Antenna Module Thermal Management via Temperature Difference Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in effectively mitigating heat generated during 5G millimeter wave communication, leading to reduced connection times due to thermal management schemes that rely on preset temperature thresholds and sequential thermal mitigation operations, which do not account for actual surface temperatures or temperature differences between antenna modules.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with multiple antenna modules, temperature sensors, and a modem that detects temperature differences and switches communication to a lower temperature antenna module based on detected temperature disparities, deactivates antennas when necessary, and changes communication schemes to 4G when surface temperatures exceed thresholds, thereby extending 5G connection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermal mitigation operations are performed based on preset temperature thresholds and sequential phases, then heat generation is controlled, but 5G connection time is reduced due to premature communication scheme switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual surface temperature of the electronic device and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust thermal mitigation operations. The modem determines whether to switch communication schemes based on real-time surface temperature readings rather than predetermined thresholds, allowing the system to maintain 5G communication longer by switching only when actually necessary.
2Temperature
If communication scheme is switched to 4G mode when antenna module temperature reaches preset threshold, then heat is mitigated, but connection time is reduced due to switching before actual surface temperature requires it
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature monitoring of the actual surface temperature and uses this information to determine when thermal mitigation is truly necessary. By assessing the real thermal state before making decisions, the system avoids premature switching to 4G mode and maintains 5G communication for the maximum possible duration.
3Ease of operation
If thermal mitigation operations are based on fixed temperature thresholds, then implementation is simple, but actual surface temperature conditions are not accurately reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from surface temperature sensors to dynamically determine thermal mitigation operations. Instead of relying on fixed predetermined thresholds, the modem continuously monitors actual surface temperature and adjusts communication scheme switching decisions based on current conditions, achieving both operational simplicity and measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including a plurality of antenna modules configured to wireless communicate with a base station according to a first communication scheme; a plurality of temperature sensors respectively provided in the plurality of antenna modules and configured to detect a temperature of each antenna module; and a modem configured to detect a temperature difference between a highest temperature antenna module and a lowest temperature antenna module among the plurality of antenna modules, and switch from using a first antenna module performing wireless communication with the base station to a second antenna module among the plurality of antenna modules to perform the wireless communication with the base station based on the detected temperature difference being above a preset temperature difference.