Antenna Segments With Dielectric Gaps For MIMO Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face challenges in integrating compact wireless communications circuitry that can effectively cover multiple communication bands while minimizing interference and ensuring satisfactory performance across a range of frequencies, particularly in achieving high data throughput.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wireless device with a housing featuring a peripheral conductive wall divided by a dielectric-filled gap, allowing for the use of multiple antennas that operate under a MIMO scheme, with near-field and non-near-field communications transceiver circuitry isolated by inductors and capacitors to prevent interference, enabling simultaneous operation across various frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are integrated into a compact wireless device to cover multiple communication bands, then the device's communication versatility and data throughput are improved, but electromagnetic interference between antennas and components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication band coverageVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral conductive wall is divided into multiple segments by dielectric-filled gaps, allowing each segment to serve as a separate antenna element while maintaining physical separation to reduce electromagnetic interference between antennas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dielectric material is introduced as an intermediary substance within the gaps between antenna segments to provide electromagnetic isolation while maintaining the structural integrity of the housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If antennas are placed closer together to reduce device size, then the device form factor is improved, but antenna performance and data throughput deteriorate due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddata throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna segments are arranged along the peripheral wall in a distributed configuration, utilizing the dimensional space of the device housing to maximize separation between antenna elements while maintaining compact overall device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a single antenna structure is used for both near-field and non-near-field communications, then device complexity is reduced, but communication performance across different frequency bands deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna structure complexityVSAvoidcommunication performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antenna segments share a common ground structure and can be selectively activated for different communication modes, allowing the same physical structure to serve both near-field and non-near-field communication functions with appropriate circuit configuration

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 solution enhances data throughput by allowing multiple antennas to operate concurrently, ensuring effective communication across multiple bands while maintaining electromagnetic isolation and minimizing interference, thus addressing the challenges of compact design and performance.

Implementation Method 1

The dielectric-filled opening in the peripheral conductive wall may ensure that the first and second antennas are electromagnetically isolated at these frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic isolation: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

The first and second inductors may isolate the first and second antennas at non-near-field communication frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive isolation: Inductor

Implementation Method 3

Capacitor circuitry may be used to prevent non-near-field communication signals from interfering with the near-field communication transceiver circuitry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive filtering: Capacitance

Implementation Method 4

Near-field communication schemes involve electromagnetically coupled communications over short distances, typically 20 cm or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field electromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10644758B2Electronic device having multiple antennas with shared structures for near-field communications and non-near-field communications

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device may include a peripheral conductive wall. A gap in the wall may divide the wall into first and second segments. The device may include a first antenna having a first resonating element arm formed from the first segment and a second antenna having a second resonating element arm formed from the second segment. A non-near-field communications transceiver may perform multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) operations using the first and second antennas. The gap may provide satisfactory isolation between the first and second antennas while the first and second antennas perform MIMO operations. Near-field communications circuitry may convey near-field communications signals over a conductive loop path that includes portions of the first and second segments and the antenna ground. The volume of the conductive loop path may extend across substantially all of a width of the electronic device.