Dynamic Antenna Configuration for Carrier Aggregation and Standalone Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face challenges in optimizing antenna performance for carrier aggregation (CA) and standalone communication configurations due to reliance on 'CA configured' signals, leading to suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adapting the communication configuration of the antenna and circuit based on 'CA active' or 'CA inactive' signals, allowing the device to switch between configurations optimally suited for CA or standalone operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device determines communication configuration based on 'CA configured' signal, then the device can support carrier aggregation capability, but the antenna performance is suboptimal when standalone communication occurs under CA configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidantenna performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna configuration changeable based on actual operation mode. The system dynamically switches between CA configuration and standalone configuration according to received signaling ('CA active' or 'CA inactive') rather than using a fixed configuration based on 'CA configured' signal. This allows the antenna parameters to adapt in real-time to the actual communication mode, resolving the contradiction between supporting multiple modes and maintaining optimal performance in each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the antenna system based on operation mode. Specifically, it adjusts antenna configuration parameters (such as impedance, matching networks, or circuit topology) according to whether CA or standalone communication is actually active. This parameter adaptation ensures optimal antenna performance for each communication mode while maintaining the ability to support both CA and standalone operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the electronic device uses fixed communication configuration, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot optimize performance for different communication modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration switching mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using signaling from the network ('CA active' or 'CA inactive') to determine the actual operation mode, then adjusting the antenna configuration accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures the antenna is always optimized for the current communication mode without requiring complex prediction or manual configuration, achieving high communication efficiency with manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the antenna system multi-functional by designing it to support both CA and standalone communication modes through a single configurable architecture. Rather than requiring separate antenna systems for each mode, the universal design allows one antenna system to perform multiple functions by changing its configuration parameters based on the active communication mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4037234B1Method and electronic device for configuring radio frequency setting
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4037234B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037234B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4037234B1 patent drawingFigure 4a

AI summary

An electronic device includes a communication circuit, a plurality of antennas that are fed with power from the communication circuit, and a processor that controls the communication circuit. The processor is configured to receive a first signal for indicating initiation of configuration for carrier aggregation. The processor is also configured to change the configuration of at least one of the antennas or the communication circuit to perform the carrier aggregation if a second signal for indicating operation initiation of the carrier aggregation is received from a base station.