Electronic device and antenna tuning method

Abstract

Provided in the present application is an electronic device. The electronic device comprises an antenna, an electromagnetic energy detector and a controller. The electromagnetic energy detector is located near a radiator of the antenna. The controller can adjust the current distribution on the radiator by means of coupling with the electromagnetic energy detector, so that the antenna still has good radiation characteristics when the electronic device is held by a user.

Description

Electronic device and method of antenna tuning

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410840492.9, filed on June 26, 2024, and entitled "Electronic device and method of antenna tuning", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, and in particular, to an electronic device and a method of antenna tuning. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, in the past, electronic devices were only used by people to send and receive messages and voice communication. Wireless Internet function was extremely slow because data transmission used voice channels for transmission. Nowadays, electronic devices are not only used for calling, sending messages and taking pictures, but also for online music listening, network video watching, real-time video, etc., covering various aspects of people's life such as calling, video entertainment and e-commerce. This has caused the number of antennas that need to be set in electronic devices to gradually increase.

[0004] With the increase in the number of antennas in electronic devices, when a user uses an electronic device, the user's contact with the electronic device (for example, holding the electronic device) will affect the radiation characteristics (for example, resonant point frequency shift) of the antenna in the contact area. At present, in this case, the state of the antenna is determined by measuring the reverse power through a coupler and determining the S parameter of the antenna by the input power transmitted to the feed point, so as to tune the antenna. However, the S parameter cannot accurately reflect the radiation performance of the antenna, and there is a probability of misjudgment, which leads to inaccurate adjustment of the radiation characteristics of the antenna. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides an electronic device, which includes an antenna, an electromagnetic energy detector and a controller. The electromagnetic energy detector is located near the radiator of the antenna. The controller can control the current distribution on the radiator by coupling with the electromagnetic energy detector, so that the antenna still has good radiation characteristics in the state of being held by the user.

[0006] In a first aspect, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a floor; a bezel, the bezel comprising a first position and a second position, the bezel having an insulating gap in the first position or being coupled with the floor, the bezel having the insulating gap in the second position or being coupled with the floor; an antenna, the antenna comprising: a radiator, the radiator comprising a conductive portion of the bezel between the first position and the second position, at least part of the radiator being spaced apart from the floor, a first tuning circuit, the radiator comprising a first connection point, the first tuning circuit being coupled with the first connection point; a first electromagnetic energy detector, the first electromagnetic energy detector being spaced apart from the radiator, a minimum distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator being less than or equal to a first threshold; a controller, the controller being coupled with the first electromagnetic energy detector, the controller being coupled with the first tuning circuit.

[0007] According to embodiments of the present application, the electromagnetic energy detector is arranged adjacent to the radiator (distance less than or equal to the first threshold), and the electromagnetic energy detector can be used to detect the electric field in the area near the electromagnetic energy detector. When the environment around the electronic device changes, the controller can determine the current distribution on the radiator through the electromagnetic energy detector, so as to adjust the radiation characteristics of the antenna. The change of the environment around the electronic device can be understood as that the user holds the electronic device, the electronic device is located in a bag, a conductor is close to the electronic device, etc. For the sake of brevity of the discussion, in the embodiments of the present application, only the case that the user holds the electronic device is taken as an example for illustration. When the user holds the electronic device, the hand holding area at least partially overlaps the radiator, and the controller determines the change of the current distribution on the radiator (compared with the case that the user does not hold the electronic device), so as to control the first tuning circuit to adjust the current distribution of the antenna, so that the antenna has good radiation characteristics (for example, radiation efficiency and system efficiency), and the electronic device still has good communication performance.

[0008] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first electromagnetic energy detector transmits a first electrical signal to the controller, and the controller switches an element in the first tuning circuit coupled with the first connection point according to the first electrical signal.

[0009] According to embodiments of the present application, the controller switches the element in the first tuning circuit coupled with the first connection point according to the first electrical signal, so as to adjust the current distribution on the radiator. The controller compares the first electrical signal with a standard value, so as to determine the current intensity of the position on the radiator corresponding to the first electromagnetic energy detector, and further determine the current distribution on the radiator, so that the current distribution on the radiator can be adjusted through the first tuning circuit.

[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the electronic device further includes a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB including a metal layer as the ground plate; and the first electromagnetic energy detector is located on the PCB and does not overlap the metal layer in a first direction, the first direction being a thickness direction of the PCB.

[0011] According to embodiments of the present application, the electromagnetic energy detector can generate an electric signal by coupling with an electric field in space. Since there is usually a strong current on the ground plate, when the electromagnetic energy detector overlaps the ground plate in the first direction, the current on the ground plate will have some influence on the electromagnetic energy detector, so that the electric signal generated by the electromagnetic energy detector cannot fully reflect the current distribution on the radiator.

[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the radiator is configured to generate a first resonance and a second resonance; the first electromagnetic energy detector is configured to transmit a first electric signal to the controller based on the radiator generating the first resonance; and the first electromagnetic energy detector is configured to transmit a second electric signal to the controller based on the radiator generating the second resonance, the first electric signal and the second electric signal being different.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present application, the radiator can generate multiple resonances in different operating modes. The electromagnetic energy detector can generate different electric signals in different operating modes, so that the controller can determine that the radiator is operating in different operating modes.

[0014] For example, when a user holds the electronic device, the hand-holding area at least partially overlaps the radiator, which can have a greater impact on the first resonance (a larger shift in the resonance point) and a smaller impact on the second resonance (a smaller shift in the resonance point). When the first resonance is greatly affected, the current distribution on the radiator changes greatly, and the electric signal generated by the electromagnetic energy detector before and after the user holds the electronic device changes greatly. Therefore, the controller can adjust the first tuning circuit based on the electric signal transmitted by the electromagnetic energy detector, so that the current distribution on the radiator is approximately the same as that before the user holds the electronic device, and the antenna still has good radiation characteristics when the user holds the electronic device.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the frame has a first insulating gap at the first position, and a distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the first insulating gap is less than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the antenna further includes a feeding circuit, and the radiator includes a feeding point, the feeding circuit being coupled to the feeding point.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the first electromagnetic energy detector is located between the feed point and the first connection point in an extension direction of the radiator.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the radiator comprises a ground point, and the ground point is coupled with the ground plane.

[0019] With reference to the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the first electromagnetic energy detector is located between the ground point and the first connection point in an extension direction of the radiator.

[0020] According to embodiments of the present application, the electromagnetic energy detector can be located at any position. When the electromagnetic energy detector is located at a region where the current of the radiator changes greatly, the electromagnetic energy detector is more convenient to generate the first electrical signal, and the controller is more convenient to determine the current distribution change on the radiator.

[0021] With reference to the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, a distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the ground point is less than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0022] According to embodiments of the present application, in the above embodiments, only the electromagnetic energy detector detecting the electric field generated by the radiator is taken as an example for description, and in actual production or design, the magnetic field generated by the radiator can also be detected to determine the current distribution change on the radiator. The electromagnetic energy detector can be located at a region where the magnetic field of the radiator changes greatly, for example, a region near the ground point.

[0023] With reference to the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the bezel further comprises a third position, the first position is located between the second position and the third position, and the bezel has a first insulating gap at the first position; the antenna comprises a parasitic branch and a second tuning circuit, the parasitic branch comprises a conductive part of the bezel between the first position and the third position, the parasitic branch comprises a second connection point, the second tuning circuit is coupled with the second connection point, the second tuning circuit is coupled with the controller, and at least part of the parasitic branch is arranged to be spaced apart from the ground plane.

[0024] According to embodiments of the present application, the parasitic branch can be used to generate parasitic resonance to improve the radiation characteristics (for example, operating bandwidth, radiation efficiency, etc.) of the antenna. In one embodiment, the second tuning circuit can be used to adjust the radiation characteristics (for example, the resonance point frequency of the parasitic resonance) of the parasitic branch. The controller can adjust the radiation characteristics (for example, the resonance point frequency of the parasitic resonance) of the parasitic branch through the second tuning circuit.

[0025] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the electronic device further includes a second electromagnetic energy detector; wherein the second electromagnetic energy detector is spaced apart from the parasitic branch, and a minimum distance between the second electromagnetic energy detector and the parasitic branch is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0026] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the electronic device further includes a switch and a third electromagnetic energy detector; wherein the third electromagnetic energy detector is spaced apart from the radiator, and a minimum distance between the third electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator is less than or equal to the first threshold; a common port of the switch is coupled to a first port of the controller, a first connection port of the switch is coupled to the first electromagnetic energy detector, and a second connection port of the switch is coupled to the third electromagnetic energy detector.

[0027] According to embodiments of the present application, multiple electromagnetic energy detectors can be used to detect the current intensity at different positions of the radiator, so as to more accurately determine the current distribution on the radiator, and facilitate the controller to adjust the current distribution on the radiator through the first tuning circuit.

[0028] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first threshold is 10 mm.

[0029] According to embodiments of the present application, when the electromagnetic energy detector is close to the radiator, as the distance between the electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator decreases, the amount of change of the electric field near the radiator is greater, and the electric signal generated by the coupling of the electromagnetic energy detector is stronger. The stronger the electric signal transmitted by the electromagnetic energy detector to the controller, the easier it is for the controller to determine the current distribution on the radiator, and the easier it is to adjust the radiation characteristics of the antenna.

[0030] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the controller is a radio frequency chip.

[0031] The second aspect provides a method for antenna tuning, applied to an electronic device, the electronic device including an antenna, a first electromagnetic energy detector, and a controller, the first electromagnetic energy detector being spaced apart from a radiator of the antenna, and a distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator being less than or equal to a first threshold, the method including: the first electromagnetic energy detector transmitting a first electric signal to the controller, the first electric signal being used to indicate a current distribution on the radiator; and the controller adjusting the tuning circuit according to the first electric signal.

[0032] In some implementations of the second aspect, in conjunction with the second aspect, the controller adjusts the tuning circuit according to the first electrical signal, including: based on the first electrical signal being different from a standard value, the controller switches an element in the tuning circuit coupled with the radiator.

[0033] In some implementations of the second aspect, in conjunction with the second aspect, the controller determines the element in the tuning circuit coupled with the radiator according to the first electrical signal, including: based on the first electrical signal being the same as a standard value, the controller does not switch the element in the tuning circuit coupled with the radiator.

[0034] In some implementations of the second aspect, in conjunction with the second aspect, the electronic device further includes a second electromagnetic energy detector, the second electromagnetic energy detector being disposed apart from the radiator, a distance between the second electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator being less than or equal to the first threshold value; the method further includes: the second electromagnetic energy detector transmitting a second electrical signal to the controller, and the controller adjusting the tuning circuit according to the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.

[0035] In some implementations of the second aspect, in conjunction with the second aspect, the controller is a radio frequency chip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of the electronic device 100 along an x direction according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a simulation result of an S parameter of an antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a simulation result of current intensity of each electromagnetic energy detector in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a current distribution of an antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 at 1.7 GHz.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a current distribution of an antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 at 1.9 GHz.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a current distribution of an antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 at 3.5 GHz.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a simulation result of S parameters of the antenna of the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 in a user holding state.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a method 400 for antenna tuning according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Hereinafter, terms that can occur in embodiments of the present application are explained.

[0048] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used herein is only a description of the same field of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0049] "Within the scope of" used in the present application, by default, includes both end values of the range, unless it is indicated separately that the end values are not included, for example, within the range of 1 to 5, including both 1 and 5.

[0050] Coupling: can be understood as direct coupling and / or indirect coupling, "coupling connection" can be understood as direct coupling connection and / or indirect coupling connection. Direct coupling can also be referred to as "electrical connection", which is understood as physical contact and electrical conduction of components; it can also be understood as a form of connection between different components in the circuit structure through the entity circuit of the copper foil or wire of the printed circuit board (PCB) that can transmit electrical signals; "indirect coupling" can be understood as electrical conduction of two conductors through space / non-contact. In an embodiment, indirect coupling can also be referred to as capacitive coupling, for example, through the coupling between the gap between two conductive parts to form an equivalent capacitor to achieve signal transmission.

[0051] Element / device: includes at least one of lumped element / device and distributed element / device.

[0052] Lumped element / device: refers to a general term for all elements when the size of the element is much smaller than the relative wavelength of the circuit operating frequency. For a signal, at any time, the characteristics of the element always remain fixed and are independent of the frequency.

[0053] Distributed element / device: unlike lumped elements, if the size of the element is similar to or larger than the relative wavelength of the circuit operating frequency, when the signal passes through the element, the characteristics of each point of the element itself will be different due to the change of the signal, at this time, the element as a whole cannot be regarded as a single body with fixed characteristics, and should be called a distributed element.

[0054] Capacitance: can be understood as lumped capacitance and / or distributed capacitance. Lumped capacitance refers to a component that exhibits capacitance, such as a capacitor element; distributed capacitance (or distributed capacitance) refers to an equivalent capacitance formed by two conductive pieces spaced apart by a certain gap.

[0055] Inductance: can be understood as lumped inductance and / or distributed inductance. Lumped inductance refers to a component that exhibits inductance, such as an inductor element; distributed inductance (or distributed inductance) refers to an equivalent inductance formed by a certain length of conductive piece.

[0056] Radiating body: is a device in an antenna for receiving / transmitting electromagnetic wave radiation. In some cases, "antenna" is understood in a narrow sense as a radiating body, which changes the waveguide energy from the transmitter into radio waves, or converts radio waves into waveguide energy, for radiating and receiving radio waves. The modulated high-frequency current energy (or waveguide energy) generated by the transmitter is transmitted to the transmitting radiating body through the feeder, which is converted into electromagnetic wave energy of a certain polarization by the radiating body and radiated in the desired direction. The receiving radiating body converts electromagnetic wave energy of a certain polarization from a certain direction in space into modulated high-frequency current energy, which is delivered to the input of the receiver through the feeder.

[0057] The radiator can include a conductor with a specific shape and size, such as a wire shape, or a patch shape, etc. The present application does not limit the specific shape. In an embodiment, the wire shape radiator can be referred to as a wire antenna. In an embodiment, the wire shape radiator can be implemented by a conductive frame, which can also be referred to as a frame antenna. In an embodiment, the wire shape radiator can be implemented by a support conductor, which can also be referred to as a support antenna. In an embodiment, the wire diameter (e.g., including thickness and width) of the wire shape radiator, or the wire antenna, is much smaller (e.g., less than 1 / 16 of the wavelength) than the wavelength (e.g., the dielectric wavelength), and the length can be comparable to the wavelength (e.g., the length is around 1 / 8 of the wavelength, or 1 / 8 to 1 / 4, or 1 / 4 to 1 / 2, or longer). The main forms of the wire antenna include a dipole antenna, a half-wave vibrator antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, and an inverted F antenna (also referred to as IFA). For example, for a dipole antenna, each dipole antenna generally includes two radiating branches, and each branch is fed by a feed from the feed end of the radiating branch. For example, the inverted F antenna can be obtained by adding a ground path to a monopole antenna. The IFA antenna has a feed point and a ground point, and is called an inverted F antenna because its side view is in the shape of an inverted F. In an embodiment, the patch shape radiator can include a microstrip antenna, or a patch antenna, such as a planar inverted F antenna (also referred to as PIFA). In an embodiment, the patch shape radiator can be implemented by a planar conductor (e.g., a conductive patch or a conductive coating, etc.). In an embodiment, the patch shape radiator can include a conductive patch, such as a copper patch, etc. In an embodiment, the patch shape radiator can include a conductive coating, such as silver paste, etc. The shape of the patch shape radiator includes a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a loop shape, etc. The structure of the microstrip antenna generally includes a dielectric substrate, a radiator, and a ground plate, wherein the dielectric substrate is arranged between the radiator and the ground plate.

[0058] The radiators can also include slots or gaps formed on the conductors, such as closed or semi-closed slots or gaps on the grounded conductor plane. In one embodiment, the slotted or gapped radiators can be referred to as slot antennas or gap antennas. In one embodiment, the slots or gaps of the slot / gap antennas have a radial dimension (e.g., including width) much smaller than the wavelength (e.g., dielectric wavelength) (e.g., less than 1 / 16 of the wavelength), and a length dimension comparable to the wavelength (e.g., dielectric wavelength) (e.g., around 1 / 8 of the wavelength, or 1 / 8 to 1 / 4, or 1 / 4 to 1 / 2, or longer). In one embodiment, the radiators with closed slots or gaps can be referred to as closed slot antennas. In one embodiment, the radiators with semi-closed slots or gaps (e.g., with openings added to the closed slots or gaps) can be referred to as open slot antennas. In some embodiments, the gap shape is long and thin. In some embodiments, the length of the gap is about half a wavelength (e.g., dielectric wavelength). In some embodiments, the length of the gap is about an integer number of wavelengths (e.g., one dielectric wavelength). In some embodiments, the gap can be fed by a transmission line that is connected across one or both sides of the gap, whereby the gap is excited with a radio frequency electromagnetic field and radiates electromagnetic waves into space. In one embodiment, the radiators of the slot or gap antennas can be implemented by conductive bezels that are grounded at both ends, which can also be referred to as bezel antennas; in this embodiment, the slot or gap antennas can be considered to include linear radiators that are spaced apart from the ground plane and grounded at both ends, thereby forming closed or semi-closed slots or gaps. In one embodiment, the radiators of the slot or gap antennas can be implemented by bracket conductors that are grounded at both ends, which can also be referred to as bracket antennas.

[0059] The feed circuit is a combination of all circuits for reception and transmission of radio frequency signals. The feed circuit can include a transceiver and a radio frequency front end circuit. In some cases, the term "feed circuit" is used in a narrow sense to refer to a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), which can be considered to include a radio frequency front end chip and a transceiver. The feed circuit has the function of converting radio waves (e.g., radio frequency signals) and electrical signals (e.g., digital signals). In general, it is considered to be part of the radio frequency.

[0060] In some embodiments, the electronic device can also include a test seat (or referred to as a radio frequency seat or a radio frequency test seat). The test seat can be used to insert a coaxial cable to test the characteristics of the radio frequency front end circuit or the radiators of the antenna through the cable. The radio frequency front end circuit can be considered to be a circuit portion coupled between the test seat and the transceiver.

[0061] In some embodiments, the radio frequency front-end circuit can be integrated as a radio frequency front-end chip in the electronic device, or the radio frequency front-end circuit and the transceiver can be integrated as a radio frequency chip in the electronic device.

[0062] It should be understood that any two of the first / second / … / Nth feeding circuits in the present application can share the same transceiver, for example, through one radio frequency channel in one transceiver (for example, one port of a radio frequency chip transmits signals; and can also share one radio frequency front-end circuit, for example, through a tuning circuit or an amplifier in one radio frequency front-end to process signals.

[0063] It should also be understood that two of the first / second / … / Nth feeding circuits in the present application generally correspond to two radio frequency test seats in the electronic device.

[0064] End / point: the “end / point” in the first end / second end / feeding end / grounding end / feeding point / grounding point / connection point of the antenna radiator should not be understood in a narrow sense as an end point or end portion physically disconnected from other radiators, but can also be considered as a certain point or a certain section on a continuous radiator. In one embodiment, the “end / point” can include a connection / coupling area on the antenna radiator that is coupled to other conductive structures, for example, the feeding end / feeding point can be a coupling area (for example, an area facing a part of the feeding circuit) on the antenna radiator that is coupled to a feeding structure or a feeding circuit, and for another example, the grounding end / grounding point can be a connection / coupling area on the antenna radiator that is coupled to a grounding structure or a grounding circuit. Open end / closed end: in some embodiments, the open end and the closed end are, for example, relative to grounding, the closed end is grounded, and the open end is not grounded. In some embodiments, the open end and the closed end are, for example, relative to other conductive bodies, the closed end is electrically connected to other conductive bodies, and the open end is not electrically connected to other conductive bodies. In one embodiment, the open end can also be referred to as a suspended end, a free end, an open end, or an open circuit end. In one embodiment, the closed end can also be referred to as a grounded end or a short circuit end. It should be understood that in some embodiments, other conductive bodies can be coupled to the open end to transfer coupled energy (which can be understood as transferring current).

[0065] In some embodiments, the understanding of the “closed end” can also be from the perspective of current distribution, and the closed end or the grounding end, etc. can be understood as a current large point on the radiator or a small point of the electric field on the radiator; in one embodiment, coupling electronic devices (for example, capacitors, inductors, etc.) through the closed end can not change the current distribution characteristics of the current large point / small point of the electric field; in one embodiment, opening a slot (for example, a gap filled with insulating material) at or near the closed end can not change the current distribution characteristics of the current large point / small point of the electric field.

[0066] In some embodiments, the understanding of "open end" can also be from the perspective of current distribution, the open end or floating end, etc. can be understood as a small current point on the radiator, and can also be understood as a large electric field point on the radiator. In an embodiment, coupling electronic devices (e.g., capacitors, inductors, etc.) through the open end can not change the current distribution characteristics of the small current point / large electric field point.

[0067] It should be understood that coupling electronic devices (e.g., capacitors, inductors, etc.) at the radiator end of a gap (from the structure of the radiator, similar to the radiator at the opening of the open end or floating end) can make the radiator end a large current point / small electric field point. In this case, it should be understood that the radiator end at the gap is actually a closed end or a grounded end, etc.

[0068] Resonance / resonance frequency: resonance frequency is also called resonance frequency. Resonance frequency can have a frequency range, that is, a frequency range in which resonance occurs. The frequency corresponding to the strongest resonance point is the center frequency point frequency. The return loss characteristic of the center frequency can be less than -20 dB. It should be understood that if not otherwise specified, the antenna / radiator mentioned in this application produces "first / second… resonance", wherein the first resonance is the fundamental mode resonance produced by the antenna / radiator, or in other words, the resonance with the lowest frequency produced by the antenna / radiator. It should be understood that the antenna / radiator can produce one or more antenna modes according to the specific design, and each antenna mode can correspond to a fundamental mode resonance.

[0069] Resonance frequency band: the range of resonance frequencies is the resonance frequency band, and the return loss characteristic of any frequency point in the resonance frequency band can be less than -6 dB or -5 dB.

[0070] Communication frequency band / working frequency band: no matter what type of antenna, it always works in a certain frequency range (bandwidth). For example, an antenna supporting B40 frequency band, its working frequency band includes the frequency in the range of 2300 MHz ~ 2400 MHz, or in other words, the working frequency band of the antenna includes the B40 frequency band. The frequency range that meets the index requirements can be regarded as the working frequency band of the antenna.

[0071] The resonance frequency band and the working frequency band can be the same or can partially overlap. In an embodiment, one or more resonance frequency bands of an antenna can cover one or more working frequency bands of the antenna.

[0072] Antenna system efficiency (total efficiency): refers to the ratio of input power to output power at the port of the antenna.

[0073] Antenna radiation efficiency: refers to the ratio of the power radiated by the antenna to space (i.e. the power effectively converted into electromagnetic waves) and the active power input to the antenna. Among them, the active power input to the antenna = the input power of the antenna - the loss power; the loss power mainly includes the return loss power and the ohmic loss power of the metal and / or the dielectric loss power. The radiation efficiency is a value for measuring the radiation capability of the antenna, and the metal loss and the dielectric loss are both factors affecting the radiation efficiency.

[0074] As can be understood by those skilled in the art, efficiency is generally expressed in percentage, and there is a corresponding conversion relationship between efficiency and dB, that is, the closer the efficiency is to 0dB, the better the efficiency of the antenna is.

[0075] Antenna return loss: can be understood as the ratio of the signal power reflected back to the antenna port through the antenna circuit to the antenna port transmission power. The smaller the reflected signal, the greater the signal radiated by the antenna to space, and the greater the antenna radiation efficiency. The greater the reflected signal, the smaller the signal radiated by the antenna to space, and the smaller the antenna radiation efficiency.

[0076] The antenna return loss can be represented by the S11 parameter, and S11 belongs to one of the S parameters. S11 represents the reflection coefficient, and this parameter can represent the advantages and disadvantages of the antenna transmission efficiency. S11 parameter is usually negative, the smaller the S11 parameter, the smaller the antenna return loss, the smaller the energy reflected back by the antenna itself, that is, the more energy actually entering the antenna, and the higher the system efficiency of the antenna; the larger the S11 parameter, the larger the antenna return loss, and the lower the system efficiency of the antenna.

[0077] It should be noted that in engineering, -6dB is generally used as the standard for S11 value, and when the S11 value of the antenna is less than -6dB, it can be considered that the antenna can work normally, or it can be considered that the transmission efficiency of the antenna is better.

[0078] Ground (GND): can refer to at least one part of any ground layer, or ground plate, or ground metal layer, etc. in an electronic device (such as a mobile phone), or at least one part of any combination of the above ground layer, or ground plate, or ground component, etc. The ground can be used for the grounding of components in the electronic device. In an embodiment, the ground can be a ground layer of a circuit board of the electronic device, or a ground plate formed by a middle frame of the electronic device, or a ground metal layer formed by a metal film under the screen of the electronic device. In an embodiment, the circuit board can be a printed circuit board (PCB), for example, an 8-layer, 10-layer, or 12-14 layer board with 8, 10, 12, 13, or 14 layers of conductive material, or elements separated and electrically insulated by a dielectric layer or an insulating layer such as glass fiber, polymer, etc. In an embodiment, the circuit board includes a dielectric substrate, a ground layer, and a wiring layer, and the wiring layer and the ground layer are electrically connected by a via. In an embodiment, components such as a display, a touch screen, an input button, a transmitter, a processor, a memory, a battery, a charging circuit, a system on chip (SoC) structure, etc. can be mounted on or connected to the circuit board; or electrically connected to the wiring layer and / or the ground layer in the circuit board. For example, a radio frequency source is arranged on the wiring layer.

[0079] Any ground layer, or ground plate, or ground metal layer described above is made of conductive material. In an embodiment, the conductive material can be any one of the following materials: copper, aluminum, stainless steel, brass and their alloys, copper foil on an insulating substrate, aluminum foil on an insulating substrate, gold foil on an insulating substrate, silver-plated copper, silver-plated copper foil on an insulating substrate, silver foil on an insulating substrate, and tin-plated copper, graphite powder impregnated cloth, graphite coated substrate, copper plated substrate, brass plated substrate, and aluminum plated substrate. Those skilled in the art can understand that the ground layer / ground plate / ground metal layer can also be made of other conductive materials.

[0080] Grounding: refers to coupling with the above ground / ground plate in any way. In an embodiment, the grounding can be physical grounding, for example, physical grounding (or called physical ground) at a specific position on the frame through a part of the frame structure. In an embodiment, the grounding can be device grounding, for example, device grounding (or called device ground) through capacitors / inductors / resistors in series or parallel.

[0081] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 can include a cover 13, a display module 15, a printed circuit board (PCB) 17, a middle frame 19, and a rear cover 21. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the cover 13 can be a cover glass, and can also be replaced by a cover of other materials, such as a PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) material cover, etc.

[0083] The cover 13 can be arranged close to the display module 15, and can be mainly used for protecting and dustproofing the display module 15.

[0084] In an embodiment, the display module 15 can include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display panel, or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0085] The middle frame 19 mainly plays a supporting role for the whole machine. In FIG. 1, the PCB 17 is arranged between the middle frame 19 and the rear cover 21, and it should be understood that in an embodiment, the PCB 17 can also be arranged between the middle frame 19 and the display module 15, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The printed circuit board PCB 17 can use a flame-retardant material (FR-4) dielectric board, a Rogers dielectric board, a hybrid dielectric board of Rogers and FR-4, etc. Here, FR-4 is a code of a flame-retardant material grade, and the Rogers dielectric board is a high-frequency board. The PCB 17 carries elements such as a radio frequency chip. In an embodiment, a metal layer can be arranged on the printed circuit board PCB 17. The metal layer can be used for grounding of the elements carried on the printed circuit board PCB 17, and can also be used for grounding of other elements such as a bracket antenna and a frame antenna, and the metal layer can be referred to as a ground plate, or a grounding plate, or a grounding layer. In an embodiment, the metal layer can be formed by etching metal on the surface of any one of the dielectric boards in the PCB 17. In an embodiment, the metal layer for grounding can be arranged on one side of the printed circuit board PCB 17 close to the middle frame 19. In an embodiment, the edge of the printed circuit board PCB 17 can be regarded as the edge of its grounding layer. In an embodiment, the metal middle frame 19 can also be used for grounding of the above-mentioned elements. The electronic device 100 can also have other ground plates / grounding plates / grounding layers, and the foregoing will not be repeated here.

[0086] Due to the compactness inside the electronic device, a floor / ground plane (e.g., printed circuit board, middle frame, screen metal layer, battery, etc. can be considered as part of the floor) is usually arranged in the internal space of 0-2mm from the inner surface of the frame. In an embodiment, the filling medium between the frame and the floor can be simply profiled with the inner surface of the filling medium, and the length and width of the rectangle formed by the surrounding can be considered as the length and width of the floor; or all the conductive parts inside the frame can be superimposed to form a profile, and the length and width of the rectangle formed by the surrounding can be considered as the length and width of the floor.

[0087] The electronic device 100 can further include a battery (not shown in the figure). The battery can be arranged between the middle frame 19 and the back cover 21, or can be arranged between the middle frame 19 and the display module 15, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. In some embodiments, the PCB 17 is divided into a main board and a sub-board, and the battery can be arranged between the main board and the sub-board, wherein the main board can be arranged between the upper edge of the middle frame 19 and the battery, and the sub-board can be arranged between the lower edge of the middle frame 19 and the battery.

[0088] The electronic device 100 can further include a frame 11, which can include a conductive material such as metal. The frame 11 can be arranged between the display module 15 and the back cover 21 and extend circumferentially around the periphery of the electronic device 100. The frame 11 can have four side edges surrounding the display module 15, helping to fix the display module 15.

[0089] In an implementation manner, the frame 11 mainly including a conductive material can be referred to as a conductive frame or a metal frame of the electronic device 100, which is suitable for an industrial design (ID) of a metal appearance. In an implementation manner, the outer surface of the frame 11 is mainly a conductive material, such as a metal material, so as to form an appearance of a metal frame. In these implementation manners, the conductive part including the outer surface in the frame 11 can be used as an antenna radiator of the electronic device 100, and is usually referred to as a frame antenna.

[0090] In another implementation, the outer surface of the bezel 11 is mainly a non-conductive material, such as plastic, forming a non-metallic appearance of the bezel, suitable for a non-metallic ID. In one implementation, the inner surface of the bezel 11 can include a conductive material, such as a metallic material. In this implementation, the conductive portion of the inner surface of the bezel 11 can be used as an antenna radiator of the electronic device 100. It should be understood that the radiator provided on the inner surface of the bezel 11 (or the conductive material of the inner surface) can be provided against the non-conductive material of the bezel 11 to minimize the volume occupied by the radiator and be closer to the outside of the electronic device 100 to achieve better signal transmission effect, and can also be referred to as a bezel antenna. It should be noted that the radiator provided against the non-conductive material of the bezel 11 means that the radiator can be provided against the inner surface of the non-conductive material, or can be embedded in the non-conductive material, or can be provided close to the inner surface of the non-conductive material, for example, the radiator and the inner surface of the non-conductive material can have a small gap therebetween. It should be understood that the conductive material and the non-conductive material can be regarded as part of the bezel 11.

[0091] It should be understood that the bezel 11 can have insulating gaps, and the conductive portions of the bezel between the insulating gaps and / or between the insulating gaps and the grounding point can be used as radiators to form a bezel antenna (it should be understood that the radiators of the bezel antenna can also include the grounding point and the conductive portions of the bezel between the grounding points). Where the bezel 11 is formed of a conductive material such as metal, the insulating gap can be understood as a gap in the bezel 11 filled with a non-metallic material (insulating material), in which case the gap is visible on the appearance surface. When the outer surface of the bezel 11 is a non-conductive material, the insulating gap can be understood as the end portion of the inner surface of the bezel 11 (for example, the end portion not electrically connected to other radiators or conductors), or as the gap between the radiators of the inner surface of the bezel 11, which can be filled with a non-metallic material (insulating material), or can not be filled with a non-metallic material, for example, filled with air, in which case the gap is not visible on the appearance surface.

[0092] The middle frame 19 can include the bezel 11, and the middle frame 19 including the bezel 11 as a unitary piece can support the electronic devices in the entire machine. The cover plate 13 and the back cover 21 are respectively attached along the upper and lower edges of the bezel to form the housing of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the cover plate 13, the back cover 21, the bezel 11, and / or the middle frame 19 can be collectively referred to as the housing of the electronic device 100. It should be understood that the "housing" can be used to refer to part or all of any one of the cover plate 13, the back cover 21, the bezel 11, or the middle frame 19, or part or all of any combination of the cover plate 13, the back cover 21, the bezel 11, or the middle frame 19.

[0093] The frame 11 can at least partially serve as an antenna radiator to receive / transmit radio frequency signals. The portion of the frame 11 serving as the radiator can have a gap with other portions of the middle frame 19, so as to ensure that the antenna radiator has a good radiation environment. In an embodiment, the middle frame 19 can be provided with an aperture at the portion of the frame 11 serving as the radiator, to facilitate the radiation of the antenna.

[0094] Alternatively, the frame 11 can not be considered as a part of the middle frame 19. In an embodiment, the frame 11 can be connected to the middle frame 19 and integrally formed. In another embodiment, the frame 11 can include a protrusion extending inwardly to be connected to the middle frame 19, for example, by means of a spring, a screw, welding, etc. The protrusion of the frame 11 can also be used to receive a feeding signal, so that at least a portion of the frame 11 serves as an antenna radiator to receive / transmit radio frequency signals. The portion of the frame 11 serving as the radiator can have a gap with the middle frame 19, so as to ensure that the antenna radiator has a good radiation environment, and the antenna has a good signal transmission function.

[0095] The back cover 21 can be made of a metal material; can also be made of a non-conductive material, such as a glass back cover, a plastic back cover, or other non-metal back cover; or can be made of a back cover including both conductive and non-conductive materials. In an embodiment, the back cover 21 including the conductive material can replace the middle frame 19 and be integrated with the frame 11, to support the electronic devices in the whole machine.

[0096] In an embodiment, the conductive portion of the middle frame 19 and / or the back cover 21 can serve as a reference ground of the electronic device 100, and the frame 11, the PCB 17, etc. of the electronic device can be grounded by electrical connection with the middle frame.

[0097] The antenna of the electronic device 100 can also be disposed in the housing, such as a bracket antenna, a millimeter wave antenna, and the like (not shown in FIG. 1). The clearance of the antenna disposed in the housing can be obtained by a slit / hole on any one of the middle frame, the bezel, the back cover, and the display screen, or a non-conductive gap / aperture formed between any two of them, and the clearance of the antenna can ensure the radiation characteristics of the antenna. It should be understood that the clearance of the antenna can be a non-conductive area formed by any conductive component in the electronic device 100, and the antenna radiates signals to the external space through the non-conductive area. In an embodiment, the antenna can be in the form of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) based antenna, a laser-direct-structuring (LDS) based antenna, a metal device antenna (MDA), or the like. In an embodiment, the antenna can also be in the form of a transparent structure embedded in the screen of the electronic device 100, so that the antenna is a transparent antenna unit embedded in the screen of the electronic device 100.

[0098] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, electronic devices can be used not only for calling, sending messages, and taking pictures, but also for online music listening, network video watching, real-time video, and the like, covering various aspects of people's life, such as calling, video entertainment, and e-commerce. This causes the number of antennas that need to be disposed in the electronic device to gradually increase. As the number of antennas gradually increases, when a user touches the electronic device (for example, holds the electronic device), the radiation characteristics of the antenna in the contact area (for example, the resonant point frequency offset) are affected. At present, in this case, the state of the antenna is determined by measuring the reverse power through a coupler and determining the S parameter of the antenna by the input power transmitted to the feed point, so as to tune the antenna. However, the S parameter cannot accurately reflect the radiation performance of the antenna, and there is a probability of misjudgment, which leads to inaccurate adjustment of the radiation characteristics of the antenna. For example, the S parameter cannot reflect whether the lost energy is absorbed by the human body or radiated through the space. Alternatively, it can also be understood that the frequency band has a deep pit in the S parameter, but the pit corresponds to the radiation efficiency and / or system efficiency of the antenna, and the radiation characteristics of the antenna at the frequency band are poor.

[0099] Embodiments of the present application provide an electronic device, which includes an antenna, an electromagnetic energy detector, and a controller. The electromagnetic energy detector is located near a radiator of the antenna. The controller adjusts the current distribution on the radiator through the detection of the electromagnetic energy detector, so that the antenna still has good radiation characteristics in the state of being held by a user.

[0100] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 includes an antenna 200, a bezel 11, an electromagnetic energy detector 221, a controller 220, and a floor 300.

[0102] The bezel 11 includes a first position 211 and a second position 212. The bezel 11 has an insulating gap or is coupled with the floor 300 at the first position 211. The bezel 11 has an insulating gap or is coupled with the floor 300 at the second position 212.

[0103] The antenna 200 includes a radiator 310 and a first tuning circuit 320.

[0104] The radiator 310 includes a conductive portion of the bezel 11 between the first position 211 and the second position. At least a portion of the radiator 310 is spaced apart from the floor 300.

[0105] The radiator 310 includes a first connection point 311, and the first tuning circuit 320 is coupled with the first connection point 311. In an embodiment, the first tuning circuit 320 can be used to adjust a radiation characteristic (e.g., a resonant point frequency) of the antenna 200.

[0106] In an embodiment, the first tuning circuit 320 can include a first switch 321 and an element 322, and the element 322 is coupled with the first connection point 311 through the first switch 321. In an embodiment, the first switch 321 and the element 322 are connected in series and are coupled with the first connection point 311 (the element 322 can be located between the first switch 321 and the first connection point 311, or the first switch 321 can be located between the element 322 and the first connection point 311). The first tuning circuit 320 can switch the capacitance value, the inductance value, etc. of the element 322 coupled with the first connection point 311 through the first switch 321, so as to adjust the radiation characteristic (e.g., the resonant point frequency) of the antenna 200.

[0107] For the sake of simplicity of discussion, the tuning circuits described in the embodiments of the present application can all have the above structure, and the connection points of the tuning circuits and the radiators (or parasitic branches) can be located at any position (e.g., coincide with the feeding point 312), which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0108] The electromagnetic energy detector 221 is spaced apart from the radiator 310. The minimum distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the radiator 310 is less than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0109] It should be understood that the electromagnetic energy detector 221 can be used to convert the electric field energy in the area near the electromagnetic energy detector 221 into an electric signal. In an embodiment, the electric signal can be a current signal or a voltage signal.

[0110] The minimum distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the radiator 310 can be understood as the minimum value of the distance between a point on the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and a point on the radiator 310.

[0111] The controller 220 is coupled to the electromagnetic energy detector 221. The controller 220 is coupled to the first tuning circuit 320.

[0112] According to the embodiment of the present application, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 is arranged close to the radiator 310 (the distance is less than or equal to the first threshold value), and the electromagnetic energy detector 221 can be used to detect the electric field in the area close to the electromagnetic energy detector 221. When the environment around the electronic device 100 changes, the controller 220 can adjust the current distribution on the radiator 310 through the electromagnetic energy detector 221, so as to adjust the radiation characteristics of the antenna 200. The change of the environment around the electronic device 100 can be understood as that the user holds the electronic device 100, the electronic device 100 is in a bag, a conductor is close to the electronic device, etc. For the sake of brevity of the discussion, in the embodiment of the present application, only the case that the user holds the electronic device 100 is taken as an example for description. When the user holds the electronic device 100, the hand holding area at least partially overlaps the radiator 310, and the controller 220 adjusts the current distribution on the radiator 310 according to the change of the current distribution (compared with the case that the user does not hold the electronic device 100), so as to control the first tuning circuit 320 to adjust the current distribution of the antenna 200, so that the antenna 200 has good radiation characteristics (for example, radiation efficiency and system efficiency), and the electronic device 100 still has good communication performance.

[0113] In one embodiment, the controller 220 can determine the current intensity of the position on the radiator 310 corresponding to the electromagnetic energy detector 221 through the electromagnetic energy detector 221.

[0114] The position on the radiator 310 corresponding to the electromagnetic energy detector 221 can be understood as the position where the projection of the electromagnetic energy detector 221 on the frame 11 is located. The projection of the electromagnetic energy detector 221 on the frame 11 can be understood as the projection of the electromagnetic energy detector 221 on the frame 11 along the extension direction of the radiator 310. When the radiator 310 is in the shape of a broken line, the radiator 310 has two extension directions.

[0115] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 transmits a first electric signal to the controller 220. The controller 220 determines the current intensity of the position on the radiator 310 corresponding to the electromagnetic energy detector 221 according to the first electric signal, so as to determine the current distribution on the radiator 310.

[0116] It should be understood that the electromagnetic energy detector 221 generates the first electrical signal through the coupling between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the radiator 310. The controller 220 compares the first electrical signal with a standard value to determine the current intensity at the position on the radiator 310 corresponding to the electromagnetic energy detector 221, and further determine the current distribution on the radiator 310. The standard value can be stored in the controller 220, and different first electrical signals can correspond to different current intensities at different positions, and further correspond to different current distributions on the radiator 310.

[0117] In one embodiment, the controller 220 switches the element coupled with the first connection point 311 in the first tuning circuit 320 according to the first electrical signal. In one embodiment, the controller 220 switches the element coupled with the first connection point 311 through the first switch 321 according to the first electrical signal to adjust the current distribution on the radiator 310.

[0118] In one embodiment, the first threshold value is 10 mm. In one embodiment, the first threshold value is 5 mm. In one embodiment, the first threshold value is 2 mm. In one embodiment, the first threshold value is 1 mm.

[0119] It should be understood that when the electromagnetic energy detector 221 is close to the radiator 310, as the distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the radiator 310 decreases, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 is close to the radiator 310, the amount of change of the electric field increases, and the electrical signal generated by the electromagnetic energy detector 221 through the coupling is enhanced. Correspondingly, as the distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the radiator 310 increases, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 is away from the radiator 310, the amount of change of the electric field decreases, and the electrical signal generated by the electromagnetic energy detector 221 through the coupling is weakened. The stronger the electrical signal transmitted by the electromagnetic energy detector 221 to the controller 220, the easier the controller 220 determines the current distribution on the radiator 310, and the easier the controller 220 adjusts the radiation characteristics of the antenna 200.

[0120] The electromagnetic energy detector 221 can adjust the distance from the radiator 310 according to the current distribution on the radiator 310. For example, when the amount of change of the electric field of the first region of the radiator 310 is greater, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 can couple to generate a stronger electrical signal in a larger range, and therefore, the distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the first region can be greater (for example, the first threshold value is 10 mm). When the amount of change of the electric field of the second region of the radiator 310 is smaller, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 can only couple to generate a stronger electrical signal in a smaller range, and therefore, the distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the first region can be smaller (for example, the first threshold value is 2 mm).

[0121] In one embodiment, the radiator 310 is used to generate a first resonance and a second resonance.

[0122] When the radiator 310 generates the first resonance, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 transmits a first electrical signal to the controller 220. When the radiator 310 generates the second resonance, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 transmits a second electrical signal to the controller 220, the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal being different.

[0123] It should be understood that the radiator 310 can generate multiple resonances in different operating modes. The electromagnetic energy detector 221 can generate different electrical signals in different operating modes, so that the controller 220 determines that the radiator 310 operates in different operating modes.

[0124] For example, when the user holds the electronic device 100, the hand holding area at least partially overlaps the radiator 310, which can have a greater impact on the first resonance (a larger resonance point shift) and a smaller impact on the second resonance (a smaller resonance point shift). When the first resonance receives a greater impact, the current distribution on the radiator 310 changes greatly, and the electrical signal generated by the electromagnetic energy detector 221 before and after the user holds the electronic device 100 changes greatly. The controller 220 can adjust the first tuning circuit 320 through the electrical signal transmitted by the electromagnetic energy detector 221, so that the antenna 200 still has good radiation characteristics when the user holds the electronic device 100.

[0125] In an embodiment, the antenna 200 further includes a feeding circuit 330. The radiator 310 includes a feeding point 312, and the feeding circuit 330 is coupled to the feeding point 312.

[0126] In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 further includes a PCB 17, and the PCB includes a metal layer 171. The metal layer 171 serves as the floor 300 in the above embodiment. The electromagnetic energy detector 221 is located on the PCB 17. The electromagnetic energy detector 221 does not overlap the metal layer 171 in a first direction, and the first direction is the thickness direction (for example, the x direction) of the PCB 17.

[0127] It should be understood that the electromagnetic energy detector 221 can generate an electrical signal by coupling with the electric field in the space. Since there is usually a strong current on the floor, when the electromagnetic energy detector 221 overlaps the floor in the first direction, the current on the floor will have a certain impact on the electromagnetic energy detector 221, so that the electrical signal generated by the electromagnetic energy detector 221 cannot fully reflect the current distribution on the radiator 310.

[0128] In an embodiment, the frame 11 has a first insulating gap at the first position 211, as shown in FIG. 4. The distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the first insulating gap (the first position 211) is less than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0129] It should be understood that the open end of the radiator 310 has a stronger electric field, and when a user holds the electronic device 100, the electric field near the open end is greatly affected, and when the electric field changes greatly, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 is more likely to generate a first electric signal, facilitating determination of the current distribution on the radiator 310 at the position.

[0130] In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 can include a plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors.

[0131] It should be understood that the plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors can be used to detect the current intensity at different positions of the radiator 310, thereby improving the detection accuracy, and facilitating the controller 220 to adjust the current distribution on the radiator 310 through the first tuning circuit 320.

[0132] In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes an electromagnetic energy detector 221, an electromagnetic energy detector 222, and an electromagnetic energy detector 223, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0133] It should be understood that, for the sake of brevity of the discussion, only three electromagnetic energy detectors arranged near the radiator 310 are taken as examples for illustration, and in actual production or design, at least any number of electromagnetic energy detectors can be used, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0134] In one embodiment, the frame 11 has a second insulating gap at the second position 212.

[0135] It should be understood that, for the sake of brevity of the discussion, only the two ends of the radiator 310 are taken as open ends for illustration, and in actual production or design, the radiator 310 can have any structure, for example, one end of the radiator 310 is an open end and one end is a ground end, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0136] In one embodiment, the radiator 310 includes a grounding point 313, and the radiator 310 is coupled to the floor 300 at the grounding point 313.

[0137] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 is located between the feed point 312 and the first position 211 (the first insulating gap) in the extension direction (for example, the y direction) of the radiator 310.

[0138] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy detector 222 is located between the feed point 312 and the first connection point 311 in the extension direction (for example, the y direction) of the radiator 310. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy detector 222 is located between the feed point 312 and the grounding point 313.

[0139] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy detector 223 is located between the ground point 313 and the second location 212 (second insulating gap) in the extension direction of the radiator 310 (e.g., the y direction). In one embodiment, the electromagnetic energy detector 223 is located between the ground point 313 and the first connection point 311.

[0140] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the electromagnetic energy detector is located between A and B in the extension direction of the radiator 310 (e.g., the y direction), which can be understood as that at least part of the projection of the electromagnetic energy detector on the frame 11 (radiator 310) is located between A and B.

[0141] For the sake of simplicity of discussion, only the electromagnetic energy detector located at the above-mentioned positions is taken as an example for illustration, and the electromagnetic energy detector can be located at any position, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. When the electromagnetic energy detector is located at the region where the current of the radiator 310 changes greatly, the electromagnetic energy detector is more convenient to generate a stronger first electric signal, and the controller 220 is more accurate to adjust the current distribution on the radiator 310.

[0142] In one embodiment, the distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 221 and the ground point 313 is less than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0143] It should be understood that in the above-mentioned embodiments, only the electromagnetic energy detector 221 detecting the electric field generated by the radiator 310 is taken as an example for illustration, and in actual production or design, the magnetic field generated by the radiator 310 can also be detected to determine the change of the current distribution on the radiator 310. The electromagnetic energy detector 221 can be located at the region where the magnetic field of the radiator 310 changes greatly, for example, the region near the ground point 313.

[0144] In one embodiment, the frame 11 further comprises a third location 213. The first location 211 is located between the second location 212 and the third location 213.

[0145] The antenna 200 further comprises a parasitic branch 340 and a second tuning circuit 341. The parasitic branch 340 comprises the conductive part of the frame 11 between the first location 211 and the third location 213. The parasitic branch 340 comprises a second connection point 342. The second tuning circuit 341 is coupled with the second connection point 342. The second tuning circuit 341 is coupled with the controller 220. At least part of the parasitic branch 340 is spaced apart from the ground plane 300.

[0146] It should be understood that the parasitic branch 340 can be used to generate a parasitic resonance to improve the radiation characteristics (e.g., operating bandwidth, radiation efficiency, etc.) of the antenna 200. In one embodiment, the second tuning circuit 341 can be used to adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., the resonant point frequency of the parasitic resonance) of the parasitic branch 340. The controller 220 can adjust the radiation characteristics (e.g., the resonant point frequency of the parasitic resonance) of the parasitic branch 340 through the second tuning circuit 341.

[0147] For the sake of simplicity of discussion, only the case where the frame 11 is coupled to the floor 300 at the third position 213 (one end of the parasitic branch 340 is an open end and one end is a grounded end) is described. In actual production or design, the parasitic branch 340 can have any structure, for example, both ends of the parasitic branch 340 are open ends, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0148] In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes an electromagnetic energy detector 224. The electromagnetic energy detector 224 is disposed apart from the parasitic branch 340, and the minimum distance between the electromagnetic energy detector 224 and the parasitic branch 340 is less than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0149] It should be understood that the electromagnetic energy detector 224 can be located near the parasitic branch 340. The controller 220 can determine the current distribution on the parasitic branch 340 through the electromagnetic energy detector 224. When the user holds the electronic device 100, the hand holding area at least partially overlaps the parasitic branch 340, and the controller 220 controls the second tuning circuit 341 to adjust the current distribution on the parasitic branch 340 according to the change in the current distribution on the parasitic branch 340.

[0150] In one embodiment, the electronic device can further include a second switch 231. The plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors are coupled to a first port of the controller 220 through the second switch 231. In one embodiment, the plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors are respectively coupled to connection ports of the second switch 231, and a common port of the second switch 231 is coupled to the first port of the controller 220.

[0151] It should be understood that the plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors can be coupled to one port of the controller 220 through the second switch 231. Each electromagnetic energy detector of the plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors can send an electrical signal to the controller 220 at different times / slots, thereby saving the port of the controller 220.

[0152] In one embodiment, the controller 220 is a radio frequency chip (RF IC).

[0153] FIGS. 5 to 9 are simulation results of the antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4. In particular, FIG. 5 is a simulation result of S parameters of the antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a simulation result of current intensities of the respective electromagnetic energy detectors in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a current distribution of the antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 at 1.7 GHz. FIG. 8 is a diagram of a current distribution of the antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 at 1.9 GHz. FIG. 9 is a diagram of a current distribution of the antenna in the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 at 3.5 GHz.

[0154] It should be understood that the simulation results shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 are merely illustrative examples of the antenna 200 shown in FIG. 4, and the antenna 200 can have different structures in actual production or design, which are not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 5, the antenna resonates near 1.7 GHz, near 1.9 GHz, and near 3.5 GHz. The resonance is generated by the radiator and the parasitic branch.

[0156] It should be understood that in the simulation results shown in FIG. 5, the diagram shows S parameters at different frequencies, and the data in the diagram is merely for reference, which can change in actual production or design.

[0157] When the antenna resonates, the current intensities of the electrical signals generated by the electromagnetic energy detectors 221, 222, 223, and 224 are as shown in FIG. 6.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 7, at 1.7 GHz, the current on the radiator 310 between the second position 212 and the ground point 313 is strong, and the current between the ground point 313 and the third position 213 gradually weakens. Therefore, the current intensity of the electrical signal output by the electromagnetic energy detector 223 is large, and the current intensities of the electrical signals output by the electromagnetic energy detectors 222, 221, and 224 gradually weaken.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 8, at 1.9 GHz, the current on the radiator 310 between the second position 212 and the feed point 312 is strong, and the current between the feed point 312 and the third position 213 gradually weakens. Therefore, the current intensities of the electrical signals output by the electromagnetic energy detectors 223 and 222 are large and substantially the same, and the current intensities of the electrical signals output by the electromagnetic energy detectors 221 and 224 gradually weaken.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 9, at 3.5 GHz, the current between the third position 213 and the second position 212 is strong (the current of the parasitic branch 340 is strong). Therefore, the current intensity of the electrical signal output by the electromagnetic energy detector 224 is large, and the current intensity of the electrical signals output by the electromagnetic energy detector 221, the electromagnetic energy detector 222, and the electromagnetic energy detector 223 is small and substantially the same.

[0161] It should be understood that the antenna has different radiation characteristics by adjusting the current distribution of the antenna through the tuning circuit (for example, the first tuning circuit 320 and the second tuning circuit 341 shown in FIG. 4). For example, when the tuning circuit is in state 1 and state 2, the electrical signals output by the electromagnetic energy detector 221, the electromagnetic energy detector 222, the electromagnetic energy detector 223, and the electromagnetic energy detector 224 are different, and the current distribution of the antenna is different. When the tuning circuit is in state 1 and state 2, the current of the antenna has different distribution states, and different distribution states can correspond to different radiation efficiency values. Therefore, at different frequency points, different current distributions of the antenna can correspond to different radiation characteristics (for example, radiation efficiency), and the current distribution (for example, the electrical signals (current intensity, or voltage intensity) transmitted by the plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors to the controller) is stored in the controller as a standard value.

[0162] During use of the electronic device by the user, the controller adjusts the current distribution of the antenna according to the electrical signals transmitted by the electromagnetic energy detectors to the controller, thereby adjusting the radiation characteristics (for example, radiation efficiency) of the antenna at the target frequency point. The controller adjusts the current distribution of the antenna through the tuning circuit (for example, the first tuning circuit 320 and the second tuning circuit 341 shown in FIG. 4) according to the stored standard value, so that the antenna has better radiation characteristics (for example, radiation efficiency).

[0163] FIG. 10 is a simulation result of the S parameter of the antenna of the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 4 in a user holding state.

[0164] It should be understood that in the simulation result shown in FIG. 10, only the case where the user holds near the first position is described.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 10, the antenna resonates near 1.5 GHz, near 1.9 GHz, and near 2.7 GHz. The above resonance is generated by the radiator and the parasitic branch.

[0166] Compared with the case where the user does not hold the electronic device (original state) (the S parameter simulation result shown in FIG. 5), when the user holds the electronic device (holding state), the resonance generated near 3.5 GHz is greatly affected, and the resonance point frequency is shifted to near 2.7 GHz.

[0167] When the user holds the electronic device 100 near the first position, the electromagnetic energy detector 221 generates an electric signal, which has a great influence on the electric signal generated by the electromagnetic energy detector 221 near the first position, and decreases by about 11 dBA. At 3.5 GHz, the radiation efficiency of the antenna decreases by about 3.7 dB, and the radiation performance of the antenna is poor.

[0168] When the controller adjusts the tuning circuit according to the standard value, the controller adjusts the tuning circuit to enhance the current intensity of the position corresponding to the electromagnetic energy detector 221 (the current intensity of the electric signal output by the electromagnetic energy detector 221 increases), and the antenna has better radiation characteristics at 3.5 GHz.

[0169] FIG. 11 is a method 400 for adjusting an antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0170] It should be understood that the method 400 shown in FIG. 11 can be applied to any one of the electronic devices 100 described in the above embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the method 400 will not be described again.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 11, the method 400 includes the following steps.

[0172] S410, the electromagnetic energy detector transmits a first electric signal to the controller. The first electric signal is used to indicate the current distribution on the radiator.

[0173] It should be understood that the controller adjusts the current distribution on the radiator by the first electric signal transmitted by the electromagnetic energy detector. The controller compares the first electric signal with a standard value. The standard value can be stored in the controller. Different first electric signals can correspond to different current intensities at the position, and thus correspond to different current distributions on the radiator.

[0174] S420, the controller adjusts the tuning circuit according to the first electric signal.

[0175] When the first electric signal is different from the standard value, the controller adjusts the current distribution on the radiator by the tuning circuit. For example, the controller instructs the tuning circuit to switch the element coupled with the radiator. When the first electric signal is the same as the standard value, the controller does not instruct the tuning circuit, or instructs the tuning circuit not to switch the element coupled with the radiator.

[0176] It should be understood that when the first electrical signal is different from the standard value, it can be considered that the user holds the electronic device, the hand holding area at least partially overlaps the radiator, and the controller adjusts the tuning circuit according to the change of the current distribution on the radiator indicated by the first electrical signal, so that the antenna has good radiation characteristics (for example, radiation efficiency and system efficiency), and the electronic device still has good communication performance. When the first electrical signal is the same as the standard value, it can be considered that the current distribution on the radiator has not changed (the user does not hold the electronic device, or holds the electronic device without being close to the radiator), and the antenna has good radiation characteristics, so the tuning circuit is not adjusted (for example, the element coupled with the radiator in the tuning circuit is not adjusted).

[0177] At the same time, due to the existence of a certain error range in engineering, when the first electrical signal is within a certain range (for example, 10%, 20%) of the standard value, it can be considered that the first electrical signal is the same as the standard value.

[0178] In one embodiment, the electronic device can include a plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors. The plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors respectively transmit electrical signals to the controller. The controller adjusts the tuning circuit according to the plurality of electrical signals.

[0179] It should be understood that the plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors can be used to detect the current intensity at different positions of the radiator, so as to more accurately determine the current distribution on the radiator, and facilitate the controller to adjust the current distribution on the radiator through the tuning circuit.

[0180] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: floor; A frame, the frame including a first position and a second position, the frame having an insulating gap or being coupled to the floor at the first position, and the frame having an insulating gap or being coupled to the floor at the second position; Antenna, the antenna comprising: A radiator, comprising a conductive portion of the frame between the first and second positions, wherein at least a portion of the radiator is spaced apart from the floor. A first tuning circuit, wherein the radiator includes a first connection point, and the first tuning circuit is coupled to the first connection point; A first electromagnetic energy detector is provided at a distance from the radiator, and the minimum distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator is less than or equal to a first threshold. The controller is coupled to the first electromagnetic energy detector and coupled to the first tuning circuit.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first electromagnetic energy detector transmits a first electrical signal to the controller, and the controller switches the component coupled to the first connection point in the first tuning circuit according to the first electrical signal.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electronic device further includes a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB including a metal layer, the metal layer serving as the ground plane; The first electromagnetic energy detector is located on the PCB, and the first electromagnetic energy detector does not overlap with the metal layer in a first direction, which is the thickness direction of the PCB.

4. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The radiator is used to generate a first resonance and a second resonance. Based on the first resonance generated by the radiator, the first electromagnetic energy detector transmits a first electrical signal to the controller; Based on the second resonance generated by the radiator, the first electromagnetic energy detector transmits a second electrical signal to the controller, the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal being different.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The frame has a first insulating gap at the first position, and the distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the first insulating gap is less than or equal to the first threshold.

6. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The antenna further includes a feeding circuit, the radiator includes a feeding point, and the feeding circuit is coupled to the feeding point.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first electromagnetic energy detector is located between the feed point and the first connection point in the extension direction of the radiator.

8. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The radiator includes a grounding point that is coupled to the floor.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first electromagnetic energy detector is located between the grounding point and the first connection point in the extension direction of the radiator.

10. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the grounding point is less than or equal to a first threshold.

11. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The frame also includes a third position, the first position being located between the second position and the third position, and the frame having a first insulating gap at the first position; The antenna includes a parasitic stub and a second tuning circuit. The parasitic stub includes a conductive portion of the frame between the first position and the third position. The parasitic stub includes a second connection point. The second tuning circuit is coupled to the second connection point and coupled to the controller. At least a portion of the parasitic stub is spaced apart from the floor.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes a second electromagnetic energy detector; The second electromagnetic energy detector is spaced apart from the parasitic branch, and the minimum distance between the second electromagnetic energy detector and the parasitic branch is less than or equal to the first threshold.

13. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes a switch and a third electromagnetic energy detector; The third electromagnetic energy detector is spaced apart from the radiator, and the minimum distance between the third electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator is less than or equal to the first threshold. The common port of the switch is coupled to the first port of the controller, the first connection port of the switch is coupled to the first electromagnetic energy detector, and the second connection port of the switch is coupled to the third electromagnetic energy detector.

14. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first threshold is 10 mm.

15. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The controller is an radio frequency chip.

16. A method for antenna tuning, characterized in that, The method is applied in an electronic device, the electronic device including an antenna, a first electromagnetic energy detector, and a controller, wherein the first electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator of the antenna are spaced apart, and the distance between the first electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator is less than or equal to a first threshold. The first electromagnetic energy detector transmits a first electrical signal to the controller, the first electrical signal being used to indicate the current distribution on the radiator; The controller adjusts the tuning circuit according to the first electrical signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The controller adjusts the tuning circuit according to the first electrical signal, including: Based on the difference between the first electrical signal and the standard value, the controller switches the element in the tuning circuit that is coupled to the radiator.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The controller determines the components coupled to the radiator in the tuning circuit based on the first electrical signal, including: Since the first electrical signal is the same as the standard value, the controller does not switch the components in the tuning circuit that are coupled to the radiator.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The electronic device further includes a second electromagnetic energy detector, which is spaced apart from the radiator, and the distance between the second electromagnetic energy detector and the radiator is less than or equal to the first threshold. The method further includes: the second electromagnetic energy detector transmitting a second electrical signal to the controller, and the controller adjusting the tuning circuit according to the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that, The controller is an radio frequency chip.

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