Foldable Satellite Antenna Alignment Across Changing Housing Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

When the state (e.g., shape) of an electronic device changes, the electromagnetic influence on the satellite communication antenna changes, causing degradation in radio transmission and reception performance.

Innovation Solution

A foldable electronic device with a foldable housing, displays, an antenna, wireless communication circuit, memory, sensors, and a processor that adjusts the antenna's radiation direction and orientation based on the device's angle and state to ensure optimal satellite communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device changes its state (e.g., shape) to enable foldable functionality, then the adaptability and versatility of the device is improved, but the electromagnetic influence on the satellite communication antenna changes causing degradation in radio transmission and reception performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoldable functionalityVSAvoidradio transmission and reception performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the antenna system based on the foldable device's state. The antenna radiation direction is dynamically changed according to the angle between housing portions detected by sensors, ensuring optimal satellite communication performance in each foldable state (unfolded, folded, intermediate angles). This resolves the contradiction by making the antenna system adaptive to structural changes rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where sensors detect the angle between first and second housing portions, and the processor uses this information to determine the radiation direction of the antenna. The system continuously monitors the device state and adjusts the antenna orientation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliable satellite communication despite changes in device configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the antenna radiation direction is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the radio transmission and reception performance degrades when the device state changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna control systemVSAvoidradio transmission and reception performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system performs self-adjustment based on device state without requiring external intervention. The sensors automatically detect the housing angle, the processor determines the appropriate radiation direction, and the antenna orientation is adjusted accordingly. This self-service mechanism maintains communication performance while avoiding the need for complex manual adjustment interfaces or external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures reliable satellite communication by allowing users to adjust the device's transformation pattern or orientation to maintain smooth radio wave transmission and reception.

Implementation Method 1

The wireless communication circuit is configured to communicate with a satellite through the antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

identify an angle between the first housing and the second housing through at least one sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4693740A1Electronic device including satellite communication antenna, and operation method thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4693740A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693740A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4693740A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A foldable electronic device according to the present disclosure causes a processor, when executed, to: identify an angle between a first housing and a second housing through at least one sensor; identify a radiation direction of an antenna depending on the angle the first and second housings from information stored in a memory; identify an orientation of the foldable electronic device through at least one sensor; display, through a first display or a second display, an UI for prompting a user to adjust the orientation of the foldable electronic device so that a radiation direction is directed to a satellite on the basis of the radiation direction of the antenna and the orientation of the foldable electronic device.