Reconfigurable Smart Ring Antenna Circuit for Bluetooth and NFC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing and integrating antennas into metallic smart rings is challenging due to the limited available space and the low performance of typical chip antennas, which rely on weak PCB ground currents.
Innovation Solution
The antenna system includes a first and second antenna component connected by first and second electrical circuits, allowing the antenna components to switch between a dipole and loop antenna arrangement depending on the frequency band, enabling operation within both Bluetooth and NFC frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chip antennas are used in metallic smart rings, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but antenna performance is low due to limited PCB ground current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna components (first and second antenna components) into a single integrated antenna system within the smart ring. This merging allows the antenna system to function effectively despite limited PCB ground current by distributing the current requirements across multiple components that work together, thereby improving overall antenna performance in the constrained metallic ring environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed to operate across multiple frequency bands (Bluetooth and NFC) using the same physical components. By configuring the first and second antenna components to serve dual purposes for different communication protocols, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated antennas for each frequency band, thus improving reliability while working within limited PCB resources.
2Reliability
If dedicated chip antennas are integrated into the ring, then wireless communication is enabled, but available space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple antenna components into a single integrated antenna system that occupies shared space within the ring. By combining the first and second antenna components and their associated circuits into one cohesive structure, the design achieves wireless communication capability while minimizing the total volume required, leaving more space for battery and other smart ring components.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed to provide multiple wireless communication functions (Bluetooth and NFC) through a single multi-functional antenna structure. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated antennas for each frequency band, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining full wireless communication capability across different protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna system is configured for Bluetooth operation, then pairing with smartphones is enabled, but operation in other frequency bands is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system incorporates dynamic reconfigurability through switching circuits that can change the electrical configuration of the antenna components based on the desired frequency band. For Bluetooth operation, the switching circuit configures the first and second antenna components in one arrangement, while for NFC operation, it reconfigures them differently. This dynamic adaptation allows a single antenna system to serve multiple frequency bands without requiring separate fixed antennas for each protocol.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna components are used to achieve multi-band operation, then frequency band versatility is improved, but antenna circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic switching circuits that can reconfigure the electrical connections between the first and second antenna components based on the operating frequency band. This dynamic configuration allows the same physical antenna components to serve different functions for Bluetooth and NFC operations, achieving multi-band versatility while managing circuit complexity through a single reconfigurable system rather than multiple fixed circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable ring includes an inner surface and an outer surface; a first antenna component and a second antenna component, each disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface; a first electrical circuit connecting a first end portion of the first antenna component with a first end portion of the second antenna component; and a second electrical circuit connecting a second end portion of the first antenna component with a second end portion of the second antenna component, and wherein, based on configuration of the first electrical circuit and the second electrical circuit, the first antenna component and second antenna component are configured to operate in a given frequency band.