Antenna Structure for Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antenna designs for electronic devices face challenges in maintaining efficient reception performance across multiple frequency bands, particularly in inter-band carrier aggregation, leading to signal degradation due to inadequate isolation and increased insertion loss.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a separate antenna structure for each frequency band, utilizing a combination of antenna elements and switch configurations to selectively route signals, allows for improved inter-band carrier aggregation while maintaining reception performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single antenna covers all frequency bands (LB, MB, HB), then device complexity is reduced, but signal reception performance and isolation between bands deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna structure complexityVSAvoidsignal reception performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the antenna system into separate antenna elements for different frequency bands (LB antenna, MB antenna, HB antenna). Each antenna is dedicated to specific bands, preventing signal interference and isolation issues that occur in single-antenna designs. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by sacrificing some structural complexity to achieve reliable multi-band reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a switching circuit as an intermediary component that selectively connects different antenna elements to the receiver based on the operating frequency band. This mediator enables the system to use multiple specialized antennas without requiring simultaneous connection of all bands, thus maintaining good reception performance while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a radiator covers all frequency bands, then antenna coverage is improved, but signal isolation between adjacent bands (MB and HB) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidsignal interference between bands
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates separate radiator structures optimized for specific frequency ranges: LB radiator for low bands, MB radiator for middle bands, and HB radiator for high bands. This segmentation ensures that each radiator operates in its optimal frequency range with proper isolation, preventing harmful interference between adjacent bands while maintaining comprehensive frequency coverage through the switching system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If switching between MB and HB is implemented, then inter-band CA performance is improved, but device complexity and component requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-band carrier aggregation performanceVSAvoidswitching circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism that adapts the antenna connection based on the required frequency bands for carrier aggregation. The switching circuit dynamically selects appropriate antenna combinations (e.g., connecting LB+HB antennas for band 1+band 7 CA, or MB+HB for band 3+band 41 CA), enabling flexible inter-band CA support while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than fixed complex hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are loaded to cover many frequency bands, then network compatibility is improved, but loading space in the device is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidantenna loading space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs antenna elements and radiators that can serve multiple frequency bands through proper impedance matching and resonant structure design. For example, certain radiator configurations can support both MB and HB operations, and the switching system enables these multi-functional antennas to be shared across different band combinations, reducing the total number of separate antennas needed while maintaining comprehensive frequency coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3836407B1Antenna and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3836407B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3836407B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~2c
  • EP3836407B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device including a first antenna element configured selectively to receive signals of a first frequency band and a second frequency band or of the first frequency band and a third frequency band, a second antenna element configured to receive a signal of the third frequency band, a transceiver configured to be electrically connected with the first antenna element and the second antenna element, and a processor configured to be electrically connected with the transceiver. The electronic device performs carrier aggregation using the second frequency band and the third frequency band.