Antenna Coupler Grip Detection for SAR Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in reducing Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) while maintaining antenna performance, as integrating a grip sensor increases circuit complexity and manufacturing costs, and may degrade antenna performance due to conductive lines connected to RF signal lines.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a coupler that measures power flowing to the antenna to detect changes in transmit power, allowing the processor to adjust power levels based on detected changes, thereby determining if the device is being gripped and reducing SAR without the need for a separate grip sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a grip sensor is integrated into the electronic device to detect user proximity and reduce SAR, then the SAR reduction capability is improved, but the circuit complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the grip detection functionality from a separate grip sensor and integrates it into the existing antenna system. The antenna serves dual purposes: its original communication function and grip detection function. By removing the need for a separate grip sensor and its conductive lines, the circuit complexity is reduced while maintaining SAR reduction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is designed to perform multiple functions: wireless communication and grip detection. The same antenna structure and RF circuitry are used to both transmit/receive signals and detect changes in coupling signals that indicate user grip. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a grip sensor is integrated into the electronic device to detect user proximity and reduce SAR, then the SAR reduction capability is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for separate grip sensor components and their associated conductive lines, thereby reducing the bill of materials and assembly complexity. The existing antenna and RF circuitry are repurposed for grip detection, eliminating additional manufacturing steps and component installation.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the antenna multi-functional (communication + grip detection), the patent eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate grip sensor components, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to detect user proximity and adjust power accordingly.
3Ease of operation
If the grip sensor's conductive line is connected to the RF signal line of the antenna, then the grip detection function is achieved, but the antenna performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate conductive line connection between grip sensor and antenna by integrating grip detection directly into the antenna's existing RF circuitry. This eliminates the additional conductive path that would cause interference, while maintaining grip detection capability through monitoring of the antenna's own coupling signal changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the antenna's existing RF circuitry and coupling signal as an intermediary to detect grip conditions. Instead of adding a separate conductive line, the system monitors changes in the antenna's own signal coupling when a user grips the device, using the existing RF path as the detection medium without adding interfering elements.
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 solution effectively reduces SAR by adjusting transmit power levels without increasing circuit complexity or manufacturing costs, and avoids potential antenna performance degradation, providing a cost-effective and efficient grip detection method.
Implementation Method 1
use the coupler to detect a change of the preconfigured transmit power value outputted from the power amplifier during transmission of the radio signal through the antenna
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device and a grip recognition method for reducing the SAR of the electronic device are provided. The electronic device of the present disclosure includes an antenna, a coupler, a processor electrically coupled to the antenna and the coupler, and a memory electrically coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a change of a transmit power value using the coupler during transmission of a radio signal through the antenna. The instructions further cause the processor to determine whether the electronic device is being gripped based on the change of the transmit power value.