Foldable Device Antenna Switching Using Radiation Power and IQ
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with foldable displays experience performance degradation due to user grip, which affects antenna radiation performance.
Innovation Solution
The device includes a first and a second antenna, a switch, and an RF communication circuit that performs control to determine radiation power and IQ values, switching to the second antenna when the IQ value meets a condition to maintain optimal radiation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single antenna is used in a foldable electronic device, then the device structure is simple, but the wireless signal quality deteriorates due to user grip affecting antenna performance
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple antennas (first antenna and second antenna) positioned at different locations. The first antenna is disposed on a first side surface while the second antenna is disposed on a second side surface, allowing the system to segment the antenna function across multiple elements to compensate for performance degradation caused by user grip on any single antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters by switching between different antennas based on detected conditions. When the processor detects that the first antenna's radiation performance has deteriorated (through monitoring reflected waves or other parameters), it changes the active antenna from the first antenna to the second antenna, thereby adapting the system parameters to maintain optimal wireless signal quality.
2Reliability
If antenna switching is performed frequently to maintain signal quality, then wireless signal quality is maintained, but the switching operation speed and response time become critical
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors the radiation performance of the active antenna (through detecting reflected waves or other parameters) and automatically switches to an alternative antenna when deterioration is detected. This closed-loop feedback ensures that antenna switching is triggered only when necessary, optimizing both signal quality maintenance and switching speed efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: a first antenna included in a first side surface of a housing and a portion of a second side surface of the housing; a second antenna segmented from the first antenna and included in the second side surface; a switch selectively coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna; a front end module connected to the switch; and an RF communication circuit that transmits an RF signal to the first antenna and the second antenna or receives an RF signal through the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the RF communication circuit controls to communicate using the first antenna, determines whether radiation power through the first antenna is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and if the radiation power through the first antenna is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, checks the IQ value of the first antenna, determines whether the IQ value corresponds to a switching condition of the second antenna, and if the IQ value corresponds to the switching condition of the second antenna, may switch the first antenna to the second antenna.