that controls the cellular communication module is selectively powered, and the part of the control chip 102 that controls other communication modules is not powered, so that it is in a low power consumption state. In addition, the above-mentioned normal power consumption state is the state in which the control chip 102 controls the antennas connected to multiple communication modules to work together.

[0035] The above-mentioned multiple communication modules 104 include but are not limited to: cellular communication modules, short-range communication modules, satellite communication modules, millimeter wave communication modules, ultra-wideband (UWB) communication modules, etc. Among them, the cellular communication module may include a 2G (Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)) module, a 3G (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) / Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA)) module, a 4G (Long Term Evolution (LTE)) module, and a fifth-generation new radio technology (5G New Radio, 5G NR) module). The above-mentioned short-range communication modules may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication module, a near field communication (NFC) communication module, and a Bluetooth communication module. The antenna connected to each communication module covers a specific communication frequency band to meet different network requirements and usage scenarios.

[0036] For example, taking the multiple communication modules 104 including a cellular communication module, a WLAN communication module, an NFC communication module, a satellite communication module, and a millimeter wave communication module as an example, the control chip 102 and the multiple communication modules 104 and each communication module are respectively connected to one or more antennas. Figure 2 As shown. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the control chip 102 is connected to the cellular communication module, the WLAN communication module, the NFC communication module, the satellite communication module, and the millimeter wave communication module through the Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI). The cellular communication module is connected to four antennas, and the other communication modules are connected to one antenna respectively.

[0037] Optionally, the terminal device 10 may further include: a gyroscope, a proximity sensor, etc. Among them, the gyroscope can accurately determine the current direction and posture of the terminal device 10 by detecting the rotational movement of the terminal device 10 around different axes, combined with the data of the accelerometer, and can be used to detect the screen switching state of the terminal device 10. The proximity sensor determines whether an object (such as a hand or face) is close by emitting and receiving infrared light, detecting and analyzing the change of the reflected signal, and can be used to detect the hand-holding state of the terminal device 10.

[0038] pass Figure 1 The terminal device 10 shown includes a control chip 102, multiple communication modules 104 and multiple antennas 106, wherein each communication module is respectively connected to one or more of the antennas, the antennas connected to different communication modules respectively cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules 104 include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module; the control chip 102 is connected to the multiple communication modules 104, and is used to control the antennas connected to the multiple communication modules 104 to work in coordination. In other words, a control chip 102 is newly added to the terminal device 10, and the control chip 102 can control the antennas connected to the multiple communication modules 104 to work in coordination, instead of each communication module independently detecting the signal strength of the connected antenna to select the working antenna, thereby reducing the frequent switching of the antenna, thereby solving the technical problem of reduced communication quality caused by frequent switching of the antenna in the related technology, and achieving the technical effect of improving the communication quality of the terminal device.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the above-mentioned multiple communication modules 104 include a first communication module and a second communication module, the priority of the first communication module is higher than that of the second communication module, and the first antenna of the first communication module is arranged adjacent to the second antenna of the second communication module, and the above-mentioned control chip 102 is specifically used to: when the first antenna of the first communication module and the second antenna of the second communication module work at the same time, control the second communication module to reduce the power of the second antenna, or control the second communication module to stop using the second antenna.

[0040] Optionally, when setting the priority of the communication module, it is possible to identify which communication modules are most important to the user experience in the current scenario, and dynamically adjust the priority of the communication module according to the current scenario and network conditions. For example, when the user uses WI FI at home, the WI FI communication module can be set to a high priority, and when the user uses a cellular network outdoors, the cellular communication module can be set to a high priority.

[0041] Optionally, the control chip 102 can control the RF front-end circuit in the second communication module to reduce the power of the second antenna (for example, control the power amplifier in the RF front-end circuit to reduce the power of the second antenna), or can control the antenna switch in the RF front-end circuit to close the antenna channel of the second antenna to stop using the second antenna. The first antenna and the second antenna are arranged adjacent to each other and have mutual influence. By controlling the second communication module to reduce the power of the second antenna through the control chip 102, or controlling the second communication module to stop using the second antenna, the interference of the second antenna to the first antenna can be reduced, thereby enhancing the antenna performance of the first antenna.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present application, the antenna types of the first antenna of the first communication module and the second antenna of the second communication module may include multiple antennas respectively. Optionally, the first antenna of the first communication module is a satellite communication antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module is a WI FI antenna; or, the first antenna of the first communication module is a WI FI antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module is a cellular medium and high frequency antenna located at the top of the terminal device 10; or, the first antenna of the first communication module is a millimeter wave antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module includes at least one of the following: a cellular medium and high frequency antenna, a WI FI antenna, a satellite communication antenna, a near field communication NFC antenna, and an ultra-wideband UWB antenna located at the top of the terminal device; or, the first antenna of the first communication module is a UWB antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module includes at least one of the following: a cellular medium and high frequency antenna, a WI FI antenna, a satellite communication antenna, a NFC antenna, and a millimeter wave antenna located at the top of the terminal device.

[0043] For example, assuming that the first antenna of the first communication module is a satellite communication antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module is a WI FI antenna, when the satellite communication antenna and the WI FI antenna are working at the same time, the second communication module can be controlled to reduce the power of the WI FI antenna, or the second communication module can be controlled to stop using the WI FI antenna.

[0044] For another example, assuming that the first antenna of the first communication module is a UWB antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module includes: a cellular medium and high frequency antenna, a WIFI antenna, a satellite communication antenna, an NFC antenna, and a millimeter wave antenna located on the top of the terminal device. When the first antenna and the second antenna are working at the same time, the second communication module can be controlled to reduce the power of all or part of the antenna in the second antenna, or the second communication module can be controlled to stop using all or part of the antenna in the second antenna.

[0045] In a possible implementation, after the control chip 102 controls the second communication module to stop using the second antenna, the second antenna is still used as a parasitic antenna of the first antenna to enhance the antenna performance of the first antenna.

[0046] The parasitic antennas mentioned above are antenna elements in the antenna array that passively receive and re-radiate electromagnetic waves. These antenna elements themselves are not connected to the transmission source, but affect the radiation characteristics of the entire antenna array through coupling between each other. For example, Figure 3 As shown, a single-pole single-throw switch (SPST) is set on the second antenna to connect a small inductor of 1nh to the ground. When the switch is disconnected, the second antenna works in the original mode (that is, the second antenna does not work as an enhancer of the first antenna), and its mode current distribution is as follows: Figure 3As shown by the first arrow, it is the half wavelength mode of the whole branch. When the second antenna is used as the parasitic antenna of the first antenna, the switch is turned on so that the radiator of the second antenna is connected to the ground through the 1nh inductor. At this time, the working mode of the second antenna is the quarter mode from the end to the inductor back to the ground, and its current distribution is as follows Figure 3 As shown by the second arrow. At the same time, the switch returns to ground, and the inductor to the left end is the parasitic branch of the first antenna. The current distribution on it is as follows Figure 3 As shown by the third arrow, when the switch is off, the first antenna and the second antenna both work in their original modes, and when the switch is closed, the second antenna sacrifices part of its performance to enhance the performance of the first antenna, so that the current working mode of the first antenna is better than the original mode of the first antenna, while the performance of the current working mode of the second antenna is inferior to the original mode of the second antenna.

[0047] The previous article introduced controlling the collaborative operation of antennas connected to multiple communication modules according to the priority of the communication modules. The following article introduces controlling the collaborative operation of antennas connected to the communication modules according to the holding state of the terminal device.

[0048] Optionally, the above-mentioned control chip 102 is also used to: determine the holding state of the terminal device 10; when the current working antenna of the terminal device 10 is blocked by holding, control the communication module connected to the current working antenna to switch part or all of the signals to other antennas, wherein the other antennas support the frequency band where the part or all of the signals are located.

[0049] The above-mentioned other antennas support the frequency band where some or all of the signals are located, that is, the other antennas can be compatible with some or all of the working frequency bands of the current working antenna. Exemplarily, the above-mentioned terminal device 10 takes a smartphone as an example. Assume that the smartphone supports 4G and 5G networks. The smartphone is equipped with four antennas, each of which has its optimal working frequency band, but also has certain frequency band compatibility. For example, antenna 1 is mainly used for the 800MHz to 900MHz frequency band, antenna 2 is mainly used for the 800MHz to 1900MHz frequency band, antenna 3 is mainly used for the 2500MHz to 2600MHz frequency band, and antenna 4 is mainly used for the 3300MHz to 3600MHz frequency band. Among them, some frequency bands of antenna 1 and antenna 2 overlap. Then, when antenna 1 is blocked by holding, the communication module connected to antenna 1 can be controlled to switch part or all of the signal to antenna 2.

[0050] The above holding states include but are not limited to: holding the device in landscape mode, holding the device with the left hand, holding the device with the right hand, holding the device with the palm rest, holding the device with a bracket (different brackets block the antenna in the terminal device 10 in different ways), etc. When the holding state is holding the device in landscape mode, the antenna blocked by holding may be the third antenna located at the top of the terminal device 10; when the holding state is holding the device with the left hand or holding the right hand, the antenna blocked by holding may be the fourth antenna or the fifth antenna located at opposite sides of the top of the terminal device 10; when the holding state is holding the device with the palm rest, the antenna blocked by holding may be the sixth antenna located at the bottom of the terminal device 10.

[0051] The control chip 102 controls the communication module connected to the currently working antenna to switch part or all of the signals to other antennas. The control chip 102 sends a control instruction to the communication module connected to the current antenna, wherein the control instruction is used to indicate other antennas that need to be switched to. After receiving the control instruction, the communication module connected to the current antenna physically disconnects the current antenna and connects to other antennas.

[0052] The currently working antenna may be an antenna that is transmitting or receiving signals of the terminal device 10. Optionally, the currently working antenna may be a third antenna located at the top of the terminal device 10, a fourth antenna or a fifth antenna located at opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device 10, or a sixth antenna located at the bottom of the terminal device 10. The third communication modules included in the plurality of communication modules 104 may be connected to the currently working antennas, respectively.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the above-mentioned multiple communication modules 104 include a third communication module, and the third communication module is connected to a third antenna, and a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, the third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device 10, and the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on two opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device 10, and the control chip 102 is specifically used to: when the third antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signal on the third antenna to the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

[0054] Optionally, the signal quality of the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna is higher than that of the third antenna. The third communication module may be a cellular communication module, the third antenna may be a cellular medium and high frequency antenna located at the top of the terminal device 10, the fourth antenna may be a cellular medium and high frequency antenna located on the left side of the terminal device 10, and the fifth antenna may be a cellular full-band antenna located on the right side of the terminal device 10. Among them, the cellular medium and high frequency antenna located at the top of the terminal device 10 is 1.5db better than the cellular medium and high frequency antenna located on the left side of the terminal device 10. Providing at least two cellular medium and high frequency antennas in the terminal device 10 can increase the data transmission rate, improve signal coverage and stability, and support multiple input and multiple output (Multi Input Multi Output, MIMO) technology, etc.

[0055] Exemplarily, taking the third communication module as a cellular communication module, the third antenna as a cellular medium and high frequency antenna (antenna 1) located at the top of the terminal device 10, the fourth antenna as a cellular medium and high frequency antenna (antenna 2) located on the left side of the terminal device 10, and the fifth antenna as a cellular full-band antenna (antenna 3) located on the right side of the terminal device 10 as an example, assuming that the terminal device 10 includes a cellular communication module, and the cellular communication module is connected to antenna 1, as well as antenna 2 and / or antenna 3, then when antenna 1 is blocked, the control chip 102 can control the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signal on antenna 1 to antenna 2 and / or antenna 3, so that even if the antenna 1 in working state is blocked, the terminal device 10 can ensure better communication performance.

[0056] In another possible implementation, the plurality of communication modules 104 include a third communication module, and the third communication module is connected to a fourth antenna and a fifth antenna, and the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device 10. The control chip 102 is specifically used to: when the fourth antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the fourth antenna to the fifth antenna; when the fifth antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the fifth antenna to the fourth antenna.

[0057] Exemplarily, taking the third communication module as a cellular communication module, the fourth antenna as a cellular medium-high frequency antenna (antenna 2) located on the left side of the terminal device 10, and the fifth antenna as a cellular full-band antenna (antenna 3) located on the right side of the terminal device 10 as an example, assuming that the terminal device 10 includes a cellular communication module, and the cellular communication module is connected to antenna 2 and antenna 3, then when antenna 2 is blocked, the control chip 102 can control the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on antenna 2 to antenna 3, and when antenna 3 is blocked, the control chip 102 can control the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on antenna 3 to antenna 2. In this way, even if antenna 2 or antenna 3 in working state is blocked, the terminal device 10 can ensure better communication performance. Alternatively, the plurality of communication modules 104 include a third communication module, the third communication module is connected to a sixth antenna, and a third antenna and / or a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, the sixth antenna is located at the bottom of the terminal device 10, the third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device 10, the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device 10, and the control chip 102 is specifically used to: when the sixth antenna is blocked, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the sixth antenna to the third antenna and / or the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna. Optionally, the sixth antenna may be a cellular full-band antenna located at the bottom of the terminal device 10. Among them, the cellular full-band antenna located on the right side of the terminal device 10 is better than 1db of the cellular full-band antenna located at the bottom of the terminal device 10. Setting at least two cellular full-band antennas in the terminal device 10 can improve data transmission rate, improve signal coverage and stability, and support multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology.

[0058] Exemplarily, taking the third communication module as a cellular communication module, the third antenna as a cellular medium and high frequency antenna (antenna 1) located at the top of the terminal device 10, the fourth antenna as a cellular medium and high frequency antenna (antenna 2) located on the left side of the terminal device 10, the fifth antenna as a cellular full-band antenna (antenna 3) located on the right side of the terminal device 10, and the sixth antenna as a cellular full-band antenna (antenna 4) located at the bottom of the terminal device 10 as an example, assuming that the terminal device 10 includes a cellular communication module, and the cellular communication module is connected to antenna 4, as well as antenna 1 and / or antenna 2 and / or antenna 3, then when antenna 4 is blocked, the control chip 102 can control the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on antenna 4 to antenna 1 and / or antenna 2 and / or antenna 3. In this way, even if the antenna 4 in working state is blocked, the terminal device 10 can ensure better communication performance.

[0059] That is, through the above control strategy of the control chip 102, when any one of the multiple antennas connected to the third communication module (ie, cellular communication module) is blocked, rapid antenna switching can be performed inside the third communication module to ensure communication stability and efficiency.

[0060] The following describes how to control the coordinated operation of the antenna connected to the communication module according to the screen status of the terminal device.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the above-mentioned multiple communication modules 104 include a third communication module, which is connected to a third antenna and / or a sixth antenna, and a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, wherein the third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device 10, the sixth antenna is located at the bottom of the terminal device 10, and the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on two opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device 10, and the control chip 102 is also used to: determine the screen status of the terminal device 10; in response to the screen status of the terminal device 10 being switched from vertical screen to horizontal screen, control the third communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the third antenna and / or the sixth antenna to the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

[0062] Exemplarily, taking the third communication module as a cellular communication module, the third antenna as a cellular medium and high frequency antenna (antenna 1) located at the top of the terminal device 10, the fourth antenna as a cellular medium and high frequency antenna (antenna 2) located on the left side of the terminal device 10, the fifth antenna as a cellular full-band antenna (antenna 3) located on the right side of the terminal device 10, and the sixth antenna as a cellular full-band antenna (antenna 4) located at the bottom of the terminal device 10 as an example, assuming that the terminal device 10 includes a cellular communication module, and the cellular communication module is connected to antenna 1 and / or antenna 4, as well as antenna 2 and / or antenna 3, then when the screen state of the terminal device 10 is switched from vertical screen to horizontal screen, the control chip 102 can control the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on antenna 1 and / or antenna 4 to antenna 2 and / or antenna 3. In the case where the antenna is blocked due to holding, it is necessary to compare the signal strength difference of the antenna signal. When the difference exceeds the threshold, switching is performed. This process involves a signal acquisition and comparison process, and there is a delay. The embodiment of the present application proposes an accurate judgment of the screen state of the terminal device 10. When the screen state switches, the antenna switching is directly triggered. Compared with the above-mentioned holding that causes the antenna signal quality to deteriorate and then switching the antenna, the reaction speed is faster and the delay is lower, thereby improving the user experience.

[0063] The embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to specific examples.

[0064] In this example, the terminal device 10 takes a smartphone as an example, and the antenna layout on the smartphone is as follows: Figure 4As shown, it includes a satellite communication antenna ant0 connected to the satellite communication module, a WI FI antenna ant1 connected to the WI FI communication module (this example takes WI FI2.4G as an example), a cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2 connected to the cellular communication module, a millimeter wave antenna ant3 connected to the millimeter wave communication module (taking 60G millimeter wave as an example), a UWB antenna ant4 connected to the UWB communication module, an NFC antenna ant5 connected to the NFC communication module, a cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant6 connected to the cellular communication module, a cellular full-band antenna ant7 connected to the cellular communication module, and a cellular full-band antenna ant8 connected to the cellular communication module.

[0065] When the satellite communication antenna ant0 and the WI FI antenna ant1 work at the same time, the control chip 102 controls the WI FI communication module to reduce the power of the WI FI antenna ant1, or the control chip 102 controls the WI FI communication module to stop using the WI FI antenna ant1.

[0066] When the WI FI antenna ant1 and the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2 work at the same time, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to reduce the power of the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2, or the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to stop using the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2 to enhance the antenna performance of the WI FI antenna ant1.

[0067] When the millimeter wave antenna ant3 is working, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to reduce the power of the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2, the WI FI communication module to reduce the power of the WI FI antenna ant1, the satellite communication module to reduce the power of the satellite communication antenna ant0, the NFC communication module to reduce the power of the NFC antenna ant5, and the UWB communication module to reduce the power of the UWB antenna ant4, or the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to stop using the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2, the WI FI communication module to stop using the WI FI antenna ant1, the satellite communication module to stop using the satellite communication antenna ant0, the NFC communication module to stop using the NFC antenna ant5, and the UWB communication module to stop using the UWB antenna ant4, to create a good working environment for the millimeter wave antenna ant3.

[0068] When the UWB antenna ant4 is working, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to reduce the power of the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2, the WI FI communication module to reduce the power of the WI FI antenna ant1, the satellite communication module to reduce the power of the satellite communication antenna ant0, the NFC communication module to reduce the power of the NFC antenna ant5, and the millimeter wave communication module to reduce the power of the millimeter wave antenna ant3, or the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to stop using the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2, the WI FI communication module to stop using the WI FI antenna ant1, the satellite communication module to stop using the satellite communication antenna ant0, the NFC communication module to stop using the NFC antenna ant5, and the millimeter wave communication module to stop using the millimeter wave antenna ant3.

[0069] When the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2 is blocked, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2 to the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant6 and / or the cellular full-band antenna ant7.

[0070] When the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant6 is blocked, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant6 to the cellular full-band antenna ant7; when the cellular full-band antenna ant7 is blocked, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the cellular full-band antenna ant7 to the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant6.

[0071] When the cellular full-band antenna ant8 is blocked, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the cellular full-band antenna ant8 to the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2 and / or the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant6 and / or the cellular full-band antenna ant7.

[0072] In response to the mobile phone screen state switching from portrait to landscape, the control chip 102 controls the cellular communication module to switch part or all of the signals on the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant2 and / or the cellular full-band antenna ant8 to the cellular medium and high frequency antenna ant6 and / or the cellular full-band antenna ant7.

[0073] In summary, the embodiment of the present application controls the antennas connected to multiple communication modules (for example, cellular communication module, short-range communication module, millimeter wave communication module, UWB communication module, NFC communication module, FM communication module, etc.) to work together through the newly added control chip 102 to meet the resource allocation needs of each communication module, reduce resource waste, and optimize the communication performance of the terminal device 10.

[0074] Corresponding to the application scenario of the terminal device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a control method. Figure 5 The control method of an embodiment of the present application is shown as a flow chart of the control method, which is applied to a terminal device 10 including multiple communication modules 104 and a control chip 102, each communication module is connected to one or more antennas, the antennas connected to different communication modules cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module. Figure 5 As shown, including:

[0075] S502: Send a control instruction to the one or more communication modules to control the antennas connected to the one or more communication modules to work in coordination.

[0076] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the control chip 102 stores a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to multiple communication modules, and the control strategy includes but is not limited to: a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to multiple communication modules according to the priority of the communication modules, a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to the communication modules according to the holding state of the terminal device, a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to the communication modules according to the screen state of the terminal device, etc. The specific content of each control strategy can be found in the corresponding description in the above-mentioned terminal device embodiment, and has corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0077] The control chip 102 can send control instructions to the multiple communication modules at the same time. Compared with the traditional cellular serial instruction processing method, the parallel processing method of the control chip 102 can reduce the delay and improve the resource allocation efficiency.

[0078] In the above step S502, a control instruction is sent to the one or more communication modules through the newly added control chip 102 to control the antennas connected to the one or more communication modules to work together, instead of each communication module independently controlling the working antenna, thereby reducing the frequent switching of antennas, thereby solving the technical problem of reduced communication quality caused by frequent switching of antennas in related technologies, and achieving the technical effect of improving the communication quality of terminal equipment.

[0079] Corresponding to the application scenario and method of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a control device. Figure 6 The structure block diagram of the control device of an embodiment of the present application is shown, which is applied to a terminal device 10 including multiple communication modules 104 and a control chip 102, each communication module is respectively connected to one or more antennas, and the antennas connected to different communication modules respectively cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module, including:

[0080] The sending module 62 is used to send control instructions to the one or more communication modules to control the antennas connected to the one or more communication modules to work in coordination.

[0081] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the control chip 102 stores a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to multiple communication modules, and the control strategy includes but is not limited to: a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to multiple communication modules according to the priority of the communication modules, a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to the communication modules according to the holding state of the terminal device, a control strategy for controlling the coordinated operation of antennas connected to the communication modules according to the screen state of the terminal device, etc. The specific content of each control strategy can be found in the corresponding description in the above-mentioned terminal device embodiment, and has corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0082] The sending module 62 is also used to send control instructions to the multiple communication modules at the same time. Compared with the traditional cellular serial instruction processing method, the parallel processing method reduces the delay and improves the resource allocation efficiency.

[0083] Figure 6 The device shown sends control instructions to the one or more communication modules through the newly added control chip 102 to control the antennas connected to the one or more communication modules to work in coordination, rather than each communication module independently controlling the working antenna, thereby reducing the frequent switching of antennas, thereby solving the technical problem of reduced communication quality caused by frequent switching of antennas in related technologies, and achieving the technical effect of improving the communication quality of terminal equipment.

[0084] The functions of each module in each device in the embodiments of the present application can be found in the corresponding description in the above method, and have corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0085] The embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory connected to the at least one processor in communication. The memory stores a computer program executable by the at least one processor, and the computer program is used to enable the electronic device to perform the method of the embodiment of the present application when executed by the at least one processor.

[0086] An embodiment of the present application also provides a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor of a computer, is used to cause the computer to execute the method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0087] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor of a computer, is used to cause the computer to execute the method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0088] refer to Figure 7 , the structural block diagram of the electronic device that can be used as the server or client of the embodiment of the present application will now be described, which is an example of the hardware device that can be applied to various aspects of the present application. The electronic device is intended to represent various forms of digital electronic computer equipment, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, workbenches, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframe computers and other suitable computers. The electronic device can also represent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital processing, cellular phones, smart phones, wearable devices and other similar computing devices. The components shown herein, their connections and relationships, and their functions are only examples, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present application described and / or required herein.

[0089] like Figure 7 As shown, the electronic device includes a computing unit 701, which can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a computer program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 702 or a computer program loaded from a storage unit 708 into a random access memory (RAM) 703. In the RAM 703, various programs and data required for the operation of the electronic device can also be stored. The computing unit 701, the ROM 702, and the RAM 703 are connected to each other via a bus 707. An input / output (I / O) interface 705 is also connected to the bus 707.

[0090] Multiple components in the electronic device are connected to the I / O interface 705, including: an input unit 706, an output unit 707, a storage unit 708, and a communication unit 709. The input unit 706 can be any type of device that can input information to the electronic device, and the input unit 706 can receive input digital or character information, and generate key signal input related to user settings and / or function control of the electronic device. The output unit 707 can be any type of device that can present information, and can include but is not limited to a display, a speaker, a video / audio output terminal, a vibrator, and / or a printer. The storage unit 708 can include but is not limited to a disk, an optical disk. The communication unit 709 allows the electronic device to exchange information / data with other devices through a computer network such as the Internet and / or various telecommunication networks, and can include but is not limited to a modem, a network card, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication transceiver, and / or a chipset, such as a Bluetooth device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a cellular communication device, and / or the like.

[0091] The computing unit 701 may be a variety of general and / or special processing components with processing and computing capabilities. Some examples of the computing unit 701 include, but are not limited to, a CPU, a graphics processing unit (GPU), various dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) computing chips, various computing units running machine learning model algorithms, digital signal processors (DSPs), and any appropriate processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc. The computing unit 701 performs the various methods and processes described above. For example, in some embodiments, the method embodiments of the present application may be implemented as a computer program, which is tangibly contained in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage unit 708. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program may be loaded and / or installed on an electronic device via a ROM 702 and / or a communication unit 709. In some embodiments, the computing unit 701 may be configured to perform the above method in any other appropriate manner (e.g., by means of firmware).

[0092] The computer program for implementing the method of the embodiment of the present application can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These computer programs can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, so that when the computer program is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram are implemented. The computer program can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, partially on the machine as a stand-alone software package and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0093] In the context of the present application embodiment, machine-readable medium can be a tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by an instruction execution system, device or equipment or used in combination with an instruction execution system, device or equipment. Machine-readable medium can be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. Machine-readable signal medium can include but is not limited to electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared systems, devices or equipment, or any suitable combination of the above. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media can include electrical connections based on one or more lines, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memories (RAM), read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0094] It should be noted that the term "including" and its variations used in the embodiments of the present application are open inclusions, that is, "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one other embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments". The modifications of "one" and "multiple" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art should understand that unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context, it should be understood as "one or more".

[0095] The user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in the embodiments of the present application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of relevant data must comply with relevant laws, regulations and standards of relevant countries and regions, and provide corresponding operation entrances for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0096] The various steps described in the method implementation methods provided in the embodiments of the present application can be performed in different orders and / or in parallel. In addition, the method implementation methods may include additional steps and / or omit the steps shown. The scope of protection of the present application is not limited in this respect.

[0097] The term "embodiment" in this specification refers to specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment that can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily mean the same embodiment, nor does it mean that it is mutually exclusive with other embodiments and is independent or optional. The various embodiments in this specification are described in a related manner, and the same or similar parts between the various embodiments refer to each other. In particular, for the device, equipment, and system embodiments, since they are basically similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts refer to the partial description of the method embodiment.

[0098] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of patent protection. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising: control chip, multiple communication modules and multiple antennas, wherein: Each communication module is respectively connected to one or more of the antennas, the antennas connected to different communication modules respectively cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module; The control chip is connected to the multiple communication modules and is used to control the antennas connected to the multiple communication modules to work in coordination.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control chip is specifically used for: When the first antenna of the first communication module and the second antenna of the second communication module are working at the same time, the second communication module is controlled to reduce the power of the second antenna, or the second communication module is controlled to stop using the second antenna, wherein: The priority of the first communication module is higher than that of the second communication module, and the first antenna is arranged adjacent to the second antenna.

3. The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the first antenna of the first communication module is a satellite communication antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module is a WIFI antenna; or, The first antenna of the first communication module is a WIFI antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module is a cellular medium-high frequency antenna located on the top of the terminal device; or, The first antenna of the first communication module is a millimeter wave antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module includes at least one of the following: a cellular medium and high frequency antenna, a WIFI antenna, a satellite communication antenna, a near field communication NFC antenna, and an ultra-wideband UWB antenna located on the top of the terminal device; or, The first antenna of the first communication module is a UWB antenna, and the second antenna of the second communication module includes at least one of the following: a cellular medium and high frequency antenna located on the top of the terminal device, a WIFI antenna, a satellite communication antenna, an NFC antenna, and a millimeter wave antenna.

4. According to the terminal device of claim 2, after the control chip controls the second communication module to stop using the second antenna, the second antenna is also used as a parasitic antenna of the first antenna.

5. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control chip is further used for: Determining a holding state of the terminal device; When the current working antenna of the terminal device is blocked by holding, the communication module connected to the current working antenna is controlled to switch part or all of the signals to other antennas, wherein: The other antennas support the frequency band where part or all of the signals are located.

6. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the third communication module is connected to a third antenna, and a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, wherein: The third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device, the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located at two opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is specifically used for: When the third antenna is blocked, the third communication module is controlled to switch part or all of the signal on the third antenna to the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

7. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the third communication module is connected to a fourth antenna and a fifth antenna, wherein: The fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located on two opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is specifically used for: When the fourth antenna is blocked, controlling the third communication module to switch part or all of the signal on the fourth antenna to the fifth antenna; When the fifth antenna is blocked, the third communication module is controlled to switch part or all of the signal on the fifth antenna to the fourth antenna.

8. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the third communication module is connected to the sixth antenna, and the third antenna and / or the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna, wherein: The sixth antenna is located at the bottom of the terminal device, the third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device, the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located at two adjacent opposite sides of the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is specifically used for: When the sixth antenna is blocked, the third communication module is controlled to switch part or all of the signal on the sixth antenna to the third antenna and / or the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

9. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the third communication module is connected to a third antenna and / or a sixth antenna, and a fourth antenna and / or a fifth antenna, wherein: The third antenna is located at the top of the terminal device, the sixth antenna is located at the bottom of the terminal device, the fourth antenna and the fifth antenna are respectively located at two opposite sides adjacent to the top of the terminal device, and the control chip is further used for: Determining a screen status of the terminal device; In response to the screen state of the terminal device switching from portrait to landscape, the third communication module is controlled to switch part or all of the signals on the third antenna and / or the sixth antenna to the fourth antenna and / or the fifth antenna.

10. A control method, applied to a terminal device including multiple communication modules and a control chip, each communication module is connected to one or more antennas, the antennas connected to different communication modules cover different communication frequency bands, and the multiple communication modules include at least a cellular communication module and a short-range communication module, the method comprising: A control instruction is sent to the one or more communication modules to control the antennas connected to the one or more communication modules to work in coordination.

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