Antenna Contact Layout for Connector-Free RF Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and unnecessary use of test connectors in manufacturing portable electronic devices, such as mobile cellular telephones, for testing transmitter and receiver parameters like transmission power levels, increase manufacturing complexity and expenses.

Innovation Solution

A method and antenna arrangement that eliminates the need for a test connector by directly connecting a first contact to a transmitter or receiver and a second contact to a matching circuit, allowing for parameter sensing and impedance matching without an intervening test connector, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a test connector (coaxial switch connector) is used between the transmitter and the antenna element for measuring transmitter output power levels, then the parameter sensing capability is improved, but the device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmitter output power level measurementVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the test connector from the final device configuration. Instead of keeping a coaxial switch connector in the antenna arrangement, the invention provides test access points (first contact and second contact) that allow measurement without requiring a dedicated test connector, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The first contact and second contact serve multiple functions: they provide test access points for measuring transmitter output power levels during manufacturing, and they also function as signal transmission points for the antenna element during normal operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate test connectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a test connector is included in the antenna arrangement to enable parameter sensing, then the testing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmitter parameter sensingVSAvoidantenna arrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex coaxial switch connector from the antenna arrangement and replaces it with simpler test access points (first contact and second contact). These contacts are integrated into the existing antenna structure rather than adding separate testing components, thereby reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the testing function with the existing antenna element structure. The first contact and second contact are integrated into the antenna arrangement, combining the signal transmission path with the test measurement path, which simplifies the overall device structure compared to having separate test connectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If a test connector is used for sensing transmitter output power levels, then the parameter measurement capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput power level sensingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive coaxial switch connectors with inexpensive test access points (first contact and second contact) that can be easily integrated into the antenna structure. These simplified contacts significantly reduce manufacturing cost while providing sufficient measurement capability for output power level sensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The first contact and second contact serve dual purposes: they enable test measurement of transmitter output power levels during manufacturing, and they function as the signal transmission interface for the antenna element during normal operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive test connectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for accurate parameter sensing and impedance matching, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity by eliminating the need for dedicated test connectors, while ensuring compliance with predetermined power levels and impedance requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna element configured to couple with the first contact and the second contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8538350B2Antenna arrangement and test method

Publication Date: 2013.09.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A method including providing a matching circuit, a first contact connected, without an intervening test connector to a transmitter and/or a receiver, and a second contact, separate from the first contact, connected to the matching circuit; sensing a parameter of the transmitter and/or the receiver by connecting test apparatus to the first contact; and providing an antenna element for coupling with the first contact and the second contact.