Switchable Antenna System via USB Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal antennas in wireless computing devices often provide suboptimal wireless transmission/reception performance due to their compact form factor and varying performance across different usage modes, such as screen angle changes or mode conversions from laptop to tablet.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows a wireless computing device to connect to an external passive antenna via an existing USB connector, eliminating the need for a USB interface setup and improving wireless performance by utilizing a passive external antenna.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an internal antenna is used in a compact wireless computing device, then the device maintains a compact form factor, but the wireless transmission/reception performance is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a USB connector as an intermediary interface that enables connection to external antennas. The USB connector serves as a mediator between the internal wireless device and external antenna, allowing the system to switch between internal and external antenna configurations without requiring a separate dedicated antenna interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repurposes the USB connector for dual functionality: its traditional data/power transmission role and its new role as an antenna interface. By making the USB connector universal, the system can use existing USB ports to connect external antennas, eliminating the need for specialized antenna connectors and maintaining device compactness.
2Device complexity
If an internal antenna is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the antenna performance varies significantly across different usage modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic antenna system where the user can switch between internal and external antennas based on usage mode. The system adapts to different scenarios (laptop mode, tablet mode, connected modern standby with lid closed) by allowing selection of the appropriate antenna, thereby optimizing performance across varying conditions without complicating the base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB connector acts as an intermediary that enables the system to adapt to different usage modes by connecting external antennas when needed. This mediator allows the device to transition from a fixed internal antenna configuration to a flexible dual-antenna system that can adapt to various operational contexts.
3Reliability
If a dedicated external antenna interface is created, then antenna performance can be optimized, but the device complexity and additional component requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the USB connector universal by enabling it to serve both its traditional functions and as an antenna interface. This eliminates the need for dedicated antenna connectors, reducing device complexity while still allowing external antenna connections for optimized performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing USB infrastructure serves the dual purpose of data/power transmission and antenna connection. The USB connector and its existing circuitry are made to self-serve multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated antenna interface components and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless computing device may include an internal antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transmission path that is switchably connectable to the internal antenna, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector configured to connect to an external antenna, a detector configured to detect if an external antenna is connected to the USB connector, and an antenna selector configured to (1) connect the internal antenna into the RF transmission path if the detector detects that no external antenna is connected to the USB connector and (2) disconnect the internal antenna from the RF transmission path and connect the external antenna into the RF transmission path if the detector detects that the external antenna is connected to the USB connector, thereby improving the wireless transmission/reception performance of the internal wireless module of the wireless computing device.