Adaptive antenna tuning based on a sensed characteristic

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9774362-B1
Application number	US-201414536160-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Nov 7, 2014
Priority date	Nov 7, 2014
Publication date	Sep 26, 2017
Grant date	Sep 26, 2017

Abstract

A user device obtains sensor data from sensors included in the user device. A set of current state information is determined based on the sensor data. A tuner code associated with the current state information is identified. Tuning values associated with the tuner code are varied during a training stage to determine an optimized tuner code. One or more antennae of the user device are tuned for communication in accordance with the optimized tuner code.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
obtaining, by a user device, sensor data from one or more sensors of the user device;
determining current state information of the user device determined from the sensor data, wherein the current state information comprises at least one individual characteristic comprising data defining a size of a hand of a user of the user device, at least one behavioral characteristic comprising a hand grip type being used to hold the user device, and at least one environmental characteristic comprising a use of an accessory with the user device;
identifying a first tuning value for a first tuner code associated with the current state information, wherein the first tuning value comprises a register value setting an inductance or a capacitance associated with the first tuner code, and wherein the first tuner code is identified via a look-up of a tuner code table stored on the user device;
providing the first tuning value for the first tuner code to an antenna tuner;
measuring a first set of tuning parameters for the first tuner code, wherein the first set of tuning parameters comprises at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI) parameter, a transmission level parameter, a reception level parameter, a return loss parameter, or an antenna input impedance parameter;
varying the first tuning value for the first tuner code to determine a second tuner code comprising a second tuning value;
providing the second tuning value for the second tuner code to the antenna tuner;
measuring a second set of tuning parameters for the second tuner code;
determining that the second set of tuning parameters is closer in value to one or more predetermined desired tuning parameter values than the first set of tuning parameters;
varying the second tuning value for the second tuner code to determine a third tuner code comprising a third tuning value;
providing the third tuning value for the third tuner code to the antenna tuner;
measuring a third set of tuning parameters for the third tuner code;
determining that the second set of tuning parameters are closer in value to the one or more predetermined desired tuning parameter values than the third set of tuning parameters;
storing the second tuner code in association with the current state information; and
tuning one or more antennae according to the second tuner code.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one individual characteristic further comprises at least one of a dielectric parameter associated with the user or a loss tangent parameter associated with the user, and wherein the at least one behavioral characteristic further comprises at least one of a tilt position of the user's head, or a hand grip tendency of the user, and wherein the at least one environmental characteristic comprises at least one of a temperature factor, information about one or more cell towers previously accessed by the user device, or information about one or more wireless channels used by the user device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the current state information of the user device determined from the sensor data is performed in response to occurrence of a state identification process, the state identification process comprising one of a reset of the user device or a powering on of the user device.

4. A user device comprising:
one or more sensors; and
a processing device operatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the processing device to:
receive sensor data from the one or more sensors;
determine, based on the sensor data, current state information associated with the user device, the current state information comprising:
a first characteristic comprising at least one of a tilt angle associated with a head of a user of the user device, a tilt position associated with the head of the user, or a tendency of the user to grip the user device in a right-handed manner or a left-handed manner;
a second characteristic comprising at least one of a use of an accessory with the user device, an identification of a cell tower accessed by the user device, or information associated with a wireless channel used by the user device; and
a third characteristic comprising at least one of a size of a hand of the user, a dielectric parameter associated with the user, or a loss tangent associated with the user;

tune one or more antennae of the user device using a first tuner code comprising a first set of tuner values;
measure a first set of tuning parameters for the first tuner code;
vary one or more tuner values of the first set of tuner values of the first tuner code to identify a modified tuner code;
measure a second set of tuning parameters for the modified tuner code;
determine that the second set of tuning parameters are closer in value to one or more predetermined desired tuning parameter values than the first set of tuning parameters;
tune one or more antennae according to the modified tuner code; and
store the modified tuner code in a tuner code table of the user device in association with the current state information.

5. The user device of claim 4 , wherein the first set of tuning parameters comprises at least one of a received signal strength indicator value, a transmission level value, a return loss value, or an antenna input impedance value.

6. The user device of claim 4 , wherein the one or more tuning values comprise one or more values for at least one of the inductance or the capacitance associated with the first tuner code.

7. The user device of claim 4 , wherein the one or more tuner values of the first tuner code are varied within a range of predetermined acceptable tuning values.

8. A method comprising:
determining, by a processing device, a first set of state information of a user device based on sensor data collected by one or more sensors of the user device, the first set of state information comprising:
a first characteristic comprising at least one of a tilt angle associated with a head of a user of the user device, a tilt position associated with the head of the user, or a tendency of the user to grip the user device in a right-handed manner or a left-handed manner;
a second characteristic comprising at least one of a use of an accessory with the user device, an identification of a cell tower accessed by the user device, or information associated with a wireless channel used by the user device; and
a third characteristic comprising at least one of a size of a hand of the user, a dielectric parameter associated with the user, or a loss tangent associated with the user;

tuning, by the processing device, one or more antennae of the user device using a first tuner code comprising a first set of tuner values;
measuring, by the processing device, a first set of tuning parameters for the first tuner code;
varying, by the processing device, one or more tuner values of the first tuner code to identify a modified tuner code;
measuring, by the processing device, a second set of tuning parameters for the modified tuner code;
determining, by the processing device, that the second set of tuning parameters are closer in value to one or more predetermined desired tuning parameter values than the first set of tuning parameters;
tuning, by the processing device, one or more antennae according to the modified tuner code;
storing the modified tuner code in a tuner code table of the user device in association with the current state information;
determining a second set of state information of the user device based on sensor data collected by the one or more sensors of the user device;
determining the second set of state information matches the first set of state information;
identifying the modified tuner code in the tuner code table;

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Sammeta Rohit
• Dron Anuj
• Sai Ananthanarayanan Peruvemba Ranganathan
• Lai Chun Kit
• Channabasappa Eswarappa
• Kim Namhoon
• Kim Dave
• Napoles Adrian
• Mattsson Ulf Jan-Ove

Classifications

• H04W52/288

  taking into account the usage mode, e.g. hands-free, data transmission or telephone · CPC title

• H04B1/40 Primary

  Circuits · CPC title

• H04B1/0458 Primary

  Arrangements for matching and coupling between power amplifier and antenna or between amplifying stages (matching circuits in general H03H) · CPC title

• H04M2250/12

  including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion · CPC title