Antennas configured for self-learning algorithms and related methods

• US 10,362,636 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2018
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera AVX Components Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ethertronics, Inc. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Matsumori, Barry, Desclos, Laurent, Rowson, Sebastian, Shamblin, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Yuwen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming-Hall, Erica L
• Application Number:
  US16/184,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20190075616A1
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A Modal antenna system, control system, and algorithm is described which provides for improved connectivity in a communication system where statistics of previous antenna modes or beam positions for a mobile device operating in conjunction with specific base stations, access points, or other communication terminals are used to make intelligent decisions for current antenna beam state for optimal connectivity. A modal antenna is implemented to provide a variable radiation pattern for improved connectivity and an algorithm is provided that controls current beam position as the mobile device moves through a communication network.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a modal antenna, the modal antenna operable in a plurality of antenna modes, each mode associated with a different radiation pattern characteristic, the method comprising:

identifying a first terminal at a first waypoint;

accessing a record associated with the first waypoint in memory;

determining a first antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the first terminal at the first waypoint based on the record associated with the first waypoint;

identifying a second terminal at a second waypoint;

accessing a record associated with the second waypoint in memory;

determining a second antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the second terminal at the second waypoint based on the record associated with the second waypoint;

wherein the record associated with the first waypoint and the record associated with the second waypoint are generated in a learning mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the learning mode is a self-learning mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the self-learning mode comprises

identifying the first terminal at a first waypoint;

determining the first antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the first network terminal at the first waypoint;

storing the first antenna mode as at least part of the record associated with the first waypoint in one or more memory devices;

identifying the second network terminal at the second waypoint;

determining the second antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the second network terminal at the second waypoint;

storing the second antenna mode as at least a part of the record associated with the second waypoint in one or more memory devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the learning mode is a forced learning mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the record associated with the first terminal comprises antenna mode data associated with the first mode.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the antenna mode data comprises one or more of antenna mode identification data, frequency, power, and specific absorption rate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the record associated with the second terminal comprises antenna mode data associated with the second mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the antenna mode data comprises one or more of antenna mode identification data, frequency, power, and specific absorption rate.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the record associated with the first terminal comprises network data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the record associated with the second terminal comprises network data.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the modal antenna is a cellular antenna.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the modal antenna is a GPS antenna.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the modal antenna is a WLAN antenna.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the modal antenna comprises a radiating element and one or more parasitic elements.