Antenna Matching Feedback Control for Stable Radiated Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile phone transceivers face challenges in maintaining optimal antenna matching across varying conditions, leading to inefficient power transmission and high operational power consumption due to mismatched impedance, which prior art solutions attempt to compensate for by increasing transmission power but result in poor performance and high battery consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a parallel measurement branch to the receiver for real-time feedback control of the amplifier, allowing for dynamic adjustment of amplification and power supply to maintain consistent radiated power levels, even under changing antenna conditions, by sampling and down-converting RF signals and using a controller to adjust amplifier parameters based on measured signal strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmission power is increased to compensate for antenna matching losses, then the radiated transmission power can be maintained within required limits, but current consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiated transmission power consistencyVSAvoidcurrent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver measures the strength of a known signal transmitted through the antenna and amplifier, and this measurement is used to control the amplifier's output power. The controller adjusts the amplifier parameter based on the measured signal strength to maintain consistent radiated power despite antenna matching variations, thereby avoiding the need to continuously increase transmission power and reducing current consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own receiver to measure the transmitted signal's strength, eliminating the need for external measurement devices. The transceiver self-calibrates by having the receiver detect the signal from its own transmitter through the antenna, and the controller automatically adjusts amplifier parameters based on this self-measurement to maintain optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If transmission power is increased to tolerate antenna matching variation, then proper radiated power can be achieved, but performance deteriorates and operational power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiated power accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver measures the actual signal strength radiated through the antenna and feeds this information back to the controller, which adjusts the amplifier parameter in real-time. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate radiated power despite antenna matching variations, maintaining both reliability and operational efficiency by avoiding excessive power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically changes the amplifier parameter based on the measured signal strength to optimize the balance between radiated power accuracy and operational efficiency. By adjusting the amplifier gain or other parameters rather than simply increasing overall transmission power, the system maintains accurate radiated power while improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If complex test jigs and expensive measurement devices are used for antenna matching measurement, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna matching measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver uses its own built-in receiver to measure the signal strength of a known transmitted signal, eliminating the need for external test jigs and measurement devices. This self-measurement approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for controlling the amplifier while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver serves dual purposes: it both receives external signals and measures the strength of the transceiver's own transmitted signal for amplifier control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

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 ensures consistent radiated transmission power across all conditions while reducing current consumption and eliminating the need for complex test jigs and expensive measurement devices, thereby enhancing battery life and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A method and system that utilize a parallel measurement branch to the receiver for real-time feedback control of the amplifier, allowing for dynamic adjustment of amplification and power supply to maintain consistent radiated power levels, even under changing antenna conditions, by sampling and down-converting RF signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDown-conversion: Heterodyne

Data Source

PatentEP2020090B1Antenna matching measurement and amplification control
Publication Date: 2015.02.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2020090B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP2020090B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP2020090B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A transceiver with amplification control comprises the following. A coupler samples a part of a radio frequency signal proceeding between an amplifier unit and an antenna of the transceiver. A converter down converts the sampled radio frequency signal. A measuring unit measures strength of the down converted radio frequency signal. A controller controls at least one parameter of the amplifier unit as a function of the measured strength.