Sensor-based closed loop antenna swapping apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. Antenna apparatus for use in a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of antenna elements;
sensor apparatus coupled to each of the plurality of antenna elements, the sensor apparatus being configured to periodically sense one or more parameters from each of the plurality of antenna elements at a periodic time interval, the periodic time interval being based on an operational condition of the antenna apparatus, the sensor apparatus being further configured to generate an output based on the one or more periodically sensed parameters relating to at least one aspect of the operation of the plurality of antenna elements;
switching apparatus configured to selectively couple two or more of the plurality of antenna elements to a radio frequency front end module of the wireless device, the selective coupling of the two or more of the plurality of antenna elements comprising an exclusion from use of ones of the plurality of antenna elements associated with change in the one or more periodically sensed one or more parameters; and
controller apparatus in operative communication with the sensor apparatus and configured to utilize the output in selective control of the switching apparatus;
wherein the controller apparatus utilizes both the output from the sensor apparatus as well as a plurality of pre-stored efficiency values associated with one or more of the plurality of antenna elements for the selective control of the switching apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Antenna systems that make use of an integrated proximity sensor or other sensor in order to implement a closed loop antenna selection system. In one embodiment, the antenna system is implemented within an exemplary portable wireless device and includes as its primary components for implementing the closed loop antenna selection system: a proximity sensor/microcontroller unit (MCU); a switching apparatus; a baseband front end module (FEM); and a number of antenna modules. The integrated proximity sensor/MCU detects the presence (influence) of a user'"'"'s hand, or other loading by any other dielectric or metal component, through measurements that take place through the antenna modules and selects the appropriate RF path for transmission and/or reception by the mobile device. Methods of using and testing the aforementioned antenna systems are also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Antenna apparatus for use in a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of antenna elements; sensor apparatus coupled to each of the plurality of antenna elements, the sensor apparatus being configured to periodically sense one or more parameters from each of the plurality of antenna elements at a periodic time interval, the periodic time interval being based on an operational condition of the antenna apparatus, the sensor apparatus being further configured to generate an output based on the one or more periodically sensed parameters relating to at least one aspect of the operation of the plurality of antenna elements; switching apparatus configured to selectively couple two or more of the plurality of antenna elements to a radio frequency front end module of the wireless device, the selective coupling of the two or more of the plurality of antenna elements comprising an exclusion from use of ones of the plurality of antenna elements associated with change in the one or more periodically sensed one or more parameters; and controller apparatus in operative communication with the sensor apparatus and configured to utilize the output in selective control of the switching apparatus; wherein the controller apparatus utilizes both the output from the sensor apparatus as well as a plurality of pre-stored efficiency values associated with one or more of the plurality of antenna elements for the selective control of the switching apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for intelligent antenna selection, comprising:
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obtaining one or more sensing measurements from a plurality of antenna modules; providing the obtained one or more sensing measurements to a controller; selecting a first signaling path between a front end module and first ones of the plurality of antenna modules based at least in part on the provided one or more sensing measurements; selecting a second signaling path between the front end module and second ones of the plurality of antenna modules based at least in part on the provided one or more sensing measurements; simultaneously transmitting signaling information from the front end module to the first and second ones of the antenna modules based at least in part on the selected first and second signaling paths; and based on a first efficiency value associated with the first ones of the plurality of antenna modules being greater than a second efficiency value associated with the second ones of the plurality of antenna modules; combining the signaling information corresponding to the first and second signaling paths; and operating the first ones of the plurality of antenna modules as main antennas simultaneously with operating the second ones of the plurality of antenna modules as multiple-in, multiple-out (MIMO) antennas. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification