Antenna Switching Control for Compact Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless terminals with multiple network standards, such as LTE and GSM, face size constraints due to the large size of antennas, particularly the GSM antenna, which limits their compactness and usability.

Innovation Solution

A wireless terminal design incorporating a main antenna and two additional antennas, where the second antenna is optimized to receive signals with a higher frequency band non-overlapping with the GSM band, reducing its size and consequently the terminal's overall size, utilizing a frequency isolation module and switching mechanisms to efficiently manage signal transmission and reception across different frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a GSM antenna is used to support the second standard signal, then the terminal can communicate with GSM networks, but the antenna size becomes relatively large, increasing the overall terminal size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-mode communication capabilityVSAvoidterminal size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The first antenna is designed as a full-band antenna that can operate across both the first frequency band (super high frequency) and the second frequency band (high frequency). This allows a single antenna to serve multiple functions: receiving first standard signals in the first frequency band and second standard signals in the second frequency band, eliminating the need for separate dedicated antennas for each standard and reducing overall terminal size

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes frequency band parameters to differentiate signal handling. By operating the first antenna at different frequency bands (first frequency band for first standard, second frequency band for second standard), the system achieves multi-mode communication without requiring physically different antenna sizes for each standard

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If three antennas (main antenna, diversity antenna, and GSM antenna) are disposed in the wireless terminal, then the terminal supports multiple standards, but the terminal size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception qualityVSAvoidterminal size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The first antenna serves as both a main antenna for first standard communication and a diversity antenna for second standard communication by operating at different frequency bands. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated antennas, reducing the total antenna count from three to two while maintaining signal reception quality

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of the main antenna and diversity antenna into a single first antenna that operates across both frequency bands. By combining these functions and using frequency band separation, the system reduces the number of physical antennas required while maintaining the reliability benefits of having both main and diversity reception paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3386266B1Wireless terminal and antenna switching control method therefor
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3386266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3386266B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3386266B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a wireless terminal and an antenna switching control method for a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal includes a main antenna, a first antenna, and a second antenna. The main antenna is connected to a first radio frequency circuit, and is configured to receive and transmit a first standard signal. A frequency band of the first standard signal includes a first frequency band with a super high frequency and a second frequency band with a high frequency. The first antenna is connected to an antenna end of a frequency isolation module. A high frequency end of the frequency isolation module is connected to the first radio frequency circuit. A low frequency end of the frequency isolation module is connected to a second radio frequency circuit. The first antenna is configured to receive a first standard signal of the first frequency band, and receive and transmit a second standard signal. A frequency band of the second standard signal does not overlap the first frequency band. The second antenna is connected to the first radio frequency circuit, and is configured to receive a first standard signal of the second frequency band. An overall size of the wireless terminal can be reduced by using the second antenna in this solution.