Adaptive Antenna Module for Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication devices with different communication protocols, such as WiFi and Bluetooth, often require separate circuit boards and firmwares, leading to increased costs and risks of using incorrect firmware, especially when the number of antennas is unknown.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device that includes an antenna module with a first and second communication circuit, where a test signal is transmitted and received to calculate an isolation index, determining whether the module has one or two antennas, thereby operating in either dual-antenna or shared-antenna modes based on the index, allowing for adaptive operation without separate designs for each antenna configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate circuit boards are designed for different antenna configurations, then the communication circuit can operate according to a particular number of antennas, but the cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal circuit board design that can operate with either one or two antennas by using a single communication circuit with adaptive configuration. The circuit includes a determining module that detects the antenna configuration and a switching module that adapts the communication protocol accordingly, eliminating the need for separate circuit boards for different antenna configurations while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The communication circuit dynamically adapts its operation mode based on the detected antenna configuration. The determining module detects whether one or two antennas are connected, and the switching module dynamically switches between single-antenna mode and dual-antenna mode, allowing the same hardware to flexibly accommodate different configurations without requiring separate fixed designs
2Reliability
If separate firmwares are used for different antenna configurations, then the communication circuit can operate according to a particular number of antennas, but the risk of using the wrong firmware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of the antenna configuration before communication operations begin. The determining module detects the number of connected antennas and pre-configures the communication circuit accordingly, ensuring the correct operation mode is selected before any communication takes place, thereby eliminating firmware compatibility risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the determination result of the antenna configuration is fed back to the switching module to adjust the communication protocol. This closed-loop control ensures the communication circuit always operates with the correct configuration settings, preventing firmware mismatch errors
3Device complexity
If a single circuit board is designed to support both dual and single antenna configurations, then the cost is reduced and device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the antenna configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication circuit performs self-detection of the antenna configuration using its own internal resources. The determining module utilizes the existing communication interfaces and signal paths to detect whether one or two antennas are connected, without requiring external measurement instruments or additional complex detection circuits, thereby simplifying the overall system while solving the detection difficulty
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device that includes an antenna module, a first communication circuit and a second communication circuit is provided. The first communication circuit performs communication by using a first communication protocol and transmits a test signal via the antenna module. The second communication circuit performs communication by using a second communication protocol and receives the test signal to calculate an isolation index based on an actual received power thereof. The second communication circuit determines that the antenna module includes two antennas when the isolation index is smaller than a threshold value to operate the first and the second communication circuits under a dual-antenna operation mode. The second communication circuit determines that the antenna module includes one antenna when the isolation index is not smaller than the threshold value to operate the first and the second communication circuits under a shared-antenna operation mode.