PCB Sidewall Ring Antennas Switched by Orientation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable ring devices face challenges in efficiently determining their orientation and optimizing antenna performance for reliable radio frequency (RF) signal transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A ring device with a printed circuit board featuring dual antenna patterns on opposite sides, coupled with sensors and processing circuitry, which determines its orientation and selectively activates the appropriate antenna pattern for optimal RF signal transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single antenna pattern is used in the ring device, then the device structure is simple, but the antenna performance is insufficient for reliable RF signal transmission and reception in all orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple antenna patterns (first antenna pattern and second antenna pattern) formed on different parts of the printed circuit board. Each antenna pattern is positioned to face different directions, allowing the ring device to maintain reliable RF communication regardless of its orientation on the user's finger.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the printed circuit board are assigned different antenna patterns with specific orientations. The first antenna pattern is positioned to face a first direction while the second antenna pattern faces a second direction, ensuring that at least one antenna pattern is optimally oriented for communication in any given scenario.
2Reliability
If the ring device uses multiple antenna patterns, then the antenna performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring device dynamically selects which antenna pattern to use based on its detected orientation. The processor determines the orientation of the ring device and selectively activates the appropriate antenna pattern (first or second) to ensure optimal RF signal transmission and reception, rather than using all antenna patterns simultaneously or statically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to detect the orientation of the ring device and automatically adjusts which antenna pattern is active for RF communication. This closed-loop control ensures that the most suitable antenna pattern is always used based on the current physical state of the device.
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 enables improved antenna performance and efficient RF signal management based on the ring device's orientation, enhancing communication reliability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
transmit and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal using any one of the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A ring device includes: a printed circuit board including an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a side surface extending from an edge of the upper surface to an edge of the lower surface; a first antenna pattern formed on a first part of the side surface; a second antenna pattern formed on a second part opposite to the first part of the side surface; at least one sensor disposed on the printed circuit board; and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, operatively coupled to the first antenna pattern, the second antenna pattern, and the at least one sensor. At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, is configured to: determine an orientation of the ring device using the at least one sensor; and control the ring device to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal using any one of the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern, based on the determined orientation.