KR20110074227A - Mobile terminal and method for correcting an antenna's performance thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and method for correcting an antenna performance are provided to automatically correcting the performance of the antenna by the power level of a reflected signal. CONSTITUTION: A transmission unit(200) transmits a wireless signal through an antenna and extracts the reflected signal from the antenna. A power detection unit(260) detects the power level of the extracted reflection signal. A control unit(180) compensates the antenna performance by controlling the transmitting part by the reflected power level. A base band process unit(210) comprises a generator unit(220), a coupling unit(230), a coupling unit(240), and a tuner(250). The base band process unit changes a digital signal into an analog signal.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING AN ANTENNA'S PERFORMANCE THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for automatically correcting antenna performance and a method for calibrating antenna performance thereof.

Terminals such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc. may be configured to perform various functions. However, examples of various functions include data and voice communication functions, taking pictures or videos through a camera, voice recording functions, playing music files through a speaker system, and displaying images or videos. Some terminals include additional functionality to play games, while others are implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent terminals can receive video or television programs by receiving broadcast or multicast signals.

In general, a terminal may be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal according to whether or not it is mobile, and again, the mobile terminal may be a portable terminal (or handheld terminal) according to whether the user can directly carry it. And it may be divided into a vehicle mount terminal (vehicle mount terminal).

Efforts to support and increase the function of the terminal continue. The above efforts include not only changes and improvements in structural components forming the terminal, but also improvements in software and hardware.

In general, the antenna performance of the terminal is optimized in free space where the actual terminal usage environment of the user is not considered. However, the terminal may deteriorate the antenna performance due to the external environment, thereby degrading the wireless performance. For example, when a user's hand touches an antenna or a portion adjacent to the antenna, the impedance of the antenna is variable, thereby degrading signal radiation performance of the antenna. Therefore, the terminal may degrade the call transmission performance due to the performance degradation of the antenna, thereby reducing the call quality or stopping the call.

The present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and its antenna performance correction method for automatically correcting the antenna performance according to the power of the reflected signal reflected from the antenna.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is an antenna, a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal through the antenna and extracting the reflected signal reflected from the antenna, and detecting the power of the extracted reflected signal And a control unit for controlling the transmitter according to the detected reflected power to correct antenna performance.

In addition, the antenna performance correction method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of transmitting a transmission signal through the antenna, extracting the reflected signal reflected from the antenna, and detecting the power of the extracted reflected signal And correcting antenna performance when the detected reflected power is equal to or greater than a reference value.

The present invention can automatically correct antenna performance according to the amount of energy reflection (reflected power) reflected from the antenna when transmitting a high frequency signal carrying data such as video and audio through the antenna. Therefore, the present invention can provide optimal wireless performance regardless of the user's terminal use environment.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like, except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The mobile communication module 112 includes a transmitter that outputs a radio signal to the outside through an antenna and a receiver that receives a radio signal through the antenna. The transmitter codes data and modulates the coded information into a radio frequency (RF) carrier. The transmitter amplifies the modulated RF carrier, filters the amplified RF carrier, and transmits the amplified RF carrier to the antenna. The receiver receives an RF carrier through an antenna, demodulates the received RF carrier, and converts the received RF carrier into an intermediate frequency. The receiver may decode the demodulated information and transmit the decoded information to a vocoder. The vocoder converts the decoded digital information into an analog signal and outputs it to a speaker.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, the acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a shooting mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

Two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a “touch sensor”) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a “touch screen”), the display unit 151 may be used in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

The touch sensor may be disposed in a position close to the antenna. The touch sensor serves to detect external environmental factors affecting antenna performance. For example, when an antenna (intenna) is mounted at one end of the terminal, the touch sensor may be disposed on the side and front / rear of the body adjacent to the antenna.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. The haptic module 154 may be provided with two or more according to the configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a passage with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identification module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module (SIM). Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit 170 may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various commands input from the cradle by a user. The signal may be a passage for transmitting to the mobile terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output unit 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first manipulation unit 131 receives a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second manipulation unit 132 adjusts the volume of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or displays 151. Command), such as switching to the touch recognition mode.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

The sound output unit 152 'may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

The terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a front view of a mobile terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Various types of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ These pieces of information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

At least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement for inputting such information, thereby being implemented as a keypad. Such a keypad may be called a so-called " soft key ".

3 illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the front of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may operate in an entire area or may be operated in a divided manner. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a softkey 151c displaying a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is output. When the softkey 151c is touched, a number or the like corresponding to the touched softkey is displayed on the output window 151a. When the first manipulation unit 131 is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

Although the above embodiment discloses receiving a touch applied to the softkey through the front of the terminal body, the terminal having the transparent display may be implemented to receive the touch applied to the softkey through the rear of the terminal.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when the terminal body is changed to landscape while the terminal body is arranged in a portrait, the terminal displays an output screen displayed on the display unit 151 according to the arrangement direction of the terminal. It can be implemented to be converted.

The terminal 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be operated in a communication system capable of transmitting data through a frame or packet, including a wired / wireless communication system and a satellite-based communication system. It can be configured to.

Hereinafter, a method of automatically correcting antenna performance according to a user's use environment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In general, the antenna performance test of the mobile terminal 100 is performed in free space. Here, the free space refers to a state in which the external environment (external influence) is not applied to the terminal. However, as shown in Table 1, when the user actually uses the terminal, the frequency characteristics (performance) of the antenna according to the use environment (external environment) such as the user's hand, face (head), contacted object, folder open / close, etc. Is changed. That is, the performance of the antenna varies depending on the external environment of the terminal.

Table 1 shows the change in antenna performance by free space, right hand, left hand, and body in the open or closed folder of the lab environment.

In Table 1, TIS (Total Isotropic Sensitivity) is used as an index indicating the performance of a receiver in a free space. The TIS lowers the power of the base station to a value that does not cause a data transmission error, measures the power value at that time in three dimensions, and calculates one value using a predetermined equation.

Total radiated power (TRP) is used as a measure of the performance of the antenna in free space. TRP is a value expressed as one value by measuring the maximum power transmitted from the wireless device in three dimensions. Therefore, the TRP is used as an index indicating the performance of the receiving end of the wireless device in the free space.

Specific absorption rate (SAR) is a value that indicates how much electromagnetic waves are absorbed by the human body.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an antenna performance correction apparatus of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The antenna performance correction apparatus of the mobile terminal 100 modulates a transmission signal (information) output from the terminal to a radio frequency (RF) signal, transmits it through the antenna, and reflects the reflected signal reflected from the antenna. From the transmitting unit 200 for sampling, a high power detector (HDET) 260 for converting the reflected power of the extracted reflected signal into a DC voltage, and the power detector 260 The controller 180 controls the transmitter 200 according to the output voltage to correct antenna performance.

The transmitter 200 includes a baseband processor 210, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 220, a mixer 230, a directional couplers 240, and a tuner. tuner) 250.

The baseband processor 210 encodes and decodes data such as an audio and a video output from the terminal. Here, the baseband processor 210 converts an input digital signal into an analog signal.

The oscillator 220 adjusts the voltage to generate a desired specific frequency. The oscillator 220 generates radio frequency (RF) power required to transmit a signal output from the baseband processor 210.

The synthesizer 230 synthesizes a baseband signal on which a specific frequency output from the oscillator 220 and data such as voice and image output from the baseband processor 210 are carried.

The coupler 240 has four terminals and monitors the RF signal shape and power. When the transmission signal synthesized by the combining unit 230 is input to the first terminal of the coupler 240, the coupler 240 outputs the second terminal. The coupler 240 extracts the power of the transmission signal input to the first terminal and outputs the power to the third terminal. In addition, the coupler 240 extracts the reflected signal returned from the antenna returned by the transmission signal output through the second terminal and outputs the reflected signal to the fourth terminal.

The transmission power (A) of the transmission signal may be defined as the sum of the propagation power (B) of the transmission signal propagated from the antenna to the air and the reflection power (C) of the reflection signal reflected from the antenna.

A (conducted out power) = B (radiated power) + C (returned power)

The transmit power A0_Fa at the frequency Fa without external influences (in free space) is as follows.

A0_Fa = B0_Fa + C0_Fa

The transmit power A1_Fa at the frequency Fa in which the antenna radiation efficiency is degraded by external influences (for example, hands, face, body, etc.) is as follows.

A1_Fa = B1_Fa + C1_Fa

An antenna radiation efficiency reduction degree D_Fa may be expressed as follows due to external influences compared to an initial state.

D_Fa = C0_Fa-C1_Fa

The controller 180 recognizes that antenna performance correction is necessary when the reflected power due to external influence is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Here, the threshold is an experimentally determined value.

The tuner 250 propagates a transmission signal output through the second terminal of the coupler 240 to the outside through an antenna at a desired frequency under the control of the controller 180. In other words, the tuner 250 selects a frequency band according to a communication method, and filters and transmits a transmission signal to the selected frequency band. In addition, the tuner 250 corrects antenna performance by adjusting inductance and capacitance under the control of the controller 180.

The antenna converts the bandpass filtered transmission signal through the tuner 250 into an electrical signal and propagates into the air. In the antenna, the transmission signal propagates into the air using only a part of the transmission power and is reflected by the remaining transmission power.

The power detector 260 detects the reflected power of the reflected signal extracted by the coupler 240, converts the reflected power into a DC voltage, and outputs the converted DC voltage to the controller 180. In other words, the power detector 260 converts the reflected power of the reflected signal extracted by the coupler 240 into a DC voltage.

The controller 180 controls the tuner 250 based on the converted DC voltage. Here, the controller 180 recognizes that the antenna performance is degraded when the voltage of the reflected signal reflected from the antenna ANT is greater than or equal to the threshold voltage. If it is recognized that the antenna performance is degraded, the controller 180 controls the tuner 250 according to the voltage of the converted reflected signal to correct the antenna performance.

At this time, the controller 180 reads the optimization and antenna matching setting values from the memory 160 according to the pre-stored frequency or use environment and controls the tuner 250 based on the setting values.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an antenna performance correction method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, while performing a call, the controller 180 transmits information such as an input voice and an image through a formed channel (S101-S102). In this case, the controller 180 decodes information such as a voice and an image received through the formed channel, and outputs the decoded information to the output unit 150. That is, the controller 180 decodes the voice information received through the wireless communication unit 110 and outputs it to the speaker, and decodes the image information to display on the display screen. For example, when voice data is input through a microphone, the controller 180 processes the voice data and transmits the signal to the transmitter 200 of the mobile communication module 112. The baseband processor 210 of the transmitter 200 converts the voice data, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal. The oscillator 220 generates a specific frequency for transmitting the voice data. The synthesizer 230 synthesizes and outputs an analog signal output from the baseband processor 210 and a specific frequency output from the oscillator 220. The transmission signal output from the combining unit 230 is transmitted to the antenna via the coupler 240 and the tuner 250, and the antenna converts the transmission signal filtered by the tuner 250 into an electrical signal and sends it to the air. do.

In addition, the controller 180 extracts a reflected signal from the antenna, in which the transmission signal for transmitting information such as voice and video to the counterpart is transmitted through the coupler 240 of the transmitter 200 (S103).

The controller 180 detects power of the extracted reflected signal and converts the detected power into a DC voltage (S104). The coupler 240 extracts the reflected signal reflected from the antenna, and the power detector 260 detects the reflected power of the extracted reflected signal, converts it into a DC voltage, and outputs it to the controller 180.

The controller 180 checks whether the converted DC voltage is greater than or equal to a threshold voltage (S105). Here, if the reflected power reflected from the antenna is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the controller 180 recognizes the deterioration state that requires correction. In other words, the controller 180 recognizes that the radiation efficiency of the antenna is reduced.

If the converted DC voltage is greater than or equal to the threshold voltage, the controller 180 adjusts the tuner 250 of the transmitter 200 according to the DC voltage to correct the performance of the antenna (S106). In other words, the controller 180 corrects the antenna performance by adjusting the tuner 250 to a matching setting value according to the amount of reflection reflected from the antenna among the transmitted transmission powers.

6 is an example illustrating an antenna setting screen of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the antenna setting menu is selected by the user's menu operation, the controller 180 executes the antenna setting function and displays the setting screen on the display unit 151 (a). You can set whether to use the antenna performance correction on the setting screen. Each time a touch is detected on the setting icon arranged in the antenna performance correction item, the controller 180 sets or cancels the use of the antenna performance correction function. For example, when a touch is detected on the setting icon while the antenna performance correction is set, the controller 180 cancels the antenna performance correction, and when the touch is again detected by the setting icon, the controller 180 switches the antenna performance correction release to the setting.

In addition, when an antenna matching setting item is selected on the setting screen, the controller 180 lists and displays factors affecting antenna performance (b). When any one of the displayed factors is selected, the controller 180 displays a method and a notification message for applying the selected factor on the display screen.

For example, if the user selects 'hand' among the factors displayed on the display screen, the controller 180 displays the guide image along with a message such as 'hold the terminal by hand until completion'.

If the user holds the terminal until the antenna matching setting is completed, the controller 180 controls the oscillator 220 to generate a desired transmission power and transmit the desired transmission power to the coupler 240. The coupler 240 passes the input transmission power as it is, and the transmitted transmission power is transmitted to the antenna via the tuner 250. The antenna propagates some of the transmit power into the air and reflects the remaining transmit power. The coupler 240 extracts the reflected power reflected from the antenna and transmits the reflected power to the power detector 260. The power detector 260 converts the reflected half power into a DC voltage and outputs the converted half voltage to the controller 180. The controller 180 adjusts the tuner 250 according to the converted DC voltage to correct the frequency characteristic of the antenna. The controller 180 stores the matched value of the tuner 250 when the detected reflected power and the frequency characteristic of the antenna are optimized, in the memory 160.

Here, the terminal generates at least one frequency to detect the amount of reflection of the generated main frequency power reflected from the antenna. The antenna performance is corrected by adjusting the tuner's impedance and capacitance in accordance with the detected amount of reflection.

In the above-described embodiment, when the antenna performance is optimized according to the power of the reflected signal reflected from the antenna, the reflected power and the control value are stored in the memory 160. However, the antenna is considered in consideration of the surrounding environment of the antenna of the terminal. The touch sensor may be disposed around to optimize the antenna performance according to the position where the touch is sensed and to store the antenna matching value (impedance and capacitance) at that time. In addition, the optimized antenna matching value may be stored for each of the reflected power and the sensed external environment.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an antenna performance correction method of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a touch sensor is disposed on the side and the front / rear of the terminal close to the antenna mounted on the terminal as an example.

Referring to FIG. 7, when performing a call, the controller 180 codes input data, modulates the received data into an RF carrier, and transmits the data through a predetermined channel (S201-S202). For example, the controller 180 vocodes the image data input through the camera 121 and the audio data input through the microphone and transmits the same through the transmitter 200. The transmitter 200 converts digital data into an analog signal, modulates the converted analog signal into an RF carrier, and then filters the frequency band according to a communication method to propagate the air through the antenna.

The controller 180 extracts the reflected signal reflected by the antenna after transmitting the transmission signal to the antenna (S203). The controller 180 extracts a reflected signal that is not propagated into the air from the antenna through the coupler 240 of the transmitter 200 after the transmission signal is transmitted.

When the reflected signal is extracted, the controller 180 controls the power detector 260 to detect the power of the extracted reflected signal (S204). In addition, the power detector 206 converts the power (reflected power) of the detected reflected signal into a DC voltage. In other words, the controller 180 monitors, in real time, the power of the reflected reflection signal reflected from the antenna when transmitting a radio signal carrying data such as voice and video.

The controller 180 checks whether the detected reflected power is greater than or equal to a reference value (S205). Here, the controller 180 determines whether antenna performance correction is necessary by checking the antenna performance degradation according to the check result. If the reflected power is greater than or equal to the reference value, the controller 180 recognizes that the antenna performance is lower than or equal to the reference performance and determines that antenna performance correction is necessary. On the other hand, if the reflected power is less than the reference value, the controller 180 determines that antenna performance correction is unnecessary.

If the reflected power is greater than or equal to the reference value, the controller 180 detects an external environment of the antenna by activating a touch sensor disposed around the antenna of the terminal (S206). Here, the touch sensor is activated when antenna performance correction is performed. For example, it is checked whether there is a touch input on the touch sensor disposed in close proximity to the antenna mounted in the terminal.

After sensing the external environment, the controller 180 adjusts the tuner 250 based on the detected external environment and the reflected power to correct the performance of the antenna (S207). For example, when a telephone call is carried around the antenna, the impedance of the antenna is variable and antenna performance is degraded. In this case, when the controller 180 recognizes that antenna performance correction is required due to the degradation of antenna performance, the controller 180 detects a point where a hand touches through a touch sensor disposed around the antenna, and detects power of a reflected signal reflected from the antenna. The controller 180 corrects the frequency characteristic by varying the inductance and capacitance of the tuner 250 based on the detected touch point and the power of the reflected signal.

In the above embodiments, when the antenna performance correction is performed during data transmission, the controller 180 may output at least one of a notification message, a vibration, and a notification sound indicating that the antenna performance correction is being performed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method may be embodied as computer readable codes on a medium in which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet) . In addition, the computer may include the controller 180 of the terminal.

The terminal described above may not be limitedly applied to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made. have.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front view of a mobile terminal for explaining one operating state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an antenna performance correction apparatus of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an antenna performance correction method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an example illustrating an antenna setting screen of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an antenna performance correction method of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit

120: A / V input unit 130: user input unit

140: sensing unit 150: output unit

160: memory 170: interface unit

180: control unit 190: power supply unit

Claims (11)

With antenna, A transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal through the antenna and extracting a reflected signal reflected from the antenna; A power detector detecting power of the extracted reflection signal; And a controller for controlling the transmitter to correct antenna performance according to the detected reflected power. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit, A baseband processor for converting a digital signal output from the terminal into an analog signal; An oscillator for adjusting a voltage to generate a specific frequency; A synthesizer for synthesizing the converted analog signal and the generated frequency; A coupler for passing the transmission signal output from the combining unit and extracting the reflected signal reflected from the antenna; And a tuner for band-filtering and transmitting the transmission signal and adjusting inductance and capacitance under the control of the controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And if the detected reflected power is greater than or equal to a reference value, recognizing that antenna performance correction is necessary. The method of claim 2, wherein the control unit, And a tuner based on the touch point detected by the touch sensor attached to the body of the terminal and the reflected power. Transmitting a transmission signal through an antenna; Extracting a reflected signal reflected from the antenna; Detecting power of the extracted reflected signal; And correcting antenna performance when the detected reflected power is equal to or greater than a reference value. The method of claim 5, wherein the antenna performance correction step, A method of compensating antenna performance of a mobile terminal, characterized by adjusting inductance and capacitance of a tuner. The method of claim 5, wherein the extracting of the reflected signal comprises: An antenna performance correction method of a mobile terminal, characterized in that for sampling the reflected signal reflected from the antenna. The method of claim 5, wherein the power detection step, Detecting power of the extracted reflected signal; And converting the detected power into a DC voltage. The method of claim 5, wherein the antenna performance correction step, The antenna performance correction method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that it further comprises the step of sensing the external environment through the touch sensor. The method of claim 9, wherein the antenna performance correction step, The antenna performance correction method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for correcting the antenna performance based on the detected external environment and the power of the reflected signal. The method of claim 9, wherein the external environment, A method for calibrating antenna performance of a mobile terminal, which is a factor influencing antenna performance such as free space, hand, face, body, contacted object, folder open / close.

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