Antenna Tuner Impedance Control via RF Coupler Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless transceivers, especially in handheld devices, suffer from performance degradation due to 'hand and head effects' caused by the proximity of body parts to the antenna, leading to changes in electrical properties that affect signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A control path for a wireless communication device that includes a radio frequency coupler and a control module to adjust the impedance of the antenna tuner based on signals indicative of incident and reflected power, using downconversion, analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, and power/reflected power calculations to minimize performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is used in proximity to body parts (hand and head effects), then the antenna can be integrated into handheld devices, but the electrical properties of the antenna change causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic impedance tuning by making the antenna matching network adjustable in real-time. The system continuously monitors the antenna's electrical properties and dynamically reconfigures the matching network components (such as variable capacitors or inductors) to compensate for changes caused by proximity to body parts, thereby maintaining optimal transmission performance despite varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the system measures the actual antenna electrical properties (such as impedance or reflection coefficient) and uses this information to adjust the matching network. The control circuit receives feedback about the antenna's state and automatically tunes the matching components to optimize performance, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions.
2Reliability
If the antenna electrical properties are adjusted to compensate for hand and head effects, then transmission performance is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-tuning mechanism where the antenna system automatically adjusts its own matching network without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. The system uses built-in sensing and actuation capabilities to autonomously monitor and correct its own electrical properties, reducing the need for additional control infrastructure while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the matching network components (such as capacitance or inductance values) to adapt to different operating conditions. By using variable components that can be electronically adjusted, the system achieves performance optimization through parameter modification rather than through complex structural changes or additional hardware.
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
The solution dynamically tunes the antenna to reduce or eliminate performance degradation caused by 'hand and head effects' and other undesired effects, enhancing transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency coupler configured to couple at least a portion of a transmission power of a transmission line coupled to the antenna tuner such that the coupled port carries a first signal indicative of an incident power transmitted to an antenna coupled to the antenna tuner and the terminated port carries a second signal indicative of a reflected power reflected by the antenna
Implementation Method 2
a downconverter configured to: downconvert the first signal to a baseband incident power signal having an in-phase channel component and a quadrature channel component; and downconvert the second signal to a baseband reflected power signal having an in-phase channel component and a quadrature channel component
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a control path for a wireless communication device may include a radio frequency coupler having a coupled port and a terminated port, the radio frequency coupler configured to couple at least a portion of a transmission power of a transmission line coupled to the antenna tuner such that the coupled port carries a first signal indicative of an incident power transmitted to an antenna coupled to the antenna tuner and the terminated port carries a second signal indicative of a reflected power reflected by the antenna. The control path may also include a control module configured to communicate the one or more control signals to the antenna tuner for controlling the impedance of the antenna tuner based at least on the first signal and the second signal.