Re-configurable Built-in Antenna for Portable Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminals face challenges in reducing size and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of electromagnetic waves while maintaining multi-band functionality and radiation performance, as existing antennas require increased size and are inflexible in frequency and radiation pattern changes.
Innovation Solution
A re-configurable built-in antenna with a switching element that selectively connects ground pads to the antenna radiator, allowing for shape changes through simple switching operations to accommodate various frequency bands and radiation patterns without altering the antenna's hardware structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a PIFA-type antenna with fixed pattern and shorting point position is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the frequency property becomes fixed and cannot support multiple bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna radiator configurable through switching elements that can change the electrical connection status of ground pads. This allows the same physical antenna structure to dynamically adapt its electrical characteristics to support multiple frequency bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS, LTE) without requiring multiple fixed antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single antenna radiator that can serve multiple frequency bands and radiation patterns through configurable ground connections. The same antenna structure universally supports GSM, UMTS, and LTE bands by selectively connecting different ground pads, eliminating the need for separate antennas for each band.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna size is increased to support multiple bands, then multi-band functionality is achieved, but the portable terminal size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to enable a compact antenna structure to achieve multi-band functionality through switching elements that reconfigure the electrical length and ground connections. This allows the same small physical space to support multiple frequency bands by changing the electrical configuration rather than increasing physical dimensions.
3Reliability
If different antennas are developed for different regions, then regional performance requirements are met, but development costs and schedule delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a single antenna design that can universally serve all regional requirements (Korea, Europe, America, Asia) through software-controlled switching configurations. This eliminates the need for region-specific antenna hardware, reducing development costs and enabling global roaming capability in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the electrical configuration parameters (ground pad connections, switching states) of the same antenna structure to meet different regional performance requirements. This allows regional optimization through parameter adjustment rather than hardware redesign.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a switching element is added to change ground position, then frequency band switching is enabled, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by integrating switching elements that dynamically change the ground connection positions. This enables frequency band switching (GSM 850/900) by dynamically reconfiguring which ground pads are electrically connected, allowing the antenna to adapt its electrical length and resonance characteristics for different bands.
Data Source
AI summary
A re-reconfigurable built-in antenna of a portable terminal is provided. The antenna includes an antenna radiator having a feeding pad electrically connected to a feeding portion of a main board of the terminal and at least one ground pad disposed in a position different from that of the feeding pad for selectively establishing an electrical connection to a ground portion of the terminal, and a switching element, commonly connected to the at least one ground pad of the antenna radiator, for selectively establishing an electrical connection to the ground portion by a switching operation. The antenna radiator changes a shape of the antenna radiator by using the selective electrical connection of the ground portion so as to have various operational frequency bands and radiation properties.