Multi-Antenna Positioning for Orientation-Robust External Device Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with limited antenna configurations face challenges in accurately determining the position of external devices due to restricted coverage and orientation-dependent information, which can be exacerbated by increased production costs and size when attempting to enhance antenna numbers.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device equipped with a communication circuit connected to multiple antennas, utilizing phase differences and time information from signals received through these antennas to determine the position of an external device, allowing for improved accuracy and coverage without the need for extensive antenna arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of antennas is increased to improve coverage and positioning accuracy, then positioning accuracy and coverage are improved, but production cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing antennas serve multiple functions: they are used both for wireless communication and for positioning determination. By reusing the same antenna array for both communication signals and positioning signals, the system achieves accurate positioning without adding dedicated positioning antennas, thus avoiding increased device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication circuit is configured to perform multiple functions: it handles both regular communication data transmission and positioning signal reception. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated positioning hardware, maintaining device simplicity while achieving accurate positioning through phase difference calculations from received signals.
2Area of stationary object
If the number of antennas is increased to expand coverage area, then coverage is improved, but production cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends positioning coverage by utilizing spatial dimensionality through phase difference measurements across multiple antennas. Instead of adding more antennas to physically expand coverage area, the system uses the existing antenna array's spatial configuration to determine positions in three-dimensional space through signal phase analysis, achieving expanded coverage capability without increasing physical device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing antenna array is utilized for dual purposes: maintaining wireless communication coverage and enabling extended positioning coverage. By processing positioning signals through the same antenna infrastructure used for communication, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without requiring additional dedicated positioning antennas.
3Measurement precision
If antenna configuration is optimized for specific orientations, then positioning accuracy is improved for that orientation, but adaptability to different orientations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric antenna array configuration where antennas are positioned at different spatial locations and orientations. This asymmetric arrangement allows the system to receive positioning signals from multiple directions simultaneously, enabling accurate position determination regardless of the external device's orientation or the device's holding position, thus achieving high adaptability across all orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is designed to universally handle positioning signals from any orientation. By configuring multiple antennas in a spatial arrangement that covers various angles and directions, the system can determine positions accurately whether the device is held horizontally, vertically, or at any intermediate angle, making the positioning function adaptable to all user orientations without requiring reconfiguration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the accuracy and range of position determination for external devices using multiple antennas, addressing the limitations of limited antenna configurations while maintaining device size and cost efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receive a first signal including first data from an external electronic device using the first antenna and the second antenna, receive a second signal including second data from the external electronic device using the third antenna, and determine a position of the external electronic device based on a phase difference of the first signal
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device is disclosed that includes a communication circuit electrically connected to a first antenna or a third antenna and electrically connected to a second antenna, at least one processor, and a memory. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to receive a first signal including first data from an external electronic device using the first antenna and the second antenna, receive a second signal including second data from the external electronic device using the third antenna, and determine a position of the external electronic device based on a phase difference of the first signal, time information of the first data, and time information of the second data. In addition to the above, various embodiments understood through the present disclosure are possible.