Mobile Antenna Impedance Matching Using Power Control Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna impedance matching methods in wireless communication systems require additional components, increasing manufacturing costs and complicating the process, while also reducing transmit power due to variations in antenna input impedance caused by user interaction with mobile stations.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for antenna impedance matching in wireless communication systems that uses power control information to adjust a variable capacitance, optimizing impedance matching and maximizing transmit power efficiency by controlling the antenna's impedance to match the surrounding environment's changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional antenna impedance matching methods are used, then impedance matching is achieved, but additional components are required which increase manufacturing cost and device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance matchingVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the impedance matching function with existing power control components in the mobile station. The power control unit that already exists for controlling transmit power is repurposed to also control the variable capacitor for impedance matching, eliminating the need for separate impedance matching control hardware and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power control unit is given a dual function: it continues to control transmit power while also controlling the variable capacitor to adjust antenna impedance. This multi-functionality approach allows the same component to handle both power control and impedance matching tasks, reducing the number of additional components needed.

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

2Reliability

If traditional antenna impedance matching methods are used, then impedance matching is achieved, but the process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance matchingVSAvoidmatching process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the impedance matching control process with the existing power control process. The base station sends power control commands that the mobile station's power control unit processes, and the same unit simultaneously adjusts the variable capacitor for impedance matching. This integration simplifies the overall control process by using a single unified control mechanism rather than separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If antenna impedance varies due to user interaction, then adaptability to user handling is achieved, but transmit power efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance adaptation to user interactionVSAvoidtransmit power efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a variable capacitor that can dynamically adjust its capacitance value in real-time based on changing antenna impedance conditions caused by user interaction. The power control unit continuously monitors impedance variations and adjusts the variable capacitor accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to different user handling scenarios while maintaining optimal power transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the base station's power control commands to detect impedance changes in the antenna. When the base station adjusts power control levels in response to impedance mismatches, the mobile station's power control unit interprets these changes and adjusts the variable capacitor to compensate, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains transmit power efficiency despite user interaction variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 simplifies and enhances antenna impedance matching, increasing transmit power efficiency and maintaining communication performance by adjusting the antenna's impedance in real-time based on power control information, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving system performance.

Implementation Method 1

determines a variable capacitance value for changing frequency characteristics of an antenna based on received power control information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2847864B1Apparatus and method for matching antenna impedance in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2847864B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2847864B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2847864B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An apparatus and method for matching antenna impedance in a mobile station are provided. In implementation, a mobile station receives power control information including information for controlling transmit power of the mobile station, generates matching control information for antenna impedance matching based on the received power control information, and performs antenna impedance matching depending on the generated matching control information.