Planar Antenna Switching Current Paths for Multi-Frequency Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-frequency planar inverted-F antennas have a large volume, complex design, and cannot be flexibly switched to operate at multiple central frequencies, degrading communication quality due to increased parasitic elements and space occupation.

Innovation Solution

A planar antenna with a single radiator, utilizing a screening element to create dual current paths and a switch to toggle between frequency bands, allowing operation at multiple central frequencies without additional parasitic elements, thereby reducing volume and design complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parasitic antenna elements and/or other branches are added to form multiple current paths for multi-frequency operation, then the antenna can operate at multiple central frequencies, but the antenna volume and design complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-frequency operabilityVSAvoidantenna volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a switching mechanism that dynamically reconfigures the antenna's current paths. The switch can connect or disconnect different portions of the radiator, allowing a single physical antenna structure to operate at multiple frequency bands by changing its electrical configuration rather than using multiple fixed parasitic elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single radiator is designed to serve multiple functions across different frequency bands. By incorporating a switch that can create different current paths through the same radiator structure, the antenna achieves multi-frequency operability without requiring separate dedicated radiators for each frequency band

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parasitic antenna elements and/or other branches are added to form multiple current paths for multi-frequency operation, then the antenna can operate at multiple central frequencies, but the design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-frequency operabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching mechanism provides dynamic reconfiguration capability, allowing the antenna to adapt its electrical characteristics for different frequency bands. This dynamic approach simplifies design compared to static multi-element structures, as the same physical radiator can be electrically reconfigured rather than requiring complex fixed arrangements of multiple parasitic elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple current paths into a single radiator structure. Instead of designing separate parasitic elements for different frequencies, the invention combines them into one integrated radiator with switchable connections, reducing the number of discrete components and simplifying the overall design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parasitic antenna elements are added to achieve multi-frequency operation, then the antenna can transmit and receive signals at multiple operating frequencies, but the transceiving quality is degraded due to space occupation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-frequency operabilityVSAvoidtransceiving quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switching mechanism enables dynamic adaptation of the antenna's electrical length and configuration for optimal performance at different frequency bands. This allows the antenna to maintain good transceiving quality across multiple frequencies by reconfiguring its current paths rather than relying on fixed parasitic elements that may cause unwanted coupling and interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2523253B1Handheld device and planar antenna thereof
Publication Date: 2014.11.26 HTC CORP
  • EP2523253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2523253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2523253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A handheld device and a planar antenna thereof are provided. The planar antenna comprises a radiator, a screening element and a switch. The screening element is configured to make the planar antenna operating in a first high-frequency (HF ) current path and a first low-frequency (LF) current path, and the switch is configured to make the planar antenna operating in a second HF current path and a second LF current path. The planar antenna operates at a first HF central frequency corresponding to the first HF current path and a first LF central frequency corresponding to the first LF current path when the switch is turned off, and operates at a second HF central frequency corresponding to the second HF current path and a second LF central frequency corresponding to the second LF current path when the switch is turned on.