Reconfigurable Smart Antenna Array for MIMO Wireless Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices with multiple antennas face performance issues due to mutual coupling, correlation, and material losses, especially in handheld devices where compactness is a constraint, and existing MIMO systems struggle with correlated fading which affects signal efficiency and range.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable smart antenna array with multiple elements that can be selectively switched between active and inactive states based on detected radio access technologies, such as switching one antenna to an open or grounded state, to reduce correlation and coupling, and automatically adjust configurations to optimize performance for different communication standards like GSM, UMTS, and LTE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas are used in handheld devices to improve communication performance, then data throughput and reliability are enhanced, but mutual coupling losses and correlation between antennas increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different antenna elements based on detected radio access technologies. The control circuit automatically selects between first and second antenna elements, switching them between active and inactive states to optimize performance for each specific technology (e.g., GSM, UMTS, LTE), thereby reducing mutual coupling losses when multiple antennas are not needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the antenna array by detecting available radio access technologies and adjusting the antenna configuration accordingly. The control circuit modifies which antenna elements are active based on the detected technology, changing the effective number of antennas and their connectivity to minimize harmful coupling effects while maintaining communication reliability
2Productivity
If multiple antenna elements are always active to support MIMO communications, then spectral efficiency is improved, but antenna efficiency decreases due to increased correlation and coupling in compact handheld devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the antenna configuration based on the detected radio access technology. When MIMO technologies like LTE are detected, multiple antenna elements are activated to maximize spectral efficiency. When technologies like GSM or UMTS are detected, the system switches to a single antenna element to maintain antenna efficiency and reduce correlation effects, thus optimizing the trade-off between productivity and energy loss
3Object-generated harmful factors
If antenna elements are switched between active and inactive states to reduce correlation, then mutual coupling losses are minimized, but device complexity increases due to switching circuits and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit automatically detects available radio access technologies and autonomously determines which antenna elements should be active without requiring manual user intervention. The system self-adjusts the antenna configuration based on the detected technology, reducing correlation effects while minimizing the operational complexity for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is designed with multiple antenna elements that can be selectively activated based on the detected radio access technology. This multi-functional design allows the same physical antenna structure to serve different communication standards (GSM, UMTS, LTE) with optimized performance, reducing correlation effects while managing device complexity through intelligent control
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device includes a transceiver configured for communication using multiple radio access technologies. An antenna array is coupled to the transceiver, and includes a first antenna element and a second antenna element. A control circuit is operable to detect an available one of the radio access technologies based on a wireless signal received at the antenna array, and is operable to automatically alter a configuration of the antenna array by switching the first and/or second antenna elements between active and inactive states responsive to detection of the available one of the radio access technologies. Related methods of operation are also discussed.