Configuration Pin Multi-Function Control for Antenna Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with compact communication modules, such as those supporting mmWave communication, there is a space constraint that limits the arrangement of connectors needed to control multiple antenna devices, leading to a lack of space for arranging connectors.
Innovation Solution
The use of configuration pins within the communication module to transmit identification and control signals to antenna devices, eliminating the need for separate board-to-board connectors by utilizing the same pins for both identification and control after the initial booting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectors are added to control multiple antenna devices, then the control capability is improved, but the arrangement space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration pin originally designed for identifying communication module types is made multi-functional by enabling it to transmit both identification signals during booting and control signals for antenna devices after initialization. This allows the same pin to serve multiple purposes across different operational phases, eliminating the need for additional dedicated connectors and resolving the space constraint while maintaining full control capability over multiple antenna devices.
2Device complexity
If configuration pins are used for both identification and control, then the number of connectors is reduced, but the signal transmission timing must be precisely managed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs identification signal transmission first during the booting phase before control signal transmission begins. The configuration pin transmits identification signals during the time interval from processor booting start to communication module initialization completion, then switches to transmitting control signals afterward. This preliminary sequencing of functions eliminates timing conflicts and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration pin's function is made dynamic rather than static - it transitions from transmitting identification signals during booting to transmitting control signals after initialization. This temporal dynamic allocation of pin functions allows a single connector to handle multiple tasks at different times, reducing the total number of connectors needed while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example embodiment, an electronic device may include a communication module including a first configuration pin, a processor configured to identify a device type of the communication module through the first configuration pin, and a first antenna device controlled by the communication module through the first configuration pin, in which the communication module is configured to transmit an identification signal for identifying the device type of the communication module through the first configuration pin for a time interval from the start of booting the processor to the completion of initializing the communication module, and transmit a first control signal for controlling the first antenna device through the first configuration pin after the time interval.