Switchable Parasitic Antenna Structure for 5G Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-frequency antenna technologies face challenges in controlling the radiation pattern through electrical scanning and have relatively low directivity, which affects the performance of high-frequency transmission in 5G mobile communications.

Innovation Solution

An antenna structure with at least two parasitic elements disposed around a driven element, each equipped with a switch control module that adjusts electrical lengths to function as either reflectors or directors, allowing for controlled radiation patterns and improved directivity by switching between different switch statuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional antenna structures are used, then the antenna can transmit high-frequency signals, but the radiation pattern cannot be controlled by electrical scanning and the directivity is relatively low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation pattern controlVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the antenna structure adjustable through switch control modules that can change the electrical length of parasitic elements. This allows the radiation pattern to be dynamically controlled via electrical scanning, transforming a static antenna structure into a dynamic one that can adapt its beam direction and shape according to operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the electrical length of parasitic elements through switch control modules. By changing the effective length of these elements, the antenna's radiation characteristics including beam direction, width, and shape can be adjusted, enabling electrical scanning and improved directivity control without fundamental structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If parasitic elements are added to control radiation pattern, then the directivity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedirectivityVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding switch control modules specifically to certain parasitic elements rather than uniformly modifying all antenna components. This targeted approach allows precise control of radiation patterns in specific directions while keeping other parts of the antenna structure relatively simple, thereby improving directivity with minimal increase in overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The parasitic elements in the patent serve multiple functions: they act as reflectors, directors, or both simultaneously depending on the switch configuration. This multi-functionality allows a single antenna structure to achieve various radiation patterns and beam directions, reducing the need for multiple separate antenna elements and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If electrical scanning is implemented, then the radiation pattern control is improved, but the space loss in high-frequency transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation pattern controlVSAvoidspace loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the antenna with parasitic elements positioned and dimensioned to optimize high-frequency transmission. The switch control modules are pre-installed on these elements, allowing the system to quickly switch between optimized radiation patterns rather than requiring real-time adjustment, thereby reducing space loss while maintaining radiation pattern control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables precise control of the antenna radiation pattern along a circumferential plane, enhancing the directional performance and reducing space loss in high-frequency transmission, particularly in 5G applications.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna structure, a terminal, and a control method... driven element and at least two parasitic elements... radiation pattern... electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3998679B1Antenna structure, terminal and control method
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3998679B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3998679B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3998679B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses an antenna structure, a terminal, and a control method. The antenna structure includes a driven element and at least two parasitic elements, where the at least two parasitic elements are disposed around the driven element and spaced apart from the driven element; and each parasitic element is provided with a switch control module, where the switch control module has at least two switch statuses, and each of the switch statuses of the switch control module corresponds to one electrical length of the parasitic element.