Shared Antenna Tuning for GNSS and Cellular Signal Conflicts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices face signal attenuation and unnecessary power expenditure due to shared antenna tuning for cellular and GNSS operations, which can result in degraded GNSS signal quality and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of independent power control for GNSS receivers and the use of antenna tuning strategies that deactivate or blank GNSS receivers during cellular operations, along with deactivating GNSS L1 receivers during LEO satellite transmissions, to mitigate signal interference and reduce power output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the GNSS receiver remains active during cellular operations, then continuous GNSS signal reception is maintained, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGNSS signal reception continuityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The GNSS receiver operates periodically rather than continuously. It is activated only during GNSS operational modes and deactivated during cellular operations. This periodic operation maintains necessary GNSS functionality while eliminating unnecessary power consumption during cellular-only periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards GNSS reception functionality during cellular operations by deactivating the GNSS receiver, and recovers it when GNSS operations are needed. This selective activation pattern eliminates waste while maintaining capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple signaling operations are conducted concurrently, then device functionality is enhanced, but signal attenuation occurs at certain frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system resolves concurrent signaling conflicts dynamically by detecting the active communication protocol and adjusting antenna frequency accordingly. When cellular signaling is active, the antenna tunes to cellular frequency; when GNSS signaling is active, it tunes to GNSS frequency, preventing frequency-based attenuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary antenna tuning before each signaling operation. By pre-configuring the antenna frequency to match the upcoming signaling protocol, the system prevents signal attenuation before it occurs, ensuring optimal signal quality for the intended operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12228655B1Systems and methods for shared antenna tuning

Publication Date: 2025.02.18 APPLE INC

AI summary

This disclosure is directed to shared antenna tuning. An electronic device may receive a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) tune request to tune a shared antenna to a GNSS signal frequency. The electronic device may then tune the antenna to the GNSS signal frequency and enable a GNSS receiver. The electronic device may also receive a cellular tune request to tune the antenna to a cellular frequency. The electronic device may tune the antenna to a cellular frequency and may deactivate the GNSS receiver or blank the GNSS receiver. In some embodiments, the electronic device may also communicate with a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. During LEO satellite communication, the electronic device may transmit a signal to blank a GNSS L1 receiver to avoid signal interference with the LEO satellite communication, and activate a GNSS L5 receiver to receive GNSS signals.