Reconfigurable Printed Loop Antenna for Wider Frequency Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Single radiation mode loop antennas struggle with relatively low radiation efficiency across different frequency bands, resulting in a small coverage area for operating frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A printed antenna design featuring a loop antenna body with multiple branches and switch components that can connect or disconnect adjacent branches, allowing for adjustable operating frequencies and directivity patterns by controlling the switch components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single radiation mode loop antenna is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the operating frequency coverage area is small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna structureVSAvoidoperating frequency coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The loop antenna body is divided into multiple loop antenna branches (first, second, third, and fourth branches), with switch components positioned between adjacent branches. This segmentation allows different portions of the loop to be selectively activated, creating multiple effective perimeter configurations that correspond to different operating frequencies, thereby expanding frequency coverage while maintaining a physically compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Switch components (such as diodes or 0-ohm resistors) are introduced between adjacent loop antenna branches to dynamically reconfigure the antenna perimeter. By controlling the on/off state of these switches, the effective perimeter length of the loop antenna can be adjusted, enabling the antenna to adapt to different operating frequencies and coverage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If switch components are added to enable frequency adjustment, then the operating frequency coverage area is expanded, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating frequency coverage areaVSAvoidantenna structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrical parameters of the antenna by selectively activating different loop branches through switch components. By altering the effective perimeter length (a key parameter determining resonant frequency) through switch configuration, the antenna can operate across multiple frequency bands without requiring physically separate antenna structures for each frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple loop antenna branches are used to expand coverage, then the operating frequency coverage area is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectivity pattern coverage areaVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The printed loop antenna structure serves multiple functions: it can operate at different frequencies and provide different directivity patterns (omnidirectional, directional, sector coverage) depending on the switch configuration. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated printed circuit board design, eliminating the need for multiple separate antenna assemblies and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

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

Expands the operating frequency and directivity pattern coverage area, enabling flexible selection and enhancing radiation efficiency across various frequency bands.

Implementation Method 1

When transmitting, the antenna converts a high-frequency current of a transmitter into a spatial electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

When receiving, the antenna converts an electromagnetic wave intercepted from space into a high-frequency current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4068511B1Printed antenna
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4068511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4068511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4068511B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a printed antenna, to expand an operating frequency and a directivity pattern coverage mode that can be selected by the antenna. The printed antenna is printed on a substrate, a feed module is further disposed on the substrate, and the printed antenna includes a loop antenna body, a feed port, and a switch component. The loop antenna body includes a first end and a second end, there is a spacing between the first end and the second end, a connection line between the first end and the second end forms a closed loop with the loop antenna body, the first end is connected to the feed module by using the feed port, and the second end is connected to a ground point (GND). The feed module is configured to output a feed signal to the loop antenna body by using the feed port. The loop antenna body includes a plurality of loop antenna branches, the switch component is disposed between every two adjacent loop antenna branches, and the switch component is configured to connect or disconnect the two adjacent loop antenna branches.