Multi-Feed Antenna Switching for Adaptive MIMO Path Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic devices with antenna arrays, efficiently utilizing antenna elements in environments where signals are polarized in specific directions or have weak signal strength is challenging, leading to inefficient power usage and reduced reception and transmission performance, especially in MIMO technology.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device selectively connects transmitters and receivers with feeding ports using multiple switches to optimize signal paths based on receive sensitivity, ensuring strong signal reception and transmission by using paths that meet specified conditions, even in weak electric field environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic device maintains multiple paths for MIMO technology, then signal transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary power supply to weak signal paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path management by continuously monitoring signal strength metrics (RSRP, SINR) and adjusting the number of active transmission paths in real-time. When signal conditions deteriorate below thresholds, the system reduces the number of active paths, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate transmission capability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable MIMO operation and minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the number of active transmission paths based on signal quality parameters. When signal strength falls below predetermined thresholds, the system reduces the number of active paths from the full MIMO configuration to a reduced configuration, thereby adapting power consumption to actual signal conditions and resolving the contradiction between transmission reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device uses switching units to connect antenna elements, then adaptability to different signal conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to signal conditionsVSAvoidswitching unit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antenna array into multiple independently controllable antenna elements, each with its own switching unit. This segmentation allows the system to selectively activate or deactivate individual antenna elements based on signal conditions, providing fine-grained adaptability. The segmentation approach enables the system to achieve high versatility while managing complexity through modular architecture, where each switching unit handles a specific antenna element rather than requiring a complex centralized switching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching units are designed with multi-functionality, serving both to connect antenna elements to transmission paths and to enable dynamic reconfiguration based on signal conditions. This universal design allows the same hardware component to perform multiple functions (connection management and adaptive reconfiguration), thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

3Use of energy by moving object

If the electronic device reduces the number of active paths, then power consumption is reduced, but reception and transmission performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreception and transmission performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors signal quality metrics (RSRP, SINR) and uses this information to dynamically adjust the number of active transmission paths. The baseband processor receives signal quality feedback from the radio frequency processor and adjusts path configuration accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that performance deterioration is avoided by maintaining adequate path numbers based on real-time signal conditions, while still achieving power savings when conditions permit reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of signal conditions using predetermined thresholds for RSRP and SINR before making decisions about path reduction. By evaluating signal quality in advance and comparing against predefined performance thresholds, the system can proactively adjust path configuration to prevent performance deterioration while maximizing power savings. This preliminary action approach ensures that performance requirements are met before power reduction is implemented.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3584943B1Electronic device including a plurality of switches selectively connecting antenna having a plurality of feeding terminals with communication circuit, and driving method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3584943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3584943B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3584943B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device includes an antenna including a radiation part comprising a radiator having a patch shape, a first feeding port provided in a first direction of the radiation part, a second feeding port provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the radiation part, a third feeding port provided in a direction facing away from the first direction, and a fourth feeding port provided in a direction facing away from the second direction, a wireless communication circuit that includes a first communication circuit and a second communication circuit, the first communication circuit including a first transmitter and a first receiver and the second communication circuit including a second transmitter and a second receiver, a first switch configured to selectively connect the first transmitter and the first receiver with the first feeding port, a second switch configured to selectively connect the first transmitter and the first receiver with the second feeding port, a third switch configured to selectively connect the second transmitter and the second receiver with the third feeding port, and a fourth switch configured to selectively connect the second transmitter and the second receiver with the fourth feeding port.