Adaptive Beamforming for Foldable Device Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to maintain effective antenna performance during transformations of electronic devices, such as folding, which can degrade antenna performance in 5G communication systems operating in the millimeter-wave band, particularly when the device's exterior is altered.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a housing with movable portions, array antennas, and a processor that adjusts beamforming configurations based on the device's state, using sensors to determine whether it is unfolded or folded, and activates appropriate antenna elements to maintain communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the antenna is disposed at a fixed position in the electronic device, then the antenna structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the antenna performance is degraded when the device is folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the antenna configuration adaptive to the device's physical state. The antenna elements are selectively activated based on whether the device is in a folded or unfolded state, transforming the static antenna system into a dynamic one that adjusts its operational characteristics according to real-time conditions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable performance through state-dependent activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying which antenna elements are active based on the device state. The processor changes the operational parameters of the antenna system by selecting different subsets of antenna elements for transmission and reception depending on whether the device is folded or unfolded. This allows the same physical antenna structure to maintain optimal performance across different device configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the exterior of the electronic device is transformed (folded), then the device is more versatile and adaptable, but the antenna performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect the device's folded or unfolded state and using this information to control which antenna elements are activated. The system continuously monitors the device state and adjusts the antenna configuration accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures optimal antenna performance regardless of the device's physical transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the antenna system dynamic by linking it to the device's physical state through sensor feedback. The antenna configuration automatically adapts to the device's transformed or original state, ensuring that communication performance is maintained even when the device exterior is transformed for different use scenarios.
3Productivity
If beamforming signals are output without considering device state, then the communication circuit operates continuously, but beam coverage is insufficient when the device is folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary subset of antenna elements based on the device state. Instead of using all antenna elements continuously, the system selectively activates specific elements that provide adequate beam coverage for the current device configuration. This maintains communication productivity while ensuring sufficient beam coverage by focusing resources on the most effective antenna elements.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion configured to be movable such that the second portion is capable of being folded with respect to the first portion, a first array antenna disposed at the first portion and including a first antenna element and a second antenna element, a second array antenna including a third antenna element and a fourth antenna element, and disposed at the second portion such that the third antenna element is aligned with the first antenna element and the fourth antenna element is aligned with the second antenna element when the electronic device is in a folded state in which the second portion of the housing is folded with respect to the first portion by using the third portion, a communication circuit electrically connected to the first array antenna and the second array antenna, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to: determine whether the electronic device is in an unfolded state or a folded state based on the second portion being in the unfolded state or folded state with respect to the first portion by using the third portion, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, form a first beam through the first antenna element and the second antenna element or a second beam through the third antenna element and the fourth antenna element by using the communication circuit, and when the electronic device is in the folded state, form a third beam through the first antenna element and the third antenna element or a fourth beam through the second antenna element and the fourth antenna element by using the communication circuit.