# US 2021/0280957 A1 · Antenna control apparatus and antenna system

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- Number: US 2021/0280957 A1
- Document ID: US20210280957A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/184,653
- Filed: 2021-02-25
- Published: 2021-09-09
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-06
- Assignees: Denso Corporation
- Applicants: Denso Corporation
- Inventors: Tomonaga TAMARU
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210280957A1

## CPC

- H01Q 1/002: {Protection against seismic waves, thermal radiation or other disturbances, e.g. nuclear explosion; Arrangements for improving the power handling capability of an antenna}
- H01Q 1/3241: {particular used in keyless entry systems}
- G01R 19/16576: {comparing DC or AC voltage with one threshold (G01R19/16514, G01R19/16519, G01R19/16528, G01R19/16533 and G01R19/1659 take precedence)}
- H01Q 21/28: Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems {(multiple beam H01Q25/00)}
- H01Q 25/00: Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns (arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00)
- G01R 31/54: Testing for continuity
- H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

An antenna system includes an antenna and an antenna control apparatus. The antenna control apparatus includes a control circuit, i.e., a control integrated circuit. The control circuit adjusts and boosts an antenna voltage to supply a required current to the antenna. The antenna voltage is maintained so as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit voltage threshold value. The control circuit is configured to determine a disconnection failure on the antenna when the antenna voltage detected by an overvoltage detection circuit reaches the upper limit voltage threshold value, or is boosted beyond the upper limit voltage threshold value.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An antenna control apparatus, comprising:
an antenna power source which adjusts an antenna voltage applied to an antenna;
a voltage detection circuit which detects the antenna voltage;
a current detection circuit which detects a current flowing through the antenna; and
a control circuit which is configured to:
adjust the antenna voltage by the antenna power source to supply a required current for transmitting a radio wave from the antenna, the antenna voltage being maintained not exceed a predetermined upper limit voltage threshold value; and
determine a disconnection on the antenna when the antenna voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit is adjusted to exceed the upper limit voltage threshold value while the antenna voltage is adjusted.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The antenna control apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein
the voltage detection circuit is an overvoltage detection circuit which detects an overvoltage threshold value for protective purpose, and wherein the upper limit voltage threshold value is the overvoltage threshold value.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The antenna control apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein
the upper limit voltage threshold value is set as a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to an upper limit value of a regular work voltage range which is defined between the upper limit value and a lower limit value.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The antenna control apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein
the control circuit controls the antenna as an LF antenna which transmits a low frequency radio wave.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The antenna control apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein
the control circuit is configured to be connected with a plurality of antennas, and wherein
a control circuit which is configured to:
determine disconnections of each one of the plurality of antennas one by one in an orderly manner; and
wait a predetermined time period between a determining disconnection of one antenna and a determining disconnection of the other one antenna.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An antenna system, comprising:
an antenna; and
the antenna control apparatus claimed in claim 1.