Variable-Length Antenna for Multi-Band Frequency Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antennas often require multiple antennas or increased size to cover a wide frequency range, such as for 3G and 4G/LTE applications, which can be costly and inefficient, especially in extending frequency coverage down to 700 MHz.
Innovation Solution
A variable-length antenna with multiple elements and switches, controlled by an antenna controller, allows for adjustable electrical path length to resonate at different frequencies, enabling single-antenna solutions for multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional antennas are used to cover wide frequency range (3G and 4G/LTE), then frequency coverage is improved, but antenna size and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna employs a variable electrical path length mechanism that dynamically adjusts the resonant frequency by changing the effective electrical length of the antenna element. This is achieved through switching networks or variable capacitors/inductors that modify the electrical path length, allowing a single antenna structure to adapt to different frequency bands (3G and 4G/LTE) without requiring multiple fixed antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameter (electrical path length) of the antenna to adjust its resonant frequency. By varying the electrical length through switching different path segments or adjusting reactive components, the antenna can be tuned to resonate at different frequencies, thereby covering both 3G and 4G/LTE bands with a single antenna structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are used to achieve different frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is designed as a universal multi-functional structure that can operate across multiple frequency bands (3G and 4G/LTE) through a single antenna element with variable electrical path length. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated antennas for different frequency bands, reducing the overall antenna system complexity and cost while maintaining broad frequency coverage capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna size is increased to extend bandwidth to 700 MHz, then frequency coverage is improved, but device size and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a physically long antenna to achieve wide bandwidth, the invention employs a dynamically adjustable electrical path length mechanism. This allows the antenna to electrically simulate a longer structure when needed for lower frequencies (700 MHz) while maintaining a compact physical size, thereby extending bandwidth coverage without proportionally increasing the antenna's physical length.
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 reduces costs by replacing multiple antennas with a single variable-length antenna, providing improved signal strength across a wide variety of frequencies and enabling efficient communication in multiple frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
An antenna may be designed to be resonant at an intended frequency of operation. For example, a dipole antenna may have an electrical antenna path length approximately equal to a multiple of a half-wavelength of the intended frequency of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Antenna structures and methods of operating an antenna of an electronic device are described. A system may include an antenna comprising a plurality of physically connected elements. The elements may include a respective electrical switch and may have a respective first electrical path length when the electrical switch is in a non-conductive state and a respective second electrical path length when the electrical switch is in a conductive state. The system may further include an antenna controller to receive information indicative of an operating frequency and to configure the antenna to have a total electrical path length corresponding to the operating frequency by operating the switches.