Tunable Antenna Element With Impedance Control Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in designing internal antennas for mobile communication devices is to create a slim profile antenna capable of operating in multiple frequency bands without changing its size, as the available space is limited and existing antennas struggle to accommodate multiple functions.
Innovation Solution
A tunable antenna element with a control circuit that provides at least two different impedances, allowing the antenna to adjust its resonant modes to cover various communication bands by using capacitive and inductive elements, ensuring operation across multiple frequency ranges such as WWAN/LTE bands without altering the antenna's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced to meet slim profile requirements, then the device achieves a slim profile, but the antenna cannot cover multiple frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna's electrical characteristics adjustable through a control circuit that can change impedance values. The antenna transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system where the resonant frequency and impedance can be tuned electronically to cover multiple frequency bands while maintaining a fixed physical size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the electrical parameters (impedance, capacitance, inductance) of the antenna through the control circuit. By changing these parameters, the antenna's resonant frequency shifts to accommodate different frequency bands, resolving the contradiction between fixed size and multi-band coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single antenna is designed to cover multiple frequency bands, then the device achieves multiple functions, but the antenna structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single antenna structure that can perform multiple functions across different frequency bands. The same physical antenna element serves multiple communication standards (GSM, LTE, etc.) through electronic tuning, eliminating the need for separate antennas for each band.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than creating complex multi-element antenna structures, the patent uses parameter changes in the existing antenna elements through the control circuit. This approach achieves multi-band coverage by electronically adjusting impedance and resonant frequency, keeping the physical structure relatively simple while gaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna size is increased to cover multiple bands, then the antenna can operate in different bands, but the device profile becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to allow a compact antenna to adapt its electrical length and resonant characteristics through electronic control. The antenna physically remains small but dynamically adjusts its electrical properties to resonate at different frequencies, achieving multi-band coverage without increasing physical dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves multi-band operation in a compact size by changing electrical parameters (impedance, capacitance, inductance) rather than physical dimensions. The control circuit modifies these parameters to shift resonant frequencies, allowing the same small antenna structure to cover multiple bands electronically.
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 tunable antenna element effectively covers multiple frequency bands, including GSM and LTE ranges, by changing the impedance, allowing for flexible operation without increasing the antenna's size, thus addressing the space constraints in mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna element comprises a control circuit for providing at least two different impedances
Implementation Method 2
By adjusting the control circuit, resonant modes of the antenna element are controlled to cover different communication bands
Implementation Method 3
the control circuit comprises at least one capacitive element for providing at least two different capacitances
Implementation Method 4
the control circuit further comprises an inductive element which is coupled in series to the capacitive element
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a ground element and an antenna element. The antenna element includes a first radiation element, a second radiation element, and a control circuit. One end of the first radiation element is coupled to a signal source, and another end of the first radiation element is an open end. The second radiation element includes at least a first portion and a second portion. A first end of the first portion is a shorted end coupled to the ground element, and a fourth end of the second portion is an open end. The second radiation element surrounds the open end of the first radiation element. The control circuit is coupled between a second end of the first portion and a third end of the second portion of the second radiation element. The control circuit provides at least two different impedances.