EP4597746A1

EP4597746A1 - Antenna system and foldable electronic device

Info

Publication number: EP4597746A1
Application number: EP23887577.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shumin Liu; Cheng JIANG; Yuanpeng Li; Xiaotao CAI; Lei Sun
Original assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-11
Filing date: 2023-08-22
Publication date: 2025-08-06
Also published as: WO2024098882A1; CN118073836A; EP4597746A4; CN120202593A

Abstract

Embodiments of this application disclose an antenna system and a foldable electronic device, and relate to the field of electronic device technologies. Through disposing of a distributed antenna radiator and signal tuning processing on a link of a radiator far away from a feed, the antenna system can provide relatively good radiation performance in both an unfolded state and a closed state. A specific solution is as follows: The antenna system includes: a feed, a first radiator, and a second radiator. The feed and the first radiator are disposed on the first part, the feed and the second radiator are disposed on the second part, and operating bands of the first radiator and the second radiator at least partially overlap. The feed is coupled to the first radiator to form a first link, and the feed is further coupled to the second radiator to form a second link. A tuning module is disposed on the second link, and the tuning module is configured to perform phase and power tuning processing on a signal on the second link.

Description

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211413909.0, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on November 11, 2022 and entitled "ANTENNA SYSTEM AND FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of electronic device technologies, and in particular, to an antenna system and a foldable electronic device.

BACKGROUND

An antenna system may be provided in a foldable electronic device to support a wireless communication function of the foldable electronic device. The antenna system may include an antenna radiator, configured to perform conversion between an electrical signal and an electromagnetic wave.
During use, the foldable electronic device may be in an unfolded state or a closed state. In the unfolded state and the closed state, there are different environments near the antenna radiator. For example, in the unfolded state, space around the antenna radiator is relatively open, and correspondingly, the antenna system may have relatively good radiation performance. For another example, in the closed state, the antenna radiator may be close to a component having a relatively high loss, such as a foldable screen of the foldable device, that is, space around the antenna radiator is relatively poor, and therefore radiation performance is affected correspondingly.
To satisfy wireless communication requirements in different scenarios, the antenna system in the foldable electronic device needs to provide relatively good radiation performance in both the unfolded state and the closed state.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this application provide an antenna system and a foldable electronic device. Through disposing of a distributed antenna radiator and signal tuning processing on a link of a radiator far away from a feed, the antenna system can provide relatively good radiation performance in both an unfolded state and a closed state, thereby supporting wireless communication quality of the foldable electronic device.
According to a first aspect, an antenna system is provided, applied to a foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device includes a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are on a same surface when the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, and the first part and the second part are on different surfaces when the foldable electronic device is in a closed state. The antenna system includes: a feed, a first radiator, and a second radiator. The feed and the first radiator are disposed on the first part, the feed and the second radiator are disposed on the second part, and operating bands of the first radiator and the second radiator at least partially overlap. The feed is coupled to the first radiator to form a first link, and the feed is further coupled to the second radiator to form a second link. An insertion loss of the second link is greater than that of the first link, and/or phase differences generated by the second link and the first link for a same input signal are different. A tuning module is disposed on the second link, and the tuning module is configured to perform phase, amplitude, and power tuning processing on a signal on the second link.
In this way, a phase, an amplitude, and power on a relatively long link (for example, the second link) are tuned by using the tuning module, so that signals input to the second radiator and the first radiator meet an expected setting. Therefore, in the unfolded state, fields generated by the two radiators can be effectively superimposed, thereby improving radiation performance. Correspondingly, in the closed state, currents in a same direction may be distributed on the two radiators, so that a slot mode is not generated to affect antenna radiation. In addition, because the tuning module may further adjust the power, power of a signal input to the second radiator may be adjusted according to an actual requirement. For example, the power of the signal input to the second radiator may be equivalent to power of a feed signal output by the feed, thereby providing better active radiation performance by using the distributed antenna architecture. In some other implementations, when radiation performance (such as system efficiency) of any one of the two radiators is less than that of the other radiator, based on a power adjustment function, power input to the radiator with lower radiation performance may be adjusted to be greater than power on the other radiator. Therefore, when the two radiators operate simultaneously, the two radiators can perform radiation with same or similar performance.
Optionally, the first link and the second link include an overlapping third part. The feed is connected to the third part. That the feed is coupled to the first radiator to form a first link includes: The feed is connected to a first end of the third part, and a second end of the third part is coupled to the first radiator. That the feed is coupled to the second radiator to form a second link includes: The feed is connected to the first end of the third part, and the second end of the third part is further coupled to the second radiator.
Optionally, the antenna system further includes a coupling module, an input end of the coupling module is connected to the second end of the third part, a first output end of the coupling module is coupled to the first radiator, and a second output end of the coupling module is coupled to the second radiator.
Optionally, the coupling module is a directional coupler, the first output end is a direct through end, and the second output end is a coupling end.
Therefore, division into two signals is implemented by using the coupler. It may be understood that power at a direct through end of the coupler is equivalent to power at an input end, and power at a coupling end is relatively low. In this case, power of a signal input to the first radiator can be effectively ensured. Because the tuning module is disposed on the second link, even if the coupling end is connected, power of a signal finally input to the second radiator can also be ensured.
Optionally, the tuning module includes: an amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit configured to perform amplitude and phase adjustment, and a power amplification unit configured to perform power adjustment.
Optionally, the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit includes an adjustable phase shifter; or an adjustable attenuator and an adjustable phase shifter. It may be understood that when the amplification unit needs to cooperate with a front amplitude attenuator, the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit may include an attenuator or an adjustable attenuator. Correspondingly, when the amplification unit does not need to cooperate with a front amplitude attenuator, the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit may be provided with only a phase shifter or an adjustable phase shifter.
Optionally, the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit is further configured to modulate a phase of a second signal, so that the phase of the second signal corresponds to a phase of a first signal. The first signal is a signal transmitted to the first radiator through the first link from a feed signal fed by the feed. The second signal is a signal transmitted to the second radiator through the second link from the feed signal.
Optionally, that the phase of the second signal corresponds to a phase of a first signal includes: If the antenna system operates in a low-frequency band, when the foldable electronic device is in the unfolded state, a phase difference between the phase of the second signal and the phase of the first signal is included in a range of [70 degrees, 250 degrees]. If the antenna system operates in a low-frequency band or a medium/highfrequency band, when the foldable electronic device is in the closed state, a phase difference between the phase of the second signal and the phase of the first signal is included in a range of [0 degrees, 90 degrees].
Therefore, in different folding statuses, different phase adjustment may be performed on phases of signals transmitted to the two radiators. Therefore, it is ensured that in the unfolded state, fields generated by the two radiators can be superimposed with each other, and in the closed state, currents on the two radiators can be distributed in a same direction.
Optionally, the tuning module further includes: a filter unit. The filter unit is configured to perform filtering processing on the signal on the second link based on a current operating band. In some implementations, the filtering processing may filter out a clutter signal in an amplification and amplitude modulation and phase modulation process. In some other implementations, the filtering processing may also implement a frequency selection function.
Optionally, the filter unit includes at least one filter.
Optionally, the filter unit includes one filter, and a response band of the filter corresponds to the operating band of the second radiator.
Optionally, the filter unit includes at least two filters, the at least two filters include a first filter and a second filter, a corresponding band of the first filter is a first band, and a response band of the second filter is a second band. The first band is different from the second band, and the first band and the second band are included in the operating band of the second radiator. A switch unit is connected to each of the at least two filters, so that the foldable device controls turn-on/turn-off of the switch unit, to implement filtering processing of the corresponding filter on the signal on the second link.
Optionally, when the antenna system operates in the first band, a switch unit connected to the first filter is turned on, and a switch unit connected to the second filter is turned off. Filtering processing is performed on the signal on the second link by using the first filter. When the antenna system operates in the second band, a switch unit connected to the second filter is turned on, and a switch unit connected to the first filter is turned off. Filtering processing is performed on the signal on the second link by using the second filter.
Therefore, by disposing a plurality of filters having different response bands, and controlling different filters to operate in different cases, a current operating frequency can be selectively processed, so that radiation of the second radiator can support current wireless communication.
Optionally, operating bands of the first radiator and the second radiator at least partially overlap. For example, an overlapping part of the operating bands of the first radiator and the second radiator may include a low-frequency band. For example, the low-frequency band includes at least one of the following: B71, n71, B12, n12, B28, n28, B20, n20, B5, n5, B8, and n8. It may be understood that in this example, an example in which the overlapping part of the operating bands of the first radiator and the second radiator includes the low-frequency band is used. In some other implementations, the overlapping part of the operating bands of the first radiator and the second radiator may alternatively include a medium/high-frequency band.
Optionally, when communication quality of the foldable electronic device is better than a preset condition, the tuning module stops operation, and the antenna system performs communication through the first link. For example, the preset condition may be that RSRP is greater than a preset RSRP threshold, and/or a received signal strength indication RSSI in current communication is greater than a preset RSSI threshold, and/or reference signal received quality RSRQ in current communication is greater than a preset RSRQ threshold, and/or a signal to interference plus noise ratio SINR in current communication is greater than a preset SINR threshold. In this way, even if communication is performed by using only the first link, wireless communication quality can be ensured. Therefore, energy saving can be achieved by stopping operation of the second link.
According to a second aspect, a foldable electronic device is provided. The foldable electronic device includes a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are on a same surface when the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, and the first part and the second part are on different surfaces when the foldable electronic device is in a closed state. The antenna system according to any one of the first aspect and the possible designs of the first aspect is provided in the foldable electronic device for wireless communication.
It should be understood that technical features of the technical solutions provided in the second aspect can all correspond to the technical solutions provided in the first aspect and the possible designs of the first aspect, and therefore similar beneficial effects can be achieved. Details are not described herein again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an antenna system on a mobile phone;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a foldable mobile phone;
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an antenna system on a foldable mobile phone;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a solution of disposing an antenna by reusing a metal frame on a foldable mobile phone;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of operation of an antenna of a foldable mobile phone in a closed state;
FIG. 6 is a diagram of operation of an antenna of a foldable mobile phone in a closed state;
FIG. 7 is a diagram of antenna efficiency simulation in a closed state;
FIG. 8 is a diagram of an antenna system on a foldable mobile phone;
FIG. 9 is a diagram of antenna efficiency simulation in a closed state;
FIG. 10 is a diagram of composition of a path loss;
FIG. 11A is a diagram of composition of an electronic device according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 11B is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 12 is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 13 is a diagram of a coupling module according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 14 is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 15 is a diagram of a specific implementation of a coupling module according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 16 is a diagram of composition of a tuning module according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 17 is a diagram of a specific implementation in which a tuning module is used on an antenna link according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 18A is a diagram of composition of a filter unit according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 18B is a diagram of composition of a filter unit according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 19 is a diagram of power distribution according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 20 is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 21 is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 22 is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application; and
FIG. 23 is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An antenna system may be provided in an electronic device to support a wireless communication function of the electronic device.
For example, with reference to FIG. 1, an example in which the electronic device is a mobile phone is used.
An antenna system 110 may be provided in the mobile phone. The antenna system 110 may support, by using components in the antenna system, the mobile phone in providing wireless communication functions such as a cellular wireless communication function and a short-range wireless communication function for a user.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the antenna system 110 may include a feed 111 and an antenna 112. The feed 111 may be configured to provide a transmitted signal in a transmission scenario, or receive a signal from the antenna for analysis and processing in a receiving scenario. An operating band of the antenna 112 may include at least a part of an operating band corresponding to wireless communication. For example, the operating band may include a cellular communication band (such as 700 MHz-3 GHz), a short-range communication band (such as bands related to 2.4 GHz Bluetooth, 2.4G WIFI, and 5G WIFI), and another wireless communication band. When the antenna system 110 operates, the feed 111 may transmit a feed signal to the antenna 112, to excite the antenna 112 to operate in a corresponding mode. For example, in a transmission scenario, the antenna 112 may convert a feed signal from the feed 111 into an electromagnetic wave for radiation. For another example, in a receiving scenario, the antenna 112 may receive an electromagnetic wave, and convert the electromagnetic wave into an electrical signal for transmission to the feed 111, so that a radio frequency/baseband circuit at a front end of the feed 111 determines, based on the electrical signal, information carried in the electromagnetic wave.
It may be understood that the antenna system 110 shown in FIG. 1 may be configured to cover some or all of wireless communication bands of the electronic device. When the antenna system 110 cannot cover all wireless communication bands of the electronic device, a plurality of antenna systems operating in different bands may be provided in the electronic device.
In the foregoing example in FIG. 1, an example in which the electronic device is a bar-type mobile phone is used for description.
In some other embodiments, the electronic device may alternatively be a foldable electronic device (foldable device for short). In embodiments of this application, the foldable device may be an electronic device provided with a folding shaft. The foldable device may be provided with the folding shaft. Through folding of the folding shaft, the foldable device may have different folding statuses, for example, a closed state, an unfolded state, and a semi-closed state between the closed state and the unfolded state.
In some implementations, a foldable screen may be provided on the foldable device, so that when a folding angle of the folding shaft changes from small to large (corresponding to a process in which the foldable device is unfolded), the foldable screen may be gradually unfolded to provide a display function for a user. In different implementations, the foldable device may include: a foldable mobile phone, a foldable tablet, or the like.
That the foldable device is the foldable mobile phone is used as an example. In some embodiments, at least two screens may be provided on the foldable mobile phone. For example, that three screens are provided on the foldable mobile phone is used as an example. Two screens, for example, a screen A and a screen B, connected to each other may be provided on a side of the foldable mobile phone. In some other embodiments, the two screens connected to each other may alternatively be one foldable screen. For example, the screen A and the screen B may respectively correspond to two parts of a foldable flexible screen on two sides of the folding shaft. Correspondingly, a third screen, for example, a screen C, may be provided on another side of the foldable mobile phone.
A folding status of the foldable mobile phone is briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. The screen A is abbreviated as A, the screen B is abbreviated as B, and the screen C is abbreviated as C. In some embodiments, a corresponding folding angle range of the folding shaft of the foldable mobile phone in a folding process may be 0-180 degrees.
As shown in (a) in FIG. 2, the folding angle of 180 degrees corresponds to the unfolded state of the foldable mobile phone. In the unfolded state, the screen A and the screen B on the foldable mobile phone may be unfolded on a same surface. The screen A and the screen B may be referred to as inner screens of the foldable mobile phone. In the unfolded state, the foldable mobile phone may provide the display function for the user through the screen A and/or the screen B.
As shown in (c) in FIG. 2, the folding angle of 0 degrees corresponds to the closed state of the foldable mobile phone. In the closed state, the screen A and the screen B on the foldable mobile phone may be closed by approaching each other. Correspondingly, the screen C may be presented to the user as an appearance surface of the foldable mobile phone. The screen C may be referred to as an outer screen. In the closed state, the foldable mobile phone may provide the display function for the user through the screen C.
In contrast to (a) in FIG. 2 and (c) in FIG. 2, as shown in (b) in FIG. 2, the folding angles between 0 degrees and 180 degrees correspond to the semi-closed state of the foldable mobile phone.
With reference to the descriptions in FIG. 1, when the electronic device is the foldable device shown in FIG. 2, one or more antenna systems shown in FIG. 1 may be provided in the electronic device to implement a wireless communication function of the electronic device.
For example, the antenna system is provided in a projection area of the screen A. The projection area of the screen A may correspond to a projection area of the screen A onto another side of the electronic device. For ease of description, providing in the projection area of the screen A may also be referred to as providing on the screen A.
Refer to FIG. 3. A feed 301, an antenna radiator 303, and a transmission line 302 connecting the feed 301 and the antenna radiator 303 may be disposed in the projection area of the screen A. A point that is on the antenna radiator 303 and that is connected to the transmission line 302 may also be referred to as a feed point. For example, the feed point may be disposed at a middle location of the antenna radiator 303.
Based on an antenna solution A corresponding to the feed 301, the transmission line 302, and the antenna radiator 303, a wireless communication function of the foldable mobile phone can be implemented.
Using a transmission scenario as an example, the feed 301 may transmit a feed signal to the antenna radiator 303 through the transmission line 302 for radiation. The antenna radiator 303 may propagate the feed signal to space in a form of an electromagnetic wave, thereby implementing signal transmission. From the perspective of electrical signal flowing, FIG. 3 also shows current flowing on the feed 301, the transmission line 302, and the antenna radiator 303. It can be seen that in the transmission scenario, a current may flow out of the feed 301, pass through the transmission line 302, and be input to the antenna radiator 303 from the feed point. The current may separately flow toward two ends of the antenna radiator 303 by using the feed point as a start point.
It should be noted that, current flowing shown in FIG. 3 is merely an illustration at a moment. It may be understood that an electrical signal fed from the feed point 301 may be a sine signal. That is, a flow direction and a phase of the current may periodically change at different moments. In the following description, the current flowing shown in FIG. 3 continues to be used as an example for description.
In the antenna solution A shown in FIG. 3, the antenna radiator 303 may be disposed by using a conductive material. In different implementations, implementations of the antenna radiator 303 may be different. For example, the antenna radiator 303 may include an FPC provided with a metal trace. For another example, the antenna radiator 303 may be obtained through etching on an antenna support by using an LDS process.
In some other implementations, the antenna radiator 303 may alternatively be disposed by reusing an existing metal structure on the foldable mobile phone. For example, the foldable mobile phone has a metal frame structure. Refer to FIG. 4. The metal frame may be provided with a plurality of slots that penetrate from the inside to the outside. The plurality of slots may divide the metal frame into a plurality of relatively independent metal strips. Therefore, through appropriate setting of locations and sizes of the slots, a metal strip (such as a metal frame 401 shown in FIG. 4) corresponding to a location and a size of the antenna radiator 303 can be obtained. Therefore, radiation may be performed through the metal frame 401 by connecting the transmission line 302 to the metal frame 401.
The setting in FIG. 4 is described by using an unfolded state of the foldable mobile phone as an example. In this example, the antenna radiator 303 can be disposed by reusing the metal frame 401. Further, a radiation function of the antenna solution A is implemented.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a foldable mobile phone having the antenna link (the antenna system) shown in FIG. 4 in a closed state. In the closed state, the screen A and the screen B are folded to each other. In this way, a metal frame 402 on a side of the screen B is very close to the metal frame 401 reused as the antenna radiator 303. For example, a minimum distance between the metal frame 401 and the metal frame 402 may be close to or even less than 2 mm. It may be understood that any metal material or reference ground near the antenna radiator affects radiation of the antenna. A shorter distance between the metal material or reference ground and the antenna radiator indicates larger impact. In this case, in the example in FIG. 5, the metal frame 402 may not be provided with a slot, so that a length of the metal frame 402 is far greater than that of the metal frame 401. Generally, to ensure a stable structure of the metal frame, the metal frame 402 may be grounded. That is, in the closed state, a distance between the metal frame 401 and the metal frame 402 corresponding to the reference ground is relatively small. As a result, operation performance of an antenna link corresponding to the metal frame 401 significantly deteriorates in the closed state.
In some implementations, grounding of the metal frame 402 is avoided, to avoid that radiation of the metal frame 401 is significantly affected when approaching the metal frame 401. As shown in FIG. 6, slots corresponding to locations on two sides of the metal frame 401 may be provided on the metal frame 402, to obtain, on the screen B, a metal frame 403 whose size and location are similar to those of the metal frame 401. The metal frame 403 may not be directly grounded. In this way, a problem of deterioration of the radiation performance of the metal frame 401 excessively close to the ground is avoided.
However, this also has some problems. As shown in FIG. 6, because the metal frame 401 is very close to the metal frame 403, based on an electromagnetic coupling property, when a current that flows from the feed point to two sides shown in FIG. 4 is distributed on the metal frame 401, a current having a direction opposite to that on the metal frame 401 may be generated on the metal frame 403 through coupling. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a coupling current converging from two sides to the center is generated on the metal frame 403.
It may be understood that when currents having opposite directions are distributed on two metal frames that are close to each other, a slot between the two metal frames is correspondingly excited to radiate, that is, a slot mode is excited. The slot mode generally has relatively low efficiency. In this case, in the closed state, the slot mode may fall within a resonance range corresponding to the metal frame 401. Consequently, radiation performance of the metal frame 401 is significantly affected.
For example, FIG. 7 shows system efficiency simulation of the antenna solution shown in FIG. 6. An example in which an antenna link corresponding to the metal frame 401 is used for low-frequency radiation is used. A band of the low-frequency radiation may include at least one of B71, n71, B12, n12, B28, n28, B20, n20, B5, n5, B8, and n8. B may correspond to a 4G LTE-related band, and n may correspond to a 5G NR-related band. It may be understood that when radiation performance of an antenna is evaluated, passive system efficiency and radiation efficiency and active total radiated power (Total Radiated Power, TRP) in an operating band may be used for marking. The TRP may be obtained by performing area division and averaging on transmit power of an entire radiation spherical surface. The TRP reflects a transmit power status of the entire electronic device (such as a mobile phone), and is related to transmit power and antenna radiation performance of the mobile phone in a conduction situation. For example, TRP at a frequency may be determined based on total power input to the antenna and efficiency of the antenna at the frequency.
It can be learned that when a foldable mobile phone provided with the antenna solution shown in FIG. 6 is in a closed state, system efficiency of the antenna at B8 (880 MHz-960 MHz) is less than -7 dB. For example, system efficiency at 920 MHz is merely -7.7 dB. This reflects a problem that the radiation performance of the antenna solution shown in FIG. 6 in the closed state is relatively poor.
In the foregoing descriptions in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, that a metal frame is reused as an antenna radiator is used as an example for description. It may be understood that in another antenna implementation, there is also a similar problem. That is, when an antenna is disposed on a foldable device, a problem of deterioration of radiation performance in a closed state may exist. The deterioration of the radiation performance may be caused by an excessively short distance between a reference ground and an antenna radiator, or a slot mode between a metal material close to the antenna radiator and the antenna in the closed state. The following continues to use the example in which a metal frame is reused as an antenna radiator.
To improve radiation performance of the foldable device in the closed state, a distributed antenna solution is provided in an applied patent (No. 202211080212.6 ). For example, FIG. 8 is a diagram of an unfolded state and a closed state when the antenna solution is provided on a foldable mobile phone. An antenna solution shown in FIG. 8 is referred to as an antenna solution B.
The unfolded state is used as an example. In the antenna solution, similar to the disposing in FIG. 6, the antenna solution A corresponding to the feed 301, the transmission line 302, and the antenna radiator 303 reusing the metal frame 401 may be provided in the projection area of the screen A. In this solution, an antenna radiator 305 is disposed in a projection area of the screen B. The metal frame 403 may be reused for the antenna radiator 305. A location and a length of the metal frame 403 may correspond to those of the metal frame 401. For example, the metal frame 403 and the metal frame 401 may be symmetrically disposed relative to the folding shaft. Different from the example in FIG. 6, the metal frame 403 is disposed in a floating manner. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a feed point may also be provided on the metal frame 403. For example, the feed point on the metal frame 403 may also be disposed at a middle position of the metal frame 403. A feed signal of the feed 301 may be fed to the metal frame 403 through a transmission line 304, so that current distribution from the middle to two sides is generated on the metal frame 403. In a possible implementation, a power splitter (not shown in the figure) is disposed on the transmission line 302. An input end of the power splitter is connected to the feed 301, and two output ends of the power splitter are respectively coupled to the feed point of the antenna radiator 303 and the feed point of the antenna radiator 305. Therefore, a transmission link on which the feed 301 is connected to the antenna radiator 305 through the power splitter may correspond to a transmission path of the transmission line 304 shown in FIG. 8.
The power splitter may be selected from power splitters having different output ratios, such as 1: 1 and 1:2. In this way, a signal output by the feed 301 can be divided into the transmission line 302 and the transmission line 304 to be transmitted to a radiator of a distributed antenna for radiation.
In this way, compared with the foregoing antenna solution A shown in FIG. 3, in the antenna solution B shown in FIG. 8, during operation in the unfolded state, the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305 operate at the same time. A radiation area is larger, so that better radiation performance can be achieved.
Still refer to FIG. 8. In the closed state, the screen A and the screen B are folded to each other. The metal frame 403 and the metal frame 401 are close to each other. Different from the example in FIG. 6, because a signal is fed into the metal frame 403, in the closed state, currents in a same direction may be distributed on the metal frame 401 and the metal frame 403. For example, currents from the middle to two sides may be distributed on both the metal frame 401 and the metal frame 403. In this way, when currents in a same direction are distributed on two metal frames that are close to each other, a slot mode is not excited. In this way, impact of the slot mode on normal operation of the antenna can be avoided.
In an example, FIG. 9 shows system efficiency simulation during operation in a closed state in the antenna solution B. It can be seen that system efficiency of the entire antenna is significantly improved compared with the system efficiency of the antenna solution A in the implementation shown in FIG. 6. For example, during operation in the closed state in the antenna solution B, a peak value of system efficiency exceeds -4 dB. System efficiency at 920 MHz is also improved from -7.7 dB to -5.6 dB.
It should be understood that, compared with the antenna solution A, the antenna solution B shown in FIG. 8 is greatly improved, but still has a shortcoming.
For example, refer to the unfolded state in FIG. 8. In this example, an example in which the feed 301 is disposed on the screen A is used. Therefore, the transmission line 304 needs to be disposed across the folding shaft. In an actual implementation process, when the transmission line 304 crosses the folding shaft, a signal usually needs to be transferred on different media (for example, the signal may be transferred on different media such as a coaxial cable, a through-shaft flexible board, and a PCB trace). An additional loss inevitably occur in a process in which the signal is transferred on different media. In this application, in a process in which the signal passes through the folding shaft, a loss due to signal transfer on different media may be referred to as a through-shaft loss. The through-shaft loss may also cause an increase in a loss of a signal fed into the antenna radiator 305.
To be specific, as shown in FIG. 10, an example in which a loss of the feed signal on the transmission line 302 is a path loss 1001, and a loss of the feed signal on the transmission line 304 is a path loss 1002 is used. The path loss 1002 is significantly greater than the path loss 1001. For example, the path loss 1002 may correspond to a loss obtained by adding the path loss 1001 to the through-shaft loss.
It should be noted that, in different implementations, lengths of the transmission line 302 and the transmission line 304 may be different from each other. A loss difference caused by a difference between the lengths of the transmission lines is usually relatively small compared with the through-shaft loss. Therefore, even if the length of the transmission line 302 is greater than the length of the transmission line 304, the loss of the feed signal through the transmission line 304 is greater than the loss through the transmission line 302.
As a result, during operation in the antenna solution B, a current intensity on the metal frame 401 is significantly greater than a current intensity on the metal frame 403. In this case, in the unfolded state, because current intensities on the two radiators are significantly different, antenna radiation fields on two sides of the folding shaft are asymmetrical. Consequently, a radiation pattern of the entire antenna is distorted. That is, there is a significant radiation gain difference in different directions. In the closed state, from the perspective of equivalent analysis, because there is a significant difference between the current intensities on the two radiators, a corresponding slot mode is excited. The slot mode may also affect radiation of the entire antenna.
To enable the antenna to have relatively good radiation performance in both the unfolded state and the closed state, an embodiment of this application provides a technical solution. By controlling an intensity of a signal fed into the radiator on the screen A to be the same as or similar to an intensity of a signal fed into the radiator on the screen B, radiation performance better than that in the antenna solution A and the antenna solution B is achieved. In some embodiments, based on the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application, a phase difference between a phase of the signal fed into the radiator on the screen A and a phase of the signal fed into the radiator on the screen B may correspond to a current folding status. In this way, in the unfolded state or the semi-closed state, radiation of the two radiators can supplement each other. In the closed state, currents in a same direction may be distributed on the two radiators, so that a slot mode is not excited to affect normal operation of the antenna.
The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application can be applied to an electronic device. The electronic device may be provided with a foldable screen, that is, correspond to the foldable device in the foregoing example. For example, the electronic device may include at least one of a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (ultra-mobile personal computer, UMPC), a netbook, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) device, a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) device, an artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence, AI) device, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, a smart home device, or a smart city device. A specific type of the electronic device is not specially limited in embodiments of this application.
In an example, FIG. 11A is a diagram of composition of an electronic device. As shown in FIG. 11A, the electronic device may include a processor 210, an external memory interface 220, an internal memory 221, a universal serial bus (universal serial bus, USB) connector 230, a charging management module 240, a power management module 241, a battery 242, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 250, a wireless communication module 260, an audio module 270, a speaker 270A, a receiver 270B, a microphone 270C, a headset jack 270D, a sensor module 280, a button 290, a motor 291, an indicator 292, a camera module 293, a display 294, a subscriber identity module (subscriber identification module, SIM) card interface 295, and the like. The sensor module 280 may include a pressure sensor 280A, a gyro sensor 280B, a barometric pressure sensor 280C, a magnetic sensor 280D, an acceleration sensor 280E, a distance sensor 280F, an optical proximity sensor 280G, a fingerprint sensor 280H, a temperature sensor 280J, a touch sensor 280K, an ambient light sensor 280L, a bone conduction sensor 280M, and the like.
It may be understood that the structure shown in embodiments of this application does not constitute a specific limitation on the electronic device. In some other embodiments of this application, the electronic device may include more or fewer components, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The components in the foregoing example may be implemented by using hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.
The processor 210 may include one or more processing units. For example, the processor 210 may include an application processor (application processor, AP), a modem processor, a graphics processing unit (graphics processing unit, GPU), an image signal processor (image signal processor, ISP), a controller, a video codec, a digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), a baseband processor, and/or a neural-network processing unit (neural-network processing unit, NPU). Different processing units may be independent components, or may be integrated into one or more processors 210.
The processor 210 may generate an operation control signal based on instruction operation code and a time sequence signal, to complete control of instruction fetching and instruction execution.
A memory may be further disposed in the processor 210, to store instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the processor 210 may be a cache. The memory may store instructions or data used or frequently used by the processor 210. If the processor 210 needs to use the instructions or data, the instructions or data may be directly invoked from the memory. This avoids repeated access, and reduces waiting time of the processor 210, so that system efficiency is improved.
A wireless communication function of the electronic device may be implemented by using the antenna 1, the antenna 2, the mobile communication module 250, the wireless communication module 260, the modem processor, the baseband processor, and the like.
The antenna 1 and the antenna 2 are configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in the electronic device may be configured to cover one or more communication bands. Different antennas may be multiplexed to improve antenna utilization. For example, the antenna 1 may be multiplexed into a diversity antenna of a wireless local area network. In some other embodiments, the antenna may be used in combination with a tuning switch.
The mobile communications module 250 may provide a solution for wireless communication, including 2G/3G/4G/5G/6G and the like, that is applied to the electronic device. The mobile communication module 250 may include at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (low noise amplifier, LNA), and the like. The mobile communication module 250 may receive an electromagnetic wave by using the antenna 1, perform processing such as filtering and amplification on the received electromagnetic wave, and send a processed electromagnetic wave to the modem processor for demodulation. The mobile communication module 250 may further amplify a signal modulated by the modem processor, and convert the signal into an electromagnetic wave for radiation through the antenna 1. In some embodiments, at least some functional modules of the mobile communication module 250 may be disposed in the processor 210. In some embodiments, at least some functional modules of the mobile communication module 250 and at least some modules of the processor 210 may be arranged in a same device.
The modem processor may include a modulator and a demodulator. The modulator is configured to adjust a to-be-sent low-frequency baseband signal to a medium/high-frequency signal. The demodulator is configured to demodulate a received electromagnetic wave signal into a low-frequency baseband signal. Then, the demodulator transmits the low-frequency baseband signal obtained through demodulation to the baseband processor for processing. After being processed by the baseband processor, the low-frequency baseband signal is transmitted to the application processor. The application processor outputs a sound signal by using an audio device (which is not limited to the speaker 270A, the receiver 270B, or the like), or displays an image or a video by using the display 294. In some embodiments, the modem processor may be an independent device. In some other embodiments, the modem processor may be independent of the processor 210 and disposed in a same device as the mobile communication module 250 or another functional module.
The wireless communication module 260 may provide a solution for wireless communication that is applied to the electronic device and that includes a wireless local area network (wireless local area networks, WLAN) (such as a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, Wi-Fi) network), Bluetooth (bluetooth, BT), Bluetooth low energy (bluetooth low energy, BLE), ultra-wideband (ultra wide band, UWB), a global navigation satellite system (global navigation satellite system, GNSS), frequency modulation (frequency modulation, FM), near field communication (near field communication, NFC), an infrared (infrared, IR) technology, and the like. The wireless communication module 260 may be one or more components that integrate at least one communication processing module. The wireless communication module 260 receives an electromagnetic wave through the antenna 2, performs frequency modulation and filtering on an electromagnetic wave signal, and sends a processed signal to the processor 210. The wireless communication module 260 may further receive a to-be-sent signal from the processor 210, perform frequency modulation and amplification on the to-be-sent signal, and convert the to-be-sent signal into an electromagnetic wave for radiation through the antenna 2.
In some embodiments, in the electronic device, the antenna 1 is coupled to the mobile communication module 250, and the antenna 2 is coupled to the wireless communication module 260, so that the electronic device can communicate with a network and another electronic device according to a wireless communication technology. The wireless communication technology may include a global system for mobile communications (global system for mobile communications, GSM), a general packet radio service (general packet radio service, GPRS), code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA), time-division code division multiple access (time-division code division multiple access, TD-SCDMA), long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE), BT, GNSS, WLAN, NFC, FM, an IR technology, and/or the like. The GNSS may include a global positioning system (global positioning system, GPS), a global navigation satellite system (global navigation satellite system, GLONASS), a BeiDou navigation satellite system (beidou navigation satellite system, BDS), a quasi-zenith satellite system (quasi-zenith satellite system, QZSS), and/or a satellite based augmentation system (satellite based augmentation systems, SBAS).
In a specific implementation, an example in which the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application are applied to mobile communication is used. Two or more radiators may be disposed in the electronic device to form a distributed antenna structure. An example in which the distributed antenna structure includes two antennas is used. The two antennas may be respectively disposed on a screen A and a screen B of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the two antenna radiators may be left-right symmetrical relative to a folding shaft. During specific disposing, the two or more radiators may reuse a metal frame of the electronic device to implement function settings of the radiators. The modem processor may send a digital signal, and after the digital signal is processed in radio frequency domain, analog signals in different bands may be obtained. When the analog signals in different bands are input to the antenna radiator, the antenna radiator may be excited to perform radiation in a corresponding band. In embodiments of this application, the signal processed in radio frequency domain may be referred to as a feed signal. For ease of description, the feed signal may be sent by a virtually disposed feed (such as the feed 301).
In embodiments of this application, one feed may be disposed in the antenna system, to excite two or more radiators simultaneously. The feed and different radiators may be connected by using signal transmission links. For example, an example in which the antenna system includes two radiators is used. A coupling module may be disposed between the feed and the antenna radiator, and is configured to divide the feed signal into two channels of signals according to a preset rule, and respectively transmit the two channels of signals to different antenna radiators. A tuning module including an amplifier and/or an amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit and/or a filter and the like may be further disposed between the coupling module and a radiator disposed on a side different from the side on which the feed is located, and is configured to perform phase and amplitude adjustment on a signal fed into the radiator. In this way, power of signals fed into the two radiators is basically equivalent (for example, a difference does not exceed 3 dBm). In addition, in different folding statuses, signal phases on the two radiators may be modulated into a preset range, thereby ensuring that in the different folding statuses, the two radiators can be positively superimposed for radiation.
The electronic device may implement a display function by using the GPU, the display 294, the application processor, and the like. The GPU is a microprocessor for image processing, and is connected to the display 294 and the application processor. The GPU is configured to perform mathematical and geometric calculation and render graphics. The processor 210 may include one or more GPUs that execute program instructions to generate or change display information.
The electronic device may implement a photographing function through the camera module 293, the ISP, the video codec, the GPU, the display 294, the application processor, the neural-network processing unit, and the like.
The electronic device may implement an audio function, such as music playing and recording, by using the audio module 270, the speaker 270A, the receiver 270B, the microphone 270C, the headset jack 270D, the application processor, and the like.
All the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application can be applied to the foregoing electronic device. The following describes in detail the antenna solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In an example, FIG. 11B is a logical diagram of an antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application. In the antenna solution (for example, referred to as an antenna solution C), two radiators disposed on a screen A and a screen B may be included. The two radiators may be coupled to a same feed, to form a distributed antenna configuration. Locations and sizes of the radiators disposed on the screen A and the screen B may be the same or equivalent. For example, the radiators disposed on the screen A and the screen B may be symmetrical relative to a folding shaft. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, for a configuration of the antenna radiator of the distributed antenna, refer to the configuration of the antenna radiator in the antenna solution B shown in FIG. 8.
In this example, the antenna solution C may further include a feed (not shown in FIG. 11B), and the feed may be disposed on the screen A, or may be disposed on the screen B. A feed signal is transferred through the feed to the radiator disposed on the screen A and the radiator disposed on the screen B. A location at which the feed signal is transferred to the radiator on the screen A (that is, a feed point on the radiator on the screen A) and a location at which the feed signal is transferred to the radiator on the screen B (that is, a feed point on the radiator on the screen B) may also be symmetrically provided relative to the folding shaft. For example, the feed point on the radiator on the screen A may be provided at a middle location of the radiator on the screen A. The feed point on the radiator on the screen B may be provided at a middle location of the radiator on the screen B. Certainly, in some other embodiments, to excite a corresponding mode on the radiator on the screen A and/or the radiator on the screen B, another location may alternatively be flexibly selected as the location of the feed point.
It should be noted that, in this example, a difference between an intensity of a signal 1101 transferred to the radiator on the screen A and an intensity of a signal 1102 transferred to the radiator on the screen B does not exceed a preset intensity threshold. For example, the preset intensity threshold may be less than or equal to 3 dB.
In addition, a phase difference between a phase of the signal 1101 at the feed point on the radiator on the screen A and a phase of the signal 1102 at the feed point on the radiator on the screen B may correspond to different folding statuses and fall within different ranges. In the unfolded state and the semi-closed state, a distance between the two antenna radiators is usually relatively large. Therefore, a same phase control mechanism or similar phase control mechanisms may be used. Therefore, when the electronic device is in different folding statuses, the two antenna radiators are excited by using adjusted signals, so that electromagnetic waves radiated into space can be effectively superimposed, thereby achieving better radiation performance.
In some embodiments, an example in which the antenna solution is used to cover a low-frequency band (for example, 600 MHz-1 GHz) is used. When the folding status of the foldable device is the closed state, a corresponding phase difference between the signal 1101 and signal 1102 may be between [0 degrees, 90 degrees]. When the folding status of the foldable device is the unfolded state or the semi-closed state, a corresponding phase difference between the signal 1101 and signal 1102 may be between [70 degrees, 250 degrees].
In some other embodiments, an example in which the antenna solution is used to cover a medium/high-frequency band (for example, 1.4 GHz-3 GHz) is used. When the folding status of the foldable device is the closed state, a corresponding phase difference between the signal 1101 and signal 1102 may be between [0 degrees, 90 degrees]. When the folding status of the foldable device is the unfolded state or the semi-closed state, because an operating wavelength of the antenna is relatively small, a phase difference between the signal 1101 and the signal 1102 may not be adjusted and optimized. In some scenarios, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state or the semi-closed state, and the distance between the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305 is less than a preset distance threshold, a phase difference between the signal 1101 and the signal 1102 may be adjusted to [70 degrees, 250 degrees].
In the following descriptions, the antenna solution provided in embodiments of this application is used to cover a low frequency, and intensity (that is, power) and phase statuses of access signals on different radiators based on the solution are described. With reference to the foregoing descriptions, phase modulation mechanisms of different radiators may correspond to a current folding status. In the following descriptions, the closed state and the unfolded state are separately used as examples. For the semi-closed state, refer to the setting in the unfolded state, and details are not described herein again.
According to the antenna solution C provided in FIG. 11B, regardless of whether the foldable device is in the unfolded state or the closed state, radiation intensity of the radiator on the screen A and radiation intensity of the radiator on the screen B are similar. Based on phase adjustment, the two radiators can be superimposed in the unfolded state or the closed state. This avoids impact of pattern distortion or a slot mode on antenna radiation.
In a specific implementation, FIG. 12 is a logical diagram of a specific antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application.
As shown in FIG. 12, similar to FIG. 11B, the antenna solution may include antenna radiators configured in a distributed manner, for example, the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305. Feed points may be respectively disposed on the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305, for coupling to the feed 301. For example, the antenna radiator 303 may be coupled to the feed 301 by using the transmission line 302. For another example, the antenna radiator 305 may be coupled to the feed 301 by using the transmission line 304. It should be noted that, in this application, the transmission line 302 and the transmission line 304 may respectively indicate transmission links between corresponding modules. In different implementations, the transmission line 302 and the transmission line 304 may implement transmission functions thereof by using one or more transmission media and/or module connections. For example, the transmission line 302 may also be referred to as a first link, and the transmission line 304 may also be referred to as a second link.
The feed 301 may be connected to the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305 via a coupling module. The coupling module may be configured to receive a feed signal from the feed 301, and divide the feed signal into a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal. An intensity of the first sub-signal is close to that of the feed signal output by the feed 301 (for example, a difference is less than 1 dB). An intensity of the second sub-signal is far less than that of the feed signal output by the feed 301 (for example, a difference is greater than 4 dB). Therefore, the intensity of the first sub-signal is far greater than the intensity of the second sub-signal. For example, the intensity of the first sub-signal is greater than that of the second sub-signal by more than 3 dB. Description is made from the perspective of a transmission link. As shown in FIG. 12, the transmission line 302 and the transmission line 304 may include a third part between the feed and the coupling module. The feed signal is sent from the feed 301, and is input to the coupling module through a transmission link corresponding to the third part, to obtain two channels of signals divided into at least the first sub-signal and the second sub-signal.
In this way, after passing through the coupling module, an intensity of a signal input to the transmission line 302 (that is, the first sub-signal) is close to the intensity of the feed signal output by the feed 301. For example, when the intensity of the feed signal output by the feed 301 is 23 dBm, the first sub-signal may have an intensity of 22 dBm, and the second sub-signal may have an intensity of approximately 3 dBm. In this way, the intensity of the signal fed into the antenna radiator 303 is ensured, so that the antenna radiator 303 can better perform radiation.
In this example, a tuning module may be further disposed on the transmission line 304 for output from the coupling module to the antenna radiator 305. The tuning module may be configured to perform amplitude and phase adjustment on the second sub-signal output by the coupling module based on the feed signal input by the feed 301. Adjustment on a signal amplitude may also be referred to as adjustment on signal power.
Through tuning on the amplitude and phase, the signal 1101 and the signal 1102 may have different correspondences based on different current folding statuses. For example, in the unfolded state (or the semi-closed state), a phase difference between the signal 1102 and the signal 1101 may be in a range of [70 degrees, 250 degrees]. For another example, in the closed state, a phase difference between the signal 1101 and the signal 1102 may be in a range of [0 degrees, 90 degrees].
In this way, in both the unfolded state (or the semi-closed state) and the closed state, fields generated by the two radiators through radiation can be effectively superimposed, thereby improving overall radiation performance.
Through power tuning, the power of the signal 1101 and the power of the signal 1102 are the same or similar. For example, a difference between the power of the signal 1101 and the power of the signal 1102 does not exceed 3 dB.
In this way, in a process in which the two radiators radiate, a difference between currents on the radiators is not excessively large. Further, excitation of a slot mode caused by an excessively large current difference in a folded state is avoided. Therefore, impact of the slot mode on operation of the antenna is avoided.
It should be noted that, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the feed 301 and the antenna radiator 303 may be located on a same surface (for example, the screen A). Therefore, no additional loss caused by a through-shaft loss or a relatively long transmission line occurs in a normal link transmission process. Correspondingly, the feed 301 and the antenna radiator 305 are on different surfaces (for example, the feed 301 is located on the screen A, and the antenna radiator 305 is located on the screen B). Therefore, a tuning module may be disposed to compensate for a through-shaft loss and a transmission loss caused by a relatively long transmission line in a transmission process, so as to ensure an intensity and a phase of a signal input to the radiator. Based on this, in some other embodiments, when the feed 301 is disposed on the screen B, the tuning module may be adjusted and disposed on the transmission line 302 between the feed and the antenna radiator 303. In addition, a port of the coupling module may also be correspondingly adjusted.
With reference to the accompanying drawings, the following uses an example to describe a specific implementation of the antenna solution shown in FIG. 12.
In some embodiments, a function of the coupling module may be implemented by using a directional coupler. For example, FIG. 13 provides an example of the directional coupler. In this example, the directional coupler may include a port 1201, a port 1202, a port 1203, and a port 1204. Different ports may have different functions. For example, the port 1201 may be used as a signal input end. The port 1202 may be used as a direct through end. An intensity of a signal output from the port 1202 may be the same as or similar to an intensity of a signal input to the port 1201. The port 1203 may be used as a coupling end. An intensity of a signal output from the port 1203 may be less than the intensity of the signal output from the port 1202. In different implementations, the intensity of the signal output from the port 1203 may be adjusted by adjusting a coupling intensity of the directional coupler. The port 1204 may be used as an isolation end. For example, the port 1204 may be connected to the ground by using a component such as a resistance (R1), or may be suspended.
FIG. 14 is a connection diagram of implementing a function of the coupling module by using the directional coupler shown in FIG. 13. The feed 301 may be connected to the port 1201, and configured to input a feed signal to the port 1201. The antenna radiator 303 disposed on the screen A may be connected to the port 1202 by using the transmission line 302, so as to obtain the signal 1101 having an intensity close to that of the feed signal. The antenna radiator 305 disposed on the screen B may be connected to the port 1203 by using the transmission line 304 (and the tuning module disposed on the transmission line 304). In this way, the second sub-signal output after the feed signal is processed by the coupling module may be processed by the tuning module, to form the signal 1102 for input to the antenna radiator 305.
Logic of implementing the function of the coupling module in this application by using the directional coupler is described in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. In a specific implementation, the directional coupler may be implemented by disposing at least two microstrips on a PCB board. In different implementation processes, the at least two microstrips may be located on a same layer, or may be located on different layers. In some other embodiments, the directional coupler may alternatively be an integrated coupler component.
For example, FIG. 15 shows an implementation example in which two different directional couplers are disposed on a PCB board. In a disposing manner 1, the PCB board may be a single-layer board or a multi-layer board, which may include a layer 1. A component 1501 and a component 1502 may be disposed on the layer 1. The component 1501 and the component 1502 may be separately implemented by using radio frequency microstrips. Lengths of and a distance between the component 1501 and the component 1502 may be determined based on a coupling parameter of a directional coupler that needs to be disposed. In a disposing manner 2 shown in FIG. 15, the PCB board may be a multi-layer board, which may include a layer 2 and a layer 3. The layer 2 may be any layer in the PCB multi-layer board, and the layer 3 may be any layer different from the layer 2. A non-conductive medium may be disposed between the layer 2 and the layer 3 for separation. Selection of a spacing between the layer 2 and the layer 3 may be determined based on the coupling parameter. A component of the directional coupler, such as the component 1501, may be disposed on the layer 2. Another component of the directional coupler, such as the component 1502, may be disposed on the layer 3. Through selection of the layer 2 and the layer 3, a preset distance may be correspondingly set between the component 1501 and the component 1502, to obtain a coupling amount required by the directional coupler.
Any implementation of the directional coupler shown in FIG. 15 may be used in the solution shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 14, to support the function of the coupling module in this application. Certainly, in some other implementations, the function of the coupling module may alternatively be implemented by using a directional coupler different from that shown in FIG. 14, or by using a component in another form having a disposing manner different from that shown in FIG. 15. This is not limited in embodiments of this application.
In this way, FIG. 13-FIG. 15 describe the specific implementation and the function of the coupling module in the solution shown in FIG. 12 according to this application. A specific implementation of the tuning module is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As described above, in this application, an intensity of a signal output through the coupling module to a path corresponding to the antenna radiator 305 may be relatively low, to ensure an intensity of a signal output to a path corresponding to the antenna radiator 303. For example, the intensity of the feed signal output by the feed 301 is 23 dBm, the intensity of the signal output to the path corresponding to the antenna radiator 303 may be 22 dBm, and the intensity of the signal output to the path corresponding to the antenna radiator 305 may be 3 dBm.
It should be noted that, in this example, an example in which two outputs are respectively 22 dBm and 3 dBm is used. In some other embodiments, the coupling module may further output more signals, or output another power ratio.
In this case, the tuning module may tune the signal output by the coupling module to the path corresponding to the antenna radiator 305, so that an intensity of a signal (that is, the signal 1102) finally input to the antenna radiator 305 may be close to the intensity of the signal 1101, and a phase may also correspond to a current folding status.
In an example, refer to FIG. 16. The tuning module in embodiments of this application may include an amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit, an amplification unit, and a filter unit.
The amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit may be configured to perform amplitude and phase adjustment on a signal from the coupling module. In some implementations, the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit may include an attenuator configured to perform amplitude adjustment and a phase shifter configured to perform phase adjustment. The attenuator and the phase shifter may cooperate with each other to tune an amplitude of the signal from the coupling module to an effect of a corresponding status of a signal output by the coupler to the antenna radiator 303.
It should be noted that, in this example, the antenna solution shown in FIG. 12 may be applied to the foldable device. Corresponding to the closed state and the unfolded state of the foldable device, two radiators (for example, the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305) of a distributed antenna can effectively perform field superimposition in different folding statuses. In some embodiments of this application, the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit may be an adjustable component. That is, in different cases, the electronic device may control the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit to perform different amplitude and/or phase adjustment effects on an input signal. In this way, different corresponding amplitude modulation and/or phase modulation effects may be achieved in different cases.
For example, in the foregoing example, the attenuator configured to perform amplitude tuning may be an adjustable attenuator. For another example, in the foregoing example, the phase shifter configured to perform phase tuning may be an adjustable phase shifter.
The amplification unit in the tuning module may be configured to perform power amplification on a signal input into the amplification unit. For example, the amplification unit may be a power amplifier. In different implementations, a power amplifier with a corresponding parameter may be selected based on a required degree of amplification processing on the signal input to the amplification unit.
It should be noted that, in this example, an amplitude modulation function of the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit and an amplification function of the amplification unit are both used for adjusting power of a signal. Therefore, in an actual implementation process, the amplitude modulation function and the amplification function may be used in cooperation with each other. For example, when the amplification unit uses an amplifier with a fixed gain, the amplitude modulation function may be used to reduce power input to the amplification unit, so that a signal with corresponding power can be obtained after the amplification unit performs amplification processing. For example, an example in which the amplification unit has a gain of 23 dBm is used. When the amplification unit needs to output a signal with power of 20 dBm, power of a signal from the coupling module may be reduced to -3 dBm by using the amplitude modulation function. In this way, the signal of -3 dBm is input to the amplification unit, and after amplification with a gain of 23 dBm, a required signal with power of 20 dBm can be obtained.
Certainly, in some other implementations, the amplitude modulation function may not be used in the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit when a gain of the amplification unit matches the power of the signal from the coupling module and the required power output by the amplification unit. Alternatively, no component having the amplitude modulation function (such as the foregoing attenuator or adjustable attenuator for amplitude modulation) is disposed in the tuning module. Similarly, when the gain of the amplification unit is adjustable, if the required signal power can be obtained through amplification processing within an adjustable gain range based on the power of the signal from the coupling module, the amplitude modulation function may not be used in the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit. Alternatively, no component having the amplitude modulation function is disposed in the tuning module.
In the following description, an example in which the tuning module includes both the amplitude modulation function and the phase modulation function is used.
The filter unit in the tuning module may be configured to perform filtering processing on a signal input into the filter unit, thereby achieving an effect of frequency selection. For example, the filter unit may include one or more filters.
With reference to the foregoing descriptions, FIG. 17 is a diagram of link setting of a tuning unit during specific implementation. In the diagram shown in FIG. 17, the coupling module (for example, the port 1203 of the directional coupler) may be separately connected to an adjustable attenuator and an adjustable phase shifter. The adjustable attenuator and the adjustable phase shifter may be configured to adjust an amplitude and a phase of a signal from the coupling module. The signal whose amplitude and phase are adjusted may be input to the power amplifier for power amplification, to achieve an effect similar to the power of the feed signal. The signal on which power amplification is performed may be input to the filter for frequency selection, to obtain a signal corresponding to a current operating band. The signal on which phase adjustment, power adjustment, and filtering processing are performed may correspond to the signal 1102 in the foregoing example, and is input to the antenna radiator 305 for radiation.
It should be noted that, in the solution example shown in FIG. 17, an example in which the filter unit includes one filter is used for description. In this case, corresponding to that the antenna solution in FIG. 11B or FIG. 12 is used to support one operating band of the foldable device, a response band of the filter may correspond to the operating band, to implement a filtering operation in the operating band.
In some other embodiments, the filter unit may alternatively include a plurality of filters with different response bands.
In an implementation, the filter unit may correspond to a current operating band. For example, the current operating band is an n28 band. In this case, the filter unit may include a filter whose pass frequency includes the band corresponding to n28. Similarly, for example, the current operating band is a B5 band. In this case, the filter unit may include a filter whose pass frequency includes the band corresponding to B5. For example, the current operating band is a B8 band. In this case, the filter unit may include a filter whose pass frequency includes the band corresponding to B8.
In this way, when the antenna solution shown in FIG. 11B or FIG. 12 is used to support low-frequency multi-band operation, a plurality of filters may be disposed to achieve corresponding filtering effects during operation at different low frequencies.
For example, FIG. 18A is a diagram of a filter unit according to an embodiment of this application. In this example, the filter unit may include a plurality of filters disposed in parallel. Each filter correspondingly covers one operating band.
For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, the filter unit may include an n28 filter for corresponding to n28, a B5 filter for corresponding to B5, and a B8 filter for corresponding to B8.
In addition, a switching switch may be disposed on a path of each filter. When the switching switch is turned on, the filter unit may implement filtering processing on a corresponding band.
For example, a switching switch 1801 is disposed on a path of the n28 filter, a switching switch 1802 is disposed on a path of the B5 filter, and a switching switch 1803 is disposed on a path of the B8 filter.
In this way, as shown in FIG. 18A, when the antenna operates in B8, the electronic device may control the switching switch 1803 to be turned on, and the switching switch 1802 and the switching switch 1801 to be turned off. In this way, frequency screening and filtering processing of clutter filtering may be performed on an amplified signal by using the B8 filter, to obtain a signal 1102 corresponding to the operating band B8 for feeding to the antenna radiator 305 for radiation.
Similarly, when the antenna operates in n28, the electronic device may control the switching switch 1801 to be turned on, and the switching switch 1802 and the switching switch 1803 to be turned off. In this way, frequency screening and filtering processing of clutter filtering may be performed on an amplified signal by using the n28 filter, to obtain a signal 1102 corresponding to the operating band n28 for feeding to the antenna radiator 305 for radiation.
When the antenna operates in B5, the electronic device may control the switching switch 1802 to be turned on, and the switching switch 1801 and the switching switch 1802 to be turned off. In this way, frequency screening and filtering processing of clutter filtering may be performed on an amplified signal by using the B5 filter, to obtain a signal 1102 corresponding to the operating band B5 for feeding to the antenna radiator 305 for radiation.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, to avoid streaming of a signal on a different path to another path, a corresponding cut-off switch may be further disposed on each path.
As shown in FIG. 18A, a switching switch 1804 may be disposed at an output end of the n28 filter (that is, an end of the n28 filter close to the antenna radiator 305). A switching switch 1805 may be disposed at an output end of the B5 filter (that is, an end of the B5 filter close to the antenna radiator 305). A switching switch 1806 may be disposed at an output end of the B8 filter (that is, an end of the n28 filter close to the antenna radiator 305).
In this way, when the antenna operates in n28, the switching switch 1804 and the switching switch 1801 may be simultaneously turned on, and other switches are all turned off, so that a signal in the n28 band may be selected and output to the antenna radiator 305. Because cut-off switches (such as the switching switch 1805 and the switching switch 1806) on the B5 path and the B8 path are both turned off, the n28 signal does not flow back to the paths on which the B5 filter and the B8 filter are located.
It should be understood that, as shown in FIG. 18A, one path corresponds to one band. B8, B5, and n28 that are shown in the figure are merely examples. During specific implementation, a band setting on each path may be flexibly selected according to an actual requirement.
In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 18A, an example in which one path is connected at a same moment for operation is used. In some other embodiments, the antenna may be further configured to provide signal sending and receiving in two or more bands at the same time. For example, with reference to FIG. 18B, an example in which the n28 band and the B5 band operate at the same time is used. Signals that are from the amplification unit and input to the filter unit may include a signal in the n28 band and a signal in the B5 band. In this case, the switching switch 1801 and the switching switch 1804 on the n28 path may be turned on, and configured to obtain a filtering signal in the n28 band. In addition, the switching switch 1802 and the switching switch 1805 on the B5 path may also be turned on, and configured to obtain a filtering signal in the B5 band. The n28-band signal and the B5-band signal respectively obtained on the two paths may be simultaneously included in the signal 1102, and transmitted to the antenna radiator 305 for radiation.
Therefore, in an implementation of the solution shown in FIG. 18B, simultaneous receiving and sending of two signals can be achieved. Related bands may be n28 and B5 shown in FIG. 18B, or may be other bands, for example, simultaneous receiving and sending in n20 and n28, simultaneous receiving and sending in n20 and B5, and simultaneous receiving and sending in n20 and B8.
Based on the example of the solution, when the antenna operates in different operating bands, an operating status of the filter unit is switched, and an amplified signal is filtered by using a filter corresponding to the operating band, to obtain a signal 1102 corresponding to the operating band for feeding to the antenna radiator 305.
In the foregoing examples in FIG. 16-FIG. 18A, an example in which the phase adjustment function is integrated into an amplitude and phase adjustment unit for implementation is used. In some other embodiments, the phase adjustment operation may alternatively be performed in another form before power amplification is performed. For example, the phase adjustment function may alternatively be integrated into an amplification unit. Correspondingly, an amplitude adjustment unit (for example, an adjustable attenuator) may be disposed between the amplification unit and the coupling module to adjust a gain of the amplification unit. In this case, a signal on which amplitude adjustment is performed may be input to the amplification unit, and phase adjustment and power amplification are sequentially performed. Further, the signal is output to the filter unit to obtain a corresponding signal 1102 for feeding to the antenna radiator 305.
Therefore, when the technical solution shown in FIG. 12 is applied to a foldable electronic device, a signal fed to a distributed antenna radiator can be effectively adjusted from the perspectives of power and phase. Further, it is ensured that there is relatively good radiation performance in different folding statuses.
In an example, from the perspective of power tuning, FIG. 19 is a diagram of power distribution on an antenna link. As shown in FIG. 19, an example in which power of a feed signal fed by the feed 301 is 23 dBm is used. A power signal whose power, such as 22.8 dBm, is close to that of the feed signal may be transmitted to the antenna radiator 303 by using the coupling module. A power signal whose power, such as 3 dBm, is far less than the power of the feed signal may be further transmitted to a tuning module on the link on which the antenna radiator 305 is located by using the coupling module. The signal of 3 dBm may be processed by the tuning module, to output a signal power, for example, 23 dBm, close to that input to the antenna radiator 303. In this way, it is equivalent to that a signal of 23 dBm is fed to both the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305. Therefore, from the perspective of power, compared with the antenna solution A and the antenna solution B, there is improvement by at least 3 dB (doubling).
In addition, from the perspective of amplitude/phase tuning, in an unfolded state, an amplitude of the signal 1102 is the same as or similar to that of the signal 1101, and a phase difference is in a range of [70 degrees, 250 degrees], so that field distributions respectively generated by the radiator 303 and the radiator 305 can be positively superimposed in space, to obtain better performance. Correspondingly, in a closed state, an amplitude of the signal 1102 is the same as or similar to that of the signal 1101, and a phase difference does not exceed 90 degrees, so that field distributions respectively generated by the radiator 303 and the radiator 305 can be positively superimposed in space, to obtain better performance.
In the foregoing example in FIG. 19, the power output from the feed 301 and the power of the signal fed to each antenna radiator are described by using 23 dBm or approximately 23 dBm as an example. In this way, a good radiation effect can be achieved. For example, system efficiency during operation in a closed mode in the antenna solution shown in FIG. 12 is -5.6 dB. When power input to the two antenna radiators is both 23 dBm, TPR of the antenna solution may be 20.4 dBm.
It may be understood that in a process in which the tuning module processes a signal of 3 dBm to output a signal of 23 dBm, power needs to be supplied to components in the tuning module. A larger difference before and after power amplification corresponds to higher power supply overheads. In addition, when a radio frequency link provides power of 23 dBm for the feed 301, there are similar power supply overheads.
For example, when the output power of the feed 301 and the power fed to the two antenna radiators are all adjusted to 23 dBm, the electronic device needs to provide a supply current of approximately 800 mA for the radio frequency link and the tuning module.
Based on this, in some embodiments of this application, power on an entire link may be further reduced, to ensure that TRP can meet a radiation performance requirement, and achieve a power saving effect.
For example, when the output power of the feed 301 and the power fed to the two antenna radiators are all adjusted to 20 dBm, the electronic device can reduce half overheads in the foregoing 800 mA. That is, the electronic device only needs to provide a supply current of about 400 mA for the radio frequency link and the tuning module. In this case, the example in which system efficiency during operation in the closed mode in the antenna solution shown in FIG. 12 is -5.6 dB continues to be used. When power input to the two antenna radiators is both 20 dBm, TPR of the antenna solution may be 17.4 dBm. This can also meet a normal low-frequency communication requirement. TRP in the normal low-frequency communication requirement is approximately 16 dBm-16.5 dBm.
In this way, in an actual implementation process, signal power provided for an entire antenna solution can be flexibly adjusted according to a current communication status, thereby achieving an effect of energy saving.
FIG. 19 provides, from the perspective of reducing overall power, an example of a solution for ensuring antenna performance and achieving an energy saving effect. An embodiment of this application further provides an implementation, so that an operating status of an antenna branch on the screen B can be flexibly adjusted according to a communication status in a current actual use scenario, thereby achieving an effect of energy saving.
For example, a processor in the electronic device may provide a function of determining a current communication status and adjusting the operating status of the antenna branch on the screen B. The processor may determine, based on a radio frequency parameter in a current communication process, whether a current communication status is good. In a possible implementation, the radio frequency parameter may include at least one of the following: reference signal received power (Reference Signal Receiving Power, RSRP), a received signal strength indication (Received Signal Strength Indication, RSSI), reference signal received quality (Reference Signal Receiving Quality, RSRQ), and a signal to interference plus noise ratio (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio, SINR). For example, the radio frequency parameter includes the RSRP. The processor may detect the RSRP in real time. When the RSRP is greater than a preset RSRP threshold, the processor considers that a current communication status is good, and may consider to perform power consumption control, for example, turn off a tuning module on the antenna branch on the screen B, to achieve an energy saving effect. Correspondingly, when the RSRP is less than the preset RSRP threshold, the processor considers that a current communication status is poor, and may control the tuning module on the antenna branch on the screen B to start to operate, so that the antenna branch on the screen B can normally radiate, thereby improving radiation performance of the antenna system.
Similarly, for example, the radio frequency parameter includes the RSSI. The processor may turn off the tuning module on the antenna branch on the screen B when the RSSI is greater than a preset RSSI threshold, to achieve an energy saving effect. For example, the radio frequency parameter includes the RSRQ. The processor may turn off the tuning module on the antenna branch on the screen B when the RSRQ is greater than a preset RSRQ threshold, to achieve an energy saving effect. For example, the radio frequency parameter includes the SINR. The processor may turn off the tuning module on the antenna branch on the screen B when the SINR is greater than a preset SINR threshold, to achieve an energy saving effect.
For example, as shown in FIG. 20, composition in the antenna solution shown in FIG. 12 is used as an example. At least one control output port may be disposed on the processor, and the control output port is configured to output a control signal. The control output port of the processor may be connected to a control input port of the tuning module, so that the processor inputs a control signal to the tuning module by using the control input port, to control adjustment of operation of the tuning module in different states.
In some implementations, the processor may determine that a current communication status is relatively good, and may input a turn-off control signal to the tuning module by using a control output end, to indicate the tuning module to be turned off, so that the corresponding antenna radiator 305 stops operation. In this way, even if the operating status of the antenna branch on the screen B is not participating in radiation, a radiation capability of a current antenna system can meet a communication requirement in a current environment.
In some other implementations, the processor may determine that a current communication status is relatively poor, and may input a turn-on control signal to the tuning module by using a control output end, to indicate the tuning module to be turned on, so that the corresponding antenna radiator 305 normally operates. In this way, the antenna branch on the screen B is added to radiation of the antenna system, thereby improving antenna radiation performance in a current environment.
According to the example of the solution, in a scenario in which the tuning module does not need to operate, the electronic device does not need to output power to the tuning module or reduces power output to the tuning module, thereby achieving an effect of energy saving.
It should be noted that, in the foregoing example shown in FIG. 20, an example in which the operating status of the tuning module is adjusted by using the control signal is used for description. In some other embodiments of this application, the electronic device may alternatively directly control the operating status of the tuning module by using a power supply signal. For example, when the processor determines that a current communication status is relatively good, the processor may indicate the electronic device to reduce or suspend power supply to the tuning module, so as to adjust the tuning module to a turned-off operating state, thereby achieving an effect of energy saving. For another example, when the processor determines that a current communication status is relatively poor, the processor may indicate the electronic device to supply power to the tuning module based on a power supply signal requirement for normal operation of the tuning module, so as to enable the tuning module to operate normally, thereby improving radiation performance of the antenna system.
In a specific example, the foregoing energy saving solution is described by using an example in which the processor adjusts the operating status of the tuning module by using a control signal and with reference to composition of the tuning module in the example shown in FIG. 14.
Refer to FIG. 21. The control output end of the processor may specifically include at least three ports, for example, a port 2111-a port 2113. The port 2111-the port 2113 each may be configured to be coupled to one active component in the tuning module, to control the active component to operate normally or to stop operation.
Correspondingly, with reference to the descriptions in FIG. 14, the tuning module may include an adjustable attenuator, an adjustable phase shifter, a power amplifier, and a filter. The adjustable attenuator, the adjustable phase shifter, and the power amplifier may be used as active components and have different operating statuses. For example, the adjustable attenuator may include a control port 2121, configured to receive a control signal, so that the adjustable attenuator may determine, based on the control signal, whether to operate normally. Similarly, the adjustable phase shifter may include a control port 2122, configured to receive a control signal, so that the adjustable phase shifter may determine, based on the control signal, whether to operate normally. The power amplifier may include a control port 2123, configured to receive a control signal, so that the power amplifier may determine, based on the control signal, whether to operate normally.
In this example, the port 2111 may be connected to the port 2121, so that the processor controls an operating status of the adjustable attenuator. The port 2112 may be connected to the port 2122, so that the processor controls an operating status of the adjustable phase shifter. The port 2113 may be connected to the port 2123, so that the processor controls an operating status of the power amplifier.
In some embodiments, if the processor determines that the tuning module may not operate, the processor may send a turn-off control signal through at least one of the port 2111-the port 2113, so as to control a corresponding active component to stop operation. In this way, an objective of controlling the tuning module to stop operation can be achieved, so as to achieve energy saving.
In some other embodiments, the processor may alternatively control the active component in the tuning module in another form. An example in which the processor controls the operating status of the power amplifier by using an RF power supply is used. As shown in FIG. 21, a power supply input end 2124 may be further disposed on the power amplifier. The power supply input end 2124 may be connected to the RF power supply, so that the RF power supply may output power to the power amplifier, to support normal operation of the power amplifier. In this example, the control output end of the processor may further include a port 2114. The port 2114 may be connected to the RF power supply, and is configured to control the RF power supply to output a power supply signal to the power amplifier. Therefore, when the processor determines that the power amplifier may stop operation, the processor may indicate, by using the port 2114, the RF power supply to stop or reduce supply of power to the power amplifier. Therefore, the power amplifier is controlled to stop operation, thereby achieving an effect of energy saving.
With reference to the foregoing descriptions, the antenna solutions provided in embodiments of this application not only can provide relatively good radiation performance in the closed state, but also can provide relatively good radiation performance in the unfolded state.
For example, in a comparison example, the following Table 1 shows an example of comparison between performance of the existing antenna solution A shown in FIG. 4 and performance of the antenna solution shown in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of this application in the unfolded state. Table 1

Solution Feed signal input power (dBm) System efficiency (dB) TRP (dBm)

Antenna solution A 23 -3.2 19.8

Antenna solution provided in embodiments of this application -2.8 23.3
In this example, input power of the antenna solution A is 23 dBm. Through processing, input power input to the two radiators in the solution of this application may be close to 23 dBm. In the unfolded state, system efficiency of the antenna solution A may be -3.2 dB. In the solution of this application, because a phase difference between feed signals of the two antenna radiators in the unfolded state is in a range of [70 degrees, 250 degrees], radiation of the two radiators may be superimposed, to achieve higher system efficiency, for example, -2.8 dB. Therefore, when input power is the same, a better radiation effect can be achieved by using the technical solution provided in this application. For example, TRP can reach 23.3 dBm.
Based on the descriptions of the foregoing power reduction and energy saving solution, in comparison in Table 1, even if the power input to the antenna in this application is reduced to 20 dBm, the obtained TRP may be 20.3 dBm, and radiation performance is still higher than that of the antenna solution A.
It should be noted that, FIG. 12-FIG. 21 describe the antenna solutions provided in embodiments of this application by using an example in which one antenna radiator is disposed on each of the screen A and the screen B. In some other embodiments of this application, another antenna radiator may be further disposed on the screen A and/or the screen B, and radiation performance is improved by using a similar mechanism.
For example, FIG. 22 shows an example of another antenna solution according to an embodiment of this application.
In the antenna solution in this example, the feed 301 may still be disposed on the screen A. Based on the solution shown in FIG. 12, the screen A may be further provided with an antenna radiator 306 reusing the metal frame 404, and the screen B may be further provided with an antenna radiator 307 reusing the metal frame 405. Locations and lengths of the antenna radiator 306 and the antenna radiator 307 may be symmetrically configured relative to the folding shaft.
In this example, the radiator 306 located on a same side as the feed 301 may be connected to a direct through port on the coupling module, so as to feed a signal 1103. In this way, a sum of power of the signal 1103 and the power of the signal 1101 may correspond to signal power at an output end of the direct through port. For example, the signal 1101 and the signal 1103 may be separated by using a power splitter. For example, the output power of the direct through port is 20 dBm, and the power splitter outputs signal power of 1:1. Then, the power corresponding to the signal 1101 and the signal 1103 each may be 17 dBm.
Correspondingly, the radiator 307 located on a different side from the feed 301 may be connected to a coupling port on the coupling module, so as to feed a signal 1104. Similar to the foregoing description, a signal output by the coupling port may also be implemented by using the power splitter. For example, the output power of the direct through port is 3 dBm, and the power splitter outputs signal power of 1:1. Then, a signal power input to a tuning module corresponding to the radiator 307 may be 0 dBm (that is, corresponding to 1 mw). Similarly, a signal power input to a tuning module corresponding to the radiator 305 may be 0 dBm. In this way, the signal 1102 and the output signal 1104 corresponding to the signal 1101 and the signal 1103 are obtained through tuning processing of a tuning module on each link. For example, signal power of the signal 1102 and the signal 1104 may be adjusted to 20 dBm.
In this way, the design of the distributed antenna including a plurality of radiators shown in FIG. 22 can still achieve significant improvement in radiation performance in the unfolded state and the closed state. A principle thereof is similar to that of the solution of the distributed antenna including two radiators (the solution shown in FIG. 12), and details are not described herein again.
In the example shown in FIG. 22, a signal output by the coupling module to the antenna radiator 303 may be divided into two channels by using a power splitter, which are respectively transmitted to the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 306. A signal output by the coupling module to the antenna radiator 305 may be divided into two channels by using another power splitter, which are respectively transmitted to the antenna radiator 307 and the antenna radiator 305. In some other embodiments of this application, when the antenna solution includes four radiators shown in FIG. 22, another manner may alternatively be used to implement transfer of a signal to the radiator.
For example, refer to FIG. 23. In this example, a signal 1103 transferred to the antenna radiator 306, a signal 1104 transferred to the antenna radiator 307, and a signal 1102 transferred to the antenna radiator 305 may be obtained through division by using one one-input three-output power splitter.
As shown in FIG. 23, in this example, a feed signal of the feed 301 may be divided into two channels by using the coupling module. An example in which power of the feed signal is 23 dBm is used. The signal 1101 output by the direct through end may be 20 dBm, and power input by the coupling end to the power splitter may be 3 dB. An example in which an output ratio of the power splitter is 1: 1: 1 is used. Then, three output ends of the power splitter may respectively output signals with power of - 1.5 dBm. The three signals may be respectively input to the antenna radiator 306, the antenna radiator 307, and the antenna radiator 305 through tuning modules on corresponding paths. Processing on the power (that is, an amplitude) by using the tuning module can enable the signal of -1.5 dBm on each path to be amplified to approximately 20 dBm. In this way, feeding to each radiator is implemented.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, two radiators are disposed on each of the screen A and the screen B of the electronic device. In the foregoing signal connection processing manner, power of a signal fed to each radiator can be maintained at approximately 20 dBm. With reference to the foregoing descriptions, the antenna radiator 306 and the antenna radiator 307 may be used as an antenna pair, the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305 may be used as another antenna pair, and an operating phase of each antenna pair is matched with a folding status by using a phase adjustment function of the tuning module.
For example, the operating band covers a low frequency. In the unfolded state or the semi-closed state, a phase difference between the antenna radiator 306 and the antenna radiator 307 may be included in a range of [70 degrees, 250 degrees], and a phase difference between the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305 may be included in a range of [70 degrees, 250 degrees]. In the closed state, a phase difference between the antenna radiator 306 and the antenna radiator 307 may be included in a range of [0 degrees, 90 degrees], and a phase difference between the antenna radiator 303 and the antenna radiator 305 may be included in a range of [0 degrees, 90 degrees].
Although this application is described with reference to specific features and embodiments, it is clear that various modifications and combinations may be made to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Correspondingly, this specification and the accompanying drawings are merely example description of this application defined by the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents in the scope of this application. It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and the scope of this application. Thus, this application is intended to cover these modifications and variations, provided that they fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies.

Claims

An antenna system, applied to a foldable electronic device, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are on a same surface when the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, and the first part and the second part are on different surfaces when the foldable electronic device is in a closed state; and the antenna system comprises:
a feed, a first radiator, and a second radiator, wherein

the feed and the first radiator are disposed on the first part, the feed and the second radiator are disposed on the second part, and operating bands of the first radiator and the second radiator at least partially overlap;

the feed is coupled to the first radiator to form a first link, and the feed is further coupled to the second radiator to form a second link;

an insertion loss of the second link is greater than that of the first link, and/or phase differences generated by the second link and the first link for a same input signal are different; and

a tuning module is disposed on the second link, and the tuning module is configured to perform phase and power tuning processing on a signal on the second link.
The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the first link and the second link comprise an overlapping third part; the feed is connected to the third part;
that the feed is coupled to the first radiator to form a first link comprises:
the feed is connected to a first end of the third part, and a second end of the third part is coupled to the first radiator; and

that the feed is coupled to the second radiator to form a second link comprises:
the feed is connected to the first end of the third part, and the second end of the third part is further coupled to the second radiator.
The antenna system according to claim 2, wherein the antenna system further comprises a coupling module, an input end of the coupling module is connected to the second end of the third part, a first output end of the coupling module is coupled to the first radiator, and a second output end of the coupling module is coupled to the second radiator.
The antenna system according to claim 3, wherein the coupling module is a directional coupler, the first output end is a direct through end, and the second output end is a coupling end.
The antenna system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the tuning module comprises:
an amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit configured to perform amplitude and phase adjustment, and a power amplification unit configured to perform power adjustment.
The antenna system according to claim 5, wherein
the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit comprises an adjustable phase shifter; or

an adjustable attenuator and an adjustable phase shifter.
The antenna system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein when the antenna system operates,
the amplitude modulation and phase modulation unit is configured to modulate a phase of a second signal, so that the phase of the second signal corresponds to a phase of a first signal, wherein

the first signal is a signal transmitted to the first radiator through the first link from a feed signal fed by the feed; and the second signal is a signal transmitted to the second radiator through the second link from the feed signal.
The antenna system according to claim 7, wherein that the phase of the second signal corresponds to a phase of a first signal comprises:
if the antenna system operates in a low-frequency band, when the foldable electronic device is in the unfolded state, a phase difference between the phase of the second signal and the phase of the first signal is comprised in a range of [70 degrees, 250 degrees]; or

if the antenna system operates in a low-frequency band or a medium/highfrequency band, when the foldable electronic device is in the closed state, a phase difference between the phase of the second signal and the phase of the first signal is comprised in a range of [0 degrees, 90 degrees].
The antenna system according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein
the tuning module further comprises: a filter unit; and

the filter unit is configured to perform filtering processing on the signal on the second link based on a current operating band.
The antenna system according to claim 9, wherein
the filter unit comprises at least one filter.
The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein
the filter unit comprises one filter, and a response band of the filter corresponds to the operating band of the second radiator.
The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein
the filter unit comprises at least two filters, the at least two filters comprise a first filter and a second filter, a corresponding band of the first filter is a first band, and a response band of the second filter is a second band;

the first band is different from the second band, and the first band and the second band are comprised in the operating band of the second radiator; and

a switch unit is connected to each of the at least two filters, so that the foldable device controls turn-on/turn-off of the switch unit, to implement filtering processing of the corresponding filter on the signal on the second link.
The antenna system according to claim 12, wherein
when the antenna system operates in the first band, a switch unit connected to the first filter is turned on, and a switch unit connected to the second filter is turned off; and filtering processing is performed on the signal on the second link by using the first filter; or

when the antenna system operates in the second band, a switch unit connected to the second filter is turned on, and a switch unit connected to the first filter is turned off; and filtering processing is performed on the signal on the second link by using the second filter.
The antenna system according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein both the first radiator and the second radiator operate in a low-frequency band, and the low-frequency band comprises at least one of the following: B71, n71, B12, n12, B28, n28, B20, n20, B5, n5, B8, and n8.
The antenna system according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein when communication quality of the foldable electronic device is better than a preset condition, the tuning module stops operation, and the antenna system performs communication through the first link.
The antenna system according to claim 15, wherein
the preset condition comprises at least one of the following:
reference signal received power RSRP in current communication is greater than a preset RSRP threshold; received signal strength indication RSSI in current communication is greater than a preset RSSI threshold; reference signal received quality RSRQ in current communication is greater than a preset RSRQ threshold; and a signal to interference plus noise ratio SINR in current communication is greater than a preset SINR threshold.
A foldable electronic device, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are on a same surface when the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, and the first part and the second part are on different surfaces when the foldable electronic device is in a closed state; and
the antenna system according to any one of claims 1-16 is provided in the foldable electronic device for wireless communication.