Switchable Antenna Mechanism for Multi-Standard Wireless Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication apparatuses face space constraints due to multiple antennas and their feed points on printed circuit boards (PCBs), which occupy valuable area.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a switchable antenna mechanism, comprising a processing circuit, multiple processing modules, and a switching unit that allows specific modules to share a single antenna for different wireless communication functions, enabling dynamic switching and efficient use of PCB space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are equipped for different wireless communication functions, then communication versatility is improved, but PCB area occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a switchable antenna mechanism that allows a single antenna to serve multiple wireless communication functions including GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellular communications. The antenna is designed with multiple feed points that can be selectively activated through a switching circuit, enabling one antenna structure to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate antennas, thereby reducing PCB area occupation while maintaining communication versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple antenna feed points into a single shared antenna structure. The switching circuit merges the signal paths from different communication modules (GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular) into one common antenna interface, allowing simultaneous or sequential operation of multiple communication functions through a unified antenna system, thus reducing the total number of antenna components and PCB space required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are equipped for different wireless communication functions, then communication versatility is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switchable antenna mechanism enables a single antenna to perform multiple wireless communication functions (GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular), eliminating the need for multiple separate antenna components. This multi-functional design reduces the overall device volume by consolidating what would traditionally require multiple discrete antenna elements into one integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple antenna functions into a single shared antenna structure with a switching mechanism. By combining the physical antenna elements and their support structures into one unified component, the device achieves multiple communication capabilities without proportionally increasing device volume, as the shared antenna structure occupies less space than multiple separate antennas would require.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple feed points are placed on PCB for different antennas, then antenna connectivity is improved, but PCB area occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna feed points into a single shared antenna interface on the PCB. The switching circuit integrates multiple signal paths (GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular) into one common connection point, allowing the PCB to support multiple wireless communication functions through a single antenna interface rather than requiring separate dedicated feed points for each function, thereby reducing PCB area occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple communication modules and a single antenna interface on the PCB. It provides the necessary signal routing and connection management, allowing multiple feed points to be logically maintained for different functions while physically consolidating to a single antenna connection, thus maintaining antenna connectivity capability while reducing PCB space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus equipped with switchable antenna mechanism is provided, where the communication apparatus includes at least a portion of a portable electronic device, which includes a plurality of wireless communication functions respectively corresponding to different communication standards, and the wireless communication functions include a mobile phone function and at least one other wireless communication function. The communication apparatus includes: an antenna; a processing circuit; a plurality of processing modules arranged to provide the portable electronic device with a plurality of functions, respectively, where the functions include at least a portion of the wireless communication functions; and a switching unit. It is an advantage that, by utilizing the switching unit, different portions of the communication apparatus can share the antenna to achieve the best beneficial result through the limited area of a printed circuit board (PCB).