Antenna Module Switching for Thermal-Stable Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless technologies struggle to manage thermal issues effectively in antenna modules, particularly at higher frequencies, leading to potential breaks in communication and delays due to thermal overheating.

Innovation Solution

Implementing proactive thermal management techniques by establishing multiple temperature thresholds for antenna modules, allowing for the proactive switching or splitting of traffic between modules, and utilizing channel quality indicators and thermal profiles to manage temperatures and maintain communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If higher-frequency electromagnetic waves are used to attain higher data bandwidth, then data bandwidth is improved, but thermal management becomes more difficult and communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata bandwidthVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the antenna system into multiple independent antenna modules, each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows the system to switch between modules based on thermal conditions, ensuring continuous reliable communication even when one module overheats while maintaining high-frequency operation for data bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects and switches between different antenna modules based on real-time thermal conditions and communication requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal performance by activating cooler modules when needed, resolving the contradiction between high-frequency operation and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If higher-frequency electromagnetic waves are used to attain higher data bandwidth, then data bandwidth is improved, but thermal overheating occurs more frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata bandwidthVSAvoidantenna module temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors thermal conditions proactively and switches between antenna modules before critical overheating occurs. By detecting temperature trends and switching in advance, the system prevents thermal damage while maintaining continuous high-frequency operation for data bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between different antenna modules with different thermal characteristics. This allows the system to maintain high-frequency operation while managing temperature by selecting modules that are currently within safe thermal operating ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If multiple antenna modules are used for thermal management, then thermal management capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management capabilityVSAvoidantenna module quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each antenna module is designed to be multi-functional, capable of both communication and self-heating for thermal management. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated heating elements or cooling systems, managing complexity while enabling effective thermal control through module switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If antenna modules are switched proactively based on temperature thresholds, then communication reliability is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidthermal management processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback-based thermal management by continuously monitoring temperature and automatically switching antenna modules when thresholds are exceeded. This closed-loop control improves communication reliability through proactive switching while keeping processing complexity manageable through rule-based decision logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12273167B2Thermal management with antenna modules

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) manages thermal levels of antenna modules with reference to a temperature threshold. The UE includes multiple antenna modules having a first antenna module and a second antenna module and at least one wireless transceiver coupled to the multiple antenna modules. The UE also includes a processor and memory system implementing an antenna module thermal manager. The manager is configured to obtain a first temperature indication corresponding to the first antenna module of the multiple antenna modules. The manager is also configured to perform a comparison of the first temperature indication to at least one temperature threshold. The manager is further configured to switch, based on the comparison, from using the first antenna module to using the second antenna module for wireless communication with the at least one wireless transceiver.