Multi-Antenna Tuning Using Localization Variables for Hand Effects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio communication systems with multiple antennas face challenges in efficiently compensating for user interaction effects, such as 'hand effect' or 'finger effect,' which vary impedance matrices due to frequency changes and human body proximity, requiring complex and time-consuming or resource-intensive automatic tuning processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a multiple-antenna-port and multiple-radio-port antenna tuning apparatus with adjustable impedance devices, coupled with a sensor unit estimating localization variables, generates automatic tuning instructions quickly without large computational resources by utilizing a lookup table based on localization variables and frequencies, ensuring efficient impedance matching across multiple antennas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex automatic tuning processes are used to compensate for user interaction effects, then impedance matching accuracy is improved, but computational resources and processing time are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance matching accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores impedance matching solutions in lookup tables before actual operation. During runtime, the system only needs to query the appropriate lookup table based on detected localization variables (such as hand proximity or finger contact), rather than performing complex iterative calculations. This preliminary preparation of tuning data resolves the contradiction by providing accurate impedance matching without requiring heavy computational resources during actual use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If real-time impedance tuning is performed using traditional methods, then adaptation to user interaction is improved, but processing time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to user interactionVSAvoidtuning processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified models or representations of the complex impedance matching problem by pre-computing solutions for various localization variable scenarios and storing them in lookup tables. During operation, the system copies or retrieves the appropriate pre-computed solution based on current sensor readings, rather than recalculating from scratch. This copying approach enables rapid adaptation to user interaction while minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple antennas are tuned independently, then individual antenna performance is improved, but overall system complexity and tuning time are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual antenna performanceVSAvoidtuning speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tuning control of multiple antennas into a unified system managed by a single controller that uses shared lookup tables. Instead of independently tuning each antenna separately, the system coordinates multiple antennas through common control logic that queries unified lookup tables containing pre-computed impedance matching data for all antennas. This merging approach maintains individual antenna performance while significantly reducing overall tuning time and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3117483B1Radio communication using multiple antennas and localization variables
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3117483B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3117483B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3117483B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for radio communication using multiple antennas and localization variables, and to an apparatus for radio communication using multiple antennas and localization variables. An apparatus for radio communication of the invention comprises: 4 antennas (11) (12) (13) (14), the 4 antennas forming an antenna array (1); a radio device (5); a sensor unit (8) estimating a plurality of localization variables; an antenna tuning apparatus (3) having 4 antenna ports (311) (321) (331) (341), each of the antenna ports being coupled to one of the antennas through a feeder (21) (22) (23) (24), the antenna tuning apparatus having 4 radio ports (312) (322) (332) (342), each of the radio ports being coupled to the radio device (5) through an interconnection (41) (42) (43) (44); and a tuning control unit (7), the tuning control unit receiving a tuning instruction generated automatically within the apparatus for radio communication, the tuning control unit delivering a plurality of tuning control signals to the antenna tuning apparatus.