Electrically Tunable Miniature Antenna for Multi-Band Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The miniaturization of radiators in portable devices poses a challenge due to the size versus performance trade-off, particularly in covering wide or multiple frequency bands, which often requires larger radiator sizes and compromises performance across bands, and is complicated by mutual coupling issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of electrically tunable miniaturized radiators using active impedance tuning, comprising a combiner and pre-matching circuit, a first reactive component, a tuning adjuster circuit, and a post-matching circuit, allows for resonance adjustment within the available space, enabling efficient operation across multiple frequency bands by adjusting the electrical length and impedance matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the radiator size is reduced for miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the impedance bandwidth and radiation efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiator volumeVSAvoidradiation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the radiator electrically tunable through variable reactive components. The electrical length and resonant frequency can be dynamically adjusted after manufacturing, allowing the miniaturized radiator to maintain optimal performance across different frequency bands without requiring physical size changes. This resolves the contradiction by enabling a small physical size while maintaining adaptability for efficient radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes electrical parameters (reactance, electrical length, resonant frequency) to optimize radiator performance. By using variable reactive components, the system can adjust impedance matching and resonant conditions to maintain radiation efficiency despite the reduced physical size. This allows the radiator to achieve bandwidth and efficiency comparable to larger radiators through parameter optimization rather than size increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radiators are used to cover wide or multiple frequency bands, then the frequency band coverage is improved, but the device complexity and mutual coupling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidnumber of radiators

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a single radiator structure that can operate across multiple frequency bands through electrical tuning. The variable reactive components enable one radiator to perform the function of multiple fixed-frequency radiators, achieving wide band coverage while reducing the number of radiator elements needed. This eliminates mutual coupling issues between multiple radiators while maintaining versatile frequency coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic electrical tuning to allow a single radiator to adapt its resonant frequency and impedance characteristics to cover multiple frequency bands. This dynamic adjustment capability replaces the need for multiple static radiators, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining comprehensive frequency band coverage across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the radiator size is increased to cover multiple frequency bands, then the frequency band coverage is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidradiator volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes electrical parameters (reactance, electrical length) to enable a compact radiator to cover multiple frequency bands. By adjusting these parameters through variable reactive components, the system achieves wide frequency band coverage without increasing the physical radiator volume, resolving the contradiction between size and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the electrical length is adjusted for resonance at different frequencies, then the frequency tuning is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresonance frequency tuningVSAvoidtuning mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical tuning mechanisms with electrical tuning using variable reactive components. Instead of physically changing the radiator structure or length, the system uses electrical components to adjust the electrical length and resonant frequency. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving frequency tuning capability and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enables efficient radiation across various frequency bands with reduced size, minimizing performance compromises and mutual coupling issues, thereby enhancing the performance and efficiency of radiators in portable devices.

Implementation Method 1

a first reactive component coupled to the plurality of combined monopole radiators, the first reactive component configured to adjust an impedance of the plurality of combined monopole radiators to resonate at a first frequency range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance