Antennas with symmetrical switching architecture

Abstract

Electronic device (10), comprising: an antenna (40) with an antenna resonance element arm (108), an antenna ground (104), a first antenna feed line (P1) with a first feed line connection (98-1) coupled to the antenna resonance element arm (108) and a second feed line connection (100-1) connected to the antenna ground (104), a second antenna feed line (P2) with a third feed line connection (98-2) coupled to the antenna resonance element arm (108) and a fourth feed line connection (100-2) coupled to the antenna ground (104), and a switch (266, 270, 282, 286, 302-308, 320) connected between the first feed line connection (98-1) and the antenna ground (104) is coupled; and a control circuit (28) configured to close the switch (266, 270, 282, 286, 302-308, 320) to form a short-circuit path from the first feed terminal (98-1) to the antenna ground (104) when operating in a first operating mode, and configured to open the switch (266, 270, 282, 286, 302-308, 320) when operating in a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode the first antenna feed (P1) is inactive and the second antenna feed (P2) is active, and in the second operating mode the first antenna feed (P1) is active and the second antenna feed (P2) is inactive.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority over US patent application No. 15 / 429,597, filed on February 10, 2017, and provisional patent application No. 62 / 398,375, filed on September 22, 2016. BACKGROUND

[0002] This generally applies to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices with circuitry for wireless communication.

[0003] Electronic devices often include circuitry for wireless communication. For example, mobile phones, computers, and other devices often contain antennas and wireless transceivers to support wireless communication.

[0004] Designing antenna structures for electronic devices with desired characteristics can be challenging. In some wireless devices, antennas are bulky. In others, antennas are compact but sensitive to their position relative to external objects. If care is not taken, antennas can become detuned, emit wireless signals with a power lower or higher than desired, or otherwise fail to function as expected.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide an improved wireless circuit for electronic devices.

[0006] Document US 2013 / 0203364A1 discloses a tunable antenna system with multiple feeds.

[0007] Document US 2014 / 0266922A1 discloses a tunable antenna with a parasitic element, wherein the parasitic element is a slot.

[0008] Document US 2013 / 0154897A1 discloses an antenna in an electronic device, comprising an antenna feed comprising a first and a second antenna feed terminal; a control circuit configured to receive a first control signal from the antenna feed and configured to generate a second control signal; and an antenna tuning element comprising a first terminal coupled to the first antenna feed terminal, a second terminal coupled to the second antenna feed terminal, and a third terminal configured to receive the second control signal.

[0009] Patent application US 2014 / 0132465A1 discloses a device comprising a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna share a common conductor. The device further comprises a variable load connected between the common conductor and an earth connection, wherein the impedance of the variable load is variable and the operating frequency of the first antenna and the second antenna depends on the impedance, and a selector switch coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the selector switch is configured to enable the first antenna and disable the second antenna in a first state, and wherein the selector switch is configured to enable the second antenna and disable the first antenna in a second state. SUMMARY

[0010] The present invention is described in independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in dependent claims 2 to 5.

[0011] An electronic device may include a wireless circuit with antennas. An antenna may consist of an antenna resonant element and an antenna ground. The antenna resonant element and the antenna ground may be formed from metal housing structures or other conductive structures separated by a slot. For example, the antenna resonant element may be formed from peripheral conductive structures extending along the edges of the metal housing structures, and an elongated opening in the metal housing structures may separate the antenna resonant element from a flat section of the metal housing structures serving as the antenna ground.

[0012] The antenna can have a first antenna feed line with a positive feed terminal coupled to a first position on the resonant element arm, and a second antenna feed line with a positive feed terminal coupled to a second position on the resonant element arm. The resonant element arm can have opposite first and second ends. The antenna feed lines and other components can be coupled symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the device between the resonant element arm and the antenna ground. For example, the second position can be interposed between the first position and the second end of the resonant element arm. A first adjustable component can be coupled between a third position on the resonant element arm and the antenna ground. The third position can be interposed between the first position and the first end of the resonant element arm.A second adjustable component can be coupled between a fourth position on the resonant element arm and the antenna ground. This fourth position can be interposed between the second position and the second end of the resonant element arm. A third adjustable component can be coupled between a fifth position on the resonant element arm and the antenna ground. This fifth position can be interposed between the fourth position and the second end of the resonant element arm.

[0013] The first antenna feed terminal can be coupled to the first position on the resonant element arm by a fourth adjustable component. This fourth adjustable component can include a shunt switch coupled between the first antenna feed terminal and the antenna ground. During operation, an external load on the antenna, such as a user's hand, can cause the antenna to shift. This load can depend on how the user holds the device (e.g., whether the user holds the device in their left or right hand).

[0014] The electronic device may include a control circuit that controls the first, second, third, and fourth adjustable components and selectively activates one of the first and second feed lines at any given time to put the antenna into a first, second, or third operating mode (e.g., free-field mode, left-handed-head mode, and right-handed-head mode). For example, the control circuit may close the shunt switch to create a short circuit between the resonant element arm and the antenna ground when the first antenna feed line is inactive (disabled), and may open the shunt switch when the first antenna feed line is active (activated). In free-field mode and left-handed-head mode, the control circuit may activate the first antenna feed line and deactivate the second antenna feed line.In right-handed head mode, the control circuit can activate the second antenna feed and deactivate the first. Based on sensor data collected by sensor circuits and / or any other desired information about the device's operating environment, the control circuit can determine which operating mode to use. By switching between operating modes, the control circuit can shift the antenna current hotspots along the length of the resonant element arm to ensure satisfactory antenna performance under a variety of operating conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative circuit in an electronic device according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative wireless circuit according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative inverted F-antenna according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative slotted antenna according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram of illustrative antenna structures with a symmetrical switching architecture according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a graph showing the antenna efficiency as a function of the operating frequency, according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in operating an electronic device with an antenna of the type in Fig. 6 of the type shown, according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 9 is a diagram of an illustrative adjustable multi-element inductor that can be used in an antenna according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 10 is a diagram of an illustrative adjustable single-element inductor that can be used in an antenna according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram of an exemplary shunt switch that can be used in an antenna according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 12 is a diagram of an illustrative aperture tuning circuit that can be used in an antenna, according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram of an exemplary switching circuit of the antenna feed line which can be used to selectively activate one of several different antenna feed lines in an antenna, according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 14 is a state diagram illustrating antenna operating modes for an electronic device according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 15 is a flowchart of illustrative steps that may assist in determining an operating mode for use with an antenna according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Electronic devices, such as the electronic device 10 in Fig. 1. These can be provided with a wireless communication circuit. The wireless communication circuit can be used to support wireless communication in multiple wireless communication bands.

[0016] The wireless communication circuit can include one or more antennas. The antennas of the wireless communication circuit can include loop antennas, inverted F antennas, strip antennas, inverted F planar antennas, monopole antennas, dipole antennas, slot antennas, hybrid antennas (comprising antenna structures of more than one type), or other suitable antennas. Conductive structures for the antennas can, if desired, be formed from conductive structures of electronic devices.

[0017] The conductive structures of electronic devices can include conductive enclosure structures. These enclosure structures can include peripheral structures, such as peripheral conductive structures that extend around the periphery of an electronic device. The peripheral conductive structure can serve as a frame for a planar structure, such as a display; it can serve as sidewall structures for a device enclosure; it can have sections extending upward from an integral planar rear enclosure (to form, for example, vertical planar sidewalls or curved sidewalls); and / or it can form other enclosure structures.

[0018] Gaps can be formed in the peripheral conductive structures, dividing them into peripheral segments. One or more of these segments can be used to form one or more antennas for the electronic device 10. Antennas can also be formed using an antenna ground plate, which is formed from conductive housing structures such as metal housing center plate structures, and other internal device structures. Housing rear panel structures can be used to form antenna structures, such as an antenna ground.

[0019] The electronic device 10 may be a portable electronic device or other suitable electronic device. For example, the electronic device 10 may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a somewhat smaller device such as a wristwatch device, a pendant device, a headphone device, a hearing element device, or other body-worn device or miniature device, a handheld device such as a mobile phone, a media playback device, or other small portable device. The device 10 may also be a set-top box, a desktop computer, a display in which a computer or other processing circuitry is integrated, a display without an integrated computer, or other suitable electronic equipment.

[0020] The device 10 can enclose a housing, such as a housing 12. The housing 12, which may sometimes be referred to as a "case," can be made of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber-reinforced composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. In some situations, parts of the housing 12 may be made of dielectric or other low-conductivity materials. In other situations, the housing 12, or at least some of the structures comprising the housing 12, may be made of metal elements.

[0021] The device 10 may, if desired, have a display, such as a display 14. The display 14 may be mounted on the front of the device 10. The display 14 may be a touch-sensitive screen incorporating capacitive touch electrodes or be insensitive to touch. FIG. The rear of the housing 12 (i.e., the side of the device 10 opposite the front) may have a flat housing wall. The rear housing wall may have slots that extend completely through the rear housing wall, thus separating housing wall sections (and / or side wall sections) of the housing 12 from one another. The housing 12 (e.g., the rear housing wall, the side walls, etc.) may also have shallow grooves that do not extend completely through the housing 12. The slots and grooves may be filled with plastic or another dielectric material.If desired, sections of the housing 12 that have been separated from each other (e.g. by a through-slot) can be connected by internal conductive structures (e.g. sheet metal or other metal parts that bridge the slot).

[0022] The display 14 can include pixels formed from light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs), plasma cells, electrowetting pixels, electrophoretic pixels, liquid crystal display (LCD) components, or other suitable pixel structures. A display cover layer, such as a layer of clear glass or plastic, can cover the surface of the display 14, or the outermost layer of the display 14 can be formed from a color filter layer, a thin-film transistor layer, or another display layer. Buttons, such as a button 24, can pass through openings in the cover layer. The cover layer can also have other openings, such as an opening for a speaker port 26.

[0023] The housing 12 can include peripheral housing structures, such as structures 16. The structures 16 can extend around the periphery of the device 10 and the display 14. In configurations where the device 10 and the display 14 have a rectangular shape with four edges, the structures 16 can be implemented using peripheral housing structures that have a rectangular ring shape with four corresponding edges (as an example). The peripheral structures 16, or a portion thereof, can serve as a border for the display 14 (e.g., a cosmetic border that surrounds all four sides of the display 14 and / or helps to hold the display 14 to the device 10). The peripheral structures 16 can also, if desired, form sidewall structures for the device 10 (e.g., by forming a metal band with vertical sidewalls, curved sidewalls, etc.).

[0024] The peripheral housing structures 16 can be formed from a conductive material, such as metal, and may therefore sometimes be referred to as peripheral conductive housing structures, conductive housing structures, peripheral metal structures, or a peripheral conductive housing element (as examples). The peripheral housing structures 16 can be formed from a metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or other suitable materials. One, two, or more than two separate structures can be used in forming the peripheral housing structures 16.

[0025] It is not necessary for the peripheral housing structures 16 to have a uniform cross-section. For example, the upper section of the peripheral housing structures 16 may, if desired, have an inwardly projecting lip that helps to hold the display 14 in place. The lower section of the peripheral housing structures 16 may also have an enlarged lip (e.g., in the plane of the rear surface of the device 10). The peripheral housing structures 16 may have essentially straight vertical side walls, may have curved side walls, or may have other suitable shapes. In some configurations (e.g., when the peripheral housing structures 16 serve as a bezel for the display 14), the peripheral housing structures 16 may extend around the lip of the housing 12 (i.e.,The peripheral housing structures 16 may only cover the edge of the housing 12 that surrounds the display 14, and not the rest of the side walls of the housing 12).

[0026] If desired, the housing 12 can have a conductive rear surface. For example, the housing 12 can be made of a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum. The rear surface of the housing 12 can lie in a plane parallel to the display 14. In configurations for the device 10 where the rear surface of the housing 12 is made of metal, it may be desirable to form portions of the peripheral conductive housing structures 16 as integral sections of the housing structures that form the rear surface of the housing 12. For example, a housing rear wall of the device 10 can be formed from a planar metal structure, and sections of the peripheral housing structures 16 on the sides of the housing 12 can be formed as flat or curved, vertically extending integral metal sections of the planar metal structure.Enclosure structures such as these can, if desired, be machined from a single block of metal and / or can include multiple pieces of metal that are assembled to form the enclosure 12. The flat back wall of the enclosure 12 can have one or more, two or more, or three or more sections.

[0027] The display 14 can have a pixel field that forms an active area AA, which displays images to a user of the device 10. An inactive border area IA, such as inactive area IA, can extend along one or more outer edges of the active area AA.

[0028] The display 14 may include conductive structures, such as an array of capacitive electrodes for a touch-sensitive sensor, conductive lines for pixel elements, driver circuits, etc. The housing 12 may include internal conductive structures, such as metal frame elements and a flat, conductive housing element (occasionally referred to as a center plate) spanning the walls of the housing 12 (i.e., an essentially rectangular sheet of one or more parts welded or otherwise joined between opposite sides of the element 16). The device 10 may also include conductive structures, such as printed circuit boards, components mounted on printed circuit boards, and other internal conductive structures.These conductive structures, which can be used in the formation of a ground plate in the device 10, can be located in the center of the housing 12 and can extend below the active area AA of the display 14.

[0029] In regions 22 and 20, openings may be formed within the conductive structures of the device 10 (e.g., between the peripheral conductive housing structures 16 and opposing conductive ground structures, such as the conductive housing center plate or housing rear wall structures, a printed circuit board, and conductive electrical components in the display 14 and the device 10). These openings, which may sometimes be referred to as gaps, may be filled with air, plastic, and other dielectrics and may be used in the formation of slotted antenna resonant elements for one or more antennas in the device 10.

[0030] Conductive housing structures and other conductive structures in the device 10, such as a center plate, traces on a printed circuit board, the display 14, and conductive electronic components, can serve as a ground plane for the antennas in the device 10. The openings in regions 20 and 22 can serve as slots in open or closed slot antennas, can serve as a central dielectric region surrounded by a conductive path of materials in a loop antenna, can serve as a space separating an antenna resonant element, such as a strip antenna resonant element or an inverted F antenna resonant element, from the ground plane, can contribute to the performance of a parasitic antenna element, or can otherwise serve as part of antenna structures formed in regions 20 and 22.If desired, the ground plate located beneath the active area AA of the display 14 and / or other metal structures in the device 10 may have sections extending into portions of the ends of the device 10 (e.g., the ground may extend toward the dielectric-filled openings in regions 20 and 22), thereby narrowing the slots in regions 20 and 22. In configurations for the device 10 with narrow U-shaped openings or other openings running along the edges of the device 10, the ground plate of the device 10 may be enlarged to accommodate additional electrical components (integrated circuits, sensors, etc.).

[0031] In general, the device 10 can include any suitable number of antennas (e.g., one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, etc.). The antennas in the device 10 can be located at opposite first and second ends of an elongated device housing (e.g., at ends 20 and 22 of the device 10). Fig. 1) along one or more edges of a device housing, in the center of a device housing, at other suitable locations, or at one or more of these locations. The arrangement of Fig. Figure 1 is for illustrative purposes only.

[0032] Sections of the peripheral housing structures 16 can be provided with peripheral gap structures. For example, peripheral conductive housing structures 16 can have one or more gaps, as in Fig. The peripheral housing structures 16 are characterized by columns 18. The gaps in these structures can be filled with a dielectric, such as polymer, ceramic, glass, air, other dielectric materials, or combinations of these materials. The gaps 18 can divide the peripheral housing structures 16 into one or more peripheral conductive segments. For example, there can be two peripheral conductive segments in the peripheral housing structures 16 (e.g., in an arrangement with two columns 18), three peripheral conductive segments (e.g., in an arrangement with three columns 18), four peripheral conductive segments (e.g., in an arrangement with four columns 18, etc.). The segments of the peripheral conductive housing structures 16 configured in this way can form parts of antennas in the device 10.

[0033] If desired, openings in the housing 12, such as grooves, extending partially or completely through the housing 12, can extend across the width of the housing's rear wall and can penetrate the rear wall to divide it into distinct sections. These grooves can also extend into the peripheral housing structures 16 and can form antenna slots, gaps 18, and other structures within the device 10. A polymer or other dielectric can fill these grooves and other housing openings. In some situations, housing openings forming antenna slots and other structures can be filled with a dielectric, such as air.

[0034] In a typical scenario, the device 10 can have upper and lower antennas (as an example). An upper antenna can, for example, be located at the top of the device 10 in region 22. A lower antenna can, for example, be located at the bottom of the device 10 in region 20. The antennas can be used separately to cover identical communication bands, overlapping communication bands, or separate communication bands. The antennas can be used to implement an antenna diversity scheme or, if desired, a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna scheme.

[0035] Antennas in the device 10 can be used to support any communication bands of interest. For example, the device 10 can include antenna structures to support local area network (LAN) communication, voice and data mobile phone communication, global positioning system (GPS) or other satellite navigation system communication, Bluetooth® communication, etc.

[0036] A schematic diagram illustrating components used in device 10 of Fig. 1 can be used, is in Fig. 2 shown. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the device 10 can include a control circuit, such as the data storage and processing circuit 28. The storage and processing circuit 28 can include a storage device, such as a hard disk drive, non-volatile memory (such as flash memory or other electrically programmable read-only memory configured to form a semiconductor drive), volatile memory (such as static or dynamic random-access memory), etc. The processing circuit in the storage and processing circuit 28 can be used to control the operation of the device 10. This processing circuit can be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits, etc. The storage and processing circuit 28 may sometimes be referred to herein as the control circuit 28.

[0037] The memory and processing circuit 28 can be used to run software on the device 10, such as internet browsing applications, VoIP telephone calling applications (VoIP = Voice over Internet Protocol), email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. To support interactions with external equipment, the memory and processing circuit 28 can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using the memory and processing circuit 28 include internet protocols and wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.0).11 protocols -- sometimes referred to as WiFi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communication links, such as the Bluetooth® protocol, mobile phone protocols, multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) protocols, antenna diversity protocols, etc.

[0038] An input-output circuit 30 can include input-output devices 32. The input-output devices 32 can be used to allow data to be supplied to the device 10 and to allow data from the device 10 to be made available to external devices. The input-output devices 32 can include user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components. For example, input-output devices 32 can include touch-sensitive screens, displays without touch sensor capabilities, buttons or keys, joysticks, scroll wheels, touchpads, keypads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, switches or buttons, speakers, status indicators, light sources, audio jacks and other audio port components, devices with a digital data port, light sensors, position and orientation sensors (e.g.,Sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and compasses), capacitance sensors, proximity sensors (e.g. capacitive proximity sensors, light-based proximity sensors), fingerprint sensors (e.g. a fingerprint sensor integrated into a key, such as the 24 key of . Fig. 1, is integrated, or includes a fingerprint sensor that replaces the 24 key) etc.

[0039] The input-output circuit 30 can include a wireless communication circuit 34 for wireless communication with external equipment. The wireless communication circuit 34 can include a high-frequency (HF) transceiver circuit consisting of one or more integrated circuits, a power amplifier circuit, low-noise input amplifiers, passive RF components, one or more antennas, transmission lines, and other circuitry for handling wireless RF signals. Wireless signals can also be transmitted using light (e.g., using infrared communication).

[0040] The wireless communication circuit 34 can include a high-frequency transceiver circuit 90 for handling various high-frequency communication bands. For example, the circuit 34 can include the transceiver circuits 36, 38, and 42. The transceiver circuit 36 ​​can handle the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands for WiFi® (IEEE 802.11) communication and the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth® communication band. Circuit 34 can use a mobile phone transceiver circuit 38 to handle wireless communication in frequency ranges such as a low communication band from 700 to 960 MHz, a low mid-band from 960 to 1710 MHz, a mid-band from 1710 to 2170 MHz, and a high band from 2300 to 2700 MHz, or other communication bands between 700 MHz and 2700 MHz, or other suitable frequencies (as examples). Circuit 38 can handle voice and non-voice data.If desired, the wireless communication circuit 34 can include circuits for other short- and long-range wireless connections. For example, the wireless communication circuit 34 can include a 60 GHz transceiver circuit, a circuit for receiving television and radio signals, paging system transceivers, near-field communication (NFC) circuits, and so on. The wireless communication circuit 34 can include receiver equipment for the Global Positioning System (GPS), such as the GPS receiver circuit 42 for receiving GPS signals at 1575 MHz or for handling other satellite positioning data. In WiFi® and Bluetooth® connections and other short-range wireless connections, wireless signals are typically used to transmit data over several tens or hundreds of feet.In mobile phone connections and other long-range connections, wireless signals are typically used to transmit data over thousands of feet or miles.

[0041] The wireless communication circuit 34 can include antennas 40. The antennas 40 can be configured using any suitable antenna type. For example, the antennas 40 can include antennas with resonant elements formed from loop antenna structures, patch antenna structures, inverted F antenna structures, slot antenna structures, inverted F planar antenna structures, helical antenna structures, dipole antenna structures, monopole antenna structures, combinations of these configurations, etc. Different types of antennas can be used for different bands and combinations. For example, one particular antenna type can be used when configuring an antenna for a local wireless connection, and another antenna type can be used when configuring an antenna for a long-distance wireless connection.

[0042] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the transceiver circuit 90 in the wireless circuit 34 can be coupled to the antenna structures 40 using paths, such as a path 92. The wireless circuit 34 can be coupled to the control circuit 28. The control circuit 28 can be coupled to the input-output devices 32. The input-output devices 32 can provide an output from the device 10 and receive an input from sources external to the device 10.

[0043] To provide antenna structures, such as the one or more antennas 40, capable of covering communication frequencies of interest, one or more antennas 40 can be provided with circuits such as filter circuits (e.g., one or more passive filters and / or one or more tunable filter circuits). Discrete components, such as capacitors, inductors, and resistors, can be integrated into the filter circuits. Capacitive, inductive, and resistive structures can also be formed from structured metal structures (e.g., part of an antenna). If desired, the one or more antennas 40 can be provided with tunable circuits, such as tunable components 102, to tune the antennas over communication bands of interest.The tunable components 102 can be part of a tunable filter or a tunable impedance matching network, can be part of an antenna resonant element, can span a gap between an antenna resonant element and an antenna ground, etc. The tunable components 102 can include tunable inductors, tunable capacitors, or other tunable components. Tunable components such as these can be based on switches and networks of solid components, distributed metal structures that generate associated distributed capacitances and inductances, variable solid devices for generating variable capacitance and inductance values, tunable filters, or other suitable tunable structures.During operation of the device 10, the control circuit 28 can output control signals on one or more paths, such as path 120, which adjust inductance values, capacitance values ​​or other parameters assigned to the tunable components 102, thereby tuning the antenna structures 40 to cover the desired communication bands.

[0044] Path 92 can include one or more transmission lines. For example, signal path 92 could be... Fig. 3. The transmission line 92 comprises a positive signal conductor, such as line 94, and a ground signal conductor, such as line 96. Lines 94 and 96 can form parts of a coaxial cable or a microstrip transmission line (as examples). A matching network, composed of components such as inductors, resistors, and capacitors, can be used to match the impedance of one or more antennas 40 to the impedance of the transmission line 92. The matching network components can be provided as discrete components (e.g., surface-mount components) or as housing structures, printed circuit board structures, traces on plastic substrates, etc. Components such as these can also be used to form filter circuits in the antenna(s) 40 and can be tunable and / or fixed components.

[0045] The transmission line 92 can be coupled to antenna feed structures associated with the antenna structures 40. For example, the antenna structures 40 can form an inverted F antenna, a slot antenna, an inverted F-slot hybrid antenna, or other antennas with an antenna feed having a positive antenna feed terminal, such as a terminal 98, and a ground antenna feed terminal, such as a ground antenna feed terminal 100. The positive transmission line conductor 94 can be coupled to the positive antenna feed terminal 98, and the ground transmission line conductor 96 can be coupled to the ground antenna feed terminal 92. Other types of antenna feed arrangements can be used if desired. For example, the antenna structures 40 can be fed using multiple feed lines. The illustrative supply line configuration of Fig. Figure 3 is for illustrative purposes only.

[0046] The control circuit 28 can use an impedance measurement circuit to collect antenna impedance information. The control circuit 28 can receive information from a proximity sensor (see, for example, sensors 32 of Fig. 2) received signal strength information, device orientation information from an orientation sensor, information from a connector sensor that detects the presence of a digital connector adjacent to the antenna 40, information identifying whether wired or wireless headphones are used with the device 10, information identifying a type of headphones used with the device 10, information from one or more antenna impedance sensors, information about the operating state or usage scenario of the device 10, or other information to determine when the antenna 40 is affected by the presence of nearby external objects or otherwise requires tuning.In response, the control circuit 28 can adjust an adjustable inductor, an adjustable capacitor, a switch, or other tunable components 102 to ensure that the antenna 40 operates as desired. Adjustments to the components 102 can also be made to increase the range of the antenna 40 (e.g., to cover the desired communication bands, which extend over a range of frequencies larger than that which the antenna 40 would cover without tuning).

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram of illustrative inverted F-antenna structures that can be used when implementing the antenna 40 for the device 10. The inverted F-antenna 40 of Fig. Antenna 40 has an antenna resonant element 106 and an antenna ground (ground plate) 104. The antenna resonant element 106 can have a main resonant element arm, such as an arm 108. The length of the arm 108 and / or sections of the arm 108 can be selected such that the antenna 40 exhibits resonance at desired operating frequencies. For example, the length of the arm 108 can be one-quarter of a wavelength at a desired operating frequency for the antenna 40. The antenna 40 can also exhibit resonances at harmonic frequencies.

[0048] The main resonant element arm 108 can be coupled to ground 104 via a return path 110. A coil or other component can be interposed in the path 110, and / or tunable components 102 can be interposed in the path 110 and / or coupled in parallel to the path 110 between the arm 108 and ground 104.

[0049] The antenna 40 can be fed using one or more antenna feed lines. For example, the antenna 40 can be fed using the antenna feed line 112. An antenna feed line 112 can include the positive antenna feed line terminal 98 and the ground antenna feed line terminal 100 and run between the arm 108 and ground 104, parallel to the return path 110. If desired, inverted F-antennas, such as the illustrative antenna 40 shown in Figure 1, can be used. Fig. 4. The antennas may have more than one resonant element arm branch (e.g., to generate multiple frequency resonances to support operation in several communication bands) or may have other antenna structures (e.g., parasitic antenna resonant elements, tunable components to support antenna tuning, etc.). For example, arm 108 may have a left and a right branch extending outwards from feed line 112 and return path 110. Multiple feed lines may be used to feed antennas such as antenna 40.

[0050] Antenna 40 can be a hybrid antenna containing one or more slotted antenna resonant elements. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, antenna 40 can, for example, be based on a slotted antenna configuration with an opening, such as a slot 114, formed within conductive structures, such as the antenna ground 104. The slot 114 can be filled with air, plastic, and / or another dielectric. The shape of the slot 114 can be straight or have one or more bends (i.e., the slot 114 can have an elongated shape following a meandering path). The antenna feed line for antenna 40 can include the positive antenna feed line terminal 98 and the ground antenna feed line terminal 100. The feed line terminals 98 and 100 can, for example, be located on opposite sides of the slot 114 (e.g., on opposite longitudinal sides). Slotted antenna resonant elements, such as the slotted antenna resonant element 114 shown in Figure 5, can be used to support the antenna 40. Fig. 5. An antenna resonance can be created at frequencies where the wavelength of the antenna signal is equal to the circumference of the slot. In narrow slots, the resonant frequency of a slot antenna resonant element is associated with signal frequencies where the slot length is equal to half a wavelength. A slot antenna frequency response can be tuned using one or more tunable components, such as tunable inductors or tunable capacitors. These components can have terminals coupled to opposite sides of the slot (i.e., the tunable components can bridge the slot). If desired, tunable components can have terminals coupled to respective points along the length of either side of the slot. Combinations of these arrangements can also be used.

[0051] The antenna 40 can be a hybrid of a slotted antenna and an inverted F-antenna, incorporating resonant elements of the Fig. 4 and Fig. The 5 types shown are included. An illustrative configuration for an antenna with structures of a slotted antenna and an inverted F-antenna is shown in Fig. 6 shown.

[0052] The presence or absence of external objects, such as a user's hand or other body part near the antenna 40, can affect the antenna load and thus the antenna performance. The antenna load can vary depending on how the device 10 is held. For example, the antenna load, and therefore the antenna performance, may be affected in one way if a user holds the device 10 in their right hand, and in a different way if a user holds the device 10 in their left hand. Additionally, the antenna load may be affected in one way if a user holds the device 10 against their head, and in a different way if the user holds the device 10 away from their head.To accommodate various load scenarios, the device 10 can use sensor data, antenna measurements, information about the usage scenario or operating state of the device 10, and / or other data from the input / output circuit 30 to monitor the presence of an antenna load (e.g., the presence of a user's hand, the user's head, or another external object). The device 10 (e.g., the control circuit 28) can then adjust the adjustable components 102 in the antenna 40 to compensate for the load.

[0053] To compensate for the antenna load due to the presence of external objects, such as the user's hand at various points relative to the device 10, the antenna 40 can have several antenna feed lines (e.g., antenna feed lines such as the antenna feed line 112 of Fig. 4) include. The control circuit 28 can selectively activate one of the several antenna feed lines at a given time. For example, the control circuit 28 can selectively activate the antenna feed line that is furthest from an external object that is loading the antenna, in order to help minimize the effect of the presence of the external object on the performance of the antenna 40.

[0054] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the antenna 40 (e.g., a hybrid of a slot antenna and an inverted F-antenna) can include a first antenna feed line P1 and a second antenna feed line P2 (sometimes referred to herein as first antenna connection P1 and second antenna connection P2). The antenna 40 of Fig. 6 can, for example, be a lower antenna formed within region 20 of the device 10 ( Fig. 1) The feed lines P1 and P2 can be fed by a transceiver circuit coupled to the feed lines P1 and P2 via one or more corresponding transmission lines 92. The antenna 40 can include a slot, such as the slot 114, which is formed by an elongated gap between the peripheral conductive structures 16 and the ground 104 (e.g., a slot formed in the housing 12 using machining tools or other equipment). The slot can be filled with dielectrics, such as air and / or plastic. For example, plastic can be inserted into sections of the slot 114, and this plastic can be flush with the outside of the housing 12. If desired, a connector terminal, such as a connector terminal 164, can be formed in the peripheral structures 16.Connector terminal 164 can accommodate a suitable digital connector or other connector structure. Connector terminal 164 can receive data signals and / or power from the connector structure and / or can supply data signals to the connector structure when inserted into terminal 164.

[0055] Sections of slot 114 can contribute to slot antenna resonances of antenna 40. Peripheral conductive structures 16 can form an antenna resonance element arm, such as arm 108 of Fig. 4, which extends between slits 18-1 and 18-2 (e.g., slit 18 in the peripheral conductive structures 16). For example, a first end of the segment of the peripheral structures 16 forming the resonant element arm 108 can define an edge of slit 18-1, while an opposite second end of the segment of the peripheral structures 16 defines an edge of slit 18-2. First and second antenna feed lines P1 and P2 can be respective positive antenna feed line terminals 98 and antenna ground connection terminals 100 ( Fig. 3) include. For example, the first antenna feed line P1 can include a positive antenna feed terminal 98-1 and a corresponding antenna ground terminal 100-1, which are coupled to opposite sides of the slot 114. The positive antenna feed terminal 98-1 can be coupled to the peripheral conductive structures 16 via the feed line leg 170, while the antenna ground terminal 100-1 is coupled to a first point along the ground plate 104. The second antenna feed line P2 can include a positive antenna feed terminal 98-2 and a corresponding antenna ground terminal 100-2. The positive antenna feed terminal 98-2 can be coupled to the peripheral conductive structures 16 via the feed leg 168, while the antenna ground feed terminal 100-2 is coupled to a second point along the ground plate 104.The lead-in legs 168 and 170 may sometimes be referred to here as lead-in arms, lead-in paths, lead-in conductors, or lead-in elements. The lead-in legs 168 and 170 can include any conductive structures, such as conductive wire, metal traces on a rigid or flexible printed circuit board, sheet metal, metal sections of electronic device components, conductive radio frequency connectors, conductive spring structures, metal screws or other fasteners, welded structures, soldered structures, conductive adhesive structures, combinations of these structures, etc.

[0056] The supply leg 170 can be coupled to the peripheral conductive structures 16 at point 180, while the supply leg 168 is coupled to the peripheral conductive structures 16 at point 182. Point 182 can be located, for example, at a given distance from the gap 18-1 (e.g., along the width of the device 10). If desired, point 180 can also be coupled to the peripheral structures 16 at the same given distance from the gap 18-2. Similarly, the ground supply terminal 100-2 can be coupled to the ground plate 104 at the same distance with respect to the gap 18-1 as the ground terminal 100-1 is with respect to the gap 18-2. In other words, the antenna leads P1 and P2 can be distributed symmetrically over the width of the device 10 (e.g. around the longitudinal axis 190 of the device 10, which runs downwards in the middle and along the longest dimension of the device).This example serves only for illustration. In general, the antenna feed line P2 can be coupled between ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16 at any desired point, which is interposed between the antenna feed line P1 and the slit 18-1. The antenna feed line P1 can be coupled between ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16 at any desired point, which is interposed between the antenna feed line P2 and the slit 18-2. The antenna ground leads 100-2 and 100-1 can be coupled to the antenna ground 104 at any point (e.g. symmetrically or asymmetrically distributed around the longitudinal axis 190) and / or the lead legs 168 and 170 can be coupled to conductive structures 16 at any point (e.g. symmetrically or asymmetrically distributed around the longitudinal axis 190).

[0057] Adjustable tuning components 102 of Fig. 3 may include adjustable (tunable) components, such as components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 of Fig. 6. The adjustable component 156 can be connected on the feed line leg 168 between the positive feed line terminal 98-2 and the peripheral structures 16. The adjustable component 158 ​​can be connected on the feed line leg 170 between the positive feed line terminal 98-1 and the peripheral structures 16. The control circuit 28 can adjust the components 156 and 158 to adjust the power of the antenna 40. For example, the control circuit 28 can adjust the components 156 and 158 to selectively activate one of the antenna feed lines P1 and P2 at a given time.

[0058] In a suitable arrangement, the adjustable component 158 ​​can include a switching circuit, such as a single-pole shunt switch (SP2T switch) or any other desired switching circuit. When the antenna feed line P1 is to be activated, the control circuit 28 can configure the switching circuit in the adjustable component 158 ​​to route high-frequency antenna signals between the antenna feed line terminal 98-1 and the peripheral structures 16. When the antenna feed line P1 is to be deactivated, the control circuit 28 can configure the switching circuit in the adjustable component 158 ​​to short-circuit high-frequency antenna signals routed via path 170 to ground.

[0059] If desired, the adjustable component 156 can include a changeover circuit, such as a single-pole, single-throw (SPST) switch or any other desired changeover circuit. The SPST switch can, for example, be connected in series between the feed line terminal 98-2 and point 182 on the peripheral structures 16. When the antenna feed line P2 is to be activated, the control circuit 28 can close the switch in the adjustable component 156 to route signals between the feed line terminal 98-2 and the peripheral structures 16. When the antenna feed line P2 is to be deactivated, the control circuit 28 can open the switch in the adjustable component 156 to form an open circuit between the antenna feed line terminal 98-2 and the peripheral structures 16 (e.g., so that signals are not routed between the feed line terminal 98-2 and the peripheral structures 16).

[0060] The adjustable component 154 can be coupled between ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16 (e.g., a first terminal 192 of the adjustable component 154 can be connected to ground 104, while a second terminal 194 of the adjustable component 154 is coupled to the peripheral structures 16). Terminal 194 of the adjustable component 154 can be connected between point 182 and gap 18-1. Terminal 192 of the adjustable component 154 can be connected between the antenna ground connection terminal 100-2 and gap 18-1. The adjustable component 154 can include switchable coils and resistors that are coupled in parallel between ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16. The control circuit 28 can adjust the component 154 to tune the resonant frequency of the antenna 40 and / or to adjust the antenna efficiency of the antenna 40.The component 154 may sometimes be referred to herein as aperture tuning circuit 154 or aperture tuning device 154 (e.g. because the tuning component 154 can effectively tune or adjust the aperture or the diameter of the slot 114).

[0061] The adjustable component 152 can be connected between ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16 (e.g., a first terminal 196 of the adjustable component 152 can be connected to ground 104, while a second terminal 198 of the adjustable component 152 is connected to the peripheral structures 16). Terminal 198 of the adjustable component 152 can be connected between terminal 194 of the adjustable component 154 and gap 18-1. Terminal 196 of the adjustable component 152 can be connected between terminal 192 of the adjustable component 154 and gap 18-1. The adjustable component 152 can include a changeover circuit, such as a double-pole double-throw (SP2T) switch or any other desired changeover circuit. The control circuit 28 can adjust the switching circuit in component 152, for example to tune the resonant frequency of antenna 40.

[0062] The adjustable component 160 can be coupled between ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16 (e.g., a first terminal 200 of the adjustable component 160 can be connected to ground 104, while a second terminal 202 of the adjustable component 160 is coupled to the peripheral structures 16). Terminal 202 can be connected between point 180 of the feed line 170 and the gap 18-2. Terminal 200 can be connected between the antenna ground feed line terminal 100-1 and the gap 18-2. The adjustable component 160 can include a switching circuit, such as a single-pole double-throw (SP2T) switch or any other desired switching circuit. The control circuit 28 can adjust the switching circuit in the component 160, for example, to tune the resonant frequency of the antenna 40.

[0063] In a suitable arrangement, adjustable component 152 can be identical to adjustable component 160. The control circuit 28 can control adjustable components 152 and 160 so that both are in the same state at a given time. Terminals 198 and 196 can, if desired, be arranged at the same distance with respect to gap 18-1 as terminals 200 and 202 are arranged with respect to gap 18-2 (e.g., components 152 and 160 can be symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis 190). This example is for illustrative purposes only.In general, the adjustable component 152 can be coupled between ground 104 and the circumferential structures 16 at any desired location between the adjustable component 154 and the slit 18-1, and the adjustable component 160 can be coupled between ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16 at any desired location between the antenna feed line P1 and the slit 18-2.

[0064] During operation, components 152, 154, 158 and 160 can provide return paths, such as path 110 from Fig. 4, for the antenna 40. For example, return paths can be formed through components 152, 154, 158 and / or 160 when the switches in the adjustable components are closed to form a short circuit across slot 114. Switchable return paths and multiple selectively activated antenna feeds can provide flexibility to the antenna 40 to accommodate different load conditions (e.g., different load conditions that may occur due to the presence of a user's hand or other external object on different sections of the device 10 adjacent to different corresponding sections of the antenna 40).

[0065] Adjustable components, such as components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 (see, for example, component 102 of Fig. 3) can be used to adjust the operation of the antenna 40. Components 152, 154, 156, 158, and 160 may include switches, such as adjustable return path switches, switches connected to fixed components such as coils and capacitors, and other circuits to provide adjustable amounts of capacitance, adjustable amounts of inductance, open and closed circuits, etc. Adjustable components in the antenna 40 can be used to tune the antenna coverage, to restore antenna performance that has been degraded due to the presence of an external object, such as a hand or other body part of a user, and / or to make adjustments for other operating conditions and to ensure satisfactory operation at desired frequencies.

[0066] To improve the frequency coverage for the antenna 40, the antenna 40 can be provided with a parasitic antenna resonant element, such as the parasitic antenna resonant element 162. The element 162 can be formed from conductive structures, such as conductive housing structures (e.g., an integral section of the housing, such as a section of the housing 12 forming the ground 104), from parts of conductive housing structures, from parts of electrical device components, from circuit board traces (e.g., strips of conductors or elongated sections of the ground 104 embedded or formed in the slot 114), or from other conductive materials. In a suitable arrangement, the parasitic antenna resonant element 162 is connected to the antenna resonant element 108 (e.g.,The parasitic element 162 is coupled to the peripheral structures 16) by near-field electromagnetic coupling and is used to modify the frequency response of the antenna 40 so that the antenna 40 operates at the desired frequencies (e.g., the parasitic element 162 can be fed indirectly via near-field coupling, while the peripheral structures 60 are fed directly using the antenna feed lines P1 and P2). As an example, the parasitic antenna resonant element 162 can be based on a slotted antenna resonant element structure (e.g., an open slotted structure, such as a slot with one open end and one closed end, or a closed slotted structure, such as a slot completely surrounded by metal). If desired, slots in a parasitic slotted antenna resonant element can be formed between opposing metal structures in the peripheral structures 16 and / or in the antenna mass 104.

[0067] Antenna 40 from Fig. 6 can be used to cover high-frequency communication in any desired communication bands. Fig. Figure 7 is a graph showing the antenna efficiency as a function of the operating frequency for an illustrative antenna, such as antenna 40 from Fig. 6 (e.g., including the parasitic element 162). As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the antenna can exhibit 40 resonances in a low band LB, a mid band MB and a high band HB.

[0068] The low-band LB can extend from 700 MHz to 960 MHz or can extend within any other suitable frequency range. The peripheral conductive structures 16 can be used as a resonant element arm of an inverted F-antenna, such as the arm 108 of Fig. 4. The resonance of the antenna 40 on the low-band LB can be associated with the distance along the peripheral conductive structures 16 between the active antenna feed lines P1 and P2 and the more distant column 18-1 and 18-2 from the active antenna feed line. The aperture tuning circuit 154 can be used to tune the frequency response of the antenna 40 in the low-band LB. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the antenna 40 can have an antenna efficiency characterized by curve 220 in the low band LB. The antenna efficiency of curve 220 can be achieved by adjusting the aperture tuning circuit 154 to tune the antenna 40 into one of three tuning states (e.g., a first state characterized by curve 222, a second state characterized by curve 224, and a third state characterized by curve 226).

[0069] The high band HB can extend from 2300 MHz to 2700 MHz or within any other suitable frequency range. The antenna performance in the high band HB can be enhanced by the resonance of the parasitic antenna resonant element 162 (e.g., the length of element 162 can exhibit a quarter-wavelength resonance at operating frequencies in the HB band, etc.).

[0070] The mid-band MB can extend from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz or within any other suitable frequency range. The resonance of the antenna 40 in the mid-band MB can be determined by the distance between the active antenna feed lines P1 and P2 and a return path between the peripheral structures 16 and the ground 104, which is formed, for example, by one or more components 152, 154, 156, 158, and 160. Fig. The control circuit 28 can tune the resonance of the antenna 40 within the medium band MB, for example by adjusting components 152 and / or 160.

[0071] The presence or absence of external objects, such as a user's hand or other body part near antenna 40, can affect the antenna loading and thus the antenna performance. For example, in free space, the performance of antenna 40 in the mid-band MB can be described by curve 228 of Fig. 7. However, the efficiency can be reduced if an external load is present (see, for example, the reduced efficiency curve 230). In the example of Fig. 7. The efficiency in the mid-band MB is degraded. However, in general, the efficiency in any frequency bands covered by antenna 40 can be degraded due to the presence of an external load.

[0072] The antenna load can vary depending on how the device 10 is held and which antenna feed line is active. In the example of Fig. Figure 6 shows the antenna 40 as seen from the front of the device 10 (e.g., through the display 14). Edge 12-2 corresponds to the right edge of the housing 12 when the device 10 is viewed from the front, and edge 12-1 corresponds to the left edge of the housing 12 when the device 10 is viewed from the front. In this example, when a user holds the device 10 in their right hand, the palm of the user's right hand rests along edge 12-2 of the housing 12, and the fingers of the user's right hand (which do not load the antenna 40 as much as the user's palm) rest along edge 12-1 of the housing 12. In this situation, if the antenna feed line P1 is active, the load from the user's right hand can degrade the mid-band resonance of the antenna 40, as shown by curve 230 of Figure 6. Fig. Figure 7 shows that the control circuit 28 can detect the presence of the user's right hand in this scenario and, in response to such detection, deactivate antenna feed line P1 and activate antenna feed line P2. Activating antenna feed line P2 can shift the antenna current hotspots on the peripheral structures 16 from the right side (e.g., side 12-2) and towards the left side (e.g., side 12-1) of the device 10. This shift of current hotspots can reduce the load and corresponding detuning of the antenna 40 caused by the user's right hand.

[0073] When a user holds the device 10 in their left hand, the palm of the user's left hand rests along the left edge of the device 10 (e.g., the housing edge 12-1 of Fig. 6) and the fingers of the user's left hand rest along the edge 12-2 of the device 10. In this scenario, the palm of the user's hand can load the section of the antenna 40 near the edge 12-1. If the antenna feed line P2 is active, the load from the user's left hand can degrade the mid-band resonance of the antenna 40, as shown by curve 230 of Fig. Figure 7 shows that the control circuit 28 can detect the presence of the user's left hand in this scenario and, in response to such detection, deactivate antenna feed line P2 and activate antenna feed line P1. Activating antenna feed line P1 can shift the antenna current hotspots on the peripheral structures 16 from the left side 12-1 and towards the right side 12-2 of the device 10. This shift of current hotspots can reduce the load and corresponding detuning of the antenna 40 caused by the user's left hand.

[0074] The control circuit 28 can also adjust components 152, 154, 156, 158, and 160 to ensure that the antenna 40 remains properly tuned, regardless of which antenna feed is active and regardless of which hand the user uses to hold the device. For example, the control circuit 28 can set components 152, 154, 156, 158, and 160 to a first tuning state (first tuning setting) when the antenna 40 is held by the user's right hand. The control circuit 28 can set components 152, 154, 156, 158, and 160 to a second tuning state (first tuning setting) when the antenna 40 is held by the user's left hand. Moving the adjustable components of antenna 40 into the first or second tuning state can undesirably detune the antenna in a free field scenario where no hand is loading the antenna.If desired, the control circuit 28 can place the adjustable components 152, 154, 156, 158, and 160 in a third tuning state (third tuning setting) when the device 10 is operated in the free-field scenario. In the third tuning state, the control circuit 28 can, for example, activate antenna feed line P1 and deactivate antenna feed line P2.

[0075] In a suitable arrangement, the control circuit 28 can set the adjustable components of the antenna 40 to the first or second tuning state only when the device 10 is held next to the user's head (e.g., using the right or left hand, respectively). The first tuning state may therefore sometimes be referred to here as the right-handed head mode of the antenna 40, while the second tuning state is sometimes referred to here as the left-handed head mode of the antenna 40. The control circuit 28 can set the adjustable components of the antenna 40 to the third tuning state when the device 10 is not held against a user's head or when neither of the user's hands is bearing down on the antenna 40. The third tuning state may therefore sometimes be referred to here as the free-field mode of the antenna 40.By appropriately controlling the adjustable components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 and selectively activating only one of the antenna feed lines P1 and P2 at a given time, the control circuit 28 can control the antenna 40 to ensure that the antenna 40 has a satisfactory mid-band antenna efficiency (e.g. as shown by curve 228 of ). Fig. 7 is shown), regardless of whether the device 10 is held by the user's right or left hand or whether the device 10 operates in a free field environment.

[0076] The example of Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 is for illustrative purposes only. If desired, the diagram can be modified by Fig. Figure 6 illustrates the device antenna 40 from the rear of the device 10. In this scenario, edge 12-2 is associated with the left edge of the housing 12, edge 12-1 is associated with the right edge of the housing 12, antenna feed line P1 can be activated when the device 10 is held in the user's right hand, and antenna feed line P2 can be activated when the device 10 is held in the user's left hand. The antenna ground plate 104 and the slot 114 can have any desired shape. For example, the ground plate 104 can have an elongated section that is closer to the peripheral structures 16 than other sections of the ground plate 104. The slot 114 can, for example, have a U-shaped or other meandering shape that wraps around the extended section of the ground plate 104 between the ground plate 104 and the peripheral structures 16.Antenna 40 can have any number of resonances in any desired frequency bands. In the example of... Fig. 6 is the antenna 40 designed as the lower antenna in region 20 of the device 10 ( Fig. 1) If desired, the structures of Fig. 6 can be used to form an upper antenna in region 22 for the device 10 or an antenna at any other desired location within the device 10.

[0077] To ensure that the antenna 40 works satisfactorily when the user's right hand is used to grasp the device 10 and when the user's left hand is used to grasp the device 10, as well as during free field conditions, the control circuit 28 can determine what type of operating environment is present for the device and can adjust the adjustable circuit of the antenna 40 accordingly for compensation. Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating what is involved in the operation of the device 10 to ensure satisfactory performance for the antenna 40 in all desired frequency bands of interest.

[0078] At step 250 of Fig. 8. The control circuit 28 can monitor the operating environment of the device 10. The control circuit 28 can generally use any suitable type of sensor measurements, wireless signal measurements, operating information, or antenna measurements to determine how the device 10 is being used (e.g., to determine the operating environment of the device 10).For example, the control circuit can use 28 sensors, such as temperature sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, light-based proximity sensors, resistance sensors, force sensors, touch sensors, connector sensors that detect the presence of a connector in connector port 164 or that detect the presence or absence of data transmission through connector port 164, sensors that detect whether wired or wireless headphones are used with the device 10, sensors that identify a type of headphones or accessory used with the device 10 (e.g., sensors that identify an accessory identifier that identifies an accessory used with the device 10), or other sensors to determine how the device 10 is used.The control circuit 28 can also use information from an orientation sensor, such as an accelerometer in the device 10, to determine whether the device 10 is held in a position characteristic of right-handed or left-handed use (or free-field operation). The control circuit can also use information about a usage scenario of the device 10 to determine how the device 10 is being used (e.g., information identifying whether audio data is being transmitted through the earphone speaker 26). Fig. 1. Information that identifies whether a telephone call is being made, information that identifies whether a microphone on the device 10 is receiving voice signals, etc.). If desired, an impedance sensor or other sensor can be used to monitor the impedance of the antenna 40 or a portion thereof. Different antenna loading scenarios can load the antenna 40 differently, so impedance measurements can help determine whether the device 10 is being held by a user's left or right hand or is being operated in free space. Another way in which the control circuit 28 can monitor antenna loading conditions involves acquiring received signal strength measurements of radio frequency signals received by the antenna 40.In this example, the adjustable circuit of the antenna 40 can be switched between different settings, and an optimal setting for the antenna 40 can be identified by selecting a setting that maximizes the received signal strength. In general, any combination of one or more of these measurements, or other measurements, can be processed by the control circuit 28 to identify how the device 10 is being used (i.e., to identify the operating environment of the device 10).

[0079] In a scenario where the control circuit processes 28 orientation information to determine the operating environment of the device 10, the orientation information can be obtained, for example, using an accelerometer from input-output devices 32 ( Fig. 2) be collected. The accelerometer can measure a gravity vector pointing towards the Earth. The control circuit 28 can identify the direction of the gravity vector to determine whether the device 10 is being held by the user's left or right hand. For example, the gravity vector may have a first component that generally has a positive value when the device 10 is being held by the user's left hand and a negative value when the device 10 is being held by the user's right hand. The control circuit 28 can identify the sign of this component of the gravity vector to determine whether the device 10 is being held by the user's left or right hand. This is for illustrative purposes only, and in general, any desired sensor data can be used.

[0080] In step 252, the control circuit 28 can configure the antenna 10 based on the current operating environment of the device 10 (e.g., based on data or information collected during the processing of step 250). For example, the control circuit 28 can process the data collected during the processing of step 250 to determine whether the device 10 is being held to the user's head by the user's right hand, whether the device 10 is being held to the user's head by the user's left hand, or whether the device 10 is in another operating environment (e.g., a free-field environment). If the control circuit 28 determines that the device 10 is being held to the user's head by the user's right hand, the control circuit 28 can put the antenna 40 into right-handed head mode (e.g.,by moving the tuning components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 into the first tuning state, activating the feed line P2 and deactivating the feed line P1). If the control circuit 28 detects that the device 10 is being held against the user's head by the user's left hand, the control circuit 28 can move the antenna 40 into the left-handed head mode (e.g. by moving the tuning components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 into the second tuning state, activating the feed line P1 and deactivating the feed line P2). If the control circuit 28 determines that the device 10 is in any other operating environment, the control circuit 28 can put the antenna 40 into free-field mode (e.g. by putting the tuning components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 into the third tuning state, activating the feed line P1 and deactivating the feed line P2).By switching the antenna 40 into one of these modes, the control circuit 28 can ensure that the antenna 40 operates satisfactorily in all frequency bands of interest, regardless of how the user holds the device 10.

[0081] In step 254, antenna 40 can be used to transmit and receive wireless data using the currently activated antenna feed and settings for components 152, 154, 156, 158, and 160. This process can be performed continuously, as indicated by line 256.

[0082] Fig. Figures 9-12 show illustrative examples of the electrical components used to form the adjustable components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 of Fig. 6 can be used and can be set to put the antenna 40 into right-handed head mode, left-handed head mode or free field mode (e.g. during processing step 252 of Fig. 8).

[0083] Fig. Figure 9 is a circuit diagram showing circuit elements used to form adjustable components 152 and 160 of Fig. 6 can be used. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the adjustable component 260 (e.g., an adjustable component such as component 152 or 156 of Fig. 6) include several coils used in providing an adjustable inductance amount for the antenna 40 (e.g., component 260 may sometimes be referred to as an adjustable inductor or adjustable inductor circuit). The control circuit 28 can control the adjustable inductor circuit 260 from Fig. 9 to adjust different amounts of inductance between terminal 262 (e.g., terminal 196 when implementing adjustable component 152 of Fig. 6 or connection 200 when implementing the adjustable component 160 of Fig. 6) and terminal 264 (e.g., terminal 198 when implementing adjustable component 152, or terminal 202 when implementing adjustable component 160) by controlling the state of the switching circuit, such as switch 266, using control signals on control input 268. Switch 266 can, for example, be a single-pole double-throw (SP2T) switch.

[0084] Control signals on path 268 can be used to switch coil L1 between terminals 262 and 264 into use while coil L2 is switched out of use; they can be used to switch coil L2 between terminals 262 and 264 into use while coil L1 is switched out of use; they can be used to switch both coils L1 and L2 between terminals 262 and 264 into use in parallel; or they can be used to switch both coils L1 and L2 out of use. The switching circuit of the adjustable coil 260 of Fig. 9 is capable of generating one or more different inductance values, two or more different inductance values, three or more different inductance values, or, if desired, four or more different inductance values ​​(e.g., L1, L2, L1 and L2 in parallel, or infinite inductance when L1 and L2 are switched off simultaneously). When at least one of the coils L1 and L2 is switched on, a return path is formed between the antenna ground 104 and the peripheral structures 16. The control circuit 28 can adjust the inductance provided by the adjustable inductor circuit 260, for example, to tune the resonant frequency of the antenna 40 within the mid-band MB. If desired, the same control signal for the adjustable inductor circuit 260 can be applied to both adjustable components 152 and 160 ( Fig. 6) are provided so that both components have the same inductance at any given time. This allows for tuning in the mid-band MB regardless of which antenna connections P1 and P2 are active.

[0085] Fig. Figure 10 is a circuit diagram showing circuit elements used to form the adjustable component 156 of Fig. 6 can be used. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the adjustable component 156 can include an inductor L2, which is coupled in series with the switch 270 between the positive antenna feed terminal 98-2 of the antenna feed line P2 and terminal 182 (e.g., the adjustable component 156 can be interposed on the antenna feed path 168). The switch 270 can, for example, be a single-pole, single-throw (SPST) switch. The adjustable component 156 can be set to produce different inductance values ​​between terminals 98-2 and 182. The component 156 can therefore sometimes be referred to here as an adjustable inductor or switchable inductor circuit 156. The control circuit 28 can control the switch 270 using control signals at input 272.When switch 270 is closed, coil L3 is engaged, and the adjustable coil 156 exhibits an inductance L3 between terminals 122 and 124. Antenna signals can be routed through switch 270 and coil L3 via feed terminal 98-2 to the peripheral structures 16. When switch 270 is open, coil L3 is disengaged, and the adjustable coil 156 exhibits a substantially infinite inductance between terminals 98-2 and 182. Antenna signals must not be routed via feed terminal 98-2 and the peripheral structures 16 when switch 270 is open. If desired, switch 270 can be opened when the antenna feed line P2 is deactivated.

[0086] Fig. Figure 11 is a circuit diagram showing circuit elements used to form the adjustable component 158 ​​of Fig. 6 can be used. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the adjustable component 158 ​​can include an inductor L4, which is coupled in series with the first switch 282 between the antenna feed path 170 and ground 104. The component 158 ​​can also include a resistor 286, which is coupled in series with the second switch 284 between the signal antenna feed path 170 and ground 104. The switches 282 and 284 can, for example, be single-pole, single-throw (SPST) switches. Taken together, the component 158 ​​can, for example, be a single-pole, two-way shunt switch that selectively forms a shunt path from the feed path 170 to ground 104.

[0087] The resistor 286 in the adjustable component 158 ​​can, for example, have a resistance of 0 ohms or any other desired resistance. The control circuit 28 can provide control signals via the control input 280 to selectively open and close the switches 282 and 284. The control circuit 28 can close switch 284 and open switch 282 to short-circuit antenna signals at the peripheral structures 16 to ground 104. This can effectively create a return path, such as the return path 110 of Fig. 4, from the peripheral structures 16 to ground 104 at the location of terminal 180. The control circuit 28 can, for example, close switch 284 and open switch 282 when the antenna feed line P1 is deactivated. When the antenna feed line P1 is activated, switch 284 can be in an open state, allowing antenna signals to flow between terminals 98-1 and 180 without being connected to ground. If desired, the control circuit 28 can open or close switch 282 to adjust the inductance of the antenna 40 at the location of the feed line conductor 170. The example of Fig. Figure 11, in which component 158 ​​is coupled between the supply arm 170 and ground 104, serves only for illustration. If desired, component 158 ​​can be connected to any desired point on the signal conductor 94 of the transmission line 92 ( Fig. 3) and the mass 104. The coil L4 can be omitted from the adjustable component 158 ​​if desired.

[0088] Fig. Figure 12 is a circuit diagram showing circuit elements used to form an adjustable aperture tuning circuit 154 of Fig. 6 can be used. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the adjustable component 154 can include a resistor 300 coupled in series with switch 308, a first coil L5 coupled in series with switch 302, a second coil L6 coupled in series with switch 304, and a third coil L7 coupled in series with switch 306, connected in parallel between terminal 192 and terminal 194. Coils L5-L7 can be used to provide an adjustable amount of inductance for the antenna 40. The control circuit 28 can adjust component 154 to produce different amounts of inductance between terminal 192 and terminal 194 by controlling the state of the switching circuit, such as switch 302-308, using control signals at control input 310. Switches 302 and 308 can each be, for example, single-pole, single-position changeover (SPST) switches.The 300 resistor can have a resistance of 0 ohms or any other desired resistance.

[0089] Control signals on path 310 can be used to switch any desired combination of one or more of the coils L5-L7 and the resistor 300 between terminals 192 and 194 into use. As an example, the control circuit 28 can close switch 308 while switches 302-306 are opened to switch the resistor 300 between terminals 192 and 194 into use. In this scenario, antenna signals on peripheral conductive structures 16 from terminal 194 to ground 104 can be shorted to terminal 192 (e.g., the circuit 154 can provide a return path, such as return path 110 from Fig. 4 for antenna 40). If desired, the control circuit 28 can open switch 308 while one or more of switches 302-306 are closed to adjust the inductance provided by the aperture tuning circuit 154. Switching different combinations of inductors L5-L7 in use between terminals 192 and 194 can tune the resonance of antenna 40 within the low-band LB. For example, the control circuit 28 can close switch 302 and open switches 304-308 to tune the low-band performance of antenna 40, as shown by curve 222 of Fig. As shown in Figure 7, switch 304 can be closed and switches 302, 306, and 308 opened to tune the low-band power of antenna 40, as shown by curve 224, and switch 306 can be closed and switches 302, 304, and 308 opened to tune the low-band power of antenna 40, as shown by curve 226. The example of Fig. Figure 12 is for illustrative purposes only. In general, any number of inductors can be connected in parallel between terminals 192 and 194. The examples of Fig. 9 and Fig. Figures 12 are for illustrative purposes only. In general, the adjustable components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 can each include any number of inductive, capacitive, resistive elements and switching elements, which can be arranged in any way (e.g. in series, parallel, in shunt configurations, etc.).

[0090] If desired, an additional switching circuit can be coupled between the high-frequency transceiver circuit 90 and the antenna feed lines P1 and P2 in order to selectively activate one of the antenna feed lines P1 and P2 at a given time. Fig. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing how additional switching circuitry can be used to selectively activate antenna feeds for antenna 40. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, the switching circuit 320 can be connected on the signal conductor 94 of the transmission line 92. The control circuit 28 can provide control signals to the switching circuit 320 via input 322. The control circuit 28 can control the switch 320 to selectively route high-frequency signals between the transceiver circuit 90 and the antenna feed terminal 98-2 of the antenna feed line P2, and between the transceiver circuit 90 and the antenna feed terminal 98-1 of the antenna feed line P1. When the antenna feed line P2 is active, the control circuit 28 can set the switch 320 to a first state in which signals are routed between the transceiver 90 and the feed terminal 98-2. If the antenna feed line P1 is to be activated, the control circuit 28 can put the switch 320 into a second state in which signals are routed between the transceiver 90 and the feed line connection 98-1.This example is for illustrative purposes only. In general, the switching circuit 320 can include any number of switches arranged in any desired configuration. The switching circuit 320 can be omitted if necessary (e.g., antenna feeds P1 and P2 can be selectively controlled using only adjustable circuits 156 and 158). Fig. 6 must be activated).

[0091] The control circuit 28 can be the switching circuit of the Fig. Set 9-13 when antenna 40 is switched to left-handed head mode, right-handed head mode, and free-field mode (e.g., during processing step 252 of Fig. 8, to ensure that the optimal antenna feed is activated and that the adjustable components of the antenna 40 are set to a suitable configuration to guarantee optimal antenna efficiency in each frequency band of interest). The control circuit 28 can control the switching circuit of the Fig. Set 9-13 based on the monitored operating environment of device 10.

[0092] A state diagram illustrating the operating modes for antenna 40 is included in Fig. 14 shown. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, the antenna 40 can operate in a free-field mode 360, a left-handed head mode 362, and a right-handed head mode 364. The control circuit 28 can identify which mode to use based on the monitored operating environment of the device 10 (e.g., using sensor data and other information acquired during the processing of step 250). Fig. 8 were collected), and the tunable components 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160 of Fig. Set 6 to put antenna 40 into the appropriate operating mode.

[0093] When operating in 360° free-field mode, the control circuit 28 can activate antenna feed line P1 and deactivate antenna feed line P2. For example, the control circuit 28 can switch the switch 320 from Fig. 13 control to route signals between the transceiver 90 and the antenna feed terminal 98-1 of the antenna feed line P1. If desired, the control circuit 28 can control the switch 270 in the adjustable component 156 ( Fig. 10) open to decouple the antenna feed line connection 98-2 from the peripheral structures 16, instead of or in addition to setting the switch 320. The control circuit 28 can control the switches 284 and 286 in the adjustable component 158 ​​( Fig. 11) open so that high-frequency signals are routed from the antenna feed terminal 98-1 to point 180 on the peripheral structures 16. If it is desired to transmit and receive low-band signals in the LB band, the control circuit 28 can control the switches of the aperture tuning circuit 154 to switch a suitable one of the inductors L5, L6, and L7 into use, thereby tuning the low-band frequency response of the antenna 40. The low-band frequency response of the antenna 40 can be enhanced, for example, by resonance of the section of the conductive structures 16 to the left of the feed line P1 or of any other desired section of the conductive structures 16 and the antenna ground 104. The control circuit 28 can, if desired, control the switching circuit 260 of the adjustable components 152 and / or 160 ( Fig. 9) control to tune the antenna 40 to a desired frequency within the mid-band MB. The mid-band frequency response of the antenna 40 can be enhanced, for example, by resonance of the section of the conductive structures 16 to the right of the feed line P1 or of any other desired section of the conductive structures 16 and the antenna ground 104. The peripheral structures 16 can include the parasitic element 162 ( Fig. 6) Indirectly via near-field coupling to provide coverage in the high band (HB). In 360° free-field mode, the antenna can cover 40 frequencies in the low band (LB), mid band (MB), and high band (HB). Fig. 7) cover with a satisfactory antenna efficiency.

[0094] In 360° free-field mode, the control circuit can collect and analyze 28 sensor data, such as proximity sensor data, orientation sensor data, connector sensor data, temperature sensor data and other sensor data, received signal strength data, call status data, data indicating whether audio is being received via the earphone speaker 26 ( Fig. 1) The control circuit 28 collects data indicating what type of headphones or other accessories are used with the device 10, and information about other wireless settings. It can also collect and analyze antenna performance information, such as antenna impedance information and other antenna feedback information, to determine whether the device 10 is being used in an operating environment, such as a left-handed head environment or a right-handed head environment, that loads the antenna 40 in a way that can be compensated for by adjusting the adjustable circuitry of the antenna 40. The control circuit 28 can continue to operate the antenna 40 in free-field 360 mode while the collected information indicates that the device 10 has not entered the device operating environments of the left-handed or right-handed head mode.The control circuit 28 can, for example, operate the antenna 40 in free field mode 360 ​​when the data is received during processing step 250. Fig. 8 indicate that the device 10 is not being used adjacent to the user's head, and / or if the data indicates that the device 10 is not being held by the user's left or right hand.

[0095] If it is determined that the device 10 is held in the left hand of a user and adjacent to the user's head (e.g., a non-free-field operating environment in which the antenna 40 is loaded along the edge 12-1 and the device 10 is adjacent to the user's head), the control circuit 28 can adjust the antenna 40's circuitry to put the antenna 40 into left-handed head mode 362. When operating in left-handed head mode 362, the control circuit 28 can activate antenna feed line P1 and deactivate antenna feed line P2. For example, the control circuit 28 can deactivate switch 320. Fig. 13 control to route signals between the transceiver 90 and the antenna feed terminal 98-1 of the antenna feed line P1. If desired, the control circuit 28 can control the switch 270 in the adjustable component 156 ( Fig. 10) open to decouple the antenna feed line connection 98-2 from the peripheral structures 16, instead of or in addition to setting the switch 320. The control circuit 28 can control the switches 284 and 286 in the adjustable component 158 ​​( Fig. 11) open so that high-frequency signals are directed from the antenna feed terminal 98-1 to point 180 on the peripheral structures 16.

[0096] The control circuit 28 can close the switch 308 of the aperture tuning circuit 154 to connect the terminal 194 on the conductive structures 16 to the terminal 192 on ground 104 ( Fig. 12) short-circuit. This can short-circuit antenna currents at the peripheral structures 16 to ground 104 at the location of the aperture tuning device 154, so that the state of the adjustable circuit 152 has no effect on the resonant frequency of the antenna 40 (e.g., antenna currents do not flow through component 152 because the currents are short-circuited to ground before reaching component 152). The control circuit 28 can control the switch 266 of the adjustable component 160 to activate at least one of the coils L1 and L2 between terminals 202 and 200 ( Fig. 9) to switch into use and adjust the resonant frequency of the antenna 40 within the mid-band MB. In left-handed head mode 362, the antenna 40 can cover frequencies in the mid-band MB and the high-band HB (e.g., coverage in the low-band LB cannot be supported by left-handed head mode 362). The mid-band frequency response of the antenna 40 can be supported, for example, by resonance of the section of the conductive structures 16 to the right of the aperture tuning circuit 154 or of any other desired section of the conductive structures 16 and the antenna ground 104. The peripheral structures 16 can indirectly feed the parasitic element 162 (6) via near-field coupling to provide coverage in the high-band HB.

[0097] By operating the antenna 40 in this manner during left-handed head mode 362, antenna current hotspots can be shifted away from the left side 12-1 and towards the right side 12-2 of the device 10. This can mitigate the load on the antenna 40 caused by the user's left hand and any corresponding detuning of the antenna 40. In left-handed head mode 362, the control circuit 28 can monitor conditions indicating that the device 10 is being operated in a free-field environment (in which case the device 10 may enter mode 360) or is being held in the right hand and adjacent to the user's head (in which case the device 10 may enter right-handed head mode 364).The control circuit 28 can continue to operate the antenna 40 in left-handed head mode 362, while the collected information indicates that the device 10 has not entered the right-handed head operating environment or the free-field operating environment. For example, the control circuit 28 can operate the antenna 40 in left-handed head mode 360 ​​if the data is received during the processing of step 250. Fig. 8 indicate that the device 10 is used adjacent to the user's head and that the device 10 is held by the user's left hand.

[0098] If it is determined that the device 10 is held in the right hand of a user and adjacent to the user's head (e.g., a non-free-field operating environment in which the antenna 40 is loaded along the edge 12-2 and the device 10 is adjacent to the user's head), the control circuit 28 can adjust the antenna 40's circuitry to put the antenna 40 into right-handed head mode 364. When operating in right-handed head mode 364, the control circuit 28 can activate antenna feed line P2 and deactivate antenna feed line P1. For example, the control circuit 28 can switch the switch 320 from Fig. 13 control to route signals between the transceiver 90 and the antenna feed terminal 98-2 of the antenna feed line P2. If desired, the control circuit 28 can control the switch 270 in the adjustable component 156 ( Fig. 10) close to couple the antenna feed line connection 98-2 with the peripheral structures 16. The control circuit 28 can activate the switch 284 in the adjustable component 158 ​​( Fig. 11) close, so that the high-frequency antenna signals at the peripheral structures 16 are short-circuited to ground 104 via the zero-ohm resistor 286, instead of flowing through the antenna feed terminal 98-1. Since the antenna currents are short-circuited to ground 104 through the adjustable component 158 ​​in this mode, the state of the adjustable circuit 160 has no effect on the resonant frequency of the antenna 40 (e.g., antenna currents do not flow through component 160 because the currents are short-circuited to ground at element 158 ​​before reaching component 160).

[0099] The control circuit 28 can control the switch 266 in the adjustable component 152 to switch at least one of the inductors L1 and L2 of the adjustable component 152 in use between terminals 196 and 198. This can set the resonant frequency of the antenna 40 within the mid-band MB. The control circuit 28 can open the switch 308 of the aperture tuning circuit 154 to decouple the resistor 300 from ground ( Fig. 12). The control circuit 28 can control switches 302-306 of Fig. 12 control to couple one or more of the inductors L5-L7 to ground. In this configuration (e.g., when the feed line P2 is active and P1 is inactive), the aperture tuning circuit 154 can form an adjustable matching circuit with an adjustable impedance, controlled by opening and closing the switches 302-306 to adjust the antenna efficiency of the antenna 40.

[0100] In right-handed head mode 364, the antenna 40 can cover frequencies in the mid-band MB and the high-band HB (e.g., coverage in the low-band LB cannot be supported by right-handed head mode 364). The mid-band frequency response of the antenna 40 can be supported, for example, by resonance of the section of conductive structures 16 to the left of the deactivated antenna feed line P1, or of any other desired section of the conductive structures 16 and the antenna ground 104. The peripheral structures 16 can indirectly feed the parasitic element 162 (6) via near-field coupling to provide coverage in the high-band HB.

[0101] By operating the antenna 40 in this manner during right-handed head mode 364, antenna current hotspots can be shifted away from the right side 12-2 and towards the left side 12-1 of the device 10. This can mitigate the load on the antenna 40 caused by the user's right hand and any corresponding detuning of the antenna 40. In right-handed head mode 362, the control circuit 28 can monitor conditions indicating that the device 10 is being operated in free field (in which case the device 10 may enter mode 360) or is being held in the left hand and adjacent to the user's head (in which case the device 10 may enter left-handed head mode 364).The control circuit 28 can continue to operate the antenna 40 in right-handed head mode 364, while the collected information indicates that the device 10 has not entered the left-handed head operating environment or the free-field operating environment. For example, the control circuit 28 can operate the antenna 40 in right-handed head mode 364 if the data is being processed during step 250 of . Fig. 8 indicate that the device 10 is used adjacent to the user's head and that the device 10 is held by the user's right hand.

[0102] Fig. Figure 15 is a flowchart of exemplary steps that can be performed by the control circuit 28 when switching between the operating modes for the antenna 40. In step 400, the control circuit 28 can begin to collect sensor data, such as proximity sensor data, orientation sensor data, connector sensor data, temperature sensor data, information about the type of headphones or other accessories used with the device 10, and other sensor data, and can begin to collect received signal strength data, call status data, data indicating whether audio is being received via the earphone speaker 26 ( Fig. 1) is being played, and to collect other wireless settings, and / or may begin to collect antenna performance information, such as antenna impedance information and other antenna feedback information. This data may indicate the operating environment of the device 10. The control circuit 28 may continue to collect this data and information while the steps of Fig. 15 will be processed.

[0103] In step 402, the control circuit 28 can process the collected data and information relating to the operating environment of the device 10 to determine whether the device 10 is being held adjacent to a user's head. If the control circuit 28 determines that the device 10 is being held adjacent to a user's head, processing can proceed to step 410, as shown by path 408. If the control circuit 28 determines that the device 10 is not being held adjacent to a user's head, processing can proceed to step 406, as shown by path 404.

[0104] As an example, the control circuit 28 can determine that the device 10 is adjacent to a user's head when it is determined that audio data is to be transmitted via the earphone speaker 26 ( Fig. 1) is played, and can determine that the device 10 is not adjacent to a user's head if it is determined that no audio data is played through the earphone speaker 26. This example is for illustrative purposes only. In general, any desired combination of data collected at step 400 can be used to make the determination in step 402.

[0105] In step 406, the control circuit 28 can put the antenna 40 into free-field mode 360 ​​( Fig. 14) In other words, the control circuit 28 can operate the antenna 40 in free-field 360 mode when the device 10 is not held adjacent to a user's head. If desired, the processing can return to step 402, as shown by path 420, to continuously monitor whether the device 10 has been moved adjacent to a user's head.

[0106] In step 410, the control circuit 28 can process the collected data and information relating to the operating environment of the device 10 to determine whether the device 10 is being held in the user's left or right hand. If the control circuit 28 determines that the device 10 is being held in the user's left hand, processing can proceed to step 416, as shown by path 412. If the control circuit 28 determines that the device 10 is being held in the user's right hand, processing can proceed to step 418, as shown by path 414.

[0107] In step 416, the control circuit 28 can put the antenna 40 into left-handed head mode 362. In other words, the control circuit 28 can operate the antenna 40 in left-handed head mode when it has been determined that the device 10 is being held in the user's left hand and adjacent to the user's head. If desired, the processing can return to step 402, as shown by path 420, to continuously monitor changes in the operating environment of the device 10. For example, the control circuit 28 can update the operating mode of the antenna 40 when it has been determined that the device 10 has moved away from the user's head and / or into the user's right hand.

[0108] In step 418, the control circuit 28 can put the antenna 40 into right-handed head mode 364. In other words, the control circuit 28 can operate the antenna 40 in right-handed head mode when it has been determined that the device 10 is being held in the user's right hand and adjacent to the user's head. If desired, the processing can return to step 402, as shown by path 420, to continuously monitor changes in the operating environment of the device 10. For example, the control circuit 28 can update the operating mode of the antenna 40 when it has been determined that the device 10 has moved away from the user's head and / or into the user's right hand. In some scenarios, the collected data indicating the operating environment of the device 10 may show that no hand is adjacent to the antenna 40 (e.g.,that the user is not holding the device 10, even though the control circuit 28 determines that the device 10 is adjacent to the user's head). In this scenario, processing can continue with step 406 to put the antenna 40 into 360° free-field mode. If desired, the control circuit can adjust the transmit power level of the antenna 40 based on the collected information and data indicating the operating environment of the device 10 (e.g., to minimize signal absorption by the user's body while ensuring satisfactory communication link quality and conserving battery power).In this way, the control circuit 28 can continuously monitor the operating environment of the device 10 to ensure that the antenna 40 has a satisfactory antenna efficiency in each band of interest, regardless of how the device 10 is held by a user.

Claims

[1] Electronic device (10) comprising: an antenna (40) with an antenna resonance element arm (108), an antenna ground (104), a first antenna feed line (P1) with a first feed line connection (98-1) coupled to the antenna resonance element arm (108) and a second feed line connection (100-1) connected to the antenna ground (104), a second antenna feed line (P2) with a third feed line connection (98-2) coupled to the antenna resonance element arm (108) and a fourth feed line connection (100-2) coupled to the antenna ground (104), and a switch (266, 270, 282, 286, 302-308, 320) connected between the first feed line connection (98-1) and the antenna ground (104) is coupled; and a control circuit (28) configured to close the switch (266, 270, 282, 286, 302-308, 320) to form a short-circuit path from the first feed terminal (98-1) to the antenna ground (104) when operating in a first operating mode, and configured to open the switch (266, 270, 282, 286, 302-308, 320) when operating in a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode the first antenna feed (P1) is inactive and the second antenna feed (P2) is active, and in the second operating mode the first antenna feed (P1) is active and the second antenna feed (P2) is inactive. [2] Electronic device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: High-frequency transceiver circuit (90), wherein the high-frequency transceiver circuit (90) is configured to transmit and receive high-frequency signals in the first operating mode using the second antenna feed line (P2) and in the second operating mode using the first antenna feed line (P1). [3] Electronic device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (40) comprises a resistor (286, 300) and an additional switch (284) coupled in series between the antenna resonant element arm (108) and the antenna ground (104), wherein the control circuit (28) is configured to open the additional switch (284) in the first operating mode and is configured to close the additional switch (284) in the second operating mode. [4] Electronic device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit (28) is further configured to open the switch (266, 270, 282, 286, 302-308, 320) and the additional switch (284) in a third operating mode, wherein in the third operating mode the first antenna feed (P1) is active and the second antenna feed (P2) is inactive, further comprising: Sensor circuit that collects sensor data, wherein the control circuit (28) is configured to switch between the first, second and third operating modes at least partially based on the collected sensor data; and an earphone speaker (26) configured to play audio data, wherein the control circuit (28) is configured to determine whether the earphone speaker (26) is currently playing the audio data, wherein the control circuit (28) is further configured that it enters the first operating mode when the collected sensor data has a first value and the control circuit (28) determines that the earphone speaker (26) is currently playing audio data, that it enters the second operating mode when the collected sensor data has a second value that differs from the first value, and the control circuit (28) determines that the earphone speaker (26) is currently playing the audio data, and that it enters the third operating mode when the control circuit (28) determines that the earphone speaker (26) is not currently playing any audio data. [5] Electronic device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the antenna (40) is configured to transmit high-frequency signals in a low band, a medium band and a high band in the third operating mode, and the antenna (40) is configured to transmit high-frequency signals in the medium band and the high band in the first and second operating modes, wherein the medium band contains higher frequencies than the low band and the high band contains higher frequencies than the medium band.

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