Steerable Antenna Impedance Tuning for Proximity Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Communication devices face efficiency losses due to impedance mismatch and absorption of energy by the human body, leading to power wastage and reduced performance, especially when the antenna is 'de-tuned' by objects in close proximity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a steerable antenna with a closed-loop system to adjust the antenna's impedance matching network based on operational parameters, continuously monitoring and optimizing the antenna's performance to minimize absorption losses and maintain efficient energy transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the antenna operates in a fixed configuration, then the device structure is simple, but the antenna becomes de-tuned when objects are near, causing impedance mismatch and power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a steerable antenna system where the antenna pattern can be dynamically adjusted in real-time based on the proximity of objects. The antenna switching module enables the antenna to change its radiation pattern steering angle, transitioning from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one that adapts to environmental conditions, thereby resolving the impedance mismatch problem without requiring complex continuous tuning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the antenna by switching between different radiation patterns with different steering angles. Instead of continuously adjusting impedance parameters, the system discretely switches between predefined antenna patterns that have different directional characteristics, reducing power loss when objects are detected nearby while keeping the tuning mechanism relatively simple
2Loss of energy
If the antenna pattern is steered away from near field objects, then absorption loss is reduced, but the ground plane size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic antenna pattern steering to compensate for the limited ground plane area. By enabling the antenna to dynamically change its radiation pattern and steer the main lobe away from near-field objects such as the user's body, the system achieves reduced absorption loss without requiring a larger ground plane, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and physical size constraints
3Productivity
If impedance matching is continuously optimized, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors communication quality indicators and antenna performance metrics, then automatically adjusts the antenna pattern steering angle in response. This closed-loop feedback control enables continuous optimization of power transmission efficiency while automating the tuning process, reducing the need for manual intervention and simplifying the overall system operation despite the added complexity of the feedback loop
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions to obtain at least one operational parameter associated with a communication device and to adjust a steerable antenna of the communication device when the communication device does not satisfy an impedance threshold, where the satisfying of the impedance threshold is determined based on the at least one operational parameter. Additional embodiments are disclosed.