Angle-Adaptive Antenna Tuning in Foldable Mobile Communication Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of antenna performance degradation due to non-optimal placements in slim and small form-factor devices, particularly with display lid rotation or angle changes, is not adequately addressed by existing technologies, leading to potential performance loss and increased form-factor size to compensate.

Innovation Solution

Implementing open-loop antenna tuning with predefined angular anchor points and interpolation for antenna parameter adjustment, allowing flexible antenna placement and maintaining performance without enlarging the device size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If multiple antennas are placed in slim and small form-factor devices, then device size is reduced, but antenna performance deteriorates due to non-optimal placement and coupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidantenna performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal antenna tuning parameters for multiple predetermined display lid angles before device operation. The system determines the current display lid angle and retrieves the corresponding pre-stored tuning parameters to adjust antenna characteristics, avoiding real-time complex calculations and maintaining antenna performance across different device configurations without requiring larger form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting antenna tuning parameters (such as capacitance or inductance values) based on the detected display lid angle. The system changes electrical parameters of the antenna matching network to compensate for coupling effects and maintain optimal antenna performance despite variations in physical antenna placement and device size constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If close-loop-tuning algorithm is used to address antenna performance degradation, then antenna performance is improved, but device complexity and memory footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidtuning algorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements copying by creating a lookup table that stores optimal tuning parameters for various display lid angles. Instead of performing complex real-time optimization calculations, the system copies the appropriate pre-computed parameters from the lookup table based on the current angle measurement, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If Open Loop Tuning is used to simplify device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but antenna performance deteriorates when display lid rotates or angle changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetuning algorithm complexityVSAvoidantenna performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the antenna tuning parameters adaptive to the display lid angle. The system dynamically selects different tuning parameters based on the detected angle, allowing the antenna system to adapt its electrical characteristics to compensate for geometric changes, thereby maintaining performance without requiring full close-loop complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If antenna placement is optimized to maintain performance, then antenna performance is improved, but form-factor size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidform-factor size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12541232B2Mobile communication device

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A mobile communication device having a first component and a second component is provided. The first component and the second component are configured movable relative to each other within a predefined position range. The predefined position range includes a plurality of positions of the first component relative to the second component. The mobile communication device further includes a position determination unit configured to determine a position of the first component relative to the second component in the predefined position range. At least one of the first component and the second component includes an antenna configured for wireless communication. The mobile communication device further includes a controller configured to drive the antenna based on the determined position of the first component relative to the second component.