Universal Antenna Module for Multi-Band LTE Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available mobile devices often lack complete coverage for all radio access technologies (RATs) and frequency bands, requiring multiple antenna variants for different carriers and regions, which increases complexity and cost, and users are locked to specific carriers, making it difficult to switch without replacing the device.
Innovation Solution
A universal antenna module that includes switched and non-switched antennas, capable of operating in multiple LTE bands by leveraging subsets of LTE low bands with similar bandwidths, allowing a single device to support all Americas LTE bands without additional volume or complexity, and is unlocked for carrier compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna variants are used for different carriers and regions, then complete coverage for all RATs and frequency bands is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal antenna module that can operate across multiple LTE bands (including bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, and 41) without requiring separate antenna designs for different carriers or regions. The antenna module achieves this through careful design of antenna elements and matching circuits that provide broad frequency coverage, eliminating the need for carrier-specific antenna variants while maintaining complete RAT and band coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna variants are used for different carriers and regions, then complete coverage for all RATs and frequency bands is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal antenna module consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate antenna designs into a single standardized component. This allows manufacturers to produce one antenna module design for all carriers and regions, significantly reducing tooling costs, assembly variations, and supply chain complexity while maintaining the ability to support all required LTE bands and RATs globally.
3Reliability
If users are locked to specific carriers, then device optimization for carrier-specific bands is achieved, but user flexibility to switch carriers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna module is designed with broad frequency coverage and adjustable matching circuits that can be configured to optimize performance for any carrier's specific band allocation. This universal design allows users to switch between carriers without losing device optimization, as the antenna system can be reconfigured via software or hardware switches to match the new carrier's frequency requirements, maintaining full performance while enabling carrier flexibility.
4Volume of moving object
If multi-band antennas are used, then total antenna volume is reduced, but antenna matching circuitry complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs locally optimized matching circuits at specific points in the antenna system rather than attempting to match the entire multi-band antenna as a single unit. Each antenna element or sub-assembly has its own simplified matching network tailored to its specific frequency range, which reduces the overall complexity compared to a single complex wideband match while maintaining compact volume. The matching circuits use standard components and topologies that are easy to implement and tune.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for wireless communication circuitry (202) that includes (1) a first antenna matching circuit (213) configured to tune a first antenna (208) to a first subset of a plurality of frequency bands or a second subset of the frequency bands, and including a first switch (220) with selectable states corresponding to the first and second subsets; (2) a second antenna matching circuit (215) configured to tune a second antenna (210) to a third subset of the frequency bands or a fourth subset of the frequency bands, and including a second switch (222) with selectable states corresponding to the third and fourth subsets; and (3) a third antenna matching circuit (211) configured to tune a third antenna (206) to a fifth subset of the frequency bands. The circuitry is operable with a plurality of service providers associated with the fifth subset and one of the other subsets.