KR100552907B1 - Beam Switching Antenna System and Controlling Method and Apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beam switching antenna system capable of switching a radiation pattern.

The beam switching antenna system of the present invention comprises at least two antenna elements; A feed switch circuit for selectively controlling a feed position of a high frequency signal supplied to the antenna elements is provided.

Description

Beam Switching Antenna System and Controlling Method and Apparatus             

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional omni antenna.

2 is a diagram illustrating a beam of an omni antenna.

3 is a diagram illustrating a beam formed by an omni antenna installed in a mobile communication terminal.

4 is a plan view illustrating a beam switching antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the beam switching antenna system taken along line “I-I” of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating a control system for controlling the beam switching antenna system shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating operation in 100 mode in a beam switching antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating vertical and horizontal beam characteristics (red) of beams generated from the beam switching antenna system in the 100 mode of FIG. 7.

9 is a circuit diagram illustrating operation in mode 010 in a beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating vertical and horizontal beam characteristics (red) of beams generated from the beam switching antenna system in the 100 mode of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating operation in mode 001 in a beam switching antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating vertical and horizontal beam characteristics (red) of a beam pattern generated from a beam switching antenna system in mode 001 of FIG. 11.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a step-by-step search method of the beam directing direction of the beam switching antenna system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

14A is a diagram showing when a beam is formed omnidirectionally when searching in the beam directing direction.

14B is a view showing when a beam directed in the first direction is formed in the search in the beam directing direction.

FIG. 14C is a view showing when a beam directed in a second direction is formed when searching in the beam directing direction. FIG.

15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching for a beam directing direction in a beam switching antenna system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a beam switching antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention step by step.

17 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which earphones are connected to a mobile communication terminal.

18 is a diagram illustrating a beam directed toward the opposite side of the user when viewed from above the user of the mobile communication terminal.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

11: monopole element 12: feed line

13: Reflector 14: Ground Line

20, 60: beam 30, 90: mobile communication terminal

31,91: antenna of mobile communication terminal 41: ceramic substrate

42a, 42b: Dipole element 43: Link part

44a, 44b: dielectric layer 61: earphone sensing circuit

62: call state signal generation circuit 63: control unit

64: base station signal receiving circuit 71, 72: base station

92: Earphone SW1, SW2, SW3: Feed Switch

The present invention relates to an antenna, and more particularly, to a beam switching antenna system capable of switching a radiation pattern. The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the beam switching antenna system.

There are various types of antennas such as Yagi antenna, parabola antenna, helical antenna, planar antenna, omni antenna, and omni antenna is most widely used as omnidirectional.

The omni antenna has a structure in which a monopole element is vertically formed on a ground conductor plate as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional omni antenna includes a monopole element 11 connected to a power supply line 12 and a reflector plate 13 connected to a ground line 14.

The monopole element 11 is provided vertically as long as λ / 4 (where λ is the wavelength of the radiation pattern) and is connected to the power supply line 12 via a power supply connector (not shown). The monopole element 11 converts the high frequency signal power from the power supply line 12 into a radiation pattern of U and radiates it into the air, and converts the radiation pattern received from the air into an electrical signal and supplies it to the power supply line 12.

The reflector plate 13 is horizontally installed at right angles to the monopole element 11 and grounded by the ground voltage GND supplied from the ground line 14.

However, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the radiation pattern of the beam 20 formed by the omni antenna is non-directional and thus may not adaptively cope with the surrounding environment. For example, depending on the surrounding environment, the beam 20 is directed in a specific direction, and it is necessary to concentrate the transmission and reception power and the gain of the radio wave in that direction. In the case of the omni antenna, the beam 20 is almost the same in all directions. It is distributed.

In addition, the omni antenna has a problem that it is difficult to be applied to a mobile communication terminal because its length is fixed to λ / 4 and cannot be reduced to a length smaller than that. In the case of a dipole element, it is longer as [lambda] / 2.

According to the recent research results, it has been found that electromagnetic waves accompanying the radiation pattern of the beam 20 transmitted / received from the antenna of the mobile communication terminal may be propagated to the terminal user and cause a fatal adverse effect on the terminal user. In general, an omnidirectional antenna such as an omni antenna is installed in a mobile communication terminal. As shown in FIG. 3, an electromagnetic wave of a beam 20 transmitted / received to an omni antenna 31 of the mobile communication terminal 30 is directly transmitted to a terminal user. Because of the propagation, adverse effects due to electromagnetic waves of the beam 20 are emerging as more serious problems in the mobile communication terminal 30.

Recently, an adaptive antenna capable of directing a beam of an antenna in a desired direction has been proposed through US Patent No. 6,100,843. However, this adaptive antenna requires a total of five antenna elements including antenna elements located at each of the four corners of the rectangular base and antenna elements installed in the center of the rectangular base, so that it is difficult to be applied to a mobile communication terminal. Is complicated and bulky, and requires a phase shifter, a summation circuit, and a control circuit to control the phase of a signal supplied to or received by the antenna elements, thus increasing the cost of the circuit. There is a problem. The adaptive antenna searches for beam direction through a series of processes such as phase setting, pilot signal measurement / storage, and optimal phase setting for antenna elements after searching for each phase angle during the idle period. Since the optimal beam-directed search includes 360 loops corresponding to each phase angle of 360 °, call truncation may occur, and power consumption may be increased because the strength of the transmission signal power, that is, the power of the reverse link, increases. In addition to the rapid increase, there is a problem that excessive search time is required.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a beam switching antenna system that enables beam switching.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method and apparatus for a beam switching antenna system which maintains optimal antenna characteristics according to the surrounding environment and minimizes adverse effects on the human body of electromagnetic waves of a beam formed in the antenna.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a control method and apparatus for a beam switching antenna system that minimizes search time and reduces power consumption when searching for an optimal beam direction.

In order to achieve the above object, the beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention and the antenna element; A feed switch circuit for selectively controlling a feed position of a high frequency signal supplied to the antenna element is provided.

The antenna element includes first and second dipole elements that are symmetrically opposed to each other; And a link unit connected between the first and second dipole elements.

Each of the dipole elements has a pattern bent in a zigzag shape.

The feed switch circuit includes a first feed switch connected to the center of the link unit; A second feed switch connected to the link unit between the first dipole element and the first feed switch; A third feed switch connected to the link unit between the second dipole element and the first feed switch; A feed line for supplying the high frequency signal to the first to third feed switches; And controlling the directivity of the radiation pattern radiated from the antenna elements by individually controlling the first to third feed switches.

A beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate; It further comprises a dielectric layer formed on the substrate.

The antenna element is characterized in that formed on the dielectric layer.

The dielectric constant of the dielectric layer is characterized in that higher than the dielectric constant of the substrate.

The beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a plurality of through holes penetrating the substrate.

The feed switches may be electrically connected to the link unit via the through hole.

A control method of a beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of detecting whether the earphone is connected to the mobile communication terminal is installed; Detecting whether the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode or a standby mode; And controlling a beam of the antenna system by controlling a feed switch circuit according to whether the earphone is connected and the operation mode.

The controlling of the beam may include omnidirectional control of the beam when an earphone is connected to the mobile communication terminal.

The controlling of the beam may include directional control of the beam when the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode.

The controlling of the beam may include omnidirectional control of the beam when the mobile communication terminal operates in a standby mode.

In the controlling of the beam, when the earphone is not connected to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode, the beam is directionally controlled.

The controlling of the beam may include omnidirectional control of the beam when the earphone is not connected to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal operates in a standby mode.

The controlling of the beam may be directed to the opposite side of the user of the mobile communication terminal.

A control method of a beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first step of directing a beam of an antenna system in a current direction to receive a first signal; Forming a beam as an omni-directional beam to receive a second signal; And comparing the first signal with the second signal and controlling a directing direction of the beam by using a feed switch according to the comparison result.

The third step may include a fourth step of measuring at least one of an intensity and an error rate of each of the first signal and the second signal; A fifth step of comparing at least one of an intensity and an error rate between the first signal and the second signal; A sixth step of forming a beam directing direction in the current direction when the intensity of the first signal measured in the fourth step is greater than or equal to the strength of the second signal or the error rate of the first signal is less than or equal to the error rate of the second signal Steps; Receiving the third signal by directing the beam in a direction different from the current direction when the strength of the second signal is greater than the strength of the first signal or the error rate of the second signal is less than the error rate of the first signal. With 7 steps; And an eighth step of comparing the first signal with the third signal and controlling the directing direction of the beam according to the comparison result.

The eighth step may include: a ninth step of measuring at least one of an intensity and an error rate of each of the first signal and the third signal; A tenth step of comparing at least one of an intensity and an error rate between the first signal and the third signal; If the intensity of the first signal measured in the ninth step is equal to or greater than the intensity of the third signal or the error rate of the first signal is less than or equal to the error rate of the third signal, the beam is either one of the current direction and the non-directional beam. An eleventh step of controlling to one; Forming a directing direction of the beam in a direction different from the current direction when the intensity of the third signal is greater than the intensity of the first signal or the error rate of the third signal is less than the error rate of the first signal; It includes.

The control device of the beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an earphone sensing circuit for detecting whether the earphone is connected to the mobile communication terminal is installed; An operation state detection circuit for detecting whether the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode or a standby mode; And a controller for controlling the beam of the antenna system by controlling the feed switch circuit according to whether the earphone is connected and the operation mode.

The controller may control the beam in a non-directional manner when the earphone is connected to the mobile communication terminal.

The control unit is characterized in that the directional control the beam when the mobile communication terminal operates in the call mode.

The controller may control the beam in a non-directional manner when the mobile communication terminal operates in a standby mode.

The controller may be configured to directionally control the beam when the earphone is not connected to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode.

The controller may be configured to control the beam in a non-directional manner when the earphone is not connected to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal operates in a standby mode.

The controller is characterized in that the beam is directed to the opposite side of the user of the mobile communication terminal.

The control device of the beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention is directed to the beam of the antenna system in the current direction to receive a first signal and to form a beam as a non-directional beam to receive a second signal and A receiver; And a control unit for comparing the first signal and the second signal and controlling the directing direction of the beam using the feed switch according to the comparison result.

The controller measures at least one of an intensity and an error rate of each of the first signal and the second signal, compares at least one of an intensity and an error rate between the first signal and the second signal, and compares the first signal. When the intensity of the second signal is greater than the intensity of the second signal or the error rate of the first signal is less than the error rate of the second signal is characterized in that the directing direction of the beam is formed in the current direction.

If the intensity of the second signal is greater than the strength of the first signal or the error rate of the second signal is less than the error rate of the first signal, the controller directs the beam in a direction different from the current direction to provide a third signal. And receiving and comparing the first signal and the third signal to control the direction of the beam according to the comparison result.

The controller measures at least one of the strength and the error rate of each of the first signal and the third signal, compares at least one of the strength and the error rate between the first signal and the third signal, and compares the first signal. When the intensity of the third signal is greater than the intensity of the third signal or the error rate of the third signal is less than the error rate of the third signal, characterized in that for controlling the beam in one of the current direction and the non-directional beam.

The controller is configured to form the beam direction in a direction different from the current direction when the intensity of the third signal is greater than the intensity of the first signal or the error rate of the third signal is less than the error rate of the first signal. It is characterized by.

Other objects and features of the present invention in addition to the above object will become apparent from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 18.

4 and 5, a beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes first and second dielectric layers 44a and 44b and first and second dielectric layers 44a formed on a ceramic substrate 41. , 44b and on the dipole elements 42a and 42b symmetrically connected via the link portion 43, and the first to third feed switches SW1 and SW2 electrically connected to the link portion 43. And a feed connector 46 for connecting the first feed line 45a to which the high frequency signal power is supplied and the feed line 45b connected to the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3.

The dielectric layers 44a and 44b reduce the thickness of the ceramic substrate 41 by reducing the propagation speed of the radio waves. The thickness of the ceramic substrate 41 may be thinner as the dielectric constants of the dielectrics 44a and 44b are higher or the area of the dielectrics 44a and 44b is larger.

The dipole elements 42a and 42b and the link portion 43 are printed on the dielectric layers 44a and 44b and the ceramic substrate 41 by the same metal. The length of each of the dipole elements 42a and 42b formed on the dielectric layers 44a and 44b is λ / 2 (where λ is the wavelength of radio waves). Since each of these dipole elements 42a and 42b is bent in a zigzag shape, the length for propagation is maintained at λ / 2, but the physical length in the vertical direction is shorter than λ / 2. In other words, the dipole elements 42a and 42b have the same length when the dipole elements 42a and 42b extend straight as in the dotted line and the length when they are bent in a zigzag form like the solid line, but the dipole elements 42a and 42b in the vertical direction by the bend. The length of is shorter than when it is straight.

The first to third feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 are the link portions 43 via the through holes 47a, 47b, and 47c passing through the ceramic substrate 41 at different positions of the link portion 43. Is electrically connected). The first feed switch SW1 is connected to the left side of the link portion 43 via the first through hole 47a which is biased to the left side from the link portion 43, and the second feed switch SW2 is the link portion 43. It is connected to the center of the link part 43 via the 2nd through hole 47b located in the center. And the 3rd power supply switch SW3 is connected to the right side of the link part 43 via the 3rd through hole 47c which is biased to the right side in the link part 43. As shown in FIG. These feed switches SW1, SW2, SW3 supply symmetrically or asymmetrically the high frequency signal power RF applied to the dipole element 42a on the left side and the dipole element 42b on the right side under the control of a controller to be described later. To supply.

6 shows a control device for controlling the feed switches SW1, SW2, SW3. In Fig. 6, reference numerals 'R1' and 'R2' are parasitic resistances parasitic on the dipole elements 42a and 42b and the link portion 43 therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 6, the control device of the beam switching antenna according to the present invention includes an earphone sensing circuit 61, a call state signal generating circuit 62, a base station signal receiving circuit 64, and a controller 63.

When the earphone is connected to the mobile communication terminal, the earphone detection circuit 61 detects the earphone connected to the mobile communication terminal to generate earphone detection data Ep.

The call state signal generating circuit 62 detects whether a mobile communication terminal operates in a traffic mode or an idle mode in which the communication channel is disconnected because a communication channel is formed between the calling subscriber and the receiving subscriber. And generate call / standby data (Tr / Id) indicating whether the mobile communication terminal is in a call mode or a standby mode. That is, the call state signal generation circuit 62 detects a call / standby operation state of the mobile communication terminal.

The base station signal receiving circuit 64 and the control unit 63 serve to form the beam and receive the base station signal, and control the beam 60 by controlling the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3.

The base station signal receiving circuit 64 supplies the base station signals RB received at the antenna to the control unit 63. Here, the base station signal (RB) is Ec / Io (Energy of Carrier / Sum of noise), a synchronization signal (Sync), paging signal (Paging), traffic channel signal (Traffic channel), etc. It includes. The base station signal receiving circuit 64 may be implemented as a rake receiver for receiving a signal as a sum of base station signal powers received in the same frequency band in various directions.

The control unit 63 generates switch control signals for controlling the power supply switches 5a to 5d based on the base station reception signal RB to search for a beam directing direction at the time of handoff or during a call service, Therefore, the beam quality of the antenna is optimally set in the beam direction. This beam directing search method is described in detail with reference to Figs. The control unit 63 generates switch control signals according to the earphone detection data Ep and the call / standby state data Tr / Id, and transmits the switch control signals to the control terminals of the power supply switches SW1, SW2, and SW3. Supply to control the beam directionally or omnidirectionally. The operation of the controller 63 according to the earphone connection state and the call / standby state will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16.

The earphone detecting circuit 61, the call state signal generating circuit 62, the base station signal receiving circuit 64, and the controller 63 are mounted on a circuit board in the mobile communication terminal. The feed switches SW1, SW2, SW3, the dipole elements 42a, 42b, and the link unit 43 constitute an antenna of the mobile communication terminal.

7 to 11 are electrical equivalent circuits of the feed switches SW1, SW2, SW3, the link unit 43, and the dipole elements 42a, 42b according to the control of the feed switches SW1, SW2, SW3. The change in the radiation pattern is shown.

7 to 11, the beam switching antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention operates in three modes as shown in Table 1 below.

SW1 SW2 SW3 Radiation pattern of the antenna 100 modes ON OFF OFF Directivity 010 mode OFF ON OFF Omni-directional 001 mode OFF OFF ON Leftward orientation

Referring to FIG. 7, in the 100 mode, the first feed switch SW1 is turned on and the second and third feed switches SW2 and SW3 remain off. Then, since the feed path to the second dipole element 42b on the right side is longer than the feed path to the first dipole element 42a on the left side, the high frequency signal power RF applied to the first dipole element 42a on the left side is longer. In contrast, the high frequency signal power RF applied to the second dipole element 42b on the right side is delayed due to parasitic resistance and parasitic capacitor (not shown). When the phase difference between the high frequency signal power RF applied to the first dipole element 42a on the left side and the second dipole element 42b on the right side is approximately 90 degrees, the first dipole element 42a having a small phase delay is It will act as a reflector. As a result, the beam 60 is radiated with directivity as shown in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the 010 mode, the first and third feed switches SW1 and SW3 are turned off and the second feed switch SW2 is turned on. Then, since the feed paths of the first and second dipoles 42a and 42b are substantially the same, there is almost no phase difference between the high frequency signal power RF applied to the first and second dipoles 42a and 42b. As a result, the beam 60 is radiated omnidirectionally as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the 001 mode, the first and second feed switches SW1 and SW2 are turned off and the third feed switch SW3 is turned on. Then, since the feed path to the first dipole element 42a on the left side is longer than the feed path to the second dipole element 42b on the right side, the high frequency signal power RF applied to the second dipole element 42b on the right side. In contrast, the high frequency signal power RF applied to the first dipole element 42a on the left side is delayed due to a parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitor (not shown). When the phase difference between the high frequency signal power RF applied to the first dipole element 42a on the left side and the second dipole element 42b on the right side is approximately 90 degrees, the second dipole element 42b having a small phase delay is It will act as a reflector. As a result, the beam 60 is radiated in a directional direction as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching for a beam directing direction of a beam switching antenna system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The searching method of the beam directing direction will be described with reference to Figs. 14A to 14C.

14A to 14C, reference numerals '71' and '72' denote base stations, and reference numerals '90' and '91' denote mobile communication terminals and beam switching antenna systems. The beam switching antenna system 91 includes the antennas of FIGS. 4 and 5, the signal generation circuit and the control circuit of FIG. 6. Reference numeral 60 denotes a beam 60 formed in the beam switching antenna system 91.

13 to 14C, the beam directing direction search method of the beam switching antenna system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is performed in the forward link through the beam switching antenna system 91 installed in the mobile communication terminal 90. The base station signal RB transmitted from the base stations 71 and 72 is received, and initialization is performed in synchronization with the mobile communication terminal 90 and the base stations 71 and 72. (S131)

Subsequently, the control unit 63 controls the power supply switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 in omni mode to form an omnidirectional beam as shown in FIG. 14A. (S132) At this time, the beam switching antenna system of the mobile communication terminal 90. Reference numeral 91 receives both signals transmitted from base station 71 on the left side and base station 72 on the right side. After receiving the base station signal RB in all directions by forming the beam 60 omnidirectionally, the control unit 63 measures the intensity of the received base station signal RB and also bit error rate. Alternatively, the error rate is measured at a frame error rate, and the strength and error rate of the measured base station signal RB are stored. As the base station signal RB is received, its strength is detected and stored in a memory in the mobile communication terminal 90. The strength of the base station signal RB is inversely proportional to the error rate in most cases. The strength or error rate of the base station signal RB measured in all directions is compared with the strength or error rate of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the current direction (S133). The direction of the beam may be the direction of the non-directional beam or the direction of the beam directed in a specific direction. The strength or error rate of the base station signal RB received during beam formation in the current direction is measured before the initialization step and the value is stored in a memory in the mobile communication terminal 60 for a period of time. This current direction will be described assuming that the beam 60 is the first direction toward the base station 71 on the left side as shown in Fig. 14B.

In step S133, the strength of the base station signal RB received when forming the omni-directional beam is greater than the strength of the base station signal RB received when forming the beam in the current direction, that is, the first direction, or received when forming the non-directional beam. If the error rate of the base station signal RB is lower than the error rate of the received base station signal RB when the beam is formed in the first direction, the controller 63 controls the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to beam in the other direction. And the base station signal RB is received (S134). Here, it is assumed that the other direction is the second direction in which the beam 60 faces the base station 72 on the right side as shown in Fig. 14C.

In step S133, the strength of the base station signal RB received when forming the omni-directional beam is equal to or less than the strength of the base station signal RB received when forming the beam in the first direction or the base station signal RB received when forming the omni-directional beam. If the error rate is equal to or greater than the error rate of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the first direction, the control unit 63 directs the beam in the present direction (first direction). Direction is the optimal beam directing direction.

In step S134, the control unit 63 measures the strength of the received base station signal RB when the beam is formed in the second direction and measures the error rate. The strength or error rate of the base station signal RB measured in the second direction is compared with the strength or error rate of the base station signal RB measured in the current direction, that is, the first direction (S135).

In step S135, the strength of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the second direction is greater than the strength of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the first direction or the base station signal received when the beam is formed in the second direction. If the error rate of RB is smaller than the error rate of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the first direction, the controller 63 controls the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to form a beam in the second direction. (S136) At this time, the second direction, which is another direction, is the optimum beam directing direction.

In step S135, the strength of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the second direction is less than or equal to the strength of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the first direction, or the base station signal received when the beam is formed in the second direction ( If the error rate of the RB is greater than or equal to the error rate of the base station signal RB received when forming the beam in the first direction, the controller 63 controls the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to form a beam in the first direction. Further, in step S135, the strength of the base station signal RB received when the beam is formed in the second direction is less than the strength of the received base station signal RB when the beam is formed in the first direction or when the beam is formed in the second direction. If the error rate of the received base station signal RB is equal to or greater than the error rate of the received base station signal RB when the beam is formed in the first direction, the control unit 63 switches the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 in the case of a hand-off. It can be controlled to form a beam in the omni direction, that is, omni-directional. The first direction or the non-directional direction formed in this step S137 is the optimum beam directing direction.

Subsequent to steps S136 and S137, the controller 63 determines whether the direction search condition is satisfied. The direction search condition includes a preset search time and a received power level. The search time may be set to a standby state or a rest period or may be set to a periodic search reference time for starting the search even when the mobile communication terminal 90 is operating in a call mode, for example, 5 seconds. If the base station signal RB is received when the search time is satisfied, that is, when the search time is reached or the reception power level is less than or equal to a preset reference level, the control unit 63 performs steps S132 to S137 again (S138).

As described above, the beam directing direction search method of the beam switching antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention forms the beam 60 in a non-directional manner, and compares the strength or the error rate of the received base station signal with the current direction, and the comparison result. When the strength of the received signal in all directions is less than the current direction or the error rate in the all directions is more than the current direction, the current direction is set as the optimal direction, so that unnecessary search time is omitted to reduce search time and power consumption during the search. do. In addition, the beam directing direction search method of the beam switching antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention can always maintain optimal call quality during the call mode operation of the mobile communication terminal by setting the optimal beam directing direction with the minimum search time. have.

15 is a step-by-step method for searching in the beam directing direction of the beam switching antenna system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The searching method of the beam directing direction will be described with reference to Figs. 14A to 14C.

14A to 15, the beam directing direction search method of the beam switching antenna system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is performed in the forward link through the beam switching antenna system 91 installed in the mobile communication terminal 90. The base station signal RB transmitted from the base stations 71 and 72 is received and initialization is performed in synchronization with the mobile communication terminal 90 and the base stations 71 and 72. (S151)

Subsequently, the control unit 63 controls the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 in omni mode to form an omni-directional beam as shown in FIG. 14A. (S152) At this time, the beam switching antenna system of the mobile communication terminal 90. Reference numeral 91 receives both signals transmitted from base station 71 on the left side and base station 72 on the right side. After receiving the base station signal RB in all directions by forming the beam 60 in a non-directional manner, the control unit 63 measures the intensity of the received base station signal RB and the bit error rate or the like. The error rate is measured at a frame error rate, and the measured strength and error rate of the base station signal RB are stored.

After receiving the base station signals RB by operating in the omni mode, the controller 63 controls the feed switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to form a beam directed in the first direction as shown in FIG. 14B. As shown in FIG. 14C, a beam directed in a second direction is formed to continuously receive base station signals RB from the base stations 71 and 71 in different directions (S153 and S154). The strength and error rate of the base station signal RB received in one direction are measured and stored, and the strength and error rate of the base station signal RB received in the second direction are measured and stored.

When the base station signals RB are received in each of the omnidirectional, non-directional directions, the first direction, and the second direction, and the strength and the error rate of the signals RB are measured, the control unit 63 receives the signals in each direction. The intensity of the signals RB and the error rate are compared to set an optimal beam direction, and the beam 60 is formed in that direction (S155 and S156). That is, the controller 63 is omnidirectional (non-directional direction). The beam 60 is formed in the direction in which the intensity of the received power is greatest among the base station signals RB in which the base station signals RB are received in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, or in the direction in which the error rate is the smallest. To form.

Subsequent to steps S155 and S156, the controller 63 determines whether the direction search condition is satisfied. The direction search condition includes a preset search time and a received power level. The search time may be set to a standby state or a rest period or may be set to a periodic search reference time for starting the search even when the mobile communication terminal 90 is operating in a call mode, for example, 5 seconds. If the base station signal RB is received when the direction search condition is satisfied, that is, when the search time is reached or the reception power level is less than or equal to the preset reference level, the control unit 63 performs steps S152 to S156 again (S98).

16 is a diagram illustrating a method of controlling a beam based on an earphone connection state and a call / standby mode in a method of controlling a beam switching antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This control method will be described with reference to the control device of FIG.

6 and 16, the controller 63 receives earphone detection data Ep from the earphone detection circuit 61 and receives call / waiting state data (Tr / Id) input from the call state signal generation circuit 62. ), And query the current state of the mobile communication terminal 30 (S161).

When it is determined that the earphone 92 is connected to the mobile communication terminal 90 as shown in FIG. 17 according to the earphone detection data Ep, the controller 63 operates in the 010 mode and is copied from the dipole members 42a and 42b. The beam 60 is controlled omnidirectionally (S162 and S165). When the earphone 92 is connected to the mobile communication terminal 90 and the user makes a call with the earphone 92, the mobile communication terminal 90 The distance between the beam switching antenna 91 and the user's head is far. When the mobile communication terminal 90 is far from the user's head in this way, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, so that the electromagnetic wave of the beam 60 radiated from the dipole elements 42a and 42b of the mobile communication terminal 90 Has little impact on Therefore, in the control method of the beam switching antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the earphone 92 is used, the beam 60 is omni-directionally controlled so that the base stations 71 and 72 are independent of the direction of the base stations 71 and 72. And easy communication between the mobile communication terminal (90). In other words, when the earphone 92 is connected to the mobile communication terminal 90, the present invention provides a connection between the base stations 71 and 72 and the mobile communication terminal 90 positioned in any direction with respect to the mobile communication terminal 90. Facilitates transmission and reception of

If it is determined in step S162 that the earphone 92 is not connected to the mobile communication terminal 90 and it is determined that the mobile communication terminal 90 operates in the standby mode according to the call / waiting state data (Tr / Id), The controller 63 operates in the 100 mode or the 001 mode to non-directionally control the beam 60 formed in the dipole elements 42a and 42b. (S163 and S165) The mobile communication terminal 90 is in the standby mode (Idle). mode), the distance between the user and the mobile communication terminal 90 is generally far away since the user rarely needs to bring the mobile communication terminal 90 close to the ear. When the distance between the mobile communication terminal 90 and the user's head becomes far, the electromagnetic wave of the beam 60 hardly affects the user as described above. Therefore, in the control method of the beam switching antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the mobile communication terminal 90 operates in the standby mode, the beam 60 is omni-directionally controlled so as to relate to the direction of the base stations 71 and 72. Easy transmission and reception between the base station (71, 72) and the mobile communication terminal 30 without.

If it is determined in step S162 that the earphone 92 is not connected to the mobile communication terminal 90 and it is determined that the mobile communication terminal 90 operates in the call mode according to the call / waiting state data (Tr / Id), the controller Referring to FIG. 18, only one of the first and third feed switches SW1 and SW3 is turned on so that the beam 70 is formed on the opposite side of the user as shown in FIG. 18. (S163 and S164) The earphone 92 If the mobile communication terminal 90 operates in a traffic mode while not connected to the mobile communication terminal 90, the user can communicate with the other subscriber in the state in which the mobile communication terminal 90 is close to the ear as shown in FIG. Make a call. At this time, the electromagnetic wave of the beam 60 may adversely affect the user. Therefore, in the control method of the beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the earphone 92 is not connected to the mobile communication terminal 90 and operates in a call mode, the beam 60 is radiated to the opposite side of the user. The beam 60 can be directionally controlled to minimize the propagation of electromagnetic waves to the user.

The opposite direction of the user is preset in the controller 63 in the rear direction of the mobile communication terminal 90. The rear direction of the mobile communication terminal 90 may be set in a direction from the front of the mobile communication terminal 90 with a liquid crystal display (LCD) to the rear surface of the mobile communication terminal 90 with a battery.

As described above, the beam switching antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention uses a feed switch that can control the phase difference of the high frequency signal power applied to the two dipole elements to copy the radiation pattern radiated from the dipole elements. By directional or omnidirectional control, optimum antenna characteristics can be maintained depending on the surrounding environment. In addition, the control method and apparatus of the beam switching antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention by controlling the beam in a non-directional or directional according to the surrounding environment to ensure the optimal antenna characteristics and the optimal radio wave service environment according to the surrounding environment By directing the beam away from the user of the mobile communication terminal, adverse effects of the human body due to the electromagnetic waves of the beam can be minimized. Further, the control method and apparatus of the beam switching antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention compares the omni-directional beam and the directional beam during the search in the optimum beam direction direction, and the search time required by omitting unnecessary angle search according to the comparison result Can minimize the power consumption.                     

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (23)

delete delete delete An antenna element having first and second dipole elements symmetrically opposed to each other, and a link portion connected between the first and second dipole elements; A feed switch circuit for selectively controlling a feeding position of a high frequency signal supplied to the antenna element, The feed switch circuit, A first feed switch connected to the center of the link unit; A second feed switch connected to the link unit between the first dipole element and the first feed switch; A third feed switch connected to the link unit between the second dipole element and the first feed switch; A feed line for supplying the high frequency signal to the first to third feed switches; And a controller for controlling the directivity of the radiation pattern radiated from the antenna elements by individually controlling the first to third feed switches. The method of claim 4, wherein A substrate; Further comprising a dielectric layer formed on the substrate, And the antenna element is formed on the dielectric layer. The method of claim 5, wherein  And a dielectric constant of said dielectric layer is higher than that of said substrate. The method of claim 5, wherein It further comprises a plurality of through holes penetrating the substrate, And the feed switches are electrically connected to the link unit via the through hole. A control method of an antenna system having an antenna element for forming a beam and a feed switch circuit for selectively controlling a feeding position of a high frequency signal supplied to said antenna element, Detecting whether an earphone is connected to a mobile communication terminal provided with the antenna system; Detecting whether the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode or a standby mode; And controlling the beam of the antenna system by controlling the feed switch circuit according to whether the earphone is connected and the operation mode. The method of claim 8, Controlling the beam, And controlling the beam omnidirectionally when an earphone is connected to the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 8, Controlling the beam, Directionally controlling the beam when the mobile communication terminal is operating in a call mode; And controlling the beam omnidirectionally when the mobile communication terminal operates in a standby mode. The method of claim 8, Directionally controlling the beam when the earphone is not connected to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode; And controlling the beam in a non-directional manner when the mobile communication terminal operates in the standby mode without the earphone connected to the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 11, Directly controlling the beam, And directing the beam toward a user opposite side of the mobile communication terminal. A control method of an antenna system having an antenna element for forming a beam and a feed switch circuit for selectively controlling a feeding position of a high frequency signal supplied to said antenna element, Receiving a first signal by directing a beam of the antenna system in a current direction; Forming a beam as an omni-directional beam to receive a second signal; And comparing the first signal with the second signal and controlling the directing direction of the beam by using the feed switch according to a result of the comparison. The method of claim 13, The third step, Measuring at least one of an intensity and an error rate of each of the first signal and the second signal; A fifth step of comparing at least one of an intensity and an error rate between the first signal and the second signal; If the intensity of the first signal measured in the fourth step is greater than or equal to the strength of the second signal or the error rate of the first signal measured in the fourth step is less than or equal to the error rate of the second signal, the direction of the beam is directed. A sixth step of forming in a current direction; Receiving the third signal by directing the beam in a direction different from the current direction when the strength of the second signal is greater than the strength of the first signal or the error rate of the second signal is less than the error rate of the first signal. With 7 steps; And comparing the first signal with the third signal and controlling the directing direction of the beam according to the comparison result. The method of claim 14, The eighth step, A ninth step of measuring at least one of an intensity and an error rate of each of the first signal and the third signal; A tenth step of comparing at least one of an intensity and an error rate between the first signal and the third signal; If the intensity of the first signal measured in the ninth step is equal to or greater than the intensity of the third signal or the error rate of the first signal measured in the ninth step is less than or equal to the error rate of the third signal, the beam is directed to the current direction. And an eleventh step of controlling one of the omni-directional beams; Forming a directing direction of the beam in a direction different from the current direction when the intensity of the third signal is greater than the intensity of the first signal or the error rate of the third signal is less than the error rate of the first signal; Control method of a beam switching antenna system comprising a. A control apparatus of an antenna system having an antenna element for forming a beam and a feed switch circuit for selectively controlling a feeding position of a high frequency signal supplied to said antenna element, An earphone detecting circuit detecting whether an earphone is connected to a mobile communication terminal provided with the antenna system; An operation state detection circuit for detecting whether the mobile communication terminal operates in a call mode or a standby mode; And a control unit for controlling the beam of the antenna system by controlling the feed switch circuit according to whether the earphone is connected and the operation mode. The method of claim 16, The control unit, And an earphone is connected to the mobile communication terminal, thereby controlling the beam in a non-directional manner. The method of claim 16, The control unit, And controlling the beam directionally when the mobile communication terminal is operating in a call mode and controlling the beam omnidirectionally when the mobile communication terminal is operating in a standby mode. The method of claim 16, The control unit, If the earphone is not connected to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal operates in the call mode, the beam is directionally controlled, and if the earphone is not connected to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal operates in the standby mode, Control device of a beam switching antenna system, characterized in that for controlling the beam omni-directional. The method of claim 19, The control unit, And controlling the beam toward the user's opposite side of the mobile communication terminal. A control apparatus of an antenna system having an antenna element for forming a beam and a feed switch circuit for selectively controlling a feeding position of a high frequency signal supplied to said antenna element, A beam / former and receiver configured to receive a first signal by directing a beam of the antenna system in a current direction and to form a beam as an omnidirectional beam; And a control unit for comparing the first signal with the second signal and controlling the directing direction of the beam using the feed switch according to the comparison result. The method of claim 21, The control unit, Measuring at least one of an intensity and an error rate of each of the first signal and the second signal; The intensity of the first signal is greater than the strength of the second signal or the error rate of the first signal is less than the error rate of the second signal by comparing at least one of a strength and an error rate between the first signal and the second signal. A rearward direction of the beam is formed in the current direction; Comparing at least one of an intensity and an error rate between the first signal and the second signal, the strength of the second signal is greater than the strength of the first signal or the error rate of the second signal is the error rate of the first signal. If smaller, directs the beam in a direction different from the current direction to receive a third signal; And comparing the first signal with the third signal and controlling the directing direction of the beam according to the comparison result. The method of claim 22, The control unit, Measuring at least one of an intensity and an error rate of each of the first signal and the third signal; Comparing at least one of a strength and an error rate between the first signal and the third signal, the strength of the first signal is greater than the strength of the third signal or the error rate of the first signal is less than the error rate of the third signal. Control the beam in either the current direction or the omni-directional beam; The intensity of the third signal is greater than the intensity of the first signal or the error rate of the third signal is equal to the error rate of the first signal by comparing at least one of a strength and an error rate between the first signal and the third signal. The control device of the beam switching antenna system, characterized in that to form a directing direction of the beam in a direction different from the current direction.

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