Inductively Coupled RF Probe Sleeve for Wireless Signal Boosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for improving cellular phone signal reception and transmission, such as closely spaced base stations and add-on antennas, fail to effectively embed a high-efficiency proximity probe within a phone sleeve for efficient coupling with internal antennas and external signal conduction.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve enclosure with an embedded RF probe positioned over the phone's internal antenna, dielectrically loaded for minimal interference, and connected via conductive paths to an external antenna, enhancing signal reception and transmission capabilities, and allowing integration with a remote antenna for extended range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an add-on antenna is provided to improve signal reception, then signal reception is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve enclosure is designed to nest over the cell phone, with the RF probe embedded within the sleeve structure. This nested configuration allows the signal boosting functionality to be integrated without requiring separate external components, thereby improving signal reception while minimizing increases in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the sleeve structure: it serves as both a protective case and a signal boosting device. The RF probe is integrated into the sleeve's construction, merging the antenna function with the enclosure function, thus improving signal reception without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If an RF probe is embedded in the sleeve for efficient coupling, then signal coupling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical antenna structures with an embedded RF probe that uses electromagnetic coupling. This substitution allows for more efficient signal coupling while enabling integration through conventional PCB or embedded conductor techniques, improving coupling efficiency without excessively increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric material embedded in the sleeve acts as an intermediary between the RF probe and the cell phone's internal antenna. This dielectric loading enhances the coupling efficiency by providing controlled impedance and electromagnetic field confinement, while the dielectric can be integrated into the molding process, balancing manufacturing feasibility
3Reliability
If the probe size is increased for better coupling, then signal coupling is improved, but interference with internal antenna increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF probe is designed with non-uniform dimensions, being thicker in the region that couples with the internal antenna and thinner in other regions. This local variation in geometry allows optimized electromagnetic coupling at the critical interface while minimizing the probe's overall footprint and interference with the internal antenna operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dielectric loading by embedding material with specific dielectric properties within the probe structure. This changes the electromagnetic parameters of the probe, enhancing coupling efficiency through increased electric field concentration in the coupling region while allowing the physical dimensions to remain small, thus avoiding interference with the internal antenna
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 solution provides improved RF signal range, minimal additional size and weight, cost-effective manufacturing, and ergonomic design while avoiding electrostatic interference, combining internal and external antenna capacities for enhanced communication.
Implementation Method 1
An RF probe embedded in the sleeve is positioned to lie over an internal antenna of the communication device for efficient RF coupling therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The probe is dielectrically loaded allowing for parallel operation of the cell phone's antenna and the sleeve's antenna for reception of RF signals
Data Source
AI summary
A passively re-radiating cell phone sleeve assembly capable of conforming to and nesting with a cell phone provides a partial enclosure capable of fitting over at least a portion of the cell phone. A multi-layer radio frequency (RF) coupling probe is fully embedded within the enclosure in a position that is in close proximity to an internal antenna of the cell phone when the enclosure is nested with the cell phone. A coupling probe is inductively coupled to the internal antenna for sharing RF signals and is desensitized from de-tuning the internal antenna of the cell phone. An external antenna is mounted on the enclosure; and a transmission line embedded within the enclosure joins the coupling probe and the external antenna for RF signal transfer. RF transmission signals of the cell phone are radiated from both the internal and the external antennae simultaneously and without mutual interference.