Foldable Antenna Operation Switching for Stable Short-Range Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable or rollable electronic devices, the changing distance between antennas due to the angle or sliding position affects the performance of short-range wireless communication, leading to reduced transmission/reception rates and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device adjusts its wireless communication operation based on the angle or sliding state of its housing structures, switching between high-performance and low-performance modes to maintain optimal communication quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the device uses a foldable housing to improve portability and flexibility, then the device can be folded to smaller sizes, but the distance between antennas decreases causing degradation of wireless communication performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wireless communication operation mode changeable based on the folding state. The device dynamically switches between first operation mode (when folded) and second operation mode (when unfolded), allowing the system to adapt to changing antenna distances and maintain communication reliability throughout the device's range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of wireless communication based on folding state. When the device is folded, it switches to a first operation mode with parameters optimized for shorter antenna distances, and when unfolded, it uses a second operation mode for longer distances. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching communication settings to the current physical state.
2Reliability
If multiple antennas are disposed in different housings to reduce interference, then wireless communication performance improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first housing structure and second housing structure into a unified foldable device, integrating multiple antennas within this combined structure. By optimizing the antenna arrangement and operational modes within the merged structure, the patent achieves good wireless communication performance without requiring completely separate housings for each antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic operation mode switching to manage the complexity of having multiple antennas in a foldable structure. Rather than requiring complex physical isolation mechanisms, the system dynamically adjusts communication parameters based on the folding state, simplifying the overall structural design while maintaining performance.
3Productivity
If the device operates in high-performance wireless mode when folded, then data transmission rate is maximized, but communication reliability degrades due to reduced antenna distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes wireless communication parameters based on the folding state. When folded, it uses a first operation mode with parameters suited for shorter antenna distances, and when unfolded, it switches to a second operation mode for longer distances. This ensures both high transmission rates and reliable communication across different physical states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the folding state (first state or second state) and automatically adjusting the operation mode accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that the communication parameters always match the current antenna distance, maintaining both speed and reliability without manual intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to various embodiments of an electronic device and an operation method thereof, the electronic device comprises: a foldable housing which includes a first housing structure and a second housing structure, wherein the first housing structure and the second housing structure can be folded about a hinge structure; a first antenna disposed in the first housing structure; a second antenna disposed in the second housing structure; a communication circuit which is electrically connected to the first antenna and/or the second antenna, and transmits and receives data via a first link and/or a second link generated between the electronic device and an external electronic device; and a processor operatively connected to the communication circuit. The processor may be configured to: check whether the angle between the first housing structure and the second housing structure satisfies designated conditions; and control the communication circuit to transmit a signal, related to a change in the operation of short-range wireless communication, through at least one of the first link or the second link on the basis of whether the angle satisfies the designated conditions. Various other embodiments are possible.