Multi-Loop Coil Antenna for Reliable Wireless Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face challenges in maintaining reliable local-area wireless communication due to varying distances, locations, and angles with external devices, leading to interrupted connections and failure to recognize multiple devices simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An antenna structure comprising a coil antenna with multiple loops, where the first coil is shaped to rotate a specific number of times in a direction and the second coil is extended from it, allowing for enhanced magnetic field strength and recognition of multiple tags by adjusting the rotation direction and number of times, thereby improving communication range and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single antenna is used for local-area wireless communication, then the device complexity is low, but the communication reliability deteriorates due to interrupted connections depending on location and distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into multiple loops (first loop, second loop, third loop) with different orientations and configurations. Each loop segment contributes to the overall magnetic field in a specific direction, ensuring that at least one loop maintains effective communication regardless of the external device's position or orientation, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure employs nested loops where the second loop is positioned within or adjacent to the first loop, and the third loop is oriented perpendicular to the first two. This nested configuration allows the antenna to generate magnetic fields in multiple directions simultaneously, improving communication reliability across different spatial orientations while maintaining a compact structure that doesn't excessively increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If the antenna structure is simplified, then the manufacturing precision requirement is low, but the magnetic field strength deteriorates leading to limited recognition range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field strengthVSAvoidcoil configuration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different loops are designed with specific local qualities - the first and second loops are configured to generate magnetic fields in horizontal directions, while the third loop generates magnetic field in a vertical direction. Each loop's geometry, size, and orientation are locally optimized to maximize magnetic field strength in its specific direction, achieving strong omnidirectional coverage without requiring excessive manufacturing precision across the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure can be implemented using composite configurations where conductive traces are formed on flexible substrates or integrated with ferrite materials. This composite approach enhances magnetic field strength through material properties while the modular loop design allows for tolerance in manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between strength and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used to improve communication coverage, then the recognition range expands, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional loops are merged into a single integrated antenna structure rather than using separate antenna components. The first, second, and third loops are electrically connected and physically integrated, combining the functions of multiple antennas into one unified structure. This achieves comprehensive communication coverage in multiple directions while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple separate antenna systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-loop antenna structure serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as a single antenna unit while providing omnidirectional magnetic field generation, impedance matching, and resonance tuning capabilities. The same structure supports both near-field communication and extended-range communication modes, achieving versatility without increasing system complexity through additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The proposed antenna structure enhances communication performance by expanding the recognition range and distance, ensuring stable tag recognition and reducing communication failures, even in complex device configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a communication module 710 and a processor 720. The communication module 710 may include a coil antenna 10, a connection part 20, a signal processing module 30, a metallic antenna 40, and a second filter module 60

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the protection sheet layer 413 may include a first adhesive layer 406, a ferrite sheet 407, a second adhesive layer 408, and a graphite sheet 409

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3335269B1Antenna structure and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3335269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3335269B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3335269B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a communication circuit configured to communicate with an external device, and a processor configured to control the communication circuit, wherein the communication circuit includes a coil antenna including a first coil of a loop type which rotates with a number of times in a first direction, and a second coil of a loop type which is extended from the first coil, configured to rotate with a number of times in a second direction, and spaced from the first coil by a specific distance, and an antenna control circuit electrically connected with the coil antenna and configured to transmit or receive a signal with the coil antenna.