Dynamic Antenna Role Switching for Signal Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in optimizing antenna performance for signal transmission and reception, particularly in switching between different antennas to maintain efficient communication, as existing methods do not effectively address the variability in transmit and receive power across multiple antennas.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with multiple antennas and a control switch, where the processor continuously monitors and switches the roles of antennas based on transmit and receive power thresholds, ensuring that the antenna with the lowest transmit power becomes a diversity antenna and the one with the highest receive power becomes a master antenna, thereby enhancing signal quality and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single antenna is used for both transmission and reception, then the device complexity is reduced, but the antenna performance deteriorates when the antenna is covered or has poor signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna configurationVSAvoidsignal transmission and reception
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is segmented into multiple independent antenna structures (first antenna structure, second antenna structure, third antenna structure), each capable of independent operation. The control switch divides the antenna component into separate functional units that can be independently activated based on signal conditions, allowing the system to switch between antennas rather than relying on a single antenna for both transmission and reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna roles are made dynamic through the control switch, which can change the functional assignment of antennas in real-time. The processor dynamically determines which antenna structure serves as master antenna and which serves as diversity antenna based on transmit power and receive power measurements, allowing the system to adapt to changing signal conditions rather than being fixed in configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If antenna switching is performed based on single parameter (e.g., standing-wave ratio), then the control complexity is reduced, but the antenna performance optimization is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanismVSAvoidantenna performance optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors and compares multiple parameters simultaneously - transmit power of the master antenna and receive power of the diversity antenna - rather than relying on a single parameter like standing-wave ratio. The processor uses these multiple parameters to make informed decisions about antenna switching, achieving more precise optimization of antenna performance by considering both transmission and reception quality metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors transmit power and receive power levels, compares them against threshold values, and adjusts antenna configuration accordingly. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to optimize antenna performance dynamically based on actual signal conditions rather than using fixed or simplified control rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the master antenna has low transmit power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the signal transmission quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmit power consumptionVSAvoidsignal transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diversity antenna acts as an intermediary backup system. When the master antenna's transmit power falls below the first threshold value indicating poor signal quality, the control switch activates the diversity antenna to receive signals, compensating for the master antenna's insufficient transmission capability. This intermediary diversity reception path ensures continuous reliable communication even when the primary transmission path is compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3514982B1Electronic device and antenna controlling method
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3514982B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3514982B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3514982B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses an electronic device (10) and an antenna controlling method. The electronic device (10) includes an antenna component (100) and a processor (180). The antenna component (100) includes antenna structures (111, 112, 113), a radio frequency module (120) and a control switch (130). The control switch (130) is coupled to the processor (180). At least one antenna structure acts as a master antenna, and at least one antenna structure acts as a diversity antenna. The processor (180) is arranged to acquire transmit power of the antenna structure acting as the master antenna, to acquire receive power of the antenna structure acting as the diversity antenna, and to control the control switch (130) to switch the former one to a diversity antenna and switch the latter one to a master antenna according to the acquired transmit power and receive power.