Tunable Multiband Antenna With Independent Feed Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multiband antennas face challenges such as reduced gain, increased size, and design complexities due to mutual coupling and poor isolation between resonant bands, especially in mobile wireless communications where multiple frequency bands are required, leading to inefficiencies and larger form factors.

Innovation Solution

A multi-feed multiband antenna design with independently tunable frequency bands, featuring multiple feed points and tuning elements placed at locations of current minima to allow for separate frequency band tuning without affecting other bands, reducing switch losses and design complexities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multiband antenna design is used, then multiple frequency bands are supported, but gain is reduced and size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiband operationVSAvoidantenna size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is divided into multiple independent resonant bands, each fed through separate feed points. This segmentation allows each band to be optimized independently while maintaining compact overall size, resolving the contradiction between multiband capability and size constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional space by positioning feed points at different locations and orientations on the antenna structure. This dimensional approach enables multiple frequency bands to coexist in a compact form factor without significant size increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multiband antenna design is used, then multiple frequency bands are supported, but mutual coupling and poor isolation occur between bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiband operationVSAvoidisolation between bands
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates each frequency band through separate feed points, removing the mutual coupling problem that occurs in conventional designs. Each band can be tuned independently without affecting other bands, improving reliability and isolation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the antenna structure are optimized for specific frequency bands with localized tuning elements. This local quality approach ensures each band operates independently with proper isolation, preventing interference between adjacent bands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multiband antenna design is used, then multiple frequency bands are supported, but design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiband operationVSAvoidantenna design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs independent tuning elements at each feed point that allow straightforward adjustment of resonant frequencies. By changing parameters such as capacitor values or inductor configurations, different frequency bands can be achieved without complex redesign, simplifying the overall design process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances antenna performance by reducing switch losses, simplifying design, and allowing for flexible operation across multiple frequency bands with high efficiency in both low and high bands, without the need for ground conductor removal and with reduced overall size.

Implementation Method 1

at least one tuning element for tuning a resonant frequency at one of the plurality of feed points independently of the others of the plurality of feed points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2840651B1Tunable multiband multiport antennas and method
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2840651B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2840651B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2840651B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An antenna, comprising a plurality of feed points and tuning elements for tuning a resonant frequency at each feed point independently of the others of the plurality of feed points. The tuning elements are placed on the configured radiating element such that for a given feed point its tuning element is placed on the configured radiating element where a current distribution of the other feed points is a minimum.