Shared Antenna Structures for Compact Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in designing compact wireless electronic devices that can efficiently support multiple wireless communications bands, including near-field and non-near-field communications, while minimizing interference and conserving space, as existing antennas often interfere with each other and device components, and require satisfactory performance across a range of frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using shared antenna structures formed from conductive housing components, such as peripheral conductive housing structures, to create both near-field and non-near-field communications antennas, with multiplexing circuitry and baluns to manage signal coupling and frequency coverage, allowing for simultaneous operation across various bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate antennas are used for near-field and non-near-field communications, then each antenna can be optimized for its specific frequency band, but the device size increases and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines near-field and non-near-field communication antennas into a single integrated antenna structure. The antenna is designed with multiple operational modes that can be selectively activated through circuit switching, allowing one physical antenna to serve multiple frequency bands and communication standards, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining performance
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated antenna is designed to be universal, supporting both near-field magnetic coupling communications and non-near-field electromagnetic wave communications. By incorporating switching circuitry and multiple operational configurations, the single antenna structure can adapt to different communication modes and frequency bands, eliminating the need for separate dedicated antennas
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are incorporated to cover various communication bands, then communication versatility is improved, but antenna interference and component interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple antenna functions into a single integrated structure, the patent eliminates the spatial proximity of multiple separate antennas that would cause mutual interference. The integrated design with switching circuitry allows different communication bands to operate sequentially or in isolated modes, preventing harmful electromagnetic coupling between antennas while maintaining broad band coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces switching circuitry and isolation components as intermediaries between the integrated antenna and different communication transceivers. These intermediary elements control signal routing and provide electromagnetic isolation when different communication modes are active, preventing interference while enabling versatile multi-band operation
3Volume of moving object
If compact antenna structures are used to reduce device size, then space is conserved, but performance across multiple frequencies becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically reconfigurable antenna elements with switching circuitry that can adjust the antenna's electrical characteristics based on the active communication mode. By dynamically changing impedance, resonance frequency, and current distribution patterns, the compact antenna structure can optimize performance for different frequency bands despite its small physical dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated antenna design incorporates variable parameters such as switchable capacitive loading, inductive tuning elements, and reconfigurable ground planes that allow adjustment of resonant frequencies and impedance matching. These parameter changes enable the compact antenna to maintain satisfactory performance across multiple frequency bands by adapting its electrical properties to match the requirements of different communication standards
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 approach enables efficient use of space in electronic devices by sharing antenna structures for multiple communication bands, reducing interference and ensuring satisfactory performance across a range of frequencies, thereby enhancing the overall wireless communications capabilities of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
Near-field communications schemes involve electromagnetically coupled communications over short distances, typically 20 cm or less
Implementation Method 2
Baluns may be used in coupling near-field communications transceiver circuitry to the near-field communications antennas
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device may have multiple near-field communications antennas. Multiplexer circuitry may have a transceiver port that is coupled to a near-field communications transceiver, and multiple antenna ports coupled to respective near-field communications antennas. Non-near-field communications antennas may be used by non- near-field communications circuitry. The electronic device may have a housing with opposing first and second ends and a display. One of the near-field communications antennas and one of the non-near-field communications antenna may be formed from shared antenna structures at the first end. Another of the near-field communications antennas and another of the non-near-field communications antennas may be formed from shared antenna structures at the second end. An additional near field communications antenna may be overlapped by the display.