Wireless Device With Tunable Reactive Impedance Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices with antennaless radiating systems require complex and large matching networks with numerous passive reactive components to achieve impedance matching across multiple frequency bands, leading to inefficiencies and increased size.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a tunable reactive element in the radiofrequency system, which reduces the number of components and enhances impedance matching, allowing for improved radiation efficiency and smaller device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex matching network with numerous passive reactive components is used to achieve impedance matching across multiple frequency bands, then impedance matching performance is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a tunable reactive element whose electrical parameters (capacitance or inductance) can be dynamically adjusted. This single variable component replaces multiple fixed passive reactive components, allowing the system to achieve impedance matching across multiple frequency bands by changing the parameter values of the tunable element rather than using numerous fixed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunable reactive element serves multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components. It provides impedance matching across multiple frequency bands, replaces multiple fixed capacitors or inductors, and enables frequency agility. This universal component performs what would otherwise require a complex network of multiple specialized passive components.
2Reliability
If a complex matching network with numerous passive reactive components is used to achieve impedance matching across multiple frequency bands, then impedance matching performance is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using a tunable reactive element with adjustable parameters, the patent eliminates the need for multiple fixed passive components that would physically occupy space. The single tunable component achieves the same impedance matching performance across multiple bands that would otherwise require multiple discrete components, thereby reducing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple passive reactive components into a single tunable reactive element. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be housed in the device, directly reducing device size while maintaining the necessary impedance matching capabilities across multiple frequency bands.
3Reliability
If traditional passive reactive components are used in the radiofrequency system, then impedance matching is achieved, but radiation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tunable reactive element allows for precise adjustment of electrical parameters to achieve optimal impedance matching at different frequencies. This precise tuning capability reduces energy losses that would occur with fixed passive components, thereby improving radiation efficiency while maintaining impedance matching across multiple bands.
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 use of a tunable reactive element in the radiofrequency system improves antenna efficiency, reduces component count, and allows for better frequency adjustment, resulting in smaller and more stable wireless devices.
Implementation Method 1
a radiofrequency system suitable to modify the impedance of the radiating structure, thus providing impedance matching to the radiating system
Implementation Method 2
a radiating system capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic wave signals in at least two frequency regions
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device includes a ground plane layer having a maximum size smaller than half of a longest free-space operating wavelength of the wireless device, a boosting element having a largest dimension smaller than ⅙ times the longest free-space operating wavelength, and a radiofrequency system with a tunable reactive circuit. The tunable reactive circuit includes a switch connected between the boosting element and a transceiver and a bank of fixed matching networks. At least a portion of an orthogonal projection of the boosting element onto a plane containing the ground plane layer overlaps the ground plane layer.