Antenna system and folding terminal

Abstract

The present specification provides an antenna system and a folding terminal, the antenna system comprising a first satellite communication antenna arranged on a top frame of a first main body of the folding terminal, and a tuning unit arranged on a top frame of a second main body, the tuning unit comprising a tuning stub, the tuning stub being connected to a first matching circuit, the first matching circuit adjusting a resonant frequency of the tuning stub to be the same as that of the first satellite communication antenna, and the satellite antenna is tuned by using the tuning stub on the second main body, so as to optimize the radiation direction and gain performance of the satellite antenna in the unfolded state of the terminal, and improve the satellite communication performance and experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of satellite communication technology, specifically to an antenna system and a foldable terminal. Background Technology

[0002] Foldable screen devices represent a new form factor, offering significant advantages in display and interaction compared to traditional electronic devices. However, the continuous changes in device form during use present a challenge in antenna design for foldable screen devices.

[0003] In related technologies, the satellite antenna of foldable screen devices is generally set on one side of the main body, which causes the antenna radiation direction to be offset, resulting in poor satellite experience and communication quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To improve the antenna performance of satellite communication antennas in foldable terminals, this specification provides an antenna system and a foldable terminal having the antenna system.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this specification provide an antenna system for a foldable terminal, the foldable terminal comprising a foldable first main body and a second main body, the antenna system comprising:

[0006] The first satellite communication antenna is located on the top edge of the first main body;

[0007] The tuning unit includes at least one tuning stub located on the top edge of the second body. The tuning stub is connected to a first matching circuit configured to adjust the resonant frequency of the tuning stub to be the same as that of the first satellite communication antenna.

[0008] In some embodiments, the tuning unit includes a first tuning stub and a second tuning stub, one end of the first tuning stub and one end of the second tuning stub are coupled through a first gap, and a first tuning device is connected across the first gap so that the first tuning stub is electrically connected to the second tuning stub through the first tuning device, and the first tuning stub and / or the second tuning stub are electrically connected to the first matching circuit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first satellite communication antenna includes a first radiating stub located at the center of the top frame of the first body. The first radiating stub is a stub that is suspended relative to the floor. Both ends of the first radiating stub are coupled to other stubs of the top frame through gaps. One end of the first radiating stub is provided with a first feed point. The first feed point is used to connect to a first feed circuit. The first feed circuit is used to excite the first radiating stub to generate a resonant signal at the target satellite frequency.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first tuning stub is located at the center of the top edge of the second body, and the first tuning stub and the first radiating stub of the first satellite communication antenna are symmetrical about the axis of rotation, which is the axis of rotation for folding and opening the first body and the second body;

[0011] One end of the second tuning stub is connected to the floor, and the other end is coupled to the first end of the first tuning stub through the first gap. The second end of the first tuning stub is coupled to other stubs through the second gap.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first tuning device includes a first capacitor, one terminal of which is connected to a second tuning point on the first tuning stub, and the other terminal is connected to a third tuning point on the second tuning stub, the second tuning point and the third tuning point being located near the first gap.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first tuning stub is provided with a first tuning point, which is used to connect the first matching circuit and is located near the second gap.

[0014] In some embodiments, a second satellite communication antenna is also included, which is disposed on the side frame of the first body, and the second satellite communication antenna operates at the same frequency as the first satellite communication antenna.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second satellite communication antenna includes a second radiating stub, which is a stub suspended relative to the floor. The two ends of the second radiating stub are coupled to other stubs of the side frame through gaps. The second radiating stub is provided with a second feed point for connecting a second feed circuit. The second feed circuit is used to excite the second radiating stub to generate a resonant signal at the target satellite frequency. The second feed point is located near the midpoint of the side frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second satellite communication antenna includes a third radiating stub and a fourth radiating stub, with one end of the third radiating stub and one end of the fourth radiating stub connected to the floor via the same rib structure;

[0017] The third radiating stub is connected to a third feed circuit, which is used to excite the third radiating stub to generate a resonant signal at the target satellite frequency.

[0018] The fourth radiating stub is connected to a second matching circuit, which is configured to adjust the resonant frequency of the fourth radiating stub to be the same as the frequency of the target satellite.

[0019] Secondly, embodiments of this specification provide a foldable terminal, including the antenna system described in any of the above embodiments.

[0020] The antenna system described in this specification includes a first satellite communication antenna disposed on the top frame of a first main body of a foldable terminal, and a tuning unit disposed on the top frame of a second main body. The tuning unit includes a tuning stub connected to a first matching circuit. The first matching circuit adjusts the resonant frequency of the tuning stub to be the same as that of the first satellite communication antenna. By using the tuning stub on the second main body to tune the satellite antenna, the radiation direction and gain performance of the satellite antenna in the unfolded state of the terminal are optimized, thereby improving satellite communication performance and user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments or technical solutions in the prior art of this specification, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this specification. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the unfolded and folded states of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the satellite communication antenna structure of a foldable terminal in related technologies.

[0025] Figure 4a This is the current distribution and radiation pattern of the satellite communication antenna of a foldable terminal in related technologies.

[0026] Figure 4b This is the radiation pattern of the entire foldable terminal in related technologies.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the matching circuit in some embodiments of this specification.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0030] Figure 8This is a radiation pattern of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a 2D radiation pattern of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0033] Figure 11a This is a 2D radiation pattern of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0034] Figure 11b This is a 2D radiation pattern of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0035] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna system of the foldable terminal in some embodiments of this specification.

[0036] Figure 13 These are structural block diagrams of electronic devices in some embodiments of this specification. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The technical solutions of this specification will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this specification, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this specification, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this specification. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this specification described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0038] Foldable terminal devices refer to foldable devices with flexible screens, such as foldable screen phones. Figure 1 The structure of a foldable screen phone in related technologies is shown. See also Figure 1 As shown, the foldable screen phone 100 includes two screens respectively located on opposite sides of the phone, namely the main screen 110 and the secondary screen 120. The main screen 110 is a foldable flexible screen. In user scenarios, the phone system can switch between the main screen 110 and the secondary screen 120 as the phone is opened or closed.

[0039] Figure 2 It demonstrates two usage modes of the foldable screen phone. Figure 2 Image (a) is the back view of the unfolded state. Figure 2(b) is a rear view of the folded state. For ease of understanding and explanation below, in this specification, a portion of the rear camera module 130 in the foldable screen phone is defined as the first main body 210, and a portion of the secondary screen 120 is defined as the second main body 220. The first main body 210 and the second main body 220 are foldable and openable through a hinge 230.

[0040] Satellite communication refers to communication between ground devices via satellite as a relay. A satellite communication system consists of two parts: a satellite and ground equipment. It eliminates the need for ground base stations, thus offering advantages such as a wide communication range and immunity to geological disasters. With the development of satellite communication technology, functions such as satellite short messages and satellite calls are becoming increasingly common in conventional consumer electronic devices, and have become standard features in high-end foldable terminals.

[0041] In related technologies, satellite communication antennas for electronic devices are mainly frame antennas, meaning they utilize the metal frame of the electronic device as a radiator to transmit and receive satellite signals. Furthermore, to improve satellite communication performance, the satellite antenna is primarily located at the top of the device. The top of the device has limited space and often needs to integrate cellular antennas, WiFi antennas, and GPS antennas.

[0042] Figure 3 The satellite communication antenna structure of a foldable terminal device in the related technology is shown in the figure. Figure 3 As shown, in the foldable terminal of the relevant technical solution, the satellite communication antenna is located at the top center of the first main body, that is, the position of antenna 1. It is separated from antennas 2 and 3 on both sides by the gap on the frame. Antennas 2 and 3 can generally be Bluetooth / WiFi antennas, cellular antennas (such as MHB band, N78 / 79 band, etc.), satellite positioning antennas (such as GPS, Beidou, etc.).

[0043] In non-foldable candybar phones, or even in foldable phones when folded, the satellite communication antenna remains centered, resulting in radiation concentrated primarily in the zenith region directly above, thus providing good radiation performance. However, when the phone is unfolded, the radiation direction shifts to the lower right due to the influence of the right-side secondary screen, leading to a deterioration in both the antenna's radiation direction and peak gain. This shift in radiation direction results in a narrower beam, making satellite acquisition difficult and providing a poor viewing experience. The attenuation of peak gain leads to insufficient satellite communication stability, and may even cause disconnections.

[0044] For example Figure 4aA schematic diagram of the current distribution and radiation direction of the antenna system of the foldable terminal is shown. It can be seen that in the unfolded state of the foldable terminal, the top edges of the first main body and the second main body form opposite currents, causing the antenna radiation direction to be divided into left and right lobes. There is a clear current zero point region in the middle of the top of the terminal device. Figure 4b The radiation pattern of the foldable terminal in its unfolded state is shown. Figure 4b As can be seen, since the current on the second body is the induced current of the resonant wave of the first body, the phase of the induced current of the second body lags behind that of the current of the first body, causing the current to flow toward the second body side. As a result, the antenna radiation direction shifts toward the second body side, leading to a smaller beam coverage area.

[0045] Based on this, the embodiments of this specification provide an antenna system that can be applied to foldable terminals. By optimizing the satellite communication antenna of the foldable terminal, the coverage and peak gain of the satellite communication antenna can be improved, thereby improving satellite communication performance and user experience.

[0046] The foldable terminal described in this specification can be a foldable screen phone, and the form of the foldable screen phone can be referred to the above. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the two parts that can be folded and opened in the foldable terminal are defined as the first main body and the second main body, and the structure connecting the first main body and the second main body is the pivot.

[0047] In the antenna system of a foldable terminal, the antenna radiator is typically implemented using a metal frame around the side of the terminal. This frame is usually made of metal such as aluminum alloy or stainless steel. By creating slits in the frame and connecting corresponding radio frequency circuits, signal radiation across various frequency bands can be achieved within the terminal. The metal carrier in the terminal serves as the ground plane (GND) for the antenna system and other electrical systems. The ground plane is a zero-potential element in the electrical system, and the antenna radiator is grounded by connecting to this ground plane. Of course, the terminal also includes other electrical structures such as a motherboard, camera, battery, motor, and speaker, which will not be elaborated upon in this manual.

[0048] In addition, for ease of understanding and explanation, some of the terms and technical terms appearing in the following embodiments of this disclosure are explained.

[0049] Radiator / Radiating Stub: This is the component in an antenna used to receive and transmit electromagnetic radiation. Radiators / radiating stubs are typically made of metal. The shape and size of the radiator / radiating stub vary depending on the antenna type and system. In some cases, the narrow definition of "antenna" refers to the radiator / radiating stub; that is, the radiator / radiating stub can be directly called an antenna. In a broader sense, however, the radiator / radiating stub represents the part of the antenna used for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. Besides the radiator / radiating stub, an antenna often includes electrical components such as feed circuits and matching circuits.

[0050] Feed circuitry: This is a combination of all circuitry used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals. Feed circuitry may include transceivers and RF front-end circuitry; in some implementations, it may be an RF chip.

[0051] Feed point: This refers to the location on the radiator / radiating stub where it is electrically connected to the feed circuit. In some scenarios, the feed point on the radiator / radiating stub is also called the "top frame point," which can be understood as the connection point between the feed circuit and the metal frame.

[0052] Matching circuit: This is a circuit used to adjust the radiation characteristics of the antenna. In some embodiments, the matching circuit can be located between the feed circuit and the radiator / radiating stub. In other embodiments, the matching circuit can be located between the radiator / radiating stub and the ground plane. The matching circuit generally includes multiple tuning branches and can switch between multiple tuning branches. Each tuning branch is equipped with a tuning device, which can be, for example, a switch, capacitor, inductor, or other similar device.

[0053] Tuning point: refers to the location on the radiator / radiating stub where it is electrically connected to the matching circuit. It can be understood that when the matching circuit is located between the feed circuit and the radiator / radiating stub, the tuning point and the feed point represent the same location.

[0054] Suspended: This refers to a situation where there is no rigid structural connection between the radiator / radiating branch and the floor, thus the radiator / radiating branch is suspended relative to the floor. However, it is understandable that a suspended radiator / radiating branch can still be electrically connected to provide power or grounding.

[0055] Resonance: refers to the resonant frequency generated by the antenna. The resonant frequency can have a frequency range, that is, the frequency range in which the current resonates in the radiator / radiating stub. The frequency corresponding to the strongest resonance point is the center point of the resonant frequency, also called the center frequency point. It can be understood that the resonant signal in the embodiments of this disclosure is the radio frequency band generated by the antenna system.

[0056] Antenna radiation pattern: refers to the graph showing the relative field strength of the antenna radiation field as a function of direction at a certain distance from the antenna (far field). It is usually represented by two mutually perpendicular planar radiation patterns passing through the direction of maximum antenna radiation.

[0057] Coupling: refers to a connection method in which two components do not directly contact each other, but their electric or magnetic fields influence each other when energized, thus allowing them to transfer energy to each other.

[0058] A beam is a communication resource. A beam can be wide, narrow, or other types. The technology used to form a beam can be beamforming or other techniques. Beamforming technologies can include digital beamforming, analog beamforming, and hybrid digital / analog beamforming. Different beams can be considered different resources. The same information or different information can be transmitted through different beams.

[0059] Beam position: Also called beam direction or beam angle, it refers to the direction or angle at which an antenna system transmits a beam towards the zenith region. With the ground terminal as the center, the zenith region of the ground terminal is defined by an azimuth angle φ = 0°–360° and an elevation angle θ = 0°–90°. By dividing the antenna area into multiple smaller regions, each of which can be represented by its azimuth angle φ and elevation angle θ, each smaller region constitutes a beam position.

[0060] Beamwidth: also called beam range, refers to the beam locations that an antenna system's emitted beam can cover. The wider the beamwidth, the more beam locations the antenna beam can cover; the narrower the beamwidth, the fewer beam locations the antenna beam can cover.

[0061] Antenna gain refers to the ratio of the power density produced by an actual antenna to that of an ideal antenna at the same location in space, under the condition of equal input power. Antenna gain is closely related to the antenna radiation pattern and can be used to measure the antenna's ability to transmit and receive signals in a specific direction. Parameters representing antenna gain include dBm and dBi; in the specification and implementation, antenna gain is simply referred to as dB.

[0062] Figure 5 This specification shows a schematic diagram of the satellite communication antenna system in some embodiments. The following is a description of the system in conjunction with... Figure 5 This manual explains the structure and principle of the antenna system.

[0063] Figure 5 Only the structure related to the antenna system in the foldable terminal is shown. Other parts are not shown, but those skilled in the art can undoubtedly understand and fully implement them by referring to the relevant technology. This specification will not elaborate further on them.

[0064] exist Figure 5 In the example, the gray part is the floor (GND) of the terminal device. As mentioned above, the floor can be formed by the metal carrier of the mid-frame of the terminal device, and the white strip structure is the metal frame of the terminal device.

[0065] Figure 5 The diagram shows the rear view of a foldable terminal in its unfolded state. The left side represents the first main body of the foldable terminal, and the right side represents the second main body. The first main body typically houses the rear camera module, also called the base side, while the second main body typically houses the secondary screen, also called the flip side. The hinge in the middle allows the first and second main bodies to be folded and opened around axis A.

[0066] The antenna system includes a first satellite communication antenna ANT1 located on the top of the first main body. Specifically, the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 includes a first radiating stub 410, which is located at the center of the top frame of the first main body.

[0067] Continue to refer to Figure 5 As shown, the top frame of the first main body includes a first radial branch 410, a second radial branch 411, and a third radial branch 412. One end of the first radial branch 410 is coupled to one end of the second radial branch 411 via a gap F1, and the other end of the second radial branch 411 is connected to the floor via a rigid rib structure. The other end of the first radial branch 410 is coupled to the third radial branch 412 via a gap F2, and the other end of the third radial branch 412 is connected to the floor via a hinge structure.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first radiating stub 410 is a suspended stub, meaning that there is no rigid connection between the first radiating stub 410 and the floor. A T-shaped antenna can be implemented using a suspended stub, while also effectively supporting SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) detection for top antennas, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, and will not be elaborated upon here. The second radiating stub 411 and the third radiating stub 412 can be used to implement other antennas, such as cellular antennas, Bluetooth / WiFi antennas, positioning antennas, etc., and this specification does not limit their use.

[0069] A first feed point a is provided on the first radiating branch 410. The first feed point a can be located near one end of the first radiating branch 410, for example... Figure 5 In the example, the first feed point a is positioned close to the slot F2, thereby fully exciting the entire radiating branch. Of course, in other embodiments, the first feed point a can also be positioned close to the slot F1, and this specification does not limit this.

[0070] The first feed point a is used to connect to the first feed circuit K1, which is the radio frequency excitation source of the satellite communication antenna, used to generate the resonant signal of the satellite communication antenna and demodulate the resonant signal received by the satellite communication antenna. For example, in some embodiments, the first feed circuit K1 may include a satellite communication baseband chip, radio frequency front-end circuit, etc., which will not be described in detail in this specification.

[0071] In the embodiments described in this specification, the satellite communication antenna can be any type of satellite antenna suitable for implementation, including but not limited to BeiDou satellite antenna, TianTong satellite antenna, XingWang satellite antenna, etc. Different satellite communication antennas correspond to different target satellite frequencies, which can be understood by those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0072] For example, taking the Tiantong satellite antenna as an example, the uplink frequency range of Tiantong is approximately 1980MHz to 2010MHz, and the downlink frequency range is approximately 2170MHz to 2200MHz. The first feed circuit K1 is the feed circuit for Tiantong satellite communication. The first radiating stub 410 is fed through the first feed circuit K1, thereby exciting the first radiating stub 410 to generate a resonant signal. Through tuning, the frequency of the resonant signal is made to be the frequency of the target satellite, which is the frequency of the aforementioned Tiantong uplink and downlink signals.

[0073] As described above, when only the satellite communication antenna on the first main body is used, the second main body on the right side affects the radiation direction and peak gain of the satellite communication antenna in the unfolded state of the foldable terminal. Therefore, in this embodiment, a tuning unit is added to the second main body to optimize the radiation direction and peak gain of the satellite communication antenna.

[0074] Continue to refer to Figure 5 As shown, the tuning unit includes one or more tuning branches, which are radial branches located on the top frame of the second main body. For example, in Figure 5 In the example, in order to maintain a symmetrical appearance with the first body, the top edge of the second body is also divided into three metal branches by a seam, namely the first tuning branch 421, the second tuning branch 422 and the third tuning branch 423.

[0075] The first end of the first tuning branch 421 is coupled to the second tuning branch 422 through the first gap F3, and the other end of the second tuning branch 422 is connected to the floor through a hinge. The second end of the first tuning branch 421 is coupled to the third tuning branch 423 through the second gap F4, and the other end of the third tuning branch 423 is connected to the floor through a rigid rib structure.

[0076] It is worth noting that in traditional folding devices, to maintain aesthetic appeal and consistency in appearance, it is generally necessary to ensure the symmetry of the gaps on the frame. For example, in... Figure 5 In the example, the top edge of the second body maintains a symmetrical structure with the top edge of the first body, thus ensuring that the position of the slit and the length of the branch are consistent. However, in other embodiments, where there are no strict aesthetic design requirements, the position of the slit and the length of the branch on the second body do not need to be completely identical to those of the first body, and the antenna system described in this specification can also be applied.

[0077] In the embodiments described in this specification, the function of the tuning unit is: when the satellite communication antenna on the first main body is working, the tuning unit on the second main body can excite an induced current close to the frequency band of the satellite communication antenna on the top frame of the second main body, thereby effectively broadening the same-direction current of the satellite communication antenna to the top area of ​​the entire terminal, so as to concentrate the radiation pattern in the zenith area of ​​the terminal.

[0078] Under this electrical principle, theoretically, the tuning unit only needs to include at least any part of the branches of the top edge of the second main body, that is, for Figure 5 The second main body, as shown, includes three tuning stubs. By simply adjusting the resonant frequency generated by the induced current of any one or more stubs to be close to the target satellite frequency of the satellite communication antenna, the performance of the satellite communication antenna on the first main body can be optimized.

[0079] exist Figure 5 In the example implementation, the length of the first tuning branch 421 is the same as that of the first radial branch 410, and the two are symmetrical with respect to the structure of the rotating axis A. Therefore, the tuning difficulty and effect of the first tuning branch 421 are better than those of the second and third tuning branches. Therefore, the first tuning branch 421 can be given priority for tuning.

[0080] For example, in some embodiments, the first tuning branch 421 can be configured as a floating branch, meaning there is no rigid rib connection between the first tuning branch 421 and the floor. A first tuning point b is provided on the first tuning branch 421, and the position of the first tuning point b can be any position on the first tuning branch 421, for example... Figure 5 In the example, the first tuning point b is set close to the second gap F4. Of course, in other embodiments, the first tuning point b can also be set at other positions of the first tuning branch 421, such as close to the first gap F3. This specification does not limit this.

[0081] The first tuning point b is used to connect to the first matching circuit T1. As mentioned above, the function of the first matching circuit T1 is to adjust the impedance of the antenna circuit, thereby changing the resonant frequency. In some embodiments, the first matching circuit T1 may include multiple tuning branches, each tuning branch being provided with one or more tuning devices, including inductors and / or capacitors. By controlling the on / off state of the switch, any one or more tuning devices in the matching circuit can be turned on, thereby achieving the adjustment of the resonant frequency.

[0082] For example, in one example, Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a first matching circuit is shown. See [link / reference] Figure 6 As shown, in this example, the first matching circuit includes a switching switch and four tuning branches. The switching switch is an nPmT switch, where nPmT represents n-pole m-throw, meaning one side of the switch has n input / output ports and the other side has m input / output ports. Each port can be switched to conduct with a port on the other side. SP4T represents a single-pole 4-throw switch, thus the first tuning branch 421 can switch between the four tuning branches. Each tuning branch is equipped with a tuning device, namely inductor L1, inductor L2, inductor L3 and capacitor C0. The other end of each tuning branch is grounded (GND). The values ​​of the tuning devices, such as the inductance value of the inductor and the capacitance value of the capacitor, can be freely selected by those skilled in the art based on the relevant scenario requirements; this specification does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0083] In addition, it is worth noting that multiple tuning points can be set on the first tuning stub 421 to connect multiple matching circuits. The purpose of these circuits is to adjust the frequency of the induced current on the first tuning stub 421 to be close to the frequency of the satellite communication antenna. This specification will not elaborate further on this.

[0084] Combination Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 is working, the first feed circuit K1 excites the first radiating stub 410 to generate a resonant signal at the target satellite frequency. For example, in one example, taking the Tiantong satellite antenna, the frequency of the Tiantong downlink signal is about 2.2 GHz.

[0085] In the unfolded state of the foldable terminal, the first tuning stub 421 located on the second main body can generate an induced current through the principle of electromagnetic induction. Due to the effect of the matching circuit T1, the resonant frequency of the induced current on the first tuning stub 421 is close to the frequency of the downlink signal of the antenna, which is equivalent to exciting a satellite communication resonance of about 2.2 GHz at the top of the second main body. This complements the radiation direction of the second main body region, making the overall radiation direction of the antenna face the zenith region and improving the peak gain of the satellite communication antenna.

[0086] In the above embodiments, the tuning unit is described using only the first tuning branch 421 as an example. In other embodiments, the tuning unit may further include a second tuning branch 422 and a third tuning branch 423. That is, by utilizing the entire top frame of the second body, the induced current is excited at the top of the second body, thereby further improving the optimization effect on the satellite communication antenna.

[0087] For example, in one example, the second tuning stub 422 has a second tuning point c, which is used to connect one or more first matching circuits T2. The third tuning stub 423 has a third tuning point d, which is used to connect one or more first matching circuits T3. The circuit structure and principle of the first matching circuits T2 and T3 can be referred to the aforementioned first matching circuit T1, and will not be repeated here. In this example, the resonant frequency of the second tuning stub 422 is adjusted to near the target satellite frequency through the first matching circuit T2, and the resonant frequency of the third tuning stub 423 is adjusted to near the target satellite frequency through the first matching circuit T3. When the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 is working, the first tuning stub 421, the second tuning stub 422, and the third tuning stub 423 on the second main body can excite an induced current of the same frequency, which is equivalent to exciting a resonant frequency of about 2.2 GHz at the top of the second main body, thereby effectively improving the peak gain of the antenna. Those skilled in the art will understand this, and will not be repeated here.

[0088] Both the Tiantong satellite system and the Beidou short message system are high-orbit satellite systems. That is, the Tiantong satellite and the Beidou short message satellite are mainly deployed in geosynchronous orbit 36,000 kilometers above the equator. Therefore, the ground-based satellite communication system is required to have high gain and narrow signal beam.

[0089] StarNet is a low-Earth orbit satellite communication system independently developed by my country. Currently, the StarNet system is in the networking stage. In recent years, intensive launches have been launched, with a plan of about 13,000 satellites to be deployed in multiple layers in low-Earth orbits at altitudes of 500 to 1,500 kilometers. Therefore, the signal beam of the ground-based satellite communication system is required to be wider. For example, in a three-dimensional spherical coordinate system, the antenna efficiency of StarNet signal in space with an elevation angle θ of 0° to 80° and an azimuth angle φ of 0° to 360° must meet a performance of more than -8dB.

[0090] Because satellite antennas such as Tiantong and Beidou operate at high frequencies, the required length of the antenna radiator is relatively small. When using the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 to implement a Tiantong or Beidou satellite antenna, for example... Figure 5 The antenna system shown can effectively optimize the performance of satellite antennas.

[0091] However, when the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 is a low-orbit satellite antenna (such as StarNet), since the communication frequency band of StarNet is about 1 GHz lower than that of TianTong, it is difficult for the tuning stub of the tuning unit to meet the frequency requirements of StarNet. For example, due to the length limitation of the first tuning stub 421, the effective electrical length of the first tuning stub 421 is small, making it difficult to adjust the resonant frequency of the first tuning stub 421 to the StarNet frequency band through the first matching circuit T1. In other words, even if the resonant frequency of the first tuning stub 421 can be adjusted to the StarNet frequency band, the resonant amplitude of the tuning stub will be severely attenuated, making it difficult to meet the above-mentioned amplification and optimization effects.

[0092] Based on this, in some embodiments of this specification, the tuning unit is further optimized on the basis of the aforementioned embodiments, so that the tuning unit can cover the requirements of satellite antennas in lower frequency bands. The following describes the optimization of the tuning unit in conjunction with... Figure 7 Please provide an explanation.

[0093] See Figure 7 As shown, the ends of the first tuning stub 421 and the second tuning stub 422 are coupled through a first gap F1. In this embodiment of the specification, a first tuning device C1 can be provided that spans the first gap F1, with one end of the first tuning device C1 connected to the first tuning stub 421 and the other end connected to the second tuning stub 422.

[0094] For example Figure 7 In the example, the first tuning device C1 is a first capacitor C1. One terminal of the first capacitor C1 is connected to the second tuning point c of the first tuning stub 421, and the other terminal is connected to the third tuning point d of the second tuning stub 422. The second tuning point c and the third tuning point d are located near the first gap F3. That is, at the location of the first gap F3, the first tuning stub 421 is electrically connected to the second tuning stub 422 through the first capacitor C1.

[0095] In this example, the capacitance value of the first capacitor C1 can be selected according to circuit requirements, and this specification does not impose any restrictions on it. In some guiding embodiments, the capacitance value of the first capacitor C1 can be set to a small capacitance value, for example, the capacitance value of the first capacitor C1 is in the range of 0.5pF to 2pF. For example, in one example, the capacitance value of the first capacitor C1 is 1pF.

[0096] In this embodiment, the first tuning stub 421 and the second tuning stub 422 are electrically connected through the first tuning device. Thus, the induced current generated on the first tuning stub 421 can reach the second tuning stub 422 through the first tuning device, which is equivalent to widening the effective electrical length of the tuning stub. The effective electrical length of the tuning stub is equivalent to the length of the first tuning stub 421 plus the length of the second tuning stub 422. Therefore, the resonance of the induced current can be easily adjusted to a lower frequency through the first matching capacitor T1, thereby covering, for example, the frequency band of StarNet satellite communication and optimizing the performance of low-frequency satellite communication antennas.

[0097] It is worth noting that, Figure 7 In this implementation, the electrical connection between the two tuning stubs is achieved primarily through a first tuning device spanning the gap, thereby widening the effective electrical length of the tuning stubs. Based on this principle, it is not limited to using the first tuning stub 421 and the second tuning stub 422 shown in the figure. For example, a first tuning device spanning the second gap F4 can be placed between the first tuning stub 421 and the third tuning stub 423, and the first tuning point b of the first matching circuit T1 can be moved to the position of the first gap F3. In this case, the first tuning stub 421 and the third tuning stub 423 can be used to tune the first satellite communication antenna ANT1. The principle is the same as described above, and will not be repeated in this specification.

[0098] Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 The current direction and radiation pattern of the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 in the implementation method are obtained through... Figure 8 As can be seen, the resonant current flows in the same direction on both the first and second main bodies along the entire top edge of the foldable terminal, resulting in the antenna radiation direction being mainly concentrated in the central region. Figure 4a As can be seen, the current zero point that was originally located at the top center of the terminal has been well supplemented, the antenna radiation direction coverage is wider, and the performance is better.

[0099] Figure 9 It shows Figure 7 The 2D radiation pattern of the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 in the embodiment is shown, with the horizontal axis representing the azimuth angle φ, ranging from 0° to 360°, and the vertical axis representing the elevation angle θ, ranging from 0° to 180°. It can be seen that within the spatial range of elevation angle θ = 0° to 60° and azimuth angle φ = 0° to 360°, the antenna radiation performance meets the requirements. Furthermore, the performance is significantly improved in the region with azimuth angle φ = 180°, and the beam coverage can already meet the requirements of most low-Earth orbit satellites.

[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, a stub located on the second main body of the foldable terminal is used to tune the satellite antenna located on the first main body, thereby optimizing the radiation direction and performance of the satellite antenna. Furthermore, by using a tuning device spanning the gap to widen the effective electrical length of the tuning stub, lower frequency satellite bands can be covered, enabling performance optimization of low-frequency satellite antennas such as those used in satellite networks, expanding the satellite communication capabilities of electronic devices, and improving satellite communication quality.

[0101] pass Figure 9 As can be seen, through the above implementation method, although the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 located at the top of the terminal can cover most of the beamwidth requirements, there are still pattern nulls in the range of elevation angle θ = 70° to 80° and azimuth angle φ = 220° to 360°. In order to optimize the performance in this area, Figure 10 In this implementation, a second satellite communication antenna ANT2 is added to the side of the terminal device. This second satellite communication antenna ANT2 on the side and the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 on the top form a complementary antenna array. The following describes the implementation in conjunction with... Figure 10 Please provide an explanation.

[0102] See Figure 10 As shown, the terminal device also includes a second satellite communication antenna ANT2. The second satellite communication antenna ANT2 is located on the side frame of the first main body. The second satellite communication antenna ANT2 is mainly used as a diversity antenna for the first satellite communication antenna ANT1. Therefore, the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 and the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 are antennas of the same frequency.

[0103] For example, in one example, taking a StarNet satellite antenna, in Figure 10 In this implementation, the top-mounted first satellite communication antenna ANT1 can serve as the main satellite network antenna, and the side-mounted second satellite communication antenna ANT2 can serve as an auxiliary satellite network antenna. When receiving satellite downlink signals, both antennas can function as receiving antennas simultaneously. When transmitting satellite uplink signals, either the top-mounted first satellite communication antenna ANT1 or the side-mounted second satellite communication antenna ANT2 can be used for transmission.

[0104] In addition, since the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 is mainly used to supplement the area with an elevation angle of θ = 70° to 80° and an azimuth angle of φ = 220° to 360°, the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 can be set in the middle of the side frame. On the one hand, it can better cover this area, and on the other hand, it can reduce the risk of the terminal device being gripped tightly by the user during use.

[0105] exist Figure 10In the example, the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 includes a second radiating stub 430. This second radiating stub 430 is also a suspended stub, meaning there is no rigid rib structure connecting it to the floor. The two ends of the second radiating stub 430 are coupled to other stubs on the side frame via seams, for example... Figure 10 As shown, the upper end of the second radiating branch 430 is coupled to branch 431 through a gap, and the lower end is coupled to branch 432 through a gap.

[0106] The second radiating stub 430 is provided with a second feed point e, which is used to connect to the second feed circuit K2. The second feed circuit K2 is the radio frequency excitation source of the satellite communication antenna, used to generate the resonant signal of the satellite communication antenna and demodulate the resonant signal received by the satellite communication antenna. For example, in some embodiments, the second feed circuit K2 may include a satellite communication baseband chip, radio frequency front-end circuit, etc., which will not be described in detail in this specification.

[0107] It is worth noting that the second feed point e on the second radiating stub 430 should be positioned close to the midpoint of the side frame. The purpose of this is to ensure that the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 is fed at the midpoint of the terminal side, concentrating its radiation direction in the horizontal waist region of the equipment. This allows for better coverage of the area with an elevation angle θ = 70°–80° and an azimuth angle φ = 220°–360°. For example… Figure 10 In this embodiment, the second feed point e can be positioned close to the upper end of the second radiating branch 430, so that the second feed point e is closer to the midpoint of the side.

[0108] In some guiding embodiments, the distance between the second feed point e and the midpoint of the side does not exceed 1 / 4 of the satellite resonant wavelength. In some preferred embodiments, the second feed point e can be set at the midpoint of the side.

[0109] In one example, the top to bottom bezel dimensions of a foldable phone are typically 150mm to 180mm. Figure 11a The 2D radiation pattern of the second satellite communication antenna is shown when the second feed point e is 50 mm away from the top frame. Figure 11b The 2D radiation pattern of the second satellite communication antenna is shown when the second feed point e is 80 mm away from the top frame.

[0110] By comparison Figure 11a and Figure 11b It can be clearly seen that the closer the second feed point e is to the midpoint of the side, the better the performance of the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 in the range of elevation angle θ = 70° to 80° and azimuth angle φ = 220° to 360°.

[0111] In some scenarios, to meet the requirements of mobile phone stacking design or structural strength, it is difficult to design a floating second radiating stub 430 on the side bezel, or it is difficult to place the second feed point e at the midpoint of the side. In this case, the concept of end-to-end tuning can be used to tune the radiation direction of the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 within the required range. The following section will combine... Figure 12 Please provide an explanation.

[0112] See Figure 12 As shown, the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 includes a third radiating stub 433 and a fourth radiating stub 434. One end of the third radiating stub 433 and the fourth radiating stub 434 is connected to the ground through the same rib structure (i.e., rib 1). That is, the third radiating stub 433 and the fourth radiating stub 434 are the same metal stub. The middle part of the metal stub is connected to the ground through a rigid rib 1, which directly divides it into the third radiating stub 433 and the fourth radiating stub 434.

[0113] The third radiating stub 433 serves as the main radiating stub of the second satellite communication antenna ANT2. It has a third feed point f, which can be positioned near the free end of the third radiating stub 433, i.e., near its upper end. The third feed point f is used to connect to the third feed circuit K3. The third feed point f, the third feed circuit K3, and the aforementioned... Figure 10 The second feed point e and the second feed circuit K2 in the implementation method are exactly the same, and will not be described in detail here.

[0114] and Figure 10 The difference in the implementation method is that the radiation direction and peak gain of the third radiation stub 433 will be affected by the grounding effect of the rib position 1. At this time, the fourth radiation stub 434 at the other end of the rib position 1 can be used as a parasitic stub for tuning and optimization of the second satellite communication antenna ANT2.

[0115] Specifically, see Figure 12 As shown, the fourth radiating stub is connected to the second matching circuit T0. The function of the second matching circuit T0 is similar to that of the first matching circuit T1 described above. The second matching circuit T0 adjusts the amplitude and phase of the induced current in the fourth radiating stub 434, thereby adjusting the resonant frequency of the induced current generated on the fourth radiating stub 434. This resonant frequency is adjusted to be the same as that of the third radiating stub 433, thus optimizing the radiation pattern of the second satellite communication antenna ANT2. Those skilled in the art can understand and fully implement this based on the foregoing; further details are omitted here.

[0116] In the above Figure 10 or Figure 12In this implementation, when the satellite communication system of the terminal device is activated, satellite downlink signals can be received simultaneously through the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 and the second satellite communication antenna ANT2, forming a receiving antenna array to improve the downlink performance of satellite communication. When transmitting satellite signals, the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 or the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 can be selected to transmit satellite signals according to the angle and azimuth of the satellite. For example, if the beam position of the satellite relative to the terminal device is within the spatial range of elevation angle θ = 0° to 70° and azimuth angle φ = 0° to 360°, the first satellite communication antenna ANT1 is used to transmit satellite signals; if the beam position of the satellite relative to the terminal device is within the spatial range of θ = 70° to 80° and azimuth angle φ = 220° to 360°, the second satellite communication antenna ANT2 is used to transmit satellite signals, thereby achieving a wider beam range coverage.

[0117] As can be seen from the above, in this embodiment of the specification, the second satellite communication antenna on the side and the first satellite communication antenna on the top complement each other, so that the satellite beam can cover the spatial range of elevation angle θ = 0° to 80° and azimuth angle φ = 0° to 360°, which meets the wide beam coverage requirement. This allows the antenna system of the terminal device to be compatible with low-orbit satellite communication, expands the applicable range of satellite antennas, and the wider beam range can speed up satellite search and improve user experience.

[0118] In some embodiments, this specification provides a foldable terminal, comprising:

[0119] A first body and a second body, the first body and the second body being foldable and openable relative to a pivot;

[0120] The antenna system described in any of the above embodiments.

[0121] The foldable terminal in this specification can be any of the terminal devices described in the foregoing embodiments, such as... Figure 3 The foldable screen phone shown can be understood by those skilled in the art by referring to the foregoing, and will not be described again in this specification.

[0122] Figure 13 The diagram illustrates the structure of an electronic device in some embodiments of this disclosure. The electronic device can be the foldable terminal described above. The following is a description of the structure in conjunction with... Figure 13 Some embodiments of the electronic device described herein will be explained.

[0123] Reference Figure 13The electronic device 1800 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 1802, a memory 1804, a power supply component 1806, a multimedia component 1808, an audio component 1810, an input / output (I / O) interface 1812, a sensor component 1816, and a communication component 1818.

[0124] Processing component 1802 typically controls the overall operation of electronic device 1800, such as operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communication, camera operation, and recording operations. Processing component 1802 may include one or more processors 1820 to execute instructions. Furthermore, processing component 1802 may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between processing component 1802 and other components. For example, processing component 1802 may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between multimedia component 1808 and processing component 1802. As another example, processing component 1802 may read executable instructions from memory to implement relevant functions of the electronic device.

[0125] Memory 1804 is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of electronic device 1800. Examples of this data include instructions for any application or method operating on electronic device 1800, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. Memory 1804 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0126] Power supply component 1806 provides power to various components of electronic device 1800. Power supply component 1806 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to electronic device 1800.

[0127] The multimedia component 1808 includes a display screen that provides an output interface between the electronic device 1800 and the user. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 1808 includes a front-facing camera and / or a rear-facing camera. When the electronic device 1800 is in an operating mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front-facing camera and / or the rear-facing camera can receive external multimedia data. Each front-facing camera and rear-facing camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zoom capabilities.

[0128] Audio component 1810 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, audio component 1810 includes a microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when electronic device 1800 is in an operating mode, such as call mode, recording mode, and voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in memory 1804 or transmitted via communication component 1818. In some embodiments, audio component 1810 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0129] I / O interface 1812 provides an interface between processing component 1802 and peripheral interface modules, such as keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to, home buttons, volume buttons, power buttons, and lock buttons.

[0130] Sensor assembly 1816 includes one or more sensors for providing state assessments of various aspects of electronic device 1800. For example, sensor assembly 1816 may detect the on / off state of electronic device 1800, the relative positioning of components such as the display and keypad of electronic device 1800, changes in position of electronic device 1800 or a component of electronic device 1800, the presence or absence of user contact with electronic device 1800, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of electronic device 1800, and temperature changes of electronic device 1800. Sensor assembly 1816 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. Sensor assembly 1816 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, sensor assembly 1816 may also include an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure sensor, or temperature sensor.

[0131] Communication component 1818 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between electronic device 1800 and other devices. Electronic device 1800 can access wireless networks based on communication standards, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G, or combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, communication component 1818 receives broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, communication component 1818 also includes a near-field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 1800 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components.

[0133] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clear illustration and are not intended to limit the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all embodiments here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom remain within the scope of protection created by this specification.

Claims

1. An antenna system for a foldable terminal, characterized in that, The foldable terminal includes a first main body and a second main body that can be folded and opened, and the antenna system includes: The first satellite communication antenna is located on the top edge of the first main body; The tuning unit includes at least one tuning stub located on the top edge of the second body. The tuning stub is connected to a first matching circuit configured to adjust the resonant frequency of the tuning stub to be the same as that of the first satellite communication antenna.

2. The antenna system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tuning unit includes a first tuning stub and a second tuning stub. One end of the first tuning stub and one end of the second tuning stub are coupled through a first gap. A first tuning device is connected across the first gap so that the first tuning stub is electrically connected to the second tuning stub through the first tuning device. The first tuning stub and / or the second tuning stub are electrically connected to the first matching circuit.

3. The antenna system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first satellite communication antenna includes a first radiating branch located at the center of the top frame of the first main body. The first radiating branch is a branch that is suspended relative to the floor. Both ends of the first radiating branch are coupled to other branches of the top frame through gaps. One end of the first radiating branch is provided with a first feed point. The first feed point is used to connect to a first feed circuit. The first feed circuit is used to excite the first radiating branch to generate a resonant signal at the target satellite frequency.

4. The antenna system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first tuning stub is located at the center of the top edge of the second body, and the first tuning stub and the first radiating stub of the first satellite communication antenna are symmetrical about the axis of rotation, which is the axis of rotation for folding and opening the first body and the second body; One end of the second tuning stub is connected to the floor, and the other end is coupled to the first end of the first tuning stub through the first gap. The second end of the first tuning stub is coupled to other stubs through the second gap.

5. The antenna system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first tuning device includes a first capacitor, one terminal of which is connected to the second tuning point on the first tuning stub, and the other terminal is connected to the third tuning point on the second tuning stub. The second tuning point and the third tuning point are located near the first gap.

6. The antenna system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first tuning branch has a first tuning point, which is used to connect the first matching circuit and is located near the second gap.

7. The antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It also includes a second satellite communication antenna, which is located on the side frame of the first main body, and the second satellite communication antenna operates at the same frequency as the first satellite communication antenna.

8. The antenna system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second satellite communication antenna includes a second radiating stub, which is a stub suspended relative to the floor. The two ends of the second radiating stub are coupled to other stubs of the side frame through gaps. The second radiating stub is provided with a second feed point, which is used to connect to a second feed circuit. The second feed circuit is used to excite the second radiating stub to generate a resonant signal at the target satellite frequency. The second feed point is located near the midpoint of the side frame.

9. The antenna system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second satellite communication antenna includes a third radiating stub and a fourth radiating stub, with one end of the third radiating stub and one end of the fourth radiating stub connected to the floor via the same rib structure; The third radiating stub is connected to a third feed circuit, which is used to excite the third radiating stub to generate a resonant signal at the target satellite frequency. The fourth radiating stub is connected to a second matching circuit, which is configured to adjust the resonant frequency of the fourth radiating stub to be the same as the frequency of the target satellite.

10. A foldable terminal, characterized in that, Including the antenna system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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