Dynamic Antenna Impedance Matching for Mobile Terminal Holding Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of mobile terminal antennas is degraded when users hold them due to impedance mismatch, which is not accounted for in conventional designs, and varies based on the holding pattern, such as left or right hand.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an antenna matcher controlled by a sensing unit and controller that adjusts the antenna's impedance by changing capacitance or inductance based on whether and how the user holds the mobile terminal, using a sensing unit to detect holding patterns and a memory to store matching settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the antenna impedance is previously set in the antenna chamber, then the antenna design is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the antenna efficiency is degraded when the user holds the mobile terminal due to impedance mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna matcher settings changeable based on user holding patterns. The antenna matcher includes multiple setting groups corresponding to different holding patterns (e.g., left hand, right hand, both hands), and the controller dynamically selects the appropriate setting group based on sensing unit input. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the antenna system to adapt its impedance matching characteristics dynamically rather than being fixed, thereby maintaining antenna efficiency across various holding scenarios while keeping the overall design manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the antenna matcher settings (electrical parameters) according to different holding patterns. The antenna matcher's capacitance or inductance values are adjusted based on which holding pattern is detected, changing the electrical parameters to compensate for the impedance mismatch caused by different holding configurations. This allows the antenna system to maintain optimal performance across varying conditions without requiring a completely redigned antenna structure.
2Device complexity
If the antenna matcher setting is fixed, then the device complexity is low, but the antenna efficiency varies according to different holding patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static antenna matcher setting to a dynamic one by incorporating a sensing unit that detects holding patterns and a controller that selects appropriate setting groups. The antenna matcher now has multiple predefined setting groups (first, second, third, etc.) corresponding to different holding patterns, and the controller dynamically switches between these groups based on sensing input. This maintains relatively low device complexity while achieving consistent antenna efficiency across different holding scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensing unit to detect the user's holding pattern and providing this information to the controller, which then adjusts the antenna matcher settings accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the antenna system automatically adapts to the current holding pattern, maintaining optimal impedance matching and consistent antenna efficiency without requiring complex real-time calculations or user intervention.
3Device complexity
If no sensing unit is added to detect holding patterns, then the device complexity remains low, but the impedance mismatch caused by user holding cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensing unit as an intermediary component that detects holding patterns and translates them into actionable information for the controller. This sensing intermediary bridges the gap between the physical act of holding the device and the electrical adjustment of the antenna matcher settings. The sensing unit adds minimal complexity while enabling accurate detection of holding patterns, which is essential for achieving reliable impedance matching compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting the holding pattern through the sensing unit and adjusting the antenna matcher settings without requiring user intervention or manual configuration. The controller autonomously selects the appropriate setting group based on the sensing unit's detection, allowing the antenna system to self-correct for impedance mismatch caused by different holding patterns. This maintains low device complexity while achieving reliable impedance matching.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for enhancing an efficiency of an antenna in a mobile terminal includes an antenna matcher whose setting is changed under control of a controller, the antenna matcher coupled to the antenna, a sensing unit for sensing whether or not a user holds the mobile terminal and a holding pattern in which the user holds the mobile terminal, and a controller for controlling the setting of the antenna matcher according to whether or not the user holds the mobile terminal and the holding pattern.