Control of SAR in mobile transmit diversity systems employing beam forming by using coupling between diversity branches

• US 9,083,410 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2012
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kludt, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc M
• Application Number:
  US14/130,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20140133594A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,101 Days
• Field of Search: 455/101, 455/117, 455/115.3, 455/123
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/245 with means for shaping the antenna pattern, e.g. in order to protect user against rf exposure
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/02 providing sum and difference patterns H01Q25/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0671 using different delays between antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0682 using phase diversity (e.g. phase sweeping)

Abstract

A system and method for maximizing signal strength while limiting specific absorption rate in diversity transmission network is achieved by coupling a first input signal to a second input signal. The system includes a sampler, a coupling network, and combiner.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a first input, the first input adapted to receive a first input signal;

a second input, the second input adapted to receive a second input signal, wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are configured for diversity transmission;

a coupling network, the coupling network connected to the first input and the second input, where the coupling network is adapted to combine a sample of the first input signal with the second input signal to form a coupled output signal;

a first antenna, the first antenna adapted to radiate the first input signal;

a second antenna, the second antenna adapted to radiate the coupled output signal;

wherein the coupling network is adapted to maximize a diversity signal strength of the first input signal and the coupled output signal, while maintaining specific absorption rate below a predefined level.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling network is adapted to adjust the amplitude of the sampled first input signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling network is adapted to adjust the phase of the sampled first input signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling network includes an attenuator and a phase shifter.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the phase shifter is adapted to adjust the phase of the sampled first input signal to be in phase with the second input signal.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the phase shifter is adapted to adjust the phase of the sampled first input signal to be opposite in phase with the second input signal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the amplitude of the first input signal is modified depending on the relative phase of the first input signal with respect to the second input signal.

8. A method for maximizing diversity signal strength without exceeding a specific absorption rate by coupling a first input signal and a second input signal in a diversity transmission system, the method comprising the steps of:

sampling the first input signal between a first antenna and a coupling network;

modifying the sample of the first input signal;

combining the second input signal with the modified sample of the first input signal, and radiating the combined signal from a second antenna;

radiating the first input signal from the first antenna;

wherein the signal radiated from the first antenna and the signal radiated from the second antenna are adapted to form a diversity transmission signal; and

wherein the coupling network is adapted to maintain specific absorption rate below a predefined level.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of coupling a third input signal to a signal selected from the group consisting of:

the first input signal and the second input signal.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of modifying the sample of the first input signal includes increasing the amplitude of the first input signal.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of modifying the sample of the first input signal includes decreasing the amplitude of the first input signal.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of modifying the sample of the first input signal includes shifting the phase of the first input signal.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of modifying the sample of the first input signal includes both decreasing the amplitude of the first input signal and phase shifting the first input signal.

14. A diversity transmission circuit comprising:

an input, the input adapted to receive a signal for transmission to a receiver located at a location;

a sampler adapted to divide the input into a first signal and a second signal;

a parameter modifier adapted to modify the second signal in order to direct the signal for transmission to the location;

a first antenna adapted to receive and transmit the first signal;

a coupling network receiving the first signal and modifying the first signal, the coupling network outputting the modified first signal to a combiner, the combiner also receiving the modified second signal and outputting a combination of the modified first signal and the modified second signal to a second antenna, the second antenna adapted to receive and transmit the combined signal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the coupling network is adapted to modify the amplitude and phase of the first signal in order to maintain a specific absorption rate below a predetermined level.