Wearable Millimeter-Wave Antenna Array on Strap for Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges in maintaining effective wireless connectivity, particularly with millimeter-wave communications, due to restrictive form factors and high-frequency signal attenuation, which limits antenna placement and beam coverage.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device configuration with an external antenna array extending along the length of a strap or side arms, combined with a beam management circuit that adjusts antenna arrays and beam angles based on sensor data to maintain connectivity with external devices, such as base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna array is placed on the body portion of the wearable device, then wireless connectivity is enabled, but the restrictive form factor limits antenna placement options and coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into two separate parts: a body antenna on the body portion and an external antenna array on the external portion (strap). This segmentation allows each antenna to serve different functions and coverage areas, overcoming the form factor limitations of placing all antennas on the small body portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the antenna array from the two-dimensional body portion to the external dimension by placing it on the strap. This spatial extension provides additional placement freedom and enables 360-degree coverage that was not achievable with body-portion-only antennas.
2Productivity
If millimeter-wave signals are used for high-frequency communication, then data transmission rate is improved, but signal attenuation increases and limits effective connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The beam management circuit proactively adjusts beam direction and antenna selection based on sensor data (accelerometer, GPS) before connectivity is lost. This preliminary action compensates for signal attenuation by maintaining optimal beam alignment with the base station, ensuring continuous millimeter-wave connectivity despite high-frequency losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback (motion sensors, position data) to continuously monitor device orientation and location, then adjusts beam direction and antenna array configuration in real-time. This feedback loop compensates for signal attenuation by maintaining optimal transmission paths.
3Volume of moving object
If compact form factor is maintained for wearable device, then wearability is improved, but antenna placement options are restricted reducing beam coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is segmented into body portion and external portion (strap), with antennas distributed across both. This segmentation allows the compact body to maintain wearability while the extended strap provides additional antenna placement freedom for 360-degree coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The external portion (strap) acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the compact body and the external environment. It provides an extended platform for antenna array placement without increasing the size of the wearable body, enabling versatile antenna configuration.
4Reliability
If beam management is implemented to maintain connectivity, then wireless connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam management circuit autonomously controls beam direction and antenna selection using sensor data without requiring external intervention. The system self-adjusts to maintain connectivity by processing accelerometer and GPS data to determine optimal beam orientation, reducing the need for complex external control systems.
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 configuration enhances 360-degree coverage and improves millimeter-wave connectivity by optimizing antenna placement and beam management, overcoming form factor limitations and signal attenuation issues.
Implementation Method 1
condition a plurality of radio frequency signals communicated by a corresponding first subset of the one or more first antenna elements of the first antenna array to form a beam, the radio-frequency signals having a frequency between 6 GHz and 300 GHz
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate to a wearable device comprising a body portion including a front-end system, one or more sensors, and a beam management circuit, and an external portion connected to the body portion comprising a first antenna array. The frontend system is operable to condition radio-frequency signals communicated via the first antenna array to thereby form a beam. The beam management circuit is configured to control the frontend system to manage the beam, such as by switching transmission between different subsets of antenna elements of the antenna array, or by switching transmission from the first antenna array to a second antenna array located on the external portion.