Antenna Switching Arrangement

• US 20100328184A1
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Derneryd, Sven Anders Gösta, Johansson, Martin, Persson, Patrik, Friden, Jonas, Stjernman, Anders
• Granted Patent: US 8,457,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/850
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching

Abstract

An antenna arrangement comprising an input/output connection and a first and a second tuning network with different transfer functions. The arrangement additionally comprises an antenna and a switch for connecting the input/output connection of the arrangement to one of said tuning networks, with a second switch for connecting the antenna of the arrangement to the tuning network to which the input/output connection of the arrangement has been connected. The arrangement comprises a sensor for sensing a form factor of the arrangement or of an apparatus in which the arrangement is used, and said sensor can be used for influencing said first and second switches, so that a device which has been connected to the arrangement may be connected to the antenna via a tuning network optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.

Claims

1. An antenna arrangement for transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic signals, the arrangement comprising a first input/output connection and at least a first and a second tuning network, which tuning networks have different transfer functions, each of said tuning network also comprising a first and a second input/output port, the arrangement additionally comprising a first antenna and a first switch for connecting the first input/output connection of the arrangement to the first input/output port of one of said tuning networks, with a second switch for connecting the antenna of the arrangement to the second input/output port of the tuning network to which the input/output connection of the arrangement has been connected, the arrangement being characterized in that it comprises a sensor for sensing a form factor of the arrangement or of an apparatus in which the arrangement is used, and in that said sensor can be used for influencing said first and second switches, so that a device which has been connected to the arrangement may be connected to the antenna via a tuning network which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, additionally comprising a second antenna, in which arrangement said second switch can also be used for connecting one of the antennas of the arrangement to the second input/output port of the tuning network to which the input/output connection of the arrangement have been connected, so that a device which has been connected to the arrangement may be connected to an antenna which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement via a tuning network which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, additionally comprising M tuning networks, M>

2, and also comprising N antennas, N>

2 and M≧

N, in which arrangement the first and second switches can be used to connect a device which has been connected to the arrangement to an antenna which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement via a tuning network which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, additionally comprising at least a second input/output connection, in which arrangement said first switch may also be used to connect one of the input connections of the arrangement to one of said tuning networks.

5. The arrangement of claim 4, in which the first switch connects one of the input connections of the arrangement to one of said tuning networks based on the output of said sensor for sensing a form factor.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, in which said sensor is also used for influencing at least one of said tuning networks, so that said tuning network is adapted to a form factor of the arrangement or of an apparatus in which the arrangement is used.

7. A method for use in an antenna arrangement for transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic signals, the method comprising equipping said arrangement with

a first input/output connection and,

at least a first and a second tuning network, which tuning networks have different transfer functions,

each of said tuning network also comprising a first and a second input/output port,

a first antenna and

a first switch for connecting the first input/output connection of the arrangement to the first input/output port of one of said tuning networks, •

a second switch for connecting the antenna of the arrangement to the second input/output port of the tuning network to which the input/output connection of the arrangement has been connected, the method being characterized in that it comprises the use of a form factor of the arrangement or of an apparatus in which the arrangement is used for influencing said first and second switches, so that a device which has been connected to the arrangement may be connected to the antenna via a tuning network which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.

8. The method of claim 7, additionally comprising the use of a second antenna in the arrangement, and also using said second switch for connecting one of the antennas of the arrangement to the second input/output port of the tuning network to which the input/output connection of the arrangement has been connected, so that a device which has been connected to the arrangement may be connected to an antenna which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement via a tuning network which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.

9. The method of claim 7, additionally comprising the use in said arrangement of M tuning arrangements, M>

2, and N antennas, N>

2 and M≧

N, according to which method the first and second switches of the arrangement may be used to connect a device which has been connected to the arrangement to an antenna which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement via a tuning network which is optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement

10. The method of claim 7, comprising the use of at least a second input/output connection to the arrangement, and also using said first switch for connecting one of the input connections of the arrangement to one of said tuning networks.

11. The method of claim 10, according to which the first switch is used to connect one of the input connections of the arrangement to one of said tuning networks based on said form factor.

12. The method of claim 7, comprising the use of said form factor for influencing at least one of said tuning networks, so that said at least one tuning network is adapted to a form factor of the arrangement or of an apparatus in which the arrangement is used.