Dynamic Impedance Matching Circuit for Hand-Induced Signal Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication devices, such as smartphones, experience poor reception quality due to signal shielding effects when held close to the user's face or gripped tightly, leading to issues like weak signals and missed calls, as existing impedance matching methods are inadequate in dynamic environments.

Innovation Solution

A method for dynamic impedance matching in communication apparatuses, involving an impedance matching circuit with adjustable elements of varying sensitivity, where a control unit applies specific tuning voltages to these elements based on sensitivity data obtained through experiments or simulation, to optimize signal intensity across different operating bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a communication device is held close to the user's face or gripped tightly, then the device is more convenient to use, but signal shielding effects occur causing poor reception quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of holdingVSAvoidreception quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic impedance matching by continuously monitoring signal conditions and adjusting the impedance matching circuit parameters in real-time. This allows the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions (such as hand holding positions) dynamically, maintaining optimal signal reception while preserving user convenience in holding the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes electrical parameters (impedance values) of the matching circuit components based on detected signal conditions. By adjusting parameters like capacitance and inductance values dynamically, the system compensates for signal shielding effects caused by different holding positions, thereby maintaining reception quality without restricting user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If impedance matching is performed for all adjustable elements with equal tuning steps, then the tuning process is simple, but tuning efficiency and matching precision are reduced due to varying sensitivities of different elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetuning simplicityVSAvoidimpedance matching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different tuning strategies to different adjustable elements based on their individual sensitivity characteristics. High-sensitivity elements receive finer tuning steps while low-sensitivity elements receive coarser tuning steps. This localized differentiation of tuning quality optimizes overall matching precision without unnecessarily complicating the tuning process for all elements equally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent focuses tuning efforts primarily on high-sensitivity elements that have greater impact on matching performance. By applying more tuning iterations and finer control to these critical elements while using simpler tuning for less sensitive elements, the system achieves high precision efficiently without the need for exhaustive uniform tuning of all elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of manufacture

If the impedance matching circuit uses fixed impedance values, then the circuit design is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different operating bands and environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit design simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to operating bands
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed impedance matching circuit into a dynamic one by incorporating controllable components (such as variable capacitors and inductors) that can adjust their values based on operating band selection and environmental conditions. This allows the same circuit design to serve multiple frequency bands and adapt to different usage scenarios while maintaining relatively simple overall architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the impedance matching circuit with adjustable elements that can serve multiple functions across different operating bands. By using components whose values can be changed (rather than fixed values), a single circuit design achieves universal applicability across multiple frequency ranges and environmental conditions, eliminating the need for separate fixed circuits for each band.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach dynamically compensates for impedance mismatching, maintaining communication quality by prioritizing tuning of highly sensitive elements, thereby improving signal reception in diverse environments and user-handling scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

an impedance matching circuit coupled to the antenna, wherein the impedance matching circuit has a plurality of control terminals for controlling an impedance of the impedance matching circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance matching: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a detection circuit, coupled to the impedance matching circuit, for generating a feedback signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2506429B1Method for performing dynamic impedance matching and a communication apparatus thereof
Publication Date: 2015.03.11 HTC CORP
  • EP2506429B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2506429B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2506429B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Method for performing dynamic impedance matching and communication apparatus thereof are provided. With respect to an operating band of an impedance matching circuit of a communication device, a first number of times of tuning are performed (S20) on a first element of an impedance matching circuit, and a second number of times of tuning are performed (S40) on a second element of the impedance matching circuit, wherein the first number is different from the second number.