Combo Antenna Module Switching for Wireless Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in expanding the range and improving the efficiency and performance of wireless power transmission and communication due to the need for multiple antennas with different frequencies, which complicates the implementation of additional patterns for NFC or A4WP antennas without affecting existing WPC, PMA, or MST antennas.
Innovation Solution
A combo antenna module with a switching unit that connects or disconnects antennas based on operation modes, allowing for the use of antennas with different operating frequencies, such as magnetic resonance and induction modes, to enhance the antenna area and performance without significant changes in inductance, and includes a shielding unit to optimize magnetic field shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas with different frequencies are provided for wireless communication and power transmission, then the range and performance of wireless power transmission and communication are improved, but the device complexity and number of antenna components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a combo antenna module where a single antenna structure serves multiple functions by supporting different operating frequencies. The antenna is designed to operate at multiple frequencies (e.g., 13.56 MHz for NFC, 2.4 GHz for Wi-Fi) through careful inductance and capacitance tuning, allowing one antenna to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate antennas. This multi-functional design reduces component count while maintaining adaptability across different wireless communication and power transmission protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple antenna functions into a single integrated antenna structure. By merging the wireless communication antenna and wireless power transmission antenna into one combo antenna module, the design reduces the total number of components. The antenna structure is designed to handle both magnetic resonance wireless power transmission and near-field communication simultaneously, consolidating what would traditionally be separate antenna systems into a unified component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional patterns are provided for NFC or A4WP antennas to expand wireless power transmission range, then the transmission range is improved, but the device complexity and antenna unit design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a switching unit that dynamically connects or disconnects different antenna patterns based on the operational requirements. Instead of having all antenna patterns permanently integrated into the antenna unit, the switching mechanism allows the system to activate only the necessary patterns when needed. This dynamic approach expands the effective antenna area and transmission range while keeping the physical design relatively simple, as not all patterns are simultaneously active or structurally integrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna system into separable components: a basic antenna pattern and additional expandable patterns. The additional patterns are not permanently fixed but can be selectively connected through the switching unit. This segmentation allows the antenna to maintain a simple base design while offering the capability to expand functionality by activating additional patterns only when required for extended transmission range or specific communication protocols.
3Reliability
If antennas are disposed at specific positions (WPC/PMA at center, MST at outer periphery) to optimize performance, then the wireless power transmission efficiency is improved, but the ease of manufacture and design flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed antenna positioning with a dynamic switching system that can connect different antenna patterns to different output terminals based on operational needs. Instead of permanently placing WPC/PMA antennas at the center and MST antennas at the periphery, the switching unit enables flexible configuration where any antenna pattern can be activated for any function. This dynamic reconfigurability maintains transmission efficiency by selecting the optimal antenna pattern while significantly improving design flexibility and ease of manufacture, as the physical layout no longer constrains functional assignment.
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 increases the range and efficiency of wireless power transmission and communication by selectively using antennas in parallel, miniaturizing the combo antenna module, and enhancing user convenience by improving the performance of wireless power transmission and communication in portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the A4WPC antenna performs the wireless power transmission in a magnetic resonance manner transmitting energy by coupling coils having the same resonance frequency with each other
Implementation Method 2
The WPC and PMA antennas perform the wireless power transmission in a magnetic induction manner inducing a current from one coil to another coil via a magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
includes a shielding unit to optimize magnetic field shielding
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a combination antenna module and a portable electronic device including same. There is provided a combo antenna module that includes an antenna unit and a switching unit. The antenna unit includes a circuit board, a first wireless power transmission antenna, and a second wireless power transmission antenna of which manner is different from that of the first wireless power transmission antenna. The switching unit is configured to be connected or disconnected the first antenna and the second antenna based on an operation mode of the antenna unit.