Dynamic Antenna Allocation for Wireless Communication Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with shared antennas for multiple communication modules face reduced data throughput and temporary disconnections due to frequency and usage conflicts, particularly as the number of connected Bluetooth devices increases, leading to signal loss and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with multiple antennas and a processor that determines occupancy information to dynamically allocate antennas for different communication modules based on usage, allowing for simultaneous or sequential use of antennas and switching between them to prevent signal loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiple communication modules share a single antenna through time-division scheme, then device complexity is reduced, but data throughput is reduced and connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna quantityVSAvoiddata throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic antenna allocation where the processor monitors occupancy information of antennas in real-time and dynamically switches which communication module uses which antenna based on current usage conditions. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable rather than static, allowing full antenna resources to be dedicated to whichever module needs them most at any given moment, thereby maintaining high data throughput while using fewer physical antennas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The processor performs preliminary assessment of occupancy information before allocating antenna resources. By evaluating the usage frequency and data throughput requirements of different communication modules in advance, the system can proactively assign antennas to prevent potential conflicts before they occur, ensuring optimal data throughput is maintained while managing limited antenna resources efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If multiple communication modules share a single antenna through time-division scheme, then device complexity is reduced, but connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna quantityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically monitors occupancy information including usage frequency and data throughput of each communication module, and adaptively switches antenna allocation in real-time. This dynamic approach prevents connection instability by ensuring that when one module requires heavy antenna usage, other modules can temporarily use different antennas or wait, avoiding conflicts that would cause disconnections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The processor continuously monitors occupancy information as feedback about antenna usage conditions. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts antenna allocation decisions to maintain connection stability. When occupancy information indicates high usage by one module, the system responds by allocating appropriate antenna resources to prevent disconnection of other modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If antenna resources are allocated to one communication module, then that module's performance is improved, but other modules experience signal loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughput of one moduleVSAvoidcommunication reliability of other modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments antenna resources dynamically among multiple communication modules based on their instantaneous needs. Rather than permanently assigning specific antennas to specific modules, the processor divides antenna usage into time-based segments, allowing each module to receive dedicated antenna access when needed. This segmentation prevents any single module from monopolizing antenna resources, thereby avoiding signal loss in other modules while maintaining high throughput for the active module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the allocation parameters of antenna resources based on occupancy information such as usage frequency and data throughput requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes performance for the current primary communication module while ensuring other modules retain sufficient antenna access to prevent signal loss, resolving the contradiction between one module's high throughput and others' reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3346797B1Electronic device and method of controlling wireless communication thereof
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3346797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3346797B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3346797B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are an electronic device and a method of controlling wireless communication thereof. The electronic device includes: a first antenna configured to support first short-range wireless communication and second short-range wireless communication; a second antenna; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to determine information related to occupancy of the first antenna by the first short-range wireless communication or the second short-range wireless communication, to simultaneously or sequentially perform the first short-range wireless communication and the second short-range wireless communication through the first antenna when the information related to the occupancy satisfies a predetermined condition; and to perform one kind of short-range wireless communication selected from the first short-range wireless communication and the second short-range wireless communication through the second antenna and to perform the other kind of short-range wireless communication through the first antenna when the information related to the occupancy satisfies another predetermined condition.