Foldable Display Antenna Control for IMD3 Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable and rollable electronic devices, the varying physical distance between antennas due to structural changes leads to increased 3rd inter-modulation distortion (IMD3), which interferes with original signals and is difficult to filter, especially when IMD3 frequencies are close to the original input frequencies.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a sensor module and processor that detects folding or unfolding operations, generates folding information based on the angle between housings, and adjusts antenna output accordingly to minimize IMD3 by configuring power back-off values, and turns off antenna power when in a weak electric field to reduce performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple transmission antennas are used to improve wireless communication capacity, then network capacity is improved, but 3rd inter-modulation distortion (IMD3) occurs which interferes with original signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna system adaptable to different spatial configurations. The foldable device's housing allows antennas to dynamically change their relative positions and distances based on the folding angle, transforming a static antenna arrangement into a dynamic one that can optimize performance for different usage scenarios while managing inter-modulation distortion effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the physical distance between antennas through the folding mechanism. As the folding angle changes, the distance between antennas located on different housings varies, which directly affects the inter-modulation distortion characteristics. This parameter change allows the system to manage IMD3 by adjusting antenna spacing according to the device's folded or unfolded state
2Ease of operation
If the terminal is folded to improve portability, then convenience to carry is improved, but the physical distance between antennas becomes closer causing increased IMD3
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable housing structure enables dynamic reconfiguration of antenna positions. When folded, antennas on opposite housings move closer; when unfolded, they separate. This dynamic spatial arrangement allows the system to accept increased IMD3 in folded state for portability while maintaining better performance in unfolded state for communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of reduced antenna distance in folded state into a manageable characteristic. By acknowledging that folding naturally reduces distance and increases IMD3, the system design accepts this trade-off and manages it through antenna placement strategies and power control, transforming the structural constraint into a known parameter that can be compensated for
3Volume of moving object
If the display is reduced to improve compactness, then compactness is improved, but the physical distance between antennas becomes closer causing increased IMD3
Solution Approach 1:
The rollable or slidable display mechanism creates a dynamic relationship between display size and antenna spacing. As the display is extended or retracted, the overall device length changes, which directly affects the physical distance between antennas. This dynamic coupling allows compactness to be achieved when rolled up while accepting increased IMD3, with better performance restored when fully extended
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing structure including a plurality of antennas; a hinge; a first housing connected to the hinge and including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and a second housing connected to the hinge and including a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, a sensor module; and a processor operatively connected to the sensor module. The processor detects an unfolding operation or a folding operation between the first housing and the second housing using the sensor module, generate folding information on the unfolding operation or the folding operation based on a folding angle formed between the first housing and the second housing, when the unfolding operation or the folding operation is detected, and control an output of at least one antenna based on the folding information.