Dynamic Antenna Activation for Power Reduction in Multi-Antenna Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices using multi-antenna services, such as 4x4 MIMO, face increased power consumption due to the continuous activation of multiple antennas, which is inefficient and consumes more energy.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device method and system that dynamically manages the activation of antennas based on channel state information and transmission states, activating a greater number of antennas only when necessary, such as during channel state information transmission, and deactivating them otherwise, to reduce power consumption while maintaining communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple antennas are continuously activated for multi-antenna service, then communication reliability and data transmission speed are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic antenna management where the number of activated antennas is adjusted based on real-time channel conditions. The system transitions from static continuous activation to dynamic activation, activating more antennas when channel state information indicates good conditions and fewer antennas when conditions deteriorate, thereby resolving the contradiction between communication reliability and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of antenna activation state based on channel quality metrics. When channel state information shows favorable conditions, the system activates a greater number of antennas to enhance communication reliability. When channel conditions worsen, the system reduces the number of activated antennas to conserve power, thus adapting the system parameters to resolve the contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a greater number of antennas are activated for multi-antenna service, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic assessment of channel state information to determine antenna activation patterns. Instead of continuously maintaining all antennas activated, the system periodically evaluates channel conditions and adjusts antenna activation accordingly, achieving high data transmission speeds during favorable periods while conserving power during less optimal periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system activates a greater number of antennas only when channel conditions warrant such expenditure of power. Rather than continuously activating all available antennas, the system uses partial activation (fewer antennas) during normal operation and excessive activation (more antennas) only when needed to maintain high data transmission speeds, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3258635B1Method for controlling antenna and electronic device using the same
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3258635B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3258635B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3258635B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a device and a method for controlling a plurality of antennas in an electronic device. The electronic device may include: a plurality of antennas; a communication circuit configured to be connected to the plurality of antennas; and at least one processor, wherein the processor may be configured to: set a multi-antenna service using a second number of antennas; activate the second number of antennas among the plurality of antennas when a time to transmit channel state information comes; transmit channel state information on the second number of antennas to a network device; and switch to activate a first number of antennas among the plurality of antennas and the second number of antennas may include a greater number of antennas than the first number of antennas. Other exemplary embodiments are possible.