Segmented Conductive Antenna with Switching Circuit for Multi-Band Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with slim designs face challenges in accommodating multiple antenna bands due to limited space, leading to degraded radiation performance when frequency bands shift, especially in low, mid, and high bands, and it's difficult to implement all required bands while meeting network operator specifications and specific absorption rate standards.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a housing with conductive members segmented by dielectric materials, allowing for multi-band antenna operation by adjusting the electric length of the conductive members using a switching circuit to selectively connect or disconnect the conductive pattern, preventing interference across frequency bands and maintaining radiation performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If service bands having similar frequency bands are bound and distributed to multiple antennas to overcome limited antenna volume space, then the number of antenna emitters can be reduced, but radiation performance is degraded when frequency bands shift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna volume spaceVSAvoidradiation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a switching circuit that dynamically adjusts the electrical length of the conductive member based on the operating frequency band. When the low band frequency shifts, the switching circuit reconfigures the antenna structure to maintain proper electrical length for mid and high bands, preventing radiation performance degradation while adapting to frequency variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical length parameter of the conductive member by selectively connecting or disconnecting segments through the switching circuit. This parameter adjustment allows the antenna to maintain optimal performance across different frequency bands, particularly when low band frequency shifts occur, without requiring separate antenna elements for each band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operating frequency band of the low band is shifted by adjusting the electric length of the conductive member, then the low band frequency can be adapted, but the operating frequency band of the mid band and/or high band is shifted and radiation performance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band adaptabilityVSAvoidradiation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive member is divided into multiple segments that can be independently connected or disconnected through the switching circuit. This segmentation allows selective adjustment of the electrical length for different frequency bands - when low band frequency shifts, only the relevant segments are reconfigured while other segments maintain the proper electrical length for mid and high bands, preventing cascading performance degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching circuit dynamically reconfigures the antenna structure in real-time based on the detected operating frequency band. This dynamic adjustment ensures that when the low band frequency shifts, the electrical length of the conductive member is optimized for the current operating band while maintaining proper performance for other bands, adapting to frequency variations without degrading overall radiation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If unit metal members are disconnected from each other by a segment and electrically connected to operate in multiple frequency bands, then multi-band operation is achieved, but frequency shifts in one band cause shifts in other bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-band operationVSAvoidfrequency band stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is segmented into multiple independent conductive members that can be selectively connected or disconnected. Each segment can be independently optimized for specific frequency bands, and the switching circuit controls which segments are active based on the operating band. This independent segmentation prevents frequency shifts in one band from affecting other bands, as each segment's electrical length can be independently maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different segments of the conductive member have different local properties optimized for specific frequency bands. The switching circuit enables selective activation of segments based on the operating band, ensuring that each segment operates in its optimized frequency range. This local optimization maintains frequency band stability even when operating across multiple bands, as each segment's characteristics are tailored to its intended frequency range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution enables reliable multi-band antenna operation without degrading radiation performance, even when frequency bands shift, ensuring compliance with network standards and minimizing human exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

Implementation Method 1

conductive members segmented by dielectric materials, allowing for multi-band antenna operation by adjusting the electric length of the conductive members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

conductive members segmented by dielectric materials, preventing interference across frequency bands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic isolation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3293816B1Antenna and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3293816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3293816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3293816B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is provided, which includes a housing; a conductive member forming a part of the housing or disposed on an inside of the housing; a communication circuit electrically connected to a first region of the conductive member; a conductive pattern electrically connected to a second region of the conductive member; and a switching circuit disposed on an electric path between the conductive pattern and the conductive member that controls a switching operation to selectively, electrically connect and disconnect the conductive pattern to and from the conductive member.