Antenna Beam Forming and Tuning for Coupling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices face challenges in managing antenna coupling and interference between multiple radio frequencies, leading to reduced throughput and increased power consumption, especially in multi-cellular and multi-access technology environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method using phase shifters and tunable reactive elements in the antenna matching circuit to adjust antenna patterns and reduce coupling between antennas, allowing for selective beam forming and power management to enhance radiated throughput and improve antenna isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are used to support multi-cellular access technologies, then communication versatility and service quality are improved, but antenna coupling and interference between radio frequencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple independently controllable antenna elements, each capable of being individually tuned and configured. This segmentation allows the system to manage interference by controlling each element separately while maintaining overall versatility for multiple communication standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam forming capabilities that allow the antenna system to adapt its radiation patterns in real-time. By dynamically adjusting phase and amplitude of each antenna element, the system can steer beams toward desired signals while nulling out interfering signals, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and interference
2Object-generated harmful factors
If antenna patterns are adjusted to reduce coupling between antennas, then antenna isolation is improved, but device complexity increases due to phase shifters and tunable reactive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (phase and amplitude) of antenna elements through phase shifters and tunable reactive elements to achieve desired beam patterns. This parameter-based control allows flexible interference management without requiring physical reconfiguration of the antenna structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal beam forming network that can be applied across multiple antenna elements and frequency bands. The same phase shifter and tunable reactive element architecture serves multiple communication standards and interference scenarios, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality
3Productivity
If beam forming is used to increase radiated throughput, then communication performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beam forming selectively only when and where needed to achieve throughput improvements. By using tunable reactive elements to optimize only the necessary antenna elements and frequency bands, the system avoids the excessive power consumption that would result from full-system beam forming operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively increases radiated throughput by reducing antenna coupling and power consumption, while maintaining desired performance across various use cases and interference scenarios, thereby enhancing the overall quality of service in mobile communication devices.
Implementation Method 1
The mobile communication device has phase shifters connected with the radiating elements
Implementation Method 2
tunable reactive elements in the antenna matching circuit to adjust antenna patterns and reduce coupling between antennas
Data Source
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AI summary
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining antenna coupling among a plurality of antennas of the communication device and adjusting beam forming for the plurality of antennas utilizing phase shifters coupled with radiating elements of the plurality of antennas, where the adjusting of the beam forming is based on forming a desired antenna pattern that increases radiated throughput and reduces the antenna coupling among the plurality of antennas. Other embodiments are disclosed.