This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2021115822460, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Dec. 22, 2021 and entitled “FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR SAME”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular to a foldable electronic device and an antenna system for same.
After electronic devices such as mobile phones enter a smart era, to obtain better user experience, appearances of the electronic devices have undergone changes from large screens to full screens and then to foldable screens. These foldable electronic devices have brought a new challenge to antenna design. When the electronic device is in a folded state and a gap is formed between two foldable bodies, there is a high-loss material with high resistivity and poor conductivity in the gap, such as an indium-tin oxide (Indium-Tin Oxide, ITO) layer contained in two foldable screens. Such high-loss material absorbs/consumes energy generated in the gap when an antenna is operating, resulting in a significant drop in efficiency of the antenna by 2 dB to 4 dB in a middle or low band relative to efficiency generated in an unfolded state of the electronic device. This causes poor antenna performance. Therefore, how to improve antenna performance in the folded state has become an important research topic in the field of antenna design.
This application provides a foldable electronic device and an antenna system for same. The antenna system includes a main antenna element and a parasitic antenna element that are capable of performing current loop radiation, to improve antenna performance of the electronic device in a folded state.
According to a first aspect, this application provides an antenna system. The antenna system is used in a foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device includes a first body and a second body that are connected to each other and are capable of being folded or unfolded relative to each other. The antenna system includes a main antenna element and a parasitic antenna element. The main antenna element includes a feed point and a first radiating branch disposed on the first body. The main antenna element is an antenna structure having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. The feed point is used to feed the first radiating branch. The parasitic antenna element includes a second radiating branch disposed on the second body. When the electronic device is in a folded state, the first radiating branch and the second radiating branch are at least partially overlapped. The first radiating branch is configured to perform magnetic field coupling with the second radiating branch, to form current loop radiation on both the first radiating branch and the second radiating branch. A current direction in a current loop formed on the first radiating branch is the same as a current direction in a current loop formed on the second radiating branch.
The main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element that are opposite and that are of the antenna system are disposed on two foldable bodies of the electronic device respectively, and an antenna structure having a radiation characteristic of a current loop is used for both the main antenna element and parasitic antenna element. In the folded state, through magnetic field coupling between the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element, current loop radiation is formed on both the first radiating branch and the second radiating branch, and currents in a same direction are excited on the radiating branches of the two antenna elements. Based on a characteristic of the current loop radiation, longitudinal currents in a same direction may be excited simultaneously on two overlapping grounding plates of a foldable grounding plate of the electronic device. In this manner, in one aspect, a reverse transverse current generated on the foldable grounding plate in a gap mode in the folded state may be suppressed by using the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of suppressing excitation of the gap mode and reducing or eliminating energy consumed in the folded state, and further increase antenna efficiency in the folded state; and in another aspect, excitation effect of the longitudinal mode of the foldable grounding plate is enhanced through superposition effect of the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of further increasing the antenna efficiency in the folded state, and enable the electronic device to obtain better antenna performance in the folded state, effectively resolving a problem of poor antenna efficiency in a low band of the foldable electronic device in the folded state.
In an implementation, the electronic device further includes a first reference ground corresponding to the first body and a second reference ground corresponding to the second body. When the electronic device is in the folded state, the main antenna element is configured to excite a closed current loop on the first radiating branch and the first reference ground, and is configured to perform magnetic field coupling with the parasitic antenna element, to excite a closed current loop on the second radiating branch and the second reference ground. The current direction on the first radiating branch is the same as the current direction on the second radiating branch. The current direction on the first radiating branch is opposite to a current direction on the first reference ground. The current direction on the second radiating branch is opposite to a current direction on the second reference ground. The current direction on the first reference ground is the same as the current direction on the second reference ground. Because longitudinal currents in a same direction are excited on an upper reference ground and a lower reference ground, of the foldable grounding plate of the electronic device, excitation effect of a longitudinal mode of the foldable grounding plate may be enhanced, to achieve a purpose of increasing antenna efficiency, suppress excitation of a gap mode of the foldable grounding plate, and reduce or eliminate energy consumed in the folded state, and further achieve a purpose of increasing antenna performance in the folded state.
In an implementation, the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element are respectively any one of a current loop slot antenna, a current loop left-handed antenna, a current loop monopole antenna, a current loop dipole antenna, and a left-handed antenna. In this manner, there are at least 25 combination forms of the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. In specific application, based on an actual antenna design requirement for the foldable electronic device, various antenna combination forms may be flexibly used to increase the antenna efficiency of the electronic device in the folded state, to enable the electronic device to obtain good antenna performance in the folded state.
In an implementation, the electronic device further includes a connecting part disposed between the first body and the second body. The first body and the second body are connected through the connecting part. The first radiating branch is disposed at an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the first body. The second radiating branch is disposed at an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the second body.
In an implementation, the first radiating branch is disposed in a middle of an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the first body. The second radiating branch is disposed in a middle of an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the second body. In this manner, the antenna efficiency in the folded state may be further increased by using symmetry of a middle position, to enable the electronic device to obtain better antenna performance in the folded state.
In an implementation, the first radiating branch is coupled to the feed point. The first radiating branch is used to generate a current by exciting the feed point, and to perform radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. Alternatively, the main antenna element further includes a feed branch. The feed point is disposed on the feed branch. The feed branch and the first radiating branch are spaced apart. The feed branch couples energy to the first radiating branch through electric field coupling/magnetic field coupling, to excite the first radiating branch to perform current loop radiation. In specific application, based on an actual antenna design requirement for the foldable electronic device, different feeding forms may be used flexibly to implement feeding on the main antenna element.
In an implementation, the main antenna element and/or the parasitic antenna element is a current loop slot antenna. A radiating branch of the current loop slot antenna includes two radiators with opposite ends. The opposite ends of the two radiators are coupled through a first capacitor, and the other ends of the two radiators are respectively coupled to a corresponding reference ground. A gap is formed between the two radiators and the reference ground.
Alternatively, the main antenna element and/or the parasitic antenna element is a current loop monopole antenna. A radiating branch of the current loop monopole antenna includes one radiator. One end of the radiator is coupled to a corresponding reference ground or the feed point through a second capacitor, and the other end of the radiator is coupled to the corresponding reference ground through a third capacitor. A length of the radiating branch of the current loop monopole antenna is less than a quarter of an operating wavelength of the current loop monopole antenna.
Alternatively, the main antenna element and/or the parasitic antenna element is a current loop dipole antenna. A radiating branch of the current loop dipole antenna includes two radiators with opposite ends. The opposite ends of the two radiators are coupled through a first capacitor, the other end of one of the two radiators is coupled to a corresponding reference ground through a second capacitor, and the other end of the other of the two radiators is coupled to the corresponding reference ground through a third capacitor. A length of the radiating branch of the current loop dipole antenna is less than half of an operating wavelength of the current loop dipole antenna.
Alternatively, the main antenna element and/or the parasitic antenna element is a current loop left-handed antenna. A radiating branch of the current loop left-handed antenna includes two radiators with opposite ends. The opposite ends of the two radiators are coupled through a first capacitor, the other end of one of the two radiators is coupled to a corresponding reference ground or the feed point through a fourth capacitor, and the other end of the other of the two radiators is coupled to the corresponding reference ground.
Alternatively, the main antenna element and/or the parasitic antenna element are/is a left-handed antenna. A radiating branch of the left-handed antenna includes one radiator. One end of the radiator is coupled to a corresponding reference ground or the feed point through a fourth capacitor, and the other end of the radiator is coupled to the corresponding reference ground.
In an implementation, when an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 450 MHz to 1 GHz, a range of a capacitance value of the first capacitor is [2 pF, 25 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 1 GHz to 3 GHZ, a range of a capacitance value of the first capacitor is [0.8 pF, 12 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 3 GHz to 10 GHz, a range of a capacitance value of the first capacitor is [0.2 pF, 8 pF].
In an implementation, when an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 450 MHz to 1 GHZ, a range of capacitance values of the second capacitor and the third capacitor is [1.5 pF, 15 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 1 GHz to 3 GHZ, a range of capacitance values of the second capacitor and the third capacitor is [0.5 pF, 15 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 3 GHz to 10 GHZ, a range of capacitance values of the first capacitor and the second capacitor is [1.2 pF, 12 pF].
According to a second aspect, this application provides an antenna system. The antenna system is used in a foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device includes a first body and a second body that are connected to each other and are capable of being folded or unfolded relative to each other. The antenna system includes a main antenna element and a parasitic antenna element. The main antenna element includes a feed point and a first radiating branch disposed on the first body. The feed point is used to feed the first radiating branch. The parasitic antenna element includes a second radiating branch disposed on the second body. When the electronic device is in a folded state, the first radiating branch and the second radiating branch are at least partially overlapped. The first radiating branch is configured to perform magnetic field coupling with the second radiating branch. The main antenna element is any one of a current loop slot antenna, a current loop left-handed antenna, a current loop monopole antenna, a current loop dipole antenna, and a left-handed antenna. The parasitic antenna element is any one of a current loop slot antenna, a current loop left-handed antenna, a current loop monopole antenna, a current loop dipole antenna, and a left-handed antenna.
For the current loop slot antenna, a radiating branch of the current loop slot antenna includes two radiators with opposite ends. The opposite ends of the two radiators are coupled through a first capacitor, and the other ends of the two radiators are respectively coupled to a reference ground. A gap is formed between the two radiators and the reference ground.
For the current loop monopole antenna, a radiating branch of the current loop monopole antenna includes one radiator. One end of the radiator is coupled to a reference ground or the feed point through a second capacitor, and the other end of the radiator is coupled to the reference ground through a third capacitor. A length of the radiating branch of the current loop monopole antenna is less than a quarter of an operating wavelength of the current loop monopole antenna.
For the current loop dipole antenna, a radiating branch of the current loop dipole antenna includes two radiators with opposite ends. The opposite ends of the two radiators are coupled through a first capacitor, the other end of one of the two radiators is coupled to a reference ground through a second capacitor, and the other end of the other of the two radiators is coupled to the reference ground through a third capacitor. A length of the radiating branch of the current loop dipole antenna is less than half of an operating wavelength of the current loop dipole antenna.
For the current loop left-handed antenna, a radiating branch of the current loop left-handed antenna includes two radiators with opposite ends. The opposite ends of the two radiators are coupled through a first capacitor, the other end of one of the two radiators is coupled to a reference ground or the feed point through a fourth capacitor, and the other end of the other of the two radiators is coupled to the reference ground.
For the left-handed antenna, a radiating branch of the left-handed antenna includes one radiator. One end of the radiator is coupled to a reference ground or the feed point through a fourth capacitor, and the other end of the radiator is coupled to the reference ground.
The main antenna element and parasitic antenna element that are opposite and that are of the antenna system are respectively disposed on two foldable bodies of the electronic device, and magnetic field coupling between the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element is used in the folded state, to resolve a problem of poor antenna efficiency of the electronic device in the folded state. In the antenna system, there are at least 25 combination forms of the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. In specific application, based on an actual antenna design requirement for the foldable electronic device, various antenna combination forms may be flexibly used to increase the antenna efficiency of the electronic device in the folded state, to enable the electronic device to obtain good antenna performance in the folded state.
In an implementation, when the current loop slot antenna is used as the main antenna element,
In an implementation, when the current loop left-handed antenna is used as the main antenna element,
In an implementation, when the current loop monopole antenna is used as the main antenna element,
In an implementation, when the current loop dipole antenna is used as the main antenna element,
In an implementation, when the left-handed antenna is used as the main antenna element, one end of the radiator is coupled to the feed point through the fourth capacitor.
In an implementation, when an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 450 MHz to 1 GHz, a range of a capacitance value of the first capacitor is [2 pF, 25 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 1 GHz to 3 GHZ, a range of a capacitance value of the first capacitor is [0.8 pF, 12 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 3 GHz to 10 GHz, a range of a capacitance value of the first capacitor is [0.2 pF, 8 pF].
In an implementation, when an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 450 MHz to 1 GHz, a range of capacitance values of the second capacitor and the third capacitor is [1.5 pF, 15 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 1 GHz to 3 GHZ, a range of capacitance values of the second capacitor and the third capacitor is [0.5 pF, 15 pF].
When an operating band of the main antenna element or the parasitic antenna element is 3 GHz to 10 GHz, a range of capacitance values of the second capacitor and the third capacitor is [1.2 pF, 12 pF].
In an implementation, the electronic device further includes a connecting part disposed between the first body and the second body. The first body and the second body are connected through the connecting part.
The first radiating branch is disposed at an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the first body. The second radiating branch is disposed at an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the second body.
In an implementation, the first radiating branch is disposed in a middle of an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the first body. The second radiating branch is disposed in a middle of an edge, opposite to the connecting part, of the second body.
According to a third aspect, this application provides a foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device includes a first body, a second body, and the antenna system that is described in the first aspect or the second aspect. The first body and the second body are connected to each other and are capable of being folded or unfolded relative to each other. The main antenna element included in the antenna system is disposed on the first body, and the parasitic antenna element included in the antenna system is disposed on the second body.
In the foldable electronic device, the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element that are opposite to each other are disposed on the two foldable bodies of the foldable electronic device, and the antenna structure having the radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna is used for both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. In the folded state, through magnetic field coupling between the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element, current loop radiation is formed on both the first radiating branch and the second radiating branch, and currents in a same direction are excited on the radiating branches of the two antenna elements. Based on a characteristic of the current loop radiation, longitudinal currents in a same direction may be excited simultaneously on two overlapping grounding plates of the foldable grounding plate of the electronic device. In this manner, in one aspect, a reverse transverse current generated on the foldable grounding plate in a gap mode in the folded state may be suppressed by using the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of suppressing excitation of the gap mode and reducing or eliminating energy consumed in the folded state, and further increase antenna efficiency in the folded state; and in another aspect, excitation effect of the longitudinal mode of the foldable grounding plate is enhanced through superposition effect of the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of further increasing the antenna efficiency in the folded state, and enable the electronic device to obtain better antenna performance in the folded state, effectively resolving a problem of poor antenna efficiency in a low band of the foldable electronic device in the folded state.
To describe technical solutions in implementations of this application more clearly, the following briefly describes accompanying drawings to be used in the implementations of this application. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some implementations of this application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art can derive another accompanying drawing from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.
Reference numerals of main components
This application is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the following implementations.
The following clearly and completely describes technical solutions in implementations of this application with reference to accompanying drawings in the implementations of this application. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, represent only schematic diagrams, and should not be construed as limiting this application. Apparently, described implementations are merely some but not all of implementations of this application. All other implementations obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the implementations of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have same meanings as meanings usually understood by a person skilled in the art. Terms used in this specification of this application are merely for the purpose of describing specific implementations, and are not intended to limit this application.
This application provides a foldable electronic device. The electronic device includes a first body and a second body that may be folded or unfolded relative to each other, and an antenna system. The antenna system includes a main antenna element and a parasitic antenna element that are respectively disposed opposite to edge regions of two foldable bodies of the electronic device. In two modes, a longitudinal mode and gap mode, included in an eigenmode of a foldable grounding plate of the electronic device, an antenna structure having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna is used for both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. In a folded state, through magnetic field coupling between the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element, current loop radiation is formed on both radiating branches of the two antenna elements, and currents in a same direction are excited on the radiating branches of the two antenna elements. Based on a characteristic of the current loop radiation, longitudinal currents in a same direction may be excited simultaneously on two overlapping grounding plates of the foldable grounding plate of the electronic device. In this manner, in one aspect, a reverse transverse current generated on the foldable grounding plate in a gap mode in the folded state may be suppressed by using the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of suppressing excitation of the gap mode and reducing or eliminating energy consumed in the folded state, and further increase antenna efficiency in the folded state; in another aspect, excitation effect of the longitudinal mode of the foldable grounding plate is enhanced through superposition effect of the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of further increasing the antenna efficiency in the folded state, and enable the electronic device to obtain better antenna performance in the folded state, effectively resolving a problem of poor antenna efficiency in a low band of the foldable electronic device 100 in the folded state.
As shown in
The electronic device 100 may also be provided with a connecting structure (not shown) on the connecting part 13 between the first body 11 and the second body 12, such as a rotating shaft or a hinge structure. The first body 11 and the second body 12 are connected through the connecting structure, and may be rotated through the connecting structure, to enable the first body 11 and the second body 12 to switch between a relatively folded state and a relatively unfolded state.
In the implementations, the electronic device 100 further includes a display 14 disposed on the first body 11 and the second body 12. The display 14 is used to display a visual output to a user. The visual output may include a graph, a text, an icon, a video, and the like. The display 14 may include a first display 141 and a second display 142. The first display 141 may be disposed on the first body 11, and the second display 142 may be disposed on the second body 12. Optionally, one of the first display 141 and the second display 142 may be set as a main screen, and the other display may be set as a secondary screen.
In an implementation, the first display 141 and the second display 142 may be coupled to each other, to enable the display 14 to be continuously disposed on a same side of the first body 11 and the second body 12. In this manner, the first display 141 and the second display 142 may form a complete plane when the electronic device 100 is fully unfolded. This enables the electronic device 100 to have a continuous large-area display when in the unfolded state, to achieve a function of displaying on a large screen, and to meet a requirement of the user for displaying on a large screen. The electronic device 100 has a small-area display when in a folded state, to meet a requirement of the user for ease of portability.
The display 14 may be a flexible screen. The display 14 may be hidden on an inner side of the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state, or may be exposed on an outer side of the electronic device 100. A type of the display 14 and a manner in which the display 14 is presented when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state are not limited in this application.
The processor 31 serves as a logic operation and control center of the electronic device 100, and is mainly responsible for functions such as data collection, data conversion, data processing, logic operation, communication, and execution of drive output. The processor 31 may include a plurality of input/output ports. The processor 31 may communicate and exchange information with another functional module or external device through the plurality of input/output ports, to implement functions such as driving and control of the electronic device 100.
The memory 32 may be accessed by the processor 31 or a peripheral interface (not shown), to implement data storage, calling, or the like. The memory 32 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other volatile solid-state storage devices.
The power supply module 33 is configured to supply power to other functional modules of the electronic device 100 and perform power management, to enable the other functional modules of the electronic device 100 to operate normally.
The another input/output device 34 may include devices for implementing functions supported by the electronic device 100, such as a speaker, a touch pad, a camera, a function key, an I/O port, and the like, to implement interaction between the electronic device 100 and a user.
In this implementation, the electronic device 100 further has a wireless communication function. Correspondingly, the electronic device 100 further includes an antenna system 200, and the antenna system 200 includes at least an antenna 20 and a radio frequency module 24. The antenna 20 may be coupled to the radio frequency module 24 through a transmission element (not shown), such as a coaxial cable or a microstrip line, to implement wireless signal transmission, establishing communication between the electronic device 100 and another network device. In the electronic device 100, to meet a requirement of the user for using various wireless communication technologies, the antenna 20 usually includes a plurality of antenna elements. Each antenna element may be configured to cover a single or a plurality of communication bands. Different antenna elements may be multiplexed to increase a utilization rate of the antenna. The plurality of antenna elements may be distributed on the first body 11 and/or the second body 12, and there are various types of antennas, such as a monopole (monopole) antenna, a dipole (dipole) antenna, and an inverted F-shaped antenna (inverted F-shaped antenna, IFA).
It may be understood that the electronic device 100 may further include a circuit board assembly (not shown) disposed inside the first body 11 and/or the second body 12. The circuit board assembly is configured to dispose an electronic component included in the electronic device 100, such as the processor 31, the memory 32, and the radio frequency module 24. The circuit board assembly may be a flexible circuit board assembly or a rigid-flex circuit board assembly.
Specifically, the housing 40 includes a middle frame 41 and a rear cover 42. The middle frame 41 is connected to at least one edge region of the rear cover 42. The middle frame 41 may be partially or entirely formed by a conductive structure (such as metal), or the middle frame 41 may be partially or entirely formed by a dielectric structure (such as plastic). The middle frame 41 includes a first middle frame 411 corresponding to the first body 11 and a second middle frame 412 corresponding to the second body 12. The first middle frame 411 and the second middle frame 412 are connected to each other.
The rear cover 42 may be formed by a conductive structure (such as metal) or a dielectric structure (such as glass). The rear cover 42 includes a first rear cover 421 corresponding to the first body 11 and a second rear cover 422 corresponding to the second body 12. The first rear cover 421 and the second rear cover 422 may be connected through the connecting part 13.
In this implementation, when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state, the first middle frame 411 and the second middle frame 412 are overlapped, and the first rear cover 421 and the second rear cover 422 are overlapped. The antenna 20 may be disposed on the middle frame 41 and/or the rear cover.
The internal component 50 accommodated in the accommodating cavity includes but is not limited to a first circuit board assembly 511 and a first battery cell 512 that are corresponding to the first body 11, and a second circuit board assembly 521 and a second battery cell 522 that are corresponding to the second body 12. The first circuit board assembly 511 is configured to dispose an electronic component included in the first body 11, and the second circuit board assembly 521 is configured to dispose an electronic component included in the second body 12. The first battery cell 512 and the second battery cell 522 are configured to provide power for electronic components disposed on the first body 11 and/or the second body 12. In another implementation, the electronic device 100 may further include one battery cell or more than two battery cells.
In this implementation, several metal components disposed on the first body 11, such as a part or all of a metal structure on the first middle frame 411, a part or all of a metal structure on the first rear cover 421, and several components with a metal conductive property included in the first circuit board assembly 511, the first battery cell 512, and the like may be coupled, and form a first reference ground 61 corresponding to the first body 11. Similarly, several metal components disposed on the second body 12, such as a part or all of a metal structure on the second middle frame 412, a part or all of a metal structure on the second rear cover 422, and several components with a metal conductive property included in the second circuit board assembly 521, the second battery cell 522, and the like may be coupled, and form a second reference ground 62 corresponding to the second body 12.
It should be noted that the first reference ground 61 and the second reference ground 62 in this application are not a complete metal grounding plate, but a combination of several coupled metal components. To facilitate illustration in a figure and facilitate understanding, the first reference ground 61 and the second reference ground 62 are represented as complete block equivalent structures with a specific thickness below. The first reference ground 61 and the second reference ground 62 may be coupled to each other.
It may be understood that the electronic device 100 shown in
During use of the electronic device 100, the inventor finds that antenna efficiency of the electronic device 100 differs greatly in two basic states, the unfolded state and folded state. Compared with antenna efficiency in the unfolded state, antenna efficiency of the electronic device 100 in the folded state is obviously poor. The difference is more obvious in a low band, and antenna efficiency in a low band in the folded state is approximately 2 dB to 4 dB less than the antenna efficiency in a low band in the unfolded state. To analyze a reason why the antenna efficiency in the folded state is reduced, and to increase the antenna efficiency corresponding to the folded state, the inventor has conducted a lot of research and analysis.
It may be learned from an eigenmode of the grounding plate of the electronic device 100 analyzed through a simulated experiment that, when the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the eigenmode of the large-area single grounding plate of the electronic device 100 in the low band is a longitudinal mode. When the electronic device 100 is in the folded state, the eigenmode of the small-area foldable grounding plate 60 of the electronic device 100 in the low band is represented as the longitudinal mode and a gap mode. It should be noted that the eigenmode is an inherent resonance mode of a metal body without any excitation, and is not related to an antenna, and whether the eigenmode of the metal body may be excited, and excitation effect of the eigenmode depend on design of the antenna on the metal body.
Based on simulation results shown in
In a conventional antenna solution, an ordinary antenna a is disposed at an edge of a body of the electronic device 100. For example, as shown in
As shown in
This may be understood as follows. When the ordinary antenna a is excited, a current is induced on the upper grounding plate, to enable the upper grounding plate to be positively or negatively charged. When the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate of the foldable grounding plate 60 are close to each other, at a specific time point, if the upper grounding plate is positively charged, negative charges are induced on the lower grounding plate, and a voltage difference is formed between the two overlapping grounding plates. Therefore, the electric field is generated in the gap G0 between the two overlapping grounding plates. The upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate are coupled through the connecting part 13, and currents are induced on the inner surfaces, close to the gap G0, of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate, and a distribution direction of a current on the upper grounding plate and a distribution direction of a current on the lower grounding plate are opposite to each other.
Because the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate of the foldable grounding plate 60 have a specific thickness, and the thickness is usually far greater than a distance of the gap G0, currents induced in the gap G0 mainly crowd in the inner surfaces, close to the gap G0, of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate. This may be understood as follows. Due to existence of the flat plate capacitor, the currents induced in the gap G0 mainly crowd in the inner surfaces, close to the gap G0, of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate. To be specific, a “transverse current” or “gap current” in the gap mode is formed.
In addition, the currents in the longitudinal mode excited on the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate mainly crowd in the outer surfaces of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate, and are distributed in a longitudinal direction of the two grounding plates. To be specific, the “longitudinal currents” in the longitudinal mode are formed. Current distribution and electric field distribution in the longitudinal mode of the foldable grounding plate 60 are similar to current distribution and electric field distribution in the longitudinal mode of a single grounding plate in the unfolded state.
Based on the foregoing analysis of the simulation results of current distribution and a principle of current generation in the eigenmode of the grounding plate of the foldable electronic device 100, it may be learned that a gap mode is included in the eigenmode of the foldable grounding plate 60 compared with the single grounding plate in the unfolded state. In this manner, for the foldable electronic device 100, a reason why the antenna efficiency in the folded state is significantly less than the antenna efficiency in the unfolded state should be related to excitation of the gap mode of the foldable grounding plate 60.
Through research, it is found that in the folded state, when the gap mode is excited, energy generated in the gap G0 is consumed/absorbed by a high-loss material located in the gap G0, causing antenna efficiency in the gap mode to be obviously reduced, and affecting antenna radiation effect.
Specifically, in the folded state, there is a high-loss material with high resistivity and poor conductivity in the gap G0. For example, in the folded state, if the display 14 is hidden on an inner side of the electronic device 100, an ITO layer and the like included in the display 14 provide the high-loss material in the gap G0. If the display 14 is exposed on an outer side of the electronic device 100, and a glass rear cover of the electronic device 100 is hidden on the inner side of the electronic device 100, a glass layer included in the glass rear cover also provides the high-loss material in the gap G0. As shown in
As described above, when the ordinary antenna a is excited, an electric field is coupled in the gap G0 between the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate, and transverse currents in opposite directions are induced on the inner surfaces, close to the gap G0, of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate. Because the display 14 is disposed in the gap G0 and is attached to the inner surfaces of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate, after meeting a high-loss material, namely, a dielectric with resistivity, included in the display 14, currents induced on the inner surfaces of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate are absorbed or consumed by the high-loss material. This may be understood as follows. The high-loss material is added to the gap G0, and in closed space of the gap G0, the electric field passes the high-loss material, to enable energy of the electric field to be absorbed or consumed by the high-loss material.
It may be learned from the foregoing analysis that, when the eigenmode of the foldable grounding plate 60 is excited, as more currents are excited in the gap mode, more energy is consumed in the gap mode. Consequently, the antenna efficiency in the folded state is significantly less than the antenna efficiency in the unfolded state.
In addition, as described above, when the ordinary antenna a is excited, longitudinal currents in the longitudinal mode excited on the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate mainly crowd in the outer surfaces of the upper grounding plate and lower grounding plate. Therefore, the longitudinal currents are not absorbed by the high-loss material in the gap G0. It may be learned that excitation of the longitudinal mode is not a reason for poor antenna efficiency in the folded state, and the longitudinal mode may be utilized for antenna radiation.
Because longitudinal currents are generated on both the first reference ground 61 and the second reference ground 62 of the foldable grounding plate 60 in the longitudinal mode, and longitudinal currents in opposite directions are respectively generated in the first reference ground 61 and the second reference ground 62 of the foldable grounding plate 60 in the gap mode, as shown in
It may be learned that, to increase the antenna efficiency in the folded state, one key point is to suppress excitation of the gap mode of the foldable grounding plate 60 and reduce or eliminate energy consumed in the folded state.
Refer to
It may be learned from
It may be learned that, to increase the antenna efficiency in the folded state, another key point is to enhance excitation of longitudinal currents in a same direction of the upper reference ground and lower reference ground of the foldable grounding plate 60.
Based on the foregoing analysis, the inventor also performs simulated verification on the current distribution and magnetic field distribution corresponding to the eigenmode of the foldable grounding plate 60 of the electronic device 100 in the foregoing conventional antenna solution.
With reference to a simulation result of current distribution shown in
Through hard research and analysis by the inventor and a large quantity of simulation results of experimental data, it is found that the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element are respectively disposed at edges of the two bodies of the electronic device 100, and both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element use an antenna structure having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna, the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element are used for magnetic field coupling, current loop radiation is formed on radiating branches of the two antenna elements respectively, and currents in a same direction are excited on the radiating branches of the two antenna elements respectively. In this manner, longitudinal currents in a same direction may be excited on the upper reference ground and lower reference ground of the foldable grounding plate 60. This may enhance excitation effect of the longitudinal mode, suppress excitation of the gap mode, and reduce or eliminate energy consumed in the folded state, achieving a purpose of improving antenna performance in the folded state. When a radiation characteristic of the current loop antenna is that there is an even magnetic field near a radiating branch of the antenna element when the antenna element is operating.
Specifically, in this implementation, as shown in
In this implementation, the first edge region B1 is disposed at an edge, opposite to the connecting part 13, of the first body 11, and the second edge region B2 is dispose at an edge, opposite to the connecting part 13, of the second body 12. The another antenna element 23 may be disposed on the middle frame 41 and/or the rear cover, and a form, quantity, position, and the like of the another antenna element 23 are not limited in this application.
In this implementation, both the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 are antenna structures having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna, and the first radiating branch 211 and the second radiating branch 221 are radiators that can perform current loop radiation. The first radiating branch 211 may include one or more radiators. For example, as shown in
In this implementation, the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 may include a plurality of different implementations. For example, as shown in
In this implementation, the first radiating branch 211 is configured to perform magnetic field coupling with the second radiating branch 221, to form current loop radiation on both the first radiating branch 211 and the second radiating branch 221, and a current direction in a current loop formed on the first radiating branch 211 is the same as a current direction in a current loop formed on the second radiating branch 221.
Specifically, in this implementation, the main antenna element 21 further includes a feed point P0. The feed point P0 is used to feed the first radiating branch 211, to generate currents on the two radiators L1 and L2 of the first radiating branch 211, forming radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna.
The parasitic antenna element 22 is a passive antenna structure including a resonant structure, and the first radiating branch 211 is further configured to perform magnetic field coupling with the second radiating branch 221, to implement excitation of a current on the second radiating branch 221 through magnetic field coupling. This enables the second radiating branch 221 to perform radiation having the radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. Specifically, the second radiating branch 221 obtains magnetic excitation from the two radiators L11 and L12 through magnetic field coupled feeding with the first radiating branch 211, to generate currents on the two radiators L3 and L4, forming radiation having the radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna.
When the electronic device 100 is in a folded state and the main antenna element 21 is operating, a current is generated on the first radiating branch 211, to perform current loop radiation.
In addition, the main antenna element 21 further excites radiation of the parasitic antenna element 22. Specifically, under excitation of the current on the first radiating branch 211, the first radiating branch 211 couples energy to the second radiating branch 221 through magnetic field coupling, to implement coupled feeding on the second radiating branch 221, exciting the second radiating branch 221 to perform radiation having the radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. For example, the second radiating branch 221 is excited to generate an even magnetic field for radiation.
A principle of an electric field and a current generated by exciting the eigenmode of the foldable grounding plate 60 in the antenna solution provided in this implementation of this application are analyzed below with reference to a schematic diagram shown in
The main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 are both antenna structures having the radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. In addition, as described above, the direction of the current generated through excitation on the first radiating branch 211 is opposite to a direction of a current generated through excitation on a part, close to the first radiating branch 211, of the first reference ground 61, and the direction of the current generated through excitation on the second radiating branch 221 of the parasitic antenna element 22 is opposite to a direction of a current generated through excitation on a part, close to the second radiating branch 221, of the second reference ground 62. Therefore, a longitudinal current direction on the first reference ground 61 is the same as a longitudinal current direction on the second reference ground 62, to achieve a purpose of enhancing excitation of the longitudinal mode.
In addition, because currents in the same direction are generated on the first radiating branch 211 and the second radiating branch 221, currents in a same direction are also induced on the first reference ground 61 near the first radiating branch 211 and on the second reference ground 62 near the second radiating branch 221. Both the upper grounding plate and the lower grounding plate are positively charged. In this manner, in the gap G0, an electric field generated by inducing the first radiating branch 211 and an electric field generated by inducing the second radiating branch 221 offset each other. This enables no electric field to be generated in the gap G0, or an electric field generated in the gap G0 by the main antenna element 21 is weakened.
It may be understood that when the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 are disposed to be overlapped, and resonance structures of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 are similar and resonance points of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 are close to each other, the electric field in the gap G0 can achieve an effect of completely being offset. When the electric field in the gap G0 is entirely offset or weakened, no transverse current is generated on inner surfaces of the upper grounding plate and the lower grounding plate, or a transverse current is weakened. In this manner, distribution of the transverse current in the gap mode is damaged, achieving a purpose of suppressing excitation of the gap mode of the foldable grounding plate 60.
Based on the current distribution shown in
Compared with
In addition, it may be learned from
Based on various implementations of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 listed in
Structures of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 are described below with reference to several combination forms of the antenna structure, to more clearly describe a magnetic field coupling antenna solution provided in an implementation of this application.
In an implementation, as shown in
Refer to
In a different implementation, a capacitance value of the first capacitor C1 may be determined based on an operating band of the current loop slot antenna 21. It may be understood that, due to disposing of the first capacitor C1 and based on an electric energy storage characteristic of the capacitor, a difference in current distribution on the radiator L11 and the radiator L12 at different positions at a same time point is not extremely large. In other words, an even current is generated on the radiator L11 and radiator L12. Based on the even current on the radiator L11 and radiator L12, an even current may also be generated on the first reference ground 61, and a current direction on the first reference ground 61 is opposite to a current direction on the radiator L11 and radiator L12, to form a closed even current loop between the radiator L11 and the radiator L12, and the first reference ground 61 near the radiator L11 and radiator L12. In this manner, an evenly distributed magnetic field may be obtained in space near the radiator L11 and radiator L12, achieving effect of current loop radiation.
In the implementation shown in
In an implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch of the current loop slot antenna 21 is a direct feeding form. To be specific, the radiating branch of the current loop slot antenna 21 is coupled to the feed point P0, and is used to generate a current by exciting the feed point P0, to perform radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. Specifically, as shown in
In another implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch 211 of the current loop slot antenna 21 is a coupled feeding form. Specifically, as shown in
Refer to
In a different implementation, capacitance values of the fourth capacitor C0 and the first capacitor C1 may be determined based on an operating band of the current loop left-handed antenna 22. Disposing of the fourth capacitor C0 may be used to excite the two radiators L21 and L22 to generate corresponding left-handed mode resonance for radiation.
For principles of magnetic field coupling performed between the current loop slot antenna 21 and the current loop left-handed antenna 22 and radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna, refer to detailed description of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 shown in
In another implementation, as shown in
A structure of the current loop left-handed antenna 21 shown in
In an implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch of the current loop left-handed antenna 21 is a direct feeding form. To be specific, the radiating branch of the current loop left-handed antenna 21 is coupled to the feed point P0, and is used to generate a current by exciting the feed point P0, to perform radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. Specifically, as shown in
In another implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch of the current loop left-handed antenna 21 is a coupled feeding form. Specifically, as shown in
Refer to
For principles of magnetic field coupling performed between the current loop left-handed antenna 21 and the current loop monopole antenna 22 and radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna, refer to detailed description of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 shown in
In another implementation, as shown in
A structure of the current loop monopole antenna 21 shown in
In an implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch of the current loop monopole antenna 21 is a direct feeding form. To be specific, the radiating branch of the current loop monopole antenna 21 is coupled to the feed point P0, and is used to generate a current by exciting the feed point P0, to perform radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. Specifically, as shown in
In another implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch of the current loop monopole antenna 21 is a coupled feeding form. Specifically, as shown in
Refer to
In a different implementation, a capacitance value of the fourth capacitor C0 may be determined based on an operating band of the left-handed antenna 22. Disposing of the fourth capacitor C0 may be used to excite the radiator L41 to generate corresponding left-handed mode resonance for radiation.
For principles of magnetic field coupling performed between the current loop monopole antenna 21 and the left-handed antenna 22 and radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna, refer to detailed description of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 shown in
In another implementation, as shown in
Refer to
In a different implementation, capacitance values of the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2, and the third capacitor C3 may be determined based on an operating band of the current loop dipole antenna 21. It may be understood that, due to disposing of the first capacitor C1 and based on an electric energy storage characteristic of the capacitor, a difference in current distribution on the radiator L51 and radiator L52 at different positions at a same time point is not extremely large. In other words, an even current is generated on the radiator L51 and radiator L52. Based on the even current on the radiator L51 and radiator L52, an even current may also be generated on the first reference ground 61, and a current direction on the first reference ground 61 is opposite to a current direction on the radiator L51 and radiator L52, to form a closed even current loop between the radiator L51 and the radiator L52, and the first reference ground 61 near the radiator L51 and radiator L52. In this manner, an evenly distributed magnetic field may be obtained in space near the radiator L51 and radiator L52, achieving effect of current loop radiation.
In some embodiments, a length of the radiating branch of the current loop dipole antenna 21, namely, a total length of the radiator L51 and radiator L52, may be related to an operating band of the current loop dipole antenna. For example, the total length may be less than ½ of a corresponding operating wavelength of the operating band of the current loop dipole antenna 21 and greater than ¼ of the operating wavelength.
It should be noted that, in different embodiments, a relationship between a length of the radiator L51 and a length of the radiator L52 may be flexible. For example, the radiator L51 and radiator L52 may have a same size, or a length of the radiator L51 may be less than or greater than the length of the radiator L52. In this manner, a position of the capacitor C1 disposed between the radiator L51 and radiator L52 may also be flexible.
In the implementation shown in
In an implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch of the current loop dipole antenna 21 is a direct feeding form. To be specific, the radiating branch of the current loop dipole antenna 21 is coupled to the feed point P0, and is used to generate a current by exciting the feed point P0, to perform radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. Specifically, as shown in
In another implementation, a feeding form of the radiating branch 211 of the current loop dipole antenna 21 is a coupled feeding form. Specifically, as shown in
A structure of the current loop slot antenna 22 shown in
For principles of magnetic field coupling performed between the current loop dipole antenna 21 and the current loop slot antenna 22 and radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna, refer to detailed description of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 shown in
In another implementation, as shown in
A structure of the left-handed antenna 21 shown in
In an implementation, a radiating branch of the left-handed antenna 21 is coupled to the feed point P0 and is used to generate a current by exciting the feed point P0, to perform radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna. Specifically, as shown in
A structure of the current loop dipole antenna 22 shown in
For principles of magnetic field coupling performed between the left-handed antenna 21 and the current loop dipole antenna 22 and radiation having a radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna, refer to detailed description of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 shown in
In another implementation, as shown in
As described above, based on various implementations of the main antenna element 21 and the parasitic antenna element 22 listed in
In the foregoing current loop antenna provided in this implementation of this application, as shown in
The low band, middle band, and high band include but are not limited to a Bluetooth (Bluetooth, BT) communication technology, a global positioning system (global positioning system, GPS) communication technology, a wireless fidelity (Wireless Fidelity, Wi-Fi) communication technology, a global system for mobile communication (global system for mobile communication, GSM) communication technology, a wideband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA) communication technology, a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) communication technology, a 5G communication technology, a SUB-6G communication technology, other future communication technologies, and the like. The LB may be a band covering 450 MHz to 1 GHZ, the MB may be a band covering 1 GHZ to 3 GHZ, and the HB may be a band covering 3 GHz to 10 GHz, including 5G NR, Wi-Fi 6E, UWB, and other common bands.
In the current loop antenna provided in this implementation of this application, in specific design, for example, as shown in
It should be noted the examples of the value ranges of the capacitor are only used for illustration. The capacitance values of the capacitors may alternatively be flexibly set under different environments.
Through comparison of the curve S1 and the curve S3, it may be learned that the antenna solution in which the current loop slot antenna for current loop radiation is used for both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. Compared with the conventional antenna solution in which no parasitic structure is added to the ordinary left-handed antenna, the antenna radiation efficiency of the electronic device in the folded state is increased in the low band. For example, an average value of the antenna radiation efficiency in an LTE B5 (0.824 GHz to 0.894 GHZ) band is increased by approximately 4 dB.
Through comparison of the curve S2 and the curve S4, it may be learned that the antenna solution in which the current loop slot antenna for current loop radiation is used for both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. Compared with the conventional antenna solution in which no parasitic structure is added to the ordinary left-handed antenna, the system efficiency of the electronic device in the folded state is increased in the low band. For example, an average value of the system efficiency in an LTE B5 (0.824 GHz to 0.894 GHZ) band is increased by approximately 4 dB to 5 dB.
Through comparison of the curve S1 and the curve S3, it may be learned that the antenna solution in which the left-handed antenna for current loop radiation is used for both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. Compared with the conventional antenna solution in which no parasitic structure is added to the ordinary left-handed antenna, the antenna radiation efficiency of the electronic device in the folded state is increased in the low band. For example, an average value of the antenna radiation efficiency in an LTE B20 (0.791 GHz to 0.862 GHZ) band is increased by approximately 2.5 dB.
Through comparison of the curve S2 and the curve S4, it may be learned that the antenna solution in which the left-handed antenna for current loop radiation is used for both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. Compared with the conventional antenna solution in which no parasitic structure is added to the ordinary left-handed antenna, the system efficiency of the electronic device in the folded state is increased in the low band. For example, an average value of the system efficiency in an LTE B20 (0.791 GHz to 0.862 GHz) band is increased by approximately 1 dB to 2 dB.
Based on
In summary, in the foldable electronic device provided in this application, the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element that are opposite to each other are disposed at the edge regions of the two foldable bodies, and the antenna structure having the radiation characteristic of a current loop antenna is used for both the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element. In the folded state, through magnetic field coupling between the main antenna element and the parasitic antenna element, current loop radiation is formed on both the first radiating branch and the second radiating branch, and currents in a same direction are excited on the radiating branches of the two antenna elements. Based on a characteristic of the current loop radiation, longitudinal currents in a same direction may be excited simultaneously on two overlapping grounding plates of a foldable grounding plate of the electronic device. In this manner, in one aspect, a reverse transverse current generated on the foldable grounding plate in a gap mode in the folded state may be suppressed by using the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of suppressing excitation of the gap mode and reducing or eliminating energy consumed in the folded state, and further increase antenna efficiency in the folded state; in another aspect, excitation effect of the longitudinal mode of the foldable grounding plate is enhanced through superposition effect of the longitudinal currents in the same direction on the two overlapping grounding plates, to achieve a purpose of further increasing the antenna efficiency in the folded state, and enable the electronic device 100 to obtain better antenna performance in the folded state, effectively resolving a problem of poor antenna efficiency in a low band of the foldable electronic device 100 in the folded state.
The foregoing descriptions are merely some implementations of this application, but the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202111582246.0 | Dec 2021 | CN | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/CN2022/114068 | 8/22/2022 | WO |