FR3066859B1 - METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING A TUNABLE PASSIVE ANTENNA AND A TUNING UNIT, AND APPARATUS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION USING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically adjusting one or more tunable passive antennas and a single input access and single output access tuner unit. The invention also relates to an apparatus for radio communication using this method. An apparatus for radio communication according to the invention comprises: a tunable passive antenna (1); a single input access and single output access agreement unit (4) having an input port and an output port; a detection unit (3); an antenna link (2); a transmitting and signal processing unit (8) delivering one or more "antenna setting instructions", applying an excitation to the input port and outputting one or more "unit setting instructions"; agreement "; and a control unit (6) delivering one or more "antenna control signals" to the tunable passive antenna and one or more "tuning control signals" to the input access tuner unit unique and unique output access.

Description

Method for automatically adjusting a tunable passive antenna and a tuning unit, and apparatus for radio communication using this method

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for automatically adjusting one or more tunable passive antennas and a single input access tuning unit and single output access, for example a tunable passive antenna and a tunable passive unit. single-entry access agreement and single-output access of a radio transmitter. The invention also relates to an apparatus for radio communication using this method, for example a radio transceiver.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

A tunable passive antenna comprises at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of said tunable passive antenna, said at least one parameter being adjustable, for example by electrical means. Setting a tunable passive antenna means setting at least one said at least one parameter. Each of said one or more characteristics may for example be an electrical characteristic such as an impedance at a specified frequency, or an electromagnetic characteristic such as a directivity pattern at a specified frequency. A tunable passive antenna may also be called "reconfigurable antenna" (in English: "reconfigurable antenna"). Some authors consider three classes of tuneable passive antenna: polarization agile antennas (antennas), reconfigurable antennas (antennas) and frequency-agile antennas (pattem-reconfigurable antennas). (in English: "frequency-agile antennas"). The state of the art concerning frequency-agile antennas is for example described in the article by A. Petosa entitled "An OverView of Tuning Techniques for Frequency-Agile Antennas", published in IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 54, No. 5, October 2012. As explained in this article, many types of antenna control device can be used to control one or more characteristics of a tunable passive antenna. An antenna control device may for example be: an electrically controlled switch or switch, in which case a parameter of the antenna control device having an effect on one or more characteristics of the tunable passive antenna may be the state switch or switch; an adjustable impedance device, in which case a parameter of the antenna control device having an effect on one or more characteristics of the tunable passive antenna may be the reactance or impedance, at a specified frequency, of the impedance device adjustable; or an actuator arranged to produce a mechanical deformation of the tunable passive antenna, in which case a parameter of the antenna control device having an effect on one or more characteristics of the tunable passive antenna may be a length of the deformation.

If an antenna control device is an electrically controlled switch or switch, it may for example be an electromechanical relay, or a microelectromechanical switch (in English: "MEMS switch"), or a circuit using one or more PIN diodes or a or multiple insulated gate field effect transistors (MOSFETs) as switching devices.

An adjustable impedance device is a component comprising two terminals which behave substantially like the terminals of a passive linear bipole, and which are therefore characterized by an impedance which can depend on the frequency, this impedance being adjustable.

An adjustable impedance device having an electrically adjustable reactance may be such that it only provides, at a given frequency, a finite set of reactance values, this characteristic being for example obtained if the adjustable impedance device is: - a network comprising a plurality of capacitors or sections of transmission line in open circuit and one or more electrically controlled switches or switches, such as electromechanical relays, or microelectromechanical switches, or PIN diodes or insulated gate field effect transistors , used to make different capacitors or different sections of transmission line in open circuit of the network contribute to the reactance; or a network comprising a plurality of short-circuited transmission line coils or sections and one or more electrically controlled switches or switches used to make different coils or different short-circuit transmission line sections of the network contribute to the reactance.

An adjustable impedance device having an electrically adjustable reactance may be such as to provide, at a given frequency, a continuous set of reactance values, this characteristic being obtainable, for example, if the adjustable impedance device is based on use of a diode with variable capacity; or a variable capacity MOS component (in English: "MOS varactor"); or a microelectromechanical component with variable capacity (in English: "MEMS varactor"); or a ferroelectric component with variable capacity (in English: "ferroelectric varactor").

Many methods exist to automatically adjust one or more tunable passive antennas. Some of these methods are applicable to a radio transmitter, for example the method disclosed in United States Patent No. 5,225,847 entitled "Automatic antenna tuning system". Some of these methods are applicable to a radio receiver, for example the method disclosed in United States Patent Number 7,463,870 entitled "Receiver circuit and control method".

A first example of a method for automatically adjusting a tuneable passive antenna, applicable to a radio transmitter, is implemented in the automatic antenna system shown in FIG. 1. This automatic antenna system is similar to that disclosed in FIG. said U.S. Patent No. 5,225,847. The automatic antenna system shown in FIG. 1 has a user access (31), the user access having, at a given frequency, an impedance called "the impedance presented by the user access", the antenna system automatic device comprising: a tunable passive antenna (1), the tunable passive antenna comprising at least one antenna control device, one or more characteristics of the tunable passive antenna being controlled using said at least one control device; antenna, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on said one or more characteristics, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means; a detection unit (3) delivering two "detection unit output signals", each of the detection unit output signals being determined by an electrical variable sensed (or measured) at the user access while a excitation is applied to user access; an antenna link (2) having a first end coupled to a signal port of the tunable passive antenna, the antenna link having a second end coupled to the user port, through the detection unit; a signal processing unit (5), the signal processing unit estimating q actual quantities dependent on the impedance presented by the user access, where q is an integer greater than or equal to 1, using the output signals detection unit, the signal processing unit delivering a "setting instruction" according to said q actual quantities dependent on the impedance presented by the user access; and a control unit (6), the control unit receiving the adjustment instruction of the signal processing unit (5), the control unit delivering "control signals", the control signals being determined according to the adjustment instruction, each of said parameters being mainly determined by at least one of the control signals.

Unfortunately, it has been discovered that a tunable passive antenna often provides only a poor tuning facility, so that it is often not possible to obtain the automatic antenna system shown in FIG. can sufficiently reduce or cancel any variation in the impedance presented by the user access, caused by a variation of a frequency of operation, and / or caused by the famous user interaction.

This problem is solved in a second example of a method for automatically adjusting a tunable passive antenna, applicable to a radio transmitter, which is implemented in the automatic antenna system shown in FIG. 2. This automatic antenna system is similar to that which is disclosed in the ninth embodiment of the French patent application number 14/00666 of March 20, 2014 and the PCT application number PCT / IB2015 / 051644 of March 6, 2015 (WO 2015/140660). The automatic antenna system shown in FIG. 2 has a user access (31), the user access having, at a given frequency, an impedance called the "impedance presented by the user access", the antenna system automatic device comprising: a tunable passive antenna (1), the tunable passive antenna comprising at least one antenna control device, one or more characteristics of the tunable passive antenna being controlled using said at least one control device; antenna, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on said one or more characteristics, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means; a detection unit (3) delivering two "detection unit output signals", each of the detection unit output signals being determined by an electrical variable sensed (or measured) at the user access while a excitation is applied to user access; a single input access and a single output access agreement unit (4) having an input port and an output port, the input port being coupled to the user port through the port unit; detection, the single input access tuning unit and single output access having adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to one, the adjustable impedance devices being referred to as "one or more devices having adjustable impedance of the tuner unit "and being such that, at said given frequency, each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit being adjustable by electric means; an antenna link (2) having a first end coupled to a signal port of the tunable passive antenna, the antenna link having a second end coupled to the output port; a signal processing unit (5), the signal processing unit estimating q actual quantities dependent on the impedance presented by the user access, where q is an integer greater than or equal to 1, using the output signals detection unit, the signal processing unit delivering a "setting instruction" according to said q actual quantities dependent on the impedance presented by the user access; and a control unit (6), the control unit receiving the adjustment instruction of the signal processing unit (5), the control unit delivering "control signals", the control signals being determined according to the adjustment instruction, the reactance of each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit being mainly determined by at least one of the control signals, each of said parameters being mainly determined by least one of the control signals.

This second example of a method for automatically adjusting a tunable passive antenna can provide excellent tuning capability. Unfortunately, it can be shown that a setting of the single input access tuning unit and the single output access obtained by using this second example of a method to automatically adjust a tunable passive antenna is typically not close to 'Optimum tuning, when the losses in the single input access tuning unit and single output access are not very low.

Thus, there is no known solution to the problem of automatically adjusting a tunable passive antenna coupled to a radio transmitter, in a way that provides: good tuning capability, using a tuned tuner unit single entry and single exit access; and tuning the single input access tuning unit and single output access that is close to optimal tuning, when its losses are not very low.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a method for automatically adjusting one or more tunable passive antennas and a single input access tuning unit and single output access, without the aforementioned limitations of the above techniques. known, and also a device for radio communication using this method.

In the following, since X and Y are different quantities or variables, performing an action according to X does not exclude the possibility of performing this action as a function of Y. In the following, "having an influence" and "having a effect "have the same meaning. In the following, "coupled", when this term is applied to two accesses (in the sense of the circuit theory), can indicate that the accesses are directly coupled, each terminal of one of the access being in this case connected to (or in an equivalent manner, in electrical contact with) one and only one of the terminals of the other access, and / or that the accesses are indirectly coupled, a different electrical interaction of the direct coupling existing in this case between the accesses, for example to through one or more components.

In the following, in agreement with the "IEC multilingual dictionary of electricity" published by the Central Office of the International Electrotechnical Commission in 1983, "open-loop control" (literal translation of the expression "open-loop control" of the language English), synonymous with "open-chain control", means a command which does not make use of a measure of the commanded quantity, and "closed-loop control" (literal translation of the expression "closed-loop control" of the English language), synonymous with "closed-chain control" and "servocontrol", means a command where the action on the controlled system is made dependent on a measurement of the commanded quantity.

The method according to the invention is a method for automatically adjusting one or more tunable passive antennas and a single input access and single access tuner unit, the single input access and access tuner unit. single output device having an input port and an output port, the one or more tunable passive antennas and the single port access tuning unit and the single output port being parts of a radio communication apparatus ,the apparatusfor radio communication for, at a given frequency, a transfer of power from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by one or more tunable passive antennas, the method comprising the steps of: outputting one or more several "antenna control signals", each of one or more tunable passive antennas including at least one antenna control device, one or more characteristics said each of the one or more tunable passive antennas being controlled using said at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an influence on said one or more characteristics, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means, said at least one parameter being mainly determined by at least one of one or more antenna control signals; apply an excitation to the input access; sensing one or more electrical variables at the output port while the excitation is applied to obtain one or more "sensing unit output signals", each of the one or more sensing unit output signals being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more electrical variables sensed at the output port; estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals; outputting one or more "tuning control signals", the single input access tuning unit and the single output access having adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to one, the p adjustable impedance devices being referred to as "one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuner unit" and being such that, at the given frequency, each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit being electrically adjustable, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the unit according to being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more tuning control signals, said step of providing one or more "tuning control signals" comprising the following steps: Enable, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value of said each of one or more tuning control signals, based on one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the exit access; generating, for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, an extremum seeking control algorithm being used to generate said at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of one or more tuning control signals, the extremum search control algorithm seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable by controlling the said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, the performance variable being judged based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals.

The given frequency may for example be a frequency greater than or equal to 150 kHz. The specialist understands that the impedance seen by the output port is a complex number, and that an impedance presented by the input port is a complex number. We will use ZSant to designate the impedance seen by the output port, and Z, to designate the impedance presented by the input port.

Each of the one or more tunable passive antennas has an access, called "signal access" of the tunable passive antenna, which can be used to receive and / or emit electromagnetic waves. Each of the one or more tunable passive antennas comprises at least one antenna control device, which may comprise one or more terminals used for other electrical connections. It is assumed that each of the one or more tunable passive antennas behaves, at the given frequency, with respect to its signal access, substantially as a passive antenna, that is to say as an antenna which is linear and which does not does not use an amplifier to amplify signals received by the antenna or transmitted by the antenna. Let N be the number of one or more tunable passive antennas. As a consequence of the linearity, by considering, for each of the one or more tunable passive antennas, only its signal access, it is possible to define: if N is equal to one, an impedance presented by the one or more tunable passive antennas; and if N is greater than or equal to 2, an impedance matrix presented by the one or more tunable passive antennas, this matrix being a square matrix of order N.

As stated above in the prior art section, each of said one or more characteristics may for example be an electrical characteristic such as an impedance at a specified frequency, or an electromagnetic characteristic such as a frequency diagram. directivity at a specified frequency.

It is said above that the apparatus for radio communication allows, at the given frequency, a transfer of power from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by one or more tunable passive antennas. In other words, the apparatus for radio communication is such that, if a power is received by the input port at the given frequency, a portion of said power received by the input port is transferred to a an electromagnetic field radiated by one or more passive antennas tunable to the given frequency, such that a power of the electromagnetic field radiated by the one or more passive antennas tunable at the given frequency is equal to said portion of said power received by the entrance access. For example, the skilled person knows that a power of the electromagnetic field radiated by one or more tunable passive antennas (average radiated power) can be calculated as the flux of the real part of a complex Poynting vector of the electromagnetic field radiated by the one or more tunable passive antennas, through a closed surface containing the one or more tunable passive antennas.

To obtain that the device for radio communication allows, at the given frequency, a transfer of power from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by the one or more tunable passive antennas, at least one of the one or more Tunable passive antennas may for example be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the output port. More precisely, for at least one of the one or more tunable passive antennas, the signal access of the tunable passive antenna may for example be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the output port. For example, an indirect coupling may be a coupling through an antenna link and / or through a detection unit and / or through a power combiner or power divider. For suitable values of one or more tuning control signals and one or more antenna control signals, said power transfer from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by one or more antennas Tunable passives may for example be a power transfer with small or negligible losses or zero, this feature being preferred.

According to the invention, each of the q real quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port may for example be a real quantity representative of the impedance seen by the output port.

According to the invention, each of said q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port may for example be substantially proportional to the module, or phase, or to the real part, or to the imaginary part of the impedance seen by the output port, or the inverse of the impedance seen by the output port (that is, the admittance seen by the output port), or of a reflection coefficient at the exit port.

Extreme-seeking control algorithms are well known to those skilled in the art. Extremum-seeking control (extremum-seeking control) is a family of nonlinear regulation processes, the object of which is to autonomously find a maximum or a minimum of a variable of performance, the variable performance device being a real function of one or more outputs of a controlled system, controlling one or more inputs of the controlled system. In extremum search control algorithms, one or more time varying signals are applied to these one or more inputs of the controlled system, in a manner that allows the algorithm to probe the nonlinearity of the control system. variable of performance compared to one or more inputs of the controlled system, and to approach an extremum. Thus extremum search control algorithms are based on information about the existence of the extremum, but they do not need exact knowledge of the controlled system to find the extremum. For this reason, it is said extremum search regulation that it is a real-time optimization approach that is not based on a model. For example, KB Ariyur and Krstic's book, Real-Time Optimization by Extremum-Seeking Control and published by Wiley-Interscience in 2003, describes a type of extremum search regulation that uses one or more periodic perturbations ( for example sinusoidal disturbances), which is usually called "disturbance based extremum-seeking control". For example, the book of S.-J. Liu and M. Krstic, entitled Stochastic Averaging and Stochastic Extremum Seeking and published by Springer-Verlag in 2012, describe a type of extremum search regulation that uses one or more stochastic perturbations (eg random perturbations), and which is usually called "stochastic extremum-seeking control" in English. There are many other types of extremum search regulation, such as the so-called sliding mode extremum-seeking control, the neural network extremum-seeking control, the relay extremum seeking control, the and observe, "and," which are well known to those skilled in the art. For example the article by B. Calli, W. Caarls, P. Jonker and M. Wisse, entitled "Comparison of Extremum Seeking Control Algorithms for Robotic Applications" and published in Proc, of the 2012IEEE / RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems , pp. 3195-3202, October 2012, and the article by C. Olalla, MI Arteaga, R. Leyva and AE Aroudi, entitled "Analysis and Comparison of Extreme Seeking Control Techniques" and published in Proc. 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics, pages 72-76, June 2007, present interesting comparisons of some types of extremum search regulation.

Since, according to the invention, the extremum search control algorithm seeks to maximize or minimize a performance variable by controlling said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, the specialist understands that, in the context of the present invention, it can be considered that said one or more inputs of the controlled system are said to be one or more of one or more tuning control signals. Thus, the extremum search control algorithm controls and varies the said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals over time, to approximate an extremum (i.e. say a maximum or a minimum) of the performance variable.

According to the invention, the performance variable is estimated based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals. Thus, the performance variable depends on at least one of the one or more electrical variables sensed at the output port. For example, it is possible for the performance variable to be a module-dependent real quantity of a voltage across the output port, or a representative quantity of the module of the output terminal voltage. . Said actual quantity depending on a module of a voltage across the output port may for example be substantially proportional to the modulus of a voltage across the output port, or to the square of the module of a voltage at the terminals of the exit port. For example, it is possible for the performance variable to be a module-dependent actual quantity of a current leaving the output port, or a representative amount of the module of the output current of the output port. Said actual quantity depending on a module of a current leaving the output port may for example be substantially proportional to the modulus of a current leaving the output port, or to the square of the module of a current leaving the output port. exit access. For example, it is possible for the performance variable to be a module-dependent effective amount of a voltage incident at the output port, or a representative amount of the module of the incident voltage at the output port. Said actual quantity depending on a module of a voltage incident at the output port may for example be substantially proportional to the modulus of a voltage incident at the output port, or the square of the module of an incident voltage at the output port. exit access. For example, it is possible for the performance variable to be a real quantity dependent on a mean power delivered by the output port, or a quantity representative of the average power delivered by the output port. Further explanations of the performance variable are given below in the presentations of the second embodiment, the third embodiment and the twenty-fourth embodiment.

According to the invention, it is possible, for example, for the extremum search control algorithm to be completed when a completion criterion is satisfied. In other words, it is possible, for example, for the extremum search control algorithm to stop seeking to maximize or minimize the performance variable when a completion criterion is satisfied. For example, the completion criterion may be that the extremum search control algorithm has operated for a specified time. For example, in the case where the extremum search control algorithm seeks to minimize the performance variable, the completion criterion may be that the performance variable does not decrease rapidly (so that it can be reasonable to deduce that the performance variable is close to a minimum). For example, in the case where the extremum search control algorithm seeks to maximize the performance variable, the completion criterion may be that the performance variable does not grow rapidly (so that it may be reasonable to deduce that the performance variable is close to a maximum). For example, the completion criterion may be that a completion request has been received.

While the extremum search control algorithm seeks to maximize or minimize the performance variable, it is possible for this control algorithm to vary the so-called one or more of the one or more tuning control signals during of time, so it is possible that the impedance presented by the input access varies over time, and that the performance variable varies over time. This may be detrimental to the operation of the radio communication apparatus, as such variations may cause undesirable fading. Thus, a possible advantage of a possible completion of the extremum search control algorithm is that the control algorithm no longer varies said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals during the time.

Some prior art methods for automatically adjusting either an antenna or a single input access tuning unit and single output access use an extremum search control algorithm. For example, chapter 7 of C. Zhang and R. Ordônez's book, Extremum-Seeking Control and Application, published by Springer-Verlag in 2012, explains how an extremum search control algorithm can be used to automatically adjust a single input access tuning unit and single output access, the extremum search control algorithm seeking to reduce or minimize power reflected at the input port. Similarly, the apparatuses described in US Patent No. 4,356,458, entitled "Automatic Impedance Matching Apparatus" and in said Patent No. 5,225,847 use an extremum search control algorithm which seeks to minimize an actual quantity depending on a reflection coefficient at the input port or a standing wave ratio at the input port. These state-of-the-art methods for automatically adjusting a single input access and single output access tuning unit do not have the following three features of the invention: the method according to the invention automatically adjusts one or more tunable passive antennas and a single input access tuner unit and single output access; according to the invention, the extremum search control algorithm is used after, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals. was generated, based on one or more of the q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port; according to the invention, the extremum search control algorithm seeks to maximize or minimize an estimated performance variable as a function of one or more detection unit output signals mainly determined by electrical variables sensed at exit access.

As shown in the following embodiments, these features are such that the invention can be used to optimally, rapidly, and automatically adjust one or more tunable passive antennas and the single input access tuner unit and single output access, without very difficult calculations, despite the presence of losses in the single input access agreement unit and single output access.

The specialist sees a fundamental difference between the prior art method implemented in the automatic antenna system shown in FIG. 2, on the one hand, and the invention, on the other hand. The prior art method uses detection unit output signals, each of the detection unit output signals being determined by an electrical variable sensed at the user access. In contrast, the method according to the invention uses one or more detection unit output signals mainly determined by electrical variables sensed at the output port.

The specialist understands that the one or more antenna control signals have an effect on each of said parameters, so that they may have an influence on the impedance seen by the output port, and on the impedance presented by the entrance access. In the preceding sentence, "each of said parameters" clearly means "each says at least one parameter of each said at least one antenna control device of each of one or more tunable passive antennas".

For example, it is possible that an open-loop control is used to generate said initial value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals. Equivalently, it is for example possible that an open loop control structure be used to generate said initial value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals. This possible feature will be explained below in the presentations of the second embodiment, the fourth embodiment and the sixth embodiment.

For example, it is possible for an open loop control to be used to output each of the one or more antenna control signals. Equivalently, for example, it is possible for an open-loop control structure to be used to deliver each of the one or more antenna control signals. This possible feature will be explained below in the presentations of the fourth embodiment, the sixth embodiment and the twelfth embodiment. However, as shown in the fifth embodiment, it is possible that a closed-loop control is used to output each of the one or more antenna control signals.

An apparatus implementing the method according to the invention is a device for radio communication comprising: one or more tunable passive antennas, each of one or more tunable passive antennas comprising at least one antenna control device, one or more characteristics of said each of the one or more tunable passive antennas being controlled using said at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an influence on said one or more characteristics, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means; a single input access tuning unit and single output access having an input port and an output port, the apparatus for radio communication allowing, at a given frequency, a power transfer from the port of access input to an electromagnetic field radiated by one or more tunable passive antennas, the single input access tuning unit and single output access having adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to to one, the adjustable impedance devices being referred to as the "one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit" and being such that, at the given frequency, each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the a tuning unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit being electrically adjustable; a detection unit, the detection unit delivering one or more "detection unit output signals", each of the one or more detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more electrical variables sensed by the sensor unit; output port while excitation is applied to the input port; a signal transmission and processing unit, the signal transmission and processing unit delivering one or more "antenna setting instructions", the signal transmitting and processing unit applying the excitation at the input port, the signal transmission and processing unit estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using a or more of the one or more detection unit output signals, the signal transmission and processing unit outputting "tuning unit adjustment instructions", at least one of the unit setting instructions agreeing being an "initial tuning unit tuning instruction", each of the one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions being determined according to one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the spell access ie, at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being a "subsequent tuning unit tuning instruction", the signal transmitting and processing unit executing a tuning control algorithm. extremum to generate each of the one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, the extremum seeking tuning algorithm seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable, the performance variable being judged based on one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals; and a control unit, the control unit delivering one or more "antenna control signals" to one or more tunable passive antennas, each of the one or more antenna control signals being determined according to at least one one or more antenna tuning instructions, each of said parameters being primarily determined by at least one of one or more antenna control signals, the control unit outputting one or more tuning control signals; To the single input access chord unit and single output access, the control unit generating, for each of the one or more chord control signals, one or more values of said each one or a plurality of tuning control signals, said one or more values of each of said one or more tuning control signals being determined according to at least one of tuning unit tuning instructions, the reactance of each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more tuning control signals.

In the preceding sentence, "each of said parameters" clearly means "each says at least one parameter of each said at least one antenna control device of each of one or more tunable passive antennas".

For example, each of said electrical variables may be a voltage, or an incident voltage, or a reflected voltage, or a current, or an incident current, or a reflected current. For example, the control unit may be such that for each of the one or more tuning control signals, said one or more values of each of said one or more tuning control signals include a predetermined initial value. according to one of the initial one or more tuning unit tuning instructions; and for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, said one or more values of each said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals comprise at least one subsequent value determined according to a one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions.

In this case, it is for example possible to say that the control unit generates: for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value determined according to one of the one or more tuning instructions of initial agreement unit; and, for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, at least one subsequent value determined according to one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions.

It is possible, for example, for the input port to be coupled, directly or indirectly, to an access of the signal transmission and processing unit, said access of the transmission and processing unit of the signal delivering excitation.

The single input access agreement unit and the single output access access port include an input port and an output port. It is assumed that said single input access and single output access tuner unit behaves, at said given frequency, with respect to its input port and its output port, substantially like a passive linear device, where "passive" is used in the sense of circuit theory. Specifically, said single input access and single output access tuner unit behaves, at said given frequency, with respect to the output port and the input port, substantially as a passive linear device. with 2 accesses. As a consequence of the linearity, it is possible to define the impedance presented by the input access. As a consequence of the passivity, the single input access and single output access tuning unit does not provide amplification, its power gain is less than or equal to 1, and its composite power gain transducer power gain) is less than or equal to 1. The specialist understands that this linearity with respect to its input access and its output access does not contradict the non-linearity, mentioned above, of the performance variable. with respect to one or more inputs of the controlled system (since it can be considered that each input of the controlled system is one of the one or more tuning control signals). The single input access and single output access tuning unit may for example be such that the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit has an influence on a impedance presented by the input access.

For example, it is possible for the radio communication apparatus to be such that either an open loop command or a closed loop command is used to determine each of the one or more antenna tuning instructions.

The specialist understands that the apparatus for radio communication according to the invention is adaptive in the sense that the said parameters and the reactances of the one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit can be automatically modified over the course of time. function of one or more detection unit output signals, each of which is primarily determined by one or more electrical variables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a block diagram of an automatic antenna system, and has already been commented on in the section devoted to the presentation of the state of the art; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an automatic antenna system, and has already been commented in the section devoted to the presentation of the state of the art; FIG. 3 represents a block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (first embodiment); FIG. 4 represents a flow chart implemented in an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (fourth embodiment); Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a single input access and single output access tuning unit which may be used in the radio communication apparatus shown in Fig. 3 (fourth embodiment); FIG. 6 represents a flow chart implemented in an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (fourth embodiment); FIG. 7 represents a flow chart implemented in a device for radio communication according to the invention (fifth embodiment); FIG. 8 represents a flow chart implemented in an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (sixth embodiment); Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a single input access and single output access tuner unit which may be used in the radio communication apparatus shown in Fig. 3 (sixth embodiment); FIG. 10 represents a first tuneable passive antenna, which comprises a single antenna control device (eighth embodiment); Fig. 11 shows a second tuneable passive antenna, which includes three antenna control devices (ninth embodiment); Fig. 12 shows a third tunable passive antenna, which has four antenna control devices (tenth embodiment); FIG. 13 represents a fourth tunable passive antenna, which comprises a single antenna control device (eleventh embodiment); FIG. 14 represents a block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (twelfth embodiment); Figure 15 shows a rear view of a mobile phone (thirteenth embodiment); Fig. 16 shows a first typical usage configuration (right hand and head configuration); Fig. 17 shows a second typical use configuration (two-handed configuration); Fig. 18 shows a third typical usage configuration (right hand configuration only); FIG. 19 represents a flow chart implemented in an automatic tuning system according to the invention (fourteenth embodiment); FIG. 20 represents a flow chart implemented in an automatic tuning system according to the invention (fifteenth embodiment); FIG. 21 represents a flow chart implemented in an automatic tuning system according to the invention (sixteenth embodiment); FIG. 22 represents a flow chart implemented in an automatic tuning system according to the invention (seventeenth embodiment); FIG. 23 represents a flow chart implemented in an automatic tuning system according to the invention (eighteenth embodiment); Fig. 24 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (nineteenth embodiment); FIG. 25 represents a block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (twentieth embodiment); Fig. 26 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (twentieth embodiment); Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram of a single input access and single output access chord unit which may be used in the radio communication apparatuses shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 (twenty-first embodiment); Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram of a single input access and single output access chord unit which may be used in the radio communication apparatuses shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 (twenty-second mode of production) ; Fig. 29 is a schematic diagram of a single input access and single output access chord unit which may be used in the radio communication apparatuses shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 (twenty-third mode of production) ; Figure 30 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication according to the invention (twenty-fourth embodiment).

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN MODES OF REALIZATION

First embodiment.

In the context of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example, we have shown in FIG. 3 the block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication comprising: a passive antenna tunable (1), the tunable passive antenna comprising at least one antenna control device, one or more characteristics of said tunable passive antenna being controlled using said at least one antenna control device, said at least one device antenna control device having at least one parameter having an influence on said one or more characteristics, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means; a single input access and a single output access tuning unit (4) having an input port and an output port, the single input access agreement unit and the single output port comprising p adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the adjustable impedance devices being referred to as the "one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit" and being such that, at a given frequency greater than or equal to 30 MHz, each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit being adjustable by electric means; a detection unit (3), the detection unit delivering two "detection unit output signals", each of the detection unit output signals being determined by an electrical variable sensed (or measured) at the exit access while an excitation is applied to the input port; an antenna link (2) having a first end which is directly coupled to a signal access of the tunable passive antenna, the antenna link having a second end which is indirectly coupled to the output port, through the detection unit; a signal transmission and processing unit (8), the signal transmission and processing unit delivering one or more "antenna setting instructions", the transmitting and signal processing unit applying the excitation at the input port, the excitation having a carrier frequency called "the carrier frequency of the excitation", the transmission and signal processing unit estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to 2, using the detection unit output signals, the signal transmission and processing unit outputting "unit setting instructions "at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being an" initial tuning unit tuning instruction ", each of the one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions being determined according to one or more of the said q as dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being a "subsequent tuning unit tuning instruction", each of the one or more subsequent tuning unit setting being determined using an extremum search control algorithm, the extremum search control algorithm seeking to maximize a performance variable, the performance variable being judged based on one or more of the detection unit output signals; a control unit (6), the control unit receiving the one or more antenna setting instructions, the control unit delivering one or more "antenna control signals" to the tunable passive antenna, each one or more antenna control signals being determined according to at least one of one or more antenna tuning instructions, each of said parameters being primarily determined by at least one of one or more control signals of An antenna, the control unit receiving tuning unit tuning instructions, the control unit delivering one or more tuning control signals to the single input tuner unit and single output port, the control unit generating, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, one or more values of said each of the one or more tuning control signals, each of said one or more values of each of the one or more tuning control signals being determined according to at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions, the reactance of each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit. wherein the agreement is primarily determined by at least one of one or more tuning control signals. The tunable passive antenna is indirectly coupled to the output port. More specifically, the signal access of the tunable passive antenna is indirectly coupled to the output port, through the detection unit and the antenna link. In addition, the output port is indirectly coupled to the tunable passive antenna. More specifically, the output port is indirectly coupled to the signal access of the tunable passive antenna, through the detection unit and the antenna link. The detection unit (3) may for example be such that the detection unit output signals comprise: a first detection unit output signal proportional to a first electrical variable, the first electrical variable being a voltage at terminals of the exit access; and a second detection unit output signal proportional to a second electrical variable, the second electrical variable being a current output from the output port. Said voltage across the output port may be a complex voltage and said current exiting the output port may be a complex current. Alternatively, the detection unit (3) may for example be such that the detection unit output signals comprise: a first detection unit output signal proportional to a first electrical variable, the first electrical variable being a incident voltage at the output port; and a second detection unit output signal proportional to a second electrical variable, the second electrical variable being a voltage reflected at the output port. Said incident voltage at the output port may be a complex incident voltage and said voltage reflected at the output port may be a complex reflected voltage. The input port is directly coupled to an access of the transmission and signal processing unit (8), said access of the transmission and processing unit of the signal delivering the excitation. Each of the one or more antenna setting instructions can be of any type of digital message. Each of the tuning unit tuning instructions can be of any type of digital message. The one or more antenna tuning instructions and tuning unit tuning instructions are output during one or more tuning sequences. Four different control sequences are described below in the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, the sixth embodiment, and the seventh embodiment. The duration of an adjustment sequence is less than 100 microseconds.

For example, it is possible that the excitation is an unmodulated carrier, the carrier frequency of the excitation being the frequency of said carrier. In this case, the excitation may be a sinusoidal signal whose frequency is the frequency of said carrier. For example, it is possible for the excitation to be an amplitude modulated carrier, the carrier frequency of the excitation being the frequency of said carrier. In this case, the excitation may be a sinusoidal signal modulated in amplitude. For example, it is possible for the excitation to be a frequency-modulated carrier, the carrier frequency of the excitation being the frequency of said carrier. In this case, the excitation may be a sinusoidal signal modulated in frequency. For example, as explained in the third embodiment, it is possible that the excitation is a bandpass signal, the carrier frequency of the excitation being a carrier frequency of said bandpass signal.

The carrier frequency of the excitation can take any selected value in a "set of possible values of the excitation carrier frequency", the set of possible values of the excitation carrier frequency having several elements. The single-input and single-output access tuning unit (4) is such that it can provide, at said given frequency, for suitable values of the one or more tuning control signals, a transfer. low loss power from the input port to the output port, and low loss power transfer from the output port to the input port. Since the output port is indirectly coupled to the tunable passive antenna, the specialist sees that the radio communication apparatus makes it possible, at the given frequency, to transfer power from the input port to a radiated electromagnetic field. by the tunable passive antenna. Thus, the apparatus for radio communication is such that, if a power is received by the input port at the given frequency, a portion of said power received by the input port is transferred to an electromagnetic field radiated by the passive antenna tunable to the given frequency, so that a power of the electromagnetic field radiated by the passive antenna tunable at the given frequency is equal to said portion of said power received by the input port. The apparatus for radio communication allows, at said given frequency, a transfer of power from an incident electromagnetic field on the tunable passive antenna to the input port. In addition, the single-input and single-output access tuning unit (4) and the tunable passive antenna (1) are such that, at said given frequency, for suitable values of the one or more signals tuner and one or more antenna control signals, a low loss power transfer from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by the tunable passive antenna can be obtained (for radio transmission), and a low loss power transfer from an incident electromagnetic field on the tunable passive antenna to the input port can be obtained (for radio reception). Thus, it is possible to say that the apparatus for radio communication allows, at said given frequency, for suitable values one or more tuning control signals and one or more antenna control signals, a transfer of low loss power from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by the tunable passive antenna, and low loss power transfer from an incident electromagnetic field on the tunable passive antenna to the access input.

Suitable values of one or more tuning control signals and one or more antenna control signals are provided automatically. Thus, the specialist understands that any small variation in the impedance seen by the output port can be at least partially compensated by a new automatic tuning of the tunable passive antenna and one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the unit. Okay. The radio communication apparatus is a portable radio transceiver, so that the signal transmission and processing unit (8) also performs functions which have not been mentioned above, and which are well known specialists. For example, the apparatus for radio communication may be a user equipment (in English: "user equipment" or "UE") of an LTE-advanced radio network.

The specialist understands that ZSant depends on the frequency and electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the tunable passive antenna. In particular, the body of the user has an effect on ZSant, and ZSant depends on the position of the body of the user. This is called "user interaction"("userinteraction"), or "hand effect" (in English: "hand effect") or "finger effect" (in English: "finger effect"). The specialist understands that the apparatus for radio communication can automatically compensate for a change in ZSant caused by a variation of an operating frequency, and / or automatically compensate the user interaction.

In order to respond to variations in the electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the tunable passive antenna and / or the operating frequency, a new tuning sequence begins rapidly after each change of the operating frequency, and no later than 10 milliseconds after the beginning of the previous adjustment sequence.

Second embodiment.

The second embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this second embodiment.

In this second embodiment, the excitation comprises a sinusoidal signal whose frequency is the carrier frequency of the excitation. As explained above, the carrier frequency of the excitation can take any value in the set of possible values of the carrier frequency of the excitation. Since the excitation is not modulated in amplitude, the excitation alone does not cause a variation of the module of a complex voltage at the terminals of the output port, the module of a complex current leaving the output port , the module of a complex incident voltage at the output port, a mean power delivered by the output port, etc. The specialist understands that, therefore: the performance variable may for example be substantially the output of a passive peak detector providing a positive voltage which is an increasing function of the module of the complex voltage across the output port, maximize this performance variable maximizing average power delivered by the output port; the performance variable may for example be substantially the product of a positive constant and a square average of the instantaneous current leaving the output port, estimated using the detection unit output signal, to maximize this variable performance maximizing average power delivered by the output port; the performance variable may for example be substantially the product of a negative constant and an average of the absolute value of the instantaneous voltage across the output port, to minimize this performance variable maximizing a mean power delivered by the exit access; the performance variable can for example be substantially the product of a positive constant and the output of a low-pass filter receiving at its input the square of an instantaneous incident voltage at the output port, to maximize this variable of performance maximizing average power delivered by the output port.

The specialist notes that a possible performance variable is substantially the image, by a function, of a module of the complex envelope of an electrical variable sensed at the output port, the function being differentiable and strictly monotonic on the set of positive real numbers or harm. The specialist also notes that, if said access of the transmitting and signal processing unit to which the input port is connected behaves as an active linear unbipole access, then maximizing an average power delivered by the Output access is equivalent to maximizing a composite power gain of the single input access agreement unit and single output access.

In this second embodiment, q = 2 and the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port completely determine the impedance seen by the output port at the carrier frequency of the excitation. For example, in the case where the two detection unit output signals are respectively proportional to a voltage across the output port and to a current leaving the output port, and in the case where both detection unit output signals are respectively proportional to a voltage incident at the output port and a voltage reflected at the output port, the specialist understands how the transmission and signal processing unit can handle the detection unit output signals caused by the excitation, to obtain actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port which completely determine the impedance seen by the output port. The signal transmission and processing unit can for example perform an "in-phase / quadrature (I / Q) demodulation" (homodyne reception) of these detection unit output signals, to obtain four analog signals. These analog signals can then be converted into digital signals and then processed in the digital domain, to estimate the real part of ZSant and the imaginary part of ZSant. Thus, the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port may consist of a real number proportional to the real part of ZSant and a real number proportional to the imaginary part of ZSant. Alternatively, the q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port may consist of a real number proportional to the ZSant module and a real number proportional to the ZSant argument.

Each of the tuning unit tuning instructions has no influence on the carrier frequency of the excitation, and on the impedance seen by the output port at the carrier frequency of the excitation. Each of the one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions is determined based on one or more of the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and based on one or more quantities dependent on the carrier frequency of the excitation. In addition, each of the one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions is determined solely on the basis of one or more of the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and a or several quantities depending on the carrier frequency of the excitation. Thus, it is clear that the radio communication apparatus is such that an open loop control is used to determine each of the one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions.

In this second embodiment, the control unit is such that, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, said one or more values of each of said one or more tuning control signals comprise a initial value determined according to the initial one or more tuning unit tuning instructions, and only according to one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions. Thus, it is clear that the apparatus for radio communication is such that, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, the initial value of said each of the one or more chord control signals is generated as a function of one or more of said q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and as a function of one or more quantities depending on the carrier frequency of the excitation, an open loop control being used to generate the initial value of said each one of the one or more tuning control signals.

Therefore, to generate the one or more tuning control signals, the second embodiment combines an open loop control structure and a closed loop control structure, using electrical variables sensed at the output port. More specifically, the method used to deliver the one or more tuning control signals comprises: - a step of generating, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value of said each of the one or more signals according to the one or more initial tuning unit setting instructions, this step using an open loop control structure, wherein one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance view by the output port and said one or more quantities depending on the carrier frequency of the excitation are used to obtain the one or more initial values of the one or more tuning control signals, the one or more initial values of the one or more tuning control signals having no influence on the carrier frequency of the excitation; a step of generating, for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, according to one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, this step using an extremum search control algorithm, which uses a closed loop control structure.

The specialist understands that the characteristics of the open-loop control structure and the closed-loop control structure interact to provide the accuracy and speed of the automatic tuning of the single-input access tuning unit and the tuning access. single output, and to prevent the extremum search algorithm from converging to a local extremum that is not the desired global extremum. However, to a limited extent, it can be considered that, according to the second embodiment, the high accuracy of the automatic tuning of the single input access and single output access tuning unit is mainly achieved with said a step of generating, for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals (closed loop control structure), and that the high speed of this automatic adjustment is mainly a consequence of the use of said step of generating, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value of said each of one or more control signals. chord (open loop control structure). In particular, faster tuning of the single-input and single-output access tuning unit can typically be achieved if the initial values of one or more tuning control signals are closer to the values corresponding to the sought extremum (maximum or minimum) of the performance variable.

The specialist sees a fundamental difference between the state-of-the-art method implemented in the automatic antenna system shown in FIG. 2, on the one hand, and the second embodiment, on the other hand . In said state-of-the-art method, actual quantities dependent on the impedance presented by the user access are used to automatically match the impedance presented by the user access. This means that said state-of-the-art method uses a closed-loop control (servo) structure, in which the actual quantities dependent on the impedance presented by the user access are used to obtain control signals. , which determine the reactance of each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit, and therefore determine the impedance presented by the user access. In contrast, to provide the one or more tuning control signals, the second embodiment combines an open loop control structure and a closed loop control structure, the closed loop control structure employing a control algorithm. by extremum search which seeks to maximize or minimize an estimated performance variable based on one or more detection unit output signals mainly determined by electrical variables sensed at the output port.

Third embodiment.

The third embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the radio communication apparatus shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this third embodiment.

A bandpass signal is sometimes incorrectly called a "bandwidth signal" or a "narrow-band signal". . A band-pass signal is any real signal s (t), where t is the time, such that the spectrum of s (f) is included in a frequency interval fc-W / 2, fc + W / 2], where fc is a frequency called the "carrier frequency" and where W is a frequency called "bandwidth", which satisfies W <2fc. Thus, the Fourier transform of s (f), denoted by 5 (/), is not negligible only within frequency intervals [- / c - W / 2, -fc + W / 2] and \ fc - W / 2, fc + W / 2], The complex envelope of the real signal s (t), called in English "complex envelope" or "complex baseband equivalent" or "baseband-equivalent signal", is a complex signal sB (t) whose Fourier transform SB (/) is not negligible only in the frequency range [- W / 2, W / 2] and satisfies SB (f) = k S (fc + /) in this interval, where k is a real constant which is chosen equal to the square root of 2 by some authors. The frequency interval fc - W / 2, fc + W / 2] is a passband of the bandpass signal. According to the definitions, it is clear that for a given bandpass signal, several choices of carrier frequency fc and W bandwidth are possible, so that the passband of the bandpass signal is not defined in such a way. unique. However, any passband bandwidth must contain any frequency at which the spectrum of s (t) is not negligible. The complex envelope of the real signal s (t) clearly depends on the choice of a carrier frequency fc. However, for a given carrier frequency, the complex envelope of the actual signal s (f) is uniquely defined for a given choice of the actual constant k. The excitation is produced by the signal transmission and processing unit, from a modulating signal. The excitation is a band-pass signal s (t), of carrier frequency fc, whose complex envelope is, for any fixed value of Ζυ, substantially proportional to the modulating signal. The specialist knows that such an excitation can for example be obtained: as a result of the phase and / or amplitude modulation of a single carrier at the frequency fc; as a linear combination of a first signal and a second signal, the first signal being the product of the real part of the modulating signal and a first sinusoidal carrier of frequency fc, the second signal being the product of the part imaginary of the modulating signal and a second sinusoidal carrier of frequency fc, the second sinusoidal carrier being 90 ° out of phase with the first sinusoidal carrier; in other ways, for example without using any carrier, for example by directly using a filtered output of a digital-to-analog converter. Since the excitation is a bandpass signal, it can be shown that, if the bandwidth of the excitation is sufficiently narrow, then any voltage or current measured at the output port and caused by the excitation is a bandpass signal whose complex envelope is proportional to the complex envelope of the excitation, the coefficient of proportionality being complex and independent of time. Thus we can consider that the excitation causes, at the output port: a current leaving the output port, complex envelope iTP (t); and a voltage across the output port, complex envelope vTP (t). If the bandwidth of the complex envelope of excitation is sufficiently narrow, we have

(1) where ZSant is the impedance seen by the output port at the carrier frequency.

The actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port completely determine the impedance seen by the output port. Assume that the two detection unit output signals are respectively proportional to a voltage across the output port and to a current flowing out of the output port, as explained above. The skilled artisan understands how the transmission and signal processing unit can process the detection unit output signals caused by the excitation and obtained while the excitation is applied, to obtain actual quantities dependent on Impedance seen by the output port that completely determine the impedance seen by the output port. According to a first example, the signal transmission and processing unit can perform a frequency conversion of the detection unit output signals, followed by an "in-phase / quadrature (LQ) demodulation" (heterodyne reception) to obtain four analog signals, respectively proportional to the real part of vTP (f), to the imaginary part of vTP (f), to the real part of iTP (t), and to the imaginary part of iTP (ï). These analog signals can then be converted to digital signals and then processed in the digital domain, based on equation (1), to estimate the modulus of admittance seen by the output port, and the phase of the admittance seen by the exit access. According to a second example, the signal transmission and processing unit can perform a down-conversion of all the detection unit output signals, followed by a conversion into digital signals using the so-called "bandpass sampling" method, and by a demodulation called "digital quadrature demodulation", to obtain four digital signals: the samples of the real part of vTP (ï); the samples of the imaginary part of vTP (f); the samples of the real part of iTP (t); and the samples of the imaginary part of iTP (t). These

digital signals can then be further processed, based on equation (1), to estimate the modulus of admittance seen by the output port, and the phase of admittance seen by the output port .

If the module of the modulating signal does not vary as a function of time, the excitation is not modulated in amplitude and the excitation alone does not cause variation, as a function of time, of the modulus of a complex voltage across the terminals. the output port, the module of a complex current leaving the output port, the module of a complex incident voltage at the output port, a mean power delivered by the output port, etc. . The specialist understands that, in this case, each of the performance variables mentioned as examples in the second embodiment may, for example, be used in this third embodiment.

If the module of the modulating signal varies as a function of time, the excitation is modulated in amplitude and the excitation alone causes variations, as a function of time, of the modulus of a complex voltage at the terminals of the output port, the module of a complex current leaving the output port, the module of a complex incident voltage at the output port, a mean power delivered by the output port, etc. In this case, none of the performance variables mentioned as examples in the second embodiment is appropriate. However, the specialist understands that the excitation does not cause a variation, as a function of time, of a performance variable which is inversely proportional to a suitable function of the module of the modulating signal. Thus, the specialist understands that, in the case where the module of the modulating signal varies as a function of time but never vanishes (and also in the case where the module of the modulating signal does not vary with time): the variable for example (example A) can be substantially the product of a positive constant, an average of the square of the instantaneous current leaving the output port, and the inverse of the square of the module of the modulating signal, to maximize this performance variable maximizing average power delivered by the output port; the performance variable can for example (example B) be substantially the product of a negative constant, an average of the absolute value of the instantaneous voltage across the output port, and the inverse of the module of the modulating signal, minimizing this performance variable maximizing a mean power delivered by the output port; the performance variable can for example (example C) be substantially the product of a positive constant, the output of a first low-pass filter receiving at its input the square of an instantaneous incident voltage at the terminals of the access output, and the inverse of the output of a second low-pass filter receiving at its input the square of the modulating signal module.

The specialist understands that it is for example possible, in the case of example A, to easily obtain an analog signal substantially equal to the product of a positive constant and a mean of the square of the instantaneous current leaving the output port, converting this analog signal into a digital signal, and having the signal transmission and processing unit calculate a ratio between this digital signal and the square of the module of the modulating signal, to obtain the variable performance. The specialist understands that it is for example possible, in the case of example B, to easily obtain an analog signal substantially equal to the product of a negative constant and an average of the absolute value of the instantaneous voltage at terminals of the output port, to convert this analog signal into a digital signal, and to obtain that the transmission and signal processing unit calculates a ratio between this digital signal and the module of the modulating signal, to obtain the performance variable. The specialist understands that it is for example possible, in the case of Example C, to easily obtain an analog signal substantially equal to the product of a positive constant and the output of an analog low-pass filter receiving at its input the square of an instantaneous incident voltage across the output port, converting this analog signal into a digital signal, and having the signal transmission and processing unit calculate a ratio between this digital signal and the output of a digital low-pass filter receiving at its input the square of the module of the modulating signal, to obtain the performance variable.

A performance variable that can be used in the case where the module of the modulating signal varies as a function of time (and also in the case where the module of the modulating signal does not vary with time) may be such that, if the module the modulating signal is not substantially zero, then the performance variable is substantially equal to the ratio between the image, by a function, of a module of a complex envelope of an electrical variable sensed at the output port , and the image, by the function, of a module of the modulating signal, the function being differentiable and strictly monotonous over the set of positive real numbers. Said electrical variable sensed at the output port may for example be a voltage across the output port, or a current output from the output port, or an incident voltage at the output port, etc. Note / said function. The specialist understands that we can assume that said module of a complex envelope of an electrical variable sensed at the output port is, for given values of tuning control signals and a given value of ZSant, substantially the product a real constant A and the module of the modulating signal. The specialist understands that, in order to obtain that variations of the module of the modulating signal have no effect on the performance variable, it is necessary and sufficient that, for every positive A, the ratio / (A | sM (t) \) / f (| sM (t) l) is independent of | sM (Z) |. The function / must therefore be such that, for any positive number λ and any positive number x, we have

(2) so that (3)

Using a partial derivation of equation (3) with respect to the variable x then a partial derivation of equation (3) with respect to the variable λ, and then writing 2 = 1, we obtain the differential equation

(4) wherein f 'is the derivative of f. The differential equation (4) is not a linear differential equation. The solutions of the differential equation (4) are the functions given by

(5) where k and K are real constants, K being nonzero. Conversely, we see that all the functions given by equation (5) satisfy equation (2), and are strictly monotonic for k nonzero. Thus, we have shown that the function f is such that the image of a positive variable by the function f is equal to the product of a nonzero real constant and of the variable raised to a nonzero and constant real power. It can be considered that said example A corresponds to k = 2 and K> 0, and that said example B corresponds to k = 1 and K <0.

More generally, we see that, if the excitation is produced by the transmitting and processing unit of the signal from a modulating signal, the performance variable can be estimated according to one or more of the one or more several detection unit output signals and depending on the modulating signal. In particular, the performance variable may be such that, if the module of the modulating signal is not substantially zero, then the performance variable is inversely proportional to the image of a module of the modulating signal by a differentiable function and strictly monotonous on the set of positive real numbers. This feature is advantageous because, as shown above, it may be such that variations in modulating modulating signal have no effect on the performance variable.

Fourth embodiment.

The fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this fourth embodiment. A flow chart of one or more control sequences used in this fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Before the beginning of said one or more adjustment sequences, a "selected frequency" was selected by the controller. transmission and signal processing unit in the set of possible values of the carrier frequency of the excitation. In addition to the start symbol (81) and the end symbol (86), said flow chart comprises:

a "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna control" processing (82), wherein the signal transmission and processing unit outputs one or more of the one or more antenna tuning instructions, and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna, each of said one or more of one or more antenna tuning instructions being determined according to the frequency selected; a "start applying the excitation" processing (83), in which the transmission and signal processing unit starts to apply the excitation to the input port, so that the detection unit becomes capable of delivering the detection unit output signals each determined by an electrical variable sensed at the output port while excitation is applied to the input port, said excitation having a carrier frequency which is equal to the selected frequency; processing "output tuning control signals to the tuning unit" (84), wherein the transmission and signal processing unit outputs one or more tuning unit tuning instructions , and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more chord control signals to the single input access chord unit and the single output access chord; and a "stop applying the excitation" processing (85), wherein the transmitting and signal processing unit ceases to apply the excitation to the input port.

The selected frequency can take any value in the set of possible values of the driving frequency of the excitation. Each of the one or more antenna control signals has no influence on the selected frequency. Each of the one or more antenna setting instructions has no influence on the selected frequency. Each of said one or more of the one or more antenna tuning instructions being determined according to the selected frequency, and only depending on the selected frequency, it is clear that an open loop control is used to obtain each of one or more antenna tuning instructions, and an open loop control is used to obtain each of the one or more antenna control signals.

In this fourth embodiment, the one or more antenna setting instructions and the one or more antenna control signals are such that: at the end of the processing "output antenna control signals to the antenna "tunable passive" (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to a specified impedance, which may depend on the frequency; each says at least one parameter of each said at least one tunable passive antenna antenna control device has a value that does not change since the end of processing "deliver antenna control signals to the passive antenna "tunable" (82) until the end of said one or more tuning sequences.

To obtain that, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna tuning" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to the specified impedance, the unit transmission and signal processing uses an algorithm to determine and output the one or more antenna tuning instructions. The algorithm is based on the selected frequency and some properties of the tunable passive antenna. For example, the algorithm may be based on a formula for estimating the impedance seen by the ZSant output port in an assumed usage pattern, depending on the selected frequency and each said at least one parameter of each said at least one antenna tunable antenna tunable antenna device, the formula can be used to calculate, for the assumed use configuration, an optimum value of each said at least one parameter of each said at least one Antenna control device of the tunable passive antenna, at the selected frequency. For example, the algorithm may be based on one or more formulas for estimating, in an assumed use configuration, an optimum value of each said at least one parameter of each said at least one antenna control device tunable passive antenna, depending on the selected frequency. The specialist knows how to write such an algorithm, and he understands that such an algorithm can not take into account the variations of ZSant caused by variations in the electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the tunable passive antenna. In addition, as stated above in the prior art section, a tunable passive antenna often provides only a poor tuning capability. Therefore, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is typically only very roughly close to the impedance specified.

We have shown in FIG. 5 the unique input access and single output access tuning unit (4) used in this fourth embodiment. This single-input and single-output access tuning unit comprises: an output port (401) having two terminals (4011) (4012), the output port being asymmetrical; an input port (402) having two terminals (4021) (4022), the input port being asymmetrical; one of one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (403), having a negative reactance and connected in series with a terminal of the output port; one of one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (404), having a negative reactance and connected in series with a terminal of the input port; and a winding (405) having a grounded terminal and a terminal coupled to a terminal of each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (403) (404).

All one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (403) (404) are electrically adjustable, but the circuits and control links necessary to determine the reactance of each of the one or more impedance devices adjustable tuning unit are not shown in Figure 5.

The specialist understands that the single input access and single output access tuning unit is such that, if the impedance seen by the output port equals a given impedance, then the reactance of any which of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit influences an impedance presented by the input port. In addition, the single input access and single output access agreement unit has a full tuning capability, the definition of which is given in section III of this document. Article by F. Broydé and E. Clavelier entitled "Some Properties of Multiple-Antenna-Port and Multiple-User-Port Antenna Tuners", published in IEEE Trans. On Circuits and Systems - I: Regular Papers, Vol. 62, No. 2, pages 423-432, in February 2015. Thus, the specialist understands that any small variation in the impedance seen by the output port can be fully offset by a new automatic adjustment of one or more devices to adjustable impedance of the tuning unit; and that the single input access and single output access tuning unit may be such as to provide, at said given frequency, for appropriate values of the one or more tuning control signals, a transfer of low loss power from the input port to the output port, and low loss power transfer from the output port to the input port.

In this fourth embodiment, we use p = 2 devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit. Thus, it is possible that p is greater than or equal to 2. As explained in this article entitled "Some Properties of Multiple-Antenna-Port and Multiple-User-Port Antenna Tuners", this is necessary to obtain a complete agreement faculty .

A flow chart of the process "output tuning control signals to the tuning unit" (84) is shown in Fig. 6. In addition to the start symbol (841) and the end symbol (844), said the flowchart comprises: a "generate initial values of the tuning control signals" process (842), in which the signal transmission and processing unit outputs an initial tuning unit tuning instruction, and which, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, the control unit generates a value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals, said value being called initial value, said initial value being determined by according to the initial tuning unit tuning instruction, and only according to the initial tuning unit tuning instruction; a "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" processing (843), in which the transmission and signal processing unit outputs subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, and wherein, for each of the one or more tuning control signals and for each subsequent tuning unit tuning instruction, the control unit generates a value of each of the one or more tuning control signals, which being referred to as a subsequent value, said subsequent value being determined according to each of said subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, and only according to each of said subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions.

The "generate initial values of tuning control signals" processing (842) has an open loop control structure, wherein at least two of said actual q quantities are dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and a quantity dependent on the carrier frequency of the excitation, are used to obtain, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value. In this processing, the at least two of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port completely determine the impedance seen by the output port, at the carrier frequency of the excitation, after the end. from the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna tuning signals" (82). In this treatment, the amount dependent on the carrier frequency of the excitation is the selected frequency (which, as said above, is equal to the carrier frequency of the excitation).

According to a first example of the "generate initial values of tuning control signals" processing (842), said initial tuning unit tuning instruction is determined based on a model of the tuning unit at single input access and single output access, this model taking into account the influences of the excitation frequency of the excitation, of the at least two of said q actual quantities depending on an impedance seen by the output access, and an initial tuning unit tuning instruction, on a composite power gain of the single input tuner unit and the single output port. The specialist understands that this model may for example comprise: for each of the one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit, a lookup table (in English: "lookup table" or "look-up table") on the characteristics of each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit; and one or more formulas for calculating the composite power gain. The transmission and signal processing unit estimates the at least two of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and uses an algorithm to determine the unit setting instruction. initial agreement, the initial tuning unit tuning instruction being such that a predicted value of the composite power gain of the single input access tuner unit and the single output port, determined based on on the model, as large as possible, at the carrier frequency of the excitation. This treatment does not require difficult calculation. This processing quickly provides the initial tuning unit tuning instruction, which is such that a composite gain in power obtained is not very far from a composite gain in maximum power achievable with the tuning unit. with single input access and single output access to the carrier frequency of the excitation, because the at least two of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port completely determine the impedance seen by the output port, at the carrier frequency of the excitation, after the end of the process "output antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna" (82).

According to a second example of the "generate initial values of the tuning control signals" (842) processing, a desired impedance is defined, and said initial tuning unit tuning instruction is determined based on a tuning pattern. the single input access tuning unit and the single output access, this model taking into account the influences of the excitation frequency of the excitation, of the at least two of the said q actual quantities depending on an impedance seen by the output port, and an initial tuning unit tuning instruction, on the impedance presented by the input port Ζυ. The specialist understands that this model may for example comprise: for each of the one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit, a look-up table on the characteristics of each of the one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the unity of agreement; and one or more formulas for calculating the impedance presented by the input port. The transmission and signal processing unit estimates the at least two of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and uses an algorithm to determine the unit setting instruction. initial agreement, the initial tuning unit setting instruction being such that a predicted value of the module of the difference between the impedance presented by the input port and the desired impedance, determined based on the model, as small as possible, at the carrier frequency of the excitation. A first possible algorithm may for example use the formulas shown in section VI of the said article by F. Broydé and E. Clavelier entitled "Some Properties of Multiple-Antenna-Port and Multiple-User-Port Antenna Tuners". This first possible algorithm does not take into account the losses in the single input access and single output access agreement unit. A second possible algorithm may for example use the iterative calculation technique presented in section 4 or in Appendix C of F. Broydé and E. Clavelier's article entitled "A Tuning Computation Technique for a Multiple-Antenna-Port". Multiple-User-Port Antenna Tuner ", published in International Journal of Antennas and Propagation, in 2016. This second possible algorithm is more accurate than the first possible algorithm, because it takes into account the losses in the unit of agreement single entry access and single exit access. The specialist knows how to write such an algorithm. This treatment does not require difficult calculation. This processing quickly provides the initial tuning unit tuning instruction, which is such that at the carrier frequency of the excitation, the impedance presented by the input port is not very far from the the desired impedance, because the at least two of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port completely determine the impedance seen by the output port at the carrier frequency of the excitation, after the end of processing "delivering antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna" (82).

Unfortunately, the "generate initial values of tuning control signals" (842) processing can not be very accurate, since it does not take into account the effects of component tolerances, component aging, and temperatures. components, on the characteristics of the single input access tuning unit and single output access.

The "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" processing (843) is used to substantially maximize average power output from the output port to the carrier frequency of the excitation. This processing is accurate because it uses an extremum search control algorithm, which is based on a closed-loop control structure. For example, this extremum search control algorithm may have the characteristics set forth below in the fourteenth embodiment, or in the fifteenth embodiment, or in the sixteenth embodiment, or in the seventeenth mode. embodiment, or in the eighteenth embodiment. This processing quickly provides one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions such that this average power delivered by the output port has a value very close to a maximum value, because this processing is started not very far from this maximum value, thanks to a processing "generate initial values of the tuning control signals" (842) taking into account the result of the processing "output tunable passive antenna antenna tuning signals" (82) . In the preceding sentence, "maximum value" means the largest value, of said average power, which can be obtained by setting only the single input access agreement unit and single output access.

Unlike the "generate initial values of chord control signals" (842) processing, the "generate subsequent values of chord control signals" (843) processing is not based on a model, and it uses a closed loop control structure.

The processing "generate initial values of chord control signals" (842) and the "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" (843) are such that tuning of the tuning unit to Single entry access and single output access is always optimal or almost optimal, despite losses in the single entry access agreement unit and single exit access.

Therefore, this embodiment is a solution to the problem of automatically adjusting a tunable passive antenna coupled to a radio transmitter, in a manner that provides: good tuning capability, using a tuned access tuner unit; single entry and single exit access; and tuning the single input access tuning unit and single output access that is close to optimal tuning, when its losses are not very low. Moreover, this embodiment provides a much wider tuning range than an automatic tuning system which would include the single input access tuning unit and single output access shown in FIG. no tunable passive antenna.

Fifth embodiment.

The fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this fifth embodiment. A flow chart of one or more control sequences used in this fifth embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. Before the beginning of said one or more adjustment sequences, a "selected frequency" was selected by the controller. transmission and signal processing unit in the set of possible values of the carrier frequency of the excitation. In addition to the start symbol (81) and the end symbol (86), said flowchart comprises: a "start applying the excitation" processing (83), in which the signal transmission and processing unit starts to apply the excitation to the input port, so that the detection unit becomes capable of delivering the detection unit output signals each determined by an electrical variable sensed at the output port while an excitation is applied to the input port, said excitation having a carrier frequency which is equal to the selected frequency; a "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna control" processing (82), wherein the signal transmission and processing unit outputs one or more of the one or more antenna tuning instructions, and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna, each of said one or more of one or more antenna tuning instructions being determined according to a or more of said q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port; processing "output tuning control signals to the tuning unit" (84), wherein the transmission and signal processing unit outputs one or more tuning unit tuning instructions , and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more chord control signals to the single input access chord unit and the single output access chord; and a "stop applying the excitation" processing (85), wherein the transmitting and signal processing unit ceases to apply the excitation to the input port.

Each of said one or more of the one or more antenna tuning instructions being determined based on one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, the one or more control signals Antenna are output based on one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port. The tunable passive antenna is such that each says at least one parameter of each said at least one tunable passive antenna antenna control device has an effect on the impedance seen by the output port, denoted ZSant. Since each of said parameters is primarily determined by at least one of one or more antenna control signals, the one or more antenna control signals have an effect on ZSant. Thus, the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna" processing (82) uses a closed-loop control scheme, because one or more of the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port is used to obtain the one or more antenna tuning instructions, and then the one or more antenna control signals. Thus, it is clear that a closed-loop control is used to obtain each of the one or more antenna setting instructions, and that a closed-loop control is used to obtain each of the one or more control signals of the antenna. antenna.

In this fifth embodiment, the one or more antenna setting instructions and the one or more antenna control signals are such that: at the end of the processing "output antenna control signals to the antenna "tunable passive" (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to a specified impedance, which may depend on the frequency; each says at least one parameter of each said at least one tunable passive antenna antenna control device has a value that does not change since the end of processing "deliver antenna control signals to the passive antenna "tunable" (82) until the end of said one or more tuning sequences.

To obtain that, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna tuning" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to the specified impedance, the unit The transmitting and processing of the signal estimates the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and uses an algorithm to determine and output the one or more antenna tuning instructions. The algorithm uses the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port. For example, assuming that the so-called q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port are sufficient to be able to calculate ZSant, the algorithm can be an extremum search control algorithm seeking to minimize a variable. performance by controlling said one or more antenna control signals, the performance variable being an absolute value of the difference between ZSant and the specified impedance. For example, the algorithm may use the selected frequency and the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port. For example, assuming that the q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port are sufficient to calculate ZSant, the algorithm can be based on one or more formulas for estimating an optimal value of each said at least one parameter of each says at least one tuneable passive antenna antenna control device, depending on the selected frequency, of one or more antenna tuning instructions that were applied while the detection delivered the detection unit output signals used to estimate the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and ZSant. The specialist knows how to write such an algorithm. The specialist understands that such algorithms take into account variations in ZSant caused by variations in the electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the tunable passive antenna. Therefore, the accuracy obtained may be better than in the corresponding processing of the fourth embodiment. However, as stated above in the prior art section, a tunable passive antenna often provides only a poor tuning capability. Therefore, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is typically only roughly close to the specified impedance .

Sixth embodiment.

The sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this sixth embodiment. In this sixth embodiment, the excitation is applied continuously, so that the detection unit can continuously output detection unit output signals each determined by an electrical variable sensed at the output port while an excitation is applied to the input port. A flow chart of one or more adjustment sequences used in this sixth embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. Before the beginning of said one or more adjustment sequences, a "selected frequency" was selected by the controller. transmission and signal processing unit, among the elements of the set of possible values of the excitation frequency of the carrier. Said excitation has, during said one of the one or more adjustment sequences, a carrier frequency which is equal to the selected frequency. In addition to the start symbol (81) and the end symbol (86), said flowchart comprises: a "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna control" signal (82), wherein the transmission and signal processing apparatus provides one or more of the one or more antenna tuning instructions, and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna, each said one or more of the one or more antenna setting instructions being determined according to the selected frequency; and processing "output tuning control signals to the tuner unit" (84), wherein the signal transmission and processing unit outputs one or more of the unit tuning instructions. tuning, and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more tuning control signals to the single-input and single-output access tuner unit.

The selected frequency can take any value in the set of possible values of the driving frequency of the excitation. Each of the one or more antenna control signals and each of the one or more antenna setting instructions being determined without using a controlled magnitude measurement, it is clear that an open loop control is used to obtain each one or more antenna control signals and each of one or more antenna setting instructions.

In this sixth embodiment, the one or more antenna setting instructions and the one or more antenna control signals are such that: at the end of the processing "output antenna control signals to the antenna "tunable passive" (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to a specified impedance, which may depend on the frequency; each says at least one parameter of each said at least one tunable passive antenna antenna control device has a value that does not change since the end of processing "deliver antenna control signals to the passive antenna tunable "(82) to the beginning of a tuning sequence following the end of said one or more tuning sequences.

To obtain that, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna tuning" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to the specified impedance, the unit transmission and signal processing utilizes a lookup table to determine and output the one or more antenna tuning instructions, depending on the selected frequency. The specialist understands that such a look-up table can not take into account variations in ZSant caused by variations in the electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the tunable passive antenna. In addition, as stated above in the prior art section, a tunable passive antenna often provides only a poor tuning capability. Therefore, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is typically only very roughly close to the impedance specified.

We have shown in FIG. 9 the unique input access and single output access agreement unit (4) used in this sixth embodiment. This single-input and single-output access tuning unit comprises: an output port (401) having two terminals (4011) (4012), the output port being asymmetrical; an input port (402) having two terminals (4021) (4022), the input port being asymmetrical; one of one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit (406), having a positive reactance, having a first terminal connected to a terminal of the input port, and having a second terminal connected to a terminal exit access; one of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (407), having a negative reactance and connected in parallel with the output port; and one of one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (408) having a negative reactance and connected in parallel with the input port.

All one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (406) (407) (408) are electrically adjustable, but the circuits and control links necessary to determine the reactance of each of the one or more Adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit are not shown in Figure 9. In this sixth embodiment, we use p = 3 tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit.

The specialist understands that, at a frequency at which the single input access and single output access tuner unit is intended to operate, the single input access and single output access agreement unit is such that, if the impedance seen by the output port equals a given impedance, then the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit has an effect on an impedance presented by the entrance access.

A flow chart of the process "output tuning control signals to the tuning unit" (84) is shown in Fig. 6. In addition to the start symbol (841) and the end symbol (844), said the flowchart comprises: a process "generate initial values of the tuning control signals" (842), wherein the transmission and signal processing unit outputs initial tuning unit tuning instructions, and which, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, the control unit generates a value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals, said value being called initial value, said initial value being determined by according to one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions, and only according to one or more of the initial tuning unit tuning instructions; a "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" processing (843), in which the transmission and signal processing unit outputs subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, and wherein, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, the control unit generates values of each of the one or more tuning control signals, said values being called subsequent values, each of said subsequent values being determined by function of one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions.

The tuning control signals have no effect on the impedance seen by the output port, and therefore on the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port. The "generate initial values of tuning control signals" processing (842) does not use a measurement of a controlled quantity, it is clear that it has an open loop control structure, in which a dependent quantity of the driving frequency of the excitation and at least two of said q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port are used to obtain, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value . In this treatment, the amount dependent on the carrier frequency of the excitation is a number proportional to the selected frequency. The "generate initial values of tuning control signals" processing (842) uses a look-up table to determine the initial tuning unit tuning instructions, based on the selected frequency and the actual q quantities. dependent on an impedance seen by the output port. The specialist understands how to build and use the lookup table.

According to a first example of the "generate initial values of tuning control signals" (842) processing, the look-up table may be stored in a read-only memory, and may have been constructed using data obtained by determining, in accordance with laboratory with a prototype of the apparatus for radio communication, at different frequencies, and for different configurations producing different values of the impedance seen by the output port, initial tuning unit tuning instructions producing the values the largest possible composite power gain of the single input access tuner unit and single output access. This processing does not require difficult calculation, and it quickly provides initial tuning unit tuning instructions, which are such that a composite power gain obtained is not far removed from a composite power gain. maximum achievable with the single input access tuning unit and single output access to the excitation carrier frequency, because the at least two of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the access output signals completely determine the impedance seen by the output port at the carrier frequency of the excitation after the end of the process "output antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna" (82).

According to a second example of the "generate initial values of tuning control signals" (842) processing, the look-up table may be stored in a read-only memory, and may have been constructed using data obtained by determining, in accordance with laboratory with a prototype of the apparatus for radio communication, at different frequencies, and for different configurations producing different values of the impedance seen by the output port, initial tuning unit tuning instructions producing the values the possible smaller of a module the difference between the impedance presented by the input access and a desired impedance. This processing does not require difficult calculation, and it quickly provides initial tuning unit tuning instructions which are such that, at the carrier frequency of the excitation, the impedance presented by the input port is not very far from the impedance sought, because the at least two of the q real quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port completely determine the impedance seen by the output port, at the the carrier frequency of the excitation, after the end of the treatment "output antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna" (82).

Unfortunately, the "generate initial values of tuning control signals" (842) processing can not be very accurate, for the reasons already discussed above in the fourth embodiment.

The "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" processing (843) is used to substantially maximize average power output from the output port to the carrier frequency of the excitation. This treatment is accurate because it uses an extremum search algorithm. This processing quickly provides one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions such that this average power delivered by the output port has a value very close to a maximum value, because this processing is started not very far from this maximum value, thanks to the processing "generate initial values of the tuning control signals" (842) taking into account the result of the processing "output tunable passive antenna antenna tuning signals" (82). In the preceding sentence, "maximum value" means the largest value, of said average power, which can be obtained by setting only the single input access agreement unit and single output access.

Since it uses assumed characteristics of the single input access and single output access chord unit, the "generate initial values of chord control signals" processing (842) is based on a model. In contrast, the "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" processing (843) is not model-based, and uses a closed-loop control structure.

The processing "generate initial values of chord control signals" (842) and the "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" (843) are such that tuning of the tuning unit to Single entry access and single output access is always optimal or almost optimal, despite losses in the single entry access agreement unit and single exit access.

Therefore, this embodiment is a solution to the problem of automatically adjusting a tunable passive antenna coupled to a radio transmitter, in a manner that provides: good tuning capability, using a tuned access tuner unit; single entry and single exit access; and tuning the single input access tuning unit and single output access that is close to optimal tuning, when its losses are not very low. Moreover, this embodiment provides a much wider tuning range than an automatic tuning system which would include the single input access tuning unit and single output access shown in FIG. 9, but no tunable passive antenna.

Seventh embodiment.

The seventh embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this seventh embodiment. In this seventh embodiment, the excitation is applied continuously, so that the detection unit can continuously output detection unit output signals each determined by an electrical variable sensed at the output port while an excitation is applied to the input port. A flow chart of one or more control sequences used in this seventh embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. Before the beginning of said one or more adjustment sequences, a "selected frequency" was selected by the controller. transmission and signal processing unit, among the elements of the set of possible values of the excitation frequency of the carrier. Said excitation has, during said one of the one or more adjustment sequences, a carrier frequency which is equal to the selected frequency. In addition to the start symbol (81) and the end symbol (86), said flowchart comprises: a "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna control" signal (82), wherein the transmission and signal processing apparatus provides one or more of the one or more antenna tuning instructions, and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more antenna control signals to the tunable passive antenna, each said one or more of one or more antenna tuning instructions being determined based on one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port; and processing "output tuning control signals to the tuner unit" (84), wherein the signal transmission and processing unit outputs one or more of the unit tuning instructions. tuning, and wherein the control unit outputs said one or more tuning control signals to the single-input and single-output access tuner unit.

In this seventh embodiment, the one or more antenna tuning instructions and the one or more antenna control signals are such that: at the end of the processing "output antenna control signals to the antenna "tunable passive" (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to a specified impedance, which may depend on the frequency; each says at least one parameter of each said at least one tunable passive antenna antenna control device has a value that does not change since the end of processing "deliver antenna control signals to the passive antenna tunable "(82) to the beginning of a tuning sequence following the end of said one or more tuning sequences.

To obtain that, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna tuning" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is close to the specified impedance, the unit of transmission and signal processing estimates the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and uses a lookup table to determine and output the one or more antenna tuning instructions, based on on the selected frequency and the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, taking into account the one or more antenna tuning instructions that were applied while the sensing unit was delivering the signals detection unit output used to estimate q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port. The specialist understands how to build and use such a look-up table. The lookup table is such that tunable passive antenna settings are always optimal or nearly optimal. The specialist understands that such a look-up table takes into account variations in ZSant caused by variations in the electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the tunable passive antenna. Therefore, the accuracy obtained may be better than in the corresponding processing of the sixth embodiment. However, as stated above in the prior art section, a tunable passive antenna often provides only a poor tuning capability. Therefore, at the end of the "deliver tunable passive antenna antenna" processing (82), the impedance seen by the output port is typically only roughly close to the specified impedance .

Eighth embodiment.

The eighth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this eighth embodiment. The tuneable passive antenna (1) used in this eighth embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. The tunable passive antenna shown in FIG. 10 comprises a plane metal structure (111) made above a ground plane. (115), the signal access of the tunable passive antenna (116) where an asymmetric antenna link is connected to the metal structure, and an antenna control device (112). The metal structure is slotted and such that, if the antenna control device was not present, the tunable passive antenna would be an example of the antenna called "planar inverted-F antenna" or "PIFA". The antenna control device is a micro-electromechanical switch having a first terminal (113) connected to the metal structure (111) at a first side of the slot, and a second terminal (114) connected to the metal structure (111). ) in a second side of the slot. The skilled person understands that the self-impedance of the tunable passive antenna, in a given test pattern and at the given frequency, is a characteristic of the tunable passive antenna that can be varied using said control device antenna, so that this characteristic is controlled using said antenna control device. The state of the micro-electromechanical switch (open or closed) is a parameter of the antenna control device that influences said characteristic. This parameter of the antenna control device is adjustable by electrical means, but the circuits and control links necessary to determine the state of the antenna control device are not shown in FIG.

Ninth embodiment.

The ninth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this ninth embodiment. The tuneable passive antenna (1) used in this ninth embodiment is shown in FIG. 11. The tunable passive antenna shown in FIG. 11 comprises a plane metal structure (111) made above a ground plane. (115), the signal access of the tunable passive antenna (116) where an asymmetric antenna link is connected to a metal strip (117) located between the ground plane and the metal structure, and three control devices antenna (112). Each of the antenna control devices is an adjustable impedance device having a reactance at the given frequency, having a first terminal (113) connected to the metal structure (111), and a second terminal (114) connected to the ground plane. (115). The specialist understands that the self-impedance of the tunable passive antenna, in a given test configuration and at the given frequency, is a characteristic of the tunable passive antenna that can be varied using said antenna control, so that this characteristic is controlled using said antenna control devices. Each of the antenna control devices has a reactance at the given frequency, this reactance being a parameter of each of the antenna control devices, this parameter having an influence on said characteristic. This parameter of each of the antenna control devices is electrically adjustable, but the circuits and control links necessary to determine the reactance of each of the antenna control devices are not shown in FIG.

Tenth embodiment.

The tenth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this tenth embodiment. The tunable passive antenna (1) used in this tenth embodiment is shown in Fig. 12. The tunable passive antenna shown in Fig. 12 has a plane of symmetry orthogonal to the drawing. Thus, the tunable passive antenna has a first half-antenna, on the left in FIG. 12, and a second half-antenna, on the right in FIG. 12. The signal access of the tunable passive antenna comprises a first terminal ( 118) where a first conductor of a symmetrical antenna link is connected to the first half antenna, and a second terminal (119) where a second conductor of the symmetrical antenna link is connected to the second half antenna. Each half-antenna has three segments and two antenna control devices (112). Each of the antenna control devices is an adjustable impedance device having a reactance at the given frequency, having a first terminal connected to a segment of a half antenna, and a second terminal connected to another segment of that half. antenna. The specialist understands that the self-impedance of the tunable passive antenna, in a given test configuration and at the given frequency, is a characteristic of the tunable passive antenna that can be varied using said antenna control, so that this characteristic is controlled using said antenna control devices. Each of the antenna control devices has a reactance at the given frequency, this reactance being a parameter of each of the antenna control devices, this parameter having an influence on said characteristic. This parameter of each of the antenna control devices is electrically adjustable, but the circuits and control links necessary to determine the reactance of each of the antenna control devices are not shown in Fig. 12.

Eleventh embodiment.

The eleventh embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, and all the explanations provided for the first embodiment are applicable to this eleventh embodiment. The tunable passive antenna (1) used in this eleventh embodiment is shown in FIG. 13. The tunable passive antenna shown in FIG. 13 includes a main antenna (121), a parasitic antenna (122), and a remote control. tunable passive antenna signal (127) wherein an asymmetric antenna link (128) is connected to the main antenna and ground (126), and an antenna control device (123). The antenna control device is an adjustable impedance device having a reactance at the given frequency, having a first terminal (124) connected to the parasitic antenna (122), and a second terminal (125) connected to ground ( 126). The skilled person understands that the directivity pattern of the tunable passive antenna (1), in a given test pattern and at the given frequency, is a characteristic of the tunable passive antenna that can be varied using said antenna control device, so that this characteristic is controlled using said antenna control device. The reactance of the antenna control device at the given frequency is a parameter of said antenna control device which influences said characteristic. This parameter of the antenna control device is adjustable by electrical means, but the circuits and control beats necessary to determine the reactance of the antenna control device are not shown in FIG. 13.

However, the specialist understands that this parameter also has an influence on the self-impedance of the tunable passive antenna, so that the self-impedance of the tunable passive antenna, in a given test configuration and at the given frequency , is also a characteristic of the tunable passive antenna that can be varied using said antenna control device. The tunable passive antenna (1) could also include other parasitic antennas each coupled to an antenna control device.

Twelfth embodiment.

According to a twelfth embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, we consider a method for automatically adjusting one or more tunable passive antennas and a single access access and access tuner unit. single output port, the single entry access tuning unit and the single output port having an input port and an output port, the one or more tunable passive antennas and the dc tuner unit. single input and single output port being parts of a radio communication apparatus, the apparatus for radio communication which, at a given frequency, transfers power from the input port to a radiated electromagnetic field by the one or more tunable passive antennas, the method comprising the steps of: estimating one or more "location variables", each of one or more location variables depending on a distance between a part of a human body and a zone of the apparatus for radio communication; delivering one or more "antenna control signals", according to a "selected frequency" and according to the one or more location variables, each of the one or more tunable passive antennas having at least one control device of antenna, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of said each of the one or more tunable passive antennas, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means, said at least one a parameter being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more antenna control signals; applying an excitation to the input port, the excitation having a carrier frequency called "the carrier frequency of the excitation" and equal to the selected frequency; sensing one or more electrical variables at the output port while the excitation is applied to obtain one or more "sensing unit output signals", each of the one or more sensing unit output signals being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more electrical variables sensed at the output port; estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals; outputting one or more "tuning control signals", the single input access tuning unit and the single output access having adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to one, the p adjustable impedance devices being referred to as "one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuner unit" and being such that, at the given frequency, each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit being electrically adjustable, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the unit Agreeing primarily by at least one of the one or more tuning control signals, the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit an influence on an impedance presented by the input port, said step of outputting one or more "tuning control signals" comprising the steps of: generating, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals, as a function of said q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port; generating, for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, an extremum seeking control algorithm being used to generate said at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of one or more tuning control signals, the extremum search control algorithm seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable by controlling the said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, the performance variable being judged based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals.

FIG. 14 shows the block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication implementing this method, the apparatus for radio communication comprising: a location sensor unit (7), the location sensor unit estimating one or more "location variables", each of one or more location variables depending on a distance between a portion of a human body and an area of the radio communication apparatus; a tunable passive antenna (1), the tunable passive antenna comprising at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of the antenna tunable passive antenna, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electric means; an antenna link (2); a single input access tuning unit and single output port (4) similar to that used in the first embodiment, having an input port and an output port; a detection unit (3) delivering two "detection unit output signals", each of the detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more electrical variables sensed at the output port while a excitation is applied to the input access; a signal transmitting and processing unit (8), the signal transmitting and processing unit providing one or more "antenna setting instructions", each of the one or more antenna setting instructions being determined according to a "selected frequency" and according to one or more location variables, the selected frequency being greater than or equal to 300 MHz, the signal transmitting and processing unit applying the excitation to the input access, the excitation having a carrier frequency called "the excitation carrier frequency" and equal to the selected frequency, the signal transmission and processing unit estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals, the transmission and processing unit of the signal delivering "tuning unit tuning instructions", at least one of tuning unit tuning instructions being an "initial tuning unit tuning instruction", each of one or more tuning instructions of initial tuning unit being determined as a function of the selected frequency and as a function of said q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being a "subsequent tuning unit tuning instruction", the signal transmitting and processing unit executing an extremum seeking tuning algorithm to generate each of the one or more tuning unit instructions; subsequent tuning, the extremum search control algorithm seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable, the performance variable being estimated based on one or more of the one or more rs detection unit output signals; and a control unit (6) similar to that used in the first embodiment, delivering one or more "antenna control signals" to the tunable passive antenna and one or more "tuning control signals" to the single input access chord unit and single output access.

It is possible that at least one of the one or more location variables is an output of a pressure sensitive sensor exerted by a portion of a human body. Thus, it is possible for at least one of the one or more location variables to be the output of a circuit comprising a switch using a one-touch mechanical non-latching system, the state of which changes while sufficient pressure is exerted. by part of a human body. It is also possible for at least one of the one or more location variables to be the output of a circuit comprising another type of electromechanical sensor responsive to a pressure exerted by a part of a human body, for example a microelectromechanical sensor ( in English: "MEMS sensor").

It is possible that at least one of the one or more location variables is an output of a proximity sensor, such as a proximity sensor dedicated to the detection of a human body. Such a proximity sensor may for example be a capacitive proximity sensor, or an infrared proximity sensor using reflected light intensity measurements, or an infrared proximity sensor using flight time measurements (in English: of-flight), which are well known to specialists.

It is possible that the set of possible values of at least one of the one or more location variables is a finite set. It is possible that at least one of the one or more location variables is a binary variable, i.e., that the set of possible values of the at least one of the one or more location variables has exactly two elements. For example, a capacitive proximity sensor dedicated to the detection of a human body (eg the Semtech SX9300 device) can be used to obtain a binary variable, which indicates whether or not a human body has been detected in the vicinity of a human body. an area of the apparatus for radio communication. It is possible that the set of possible values of any of the one or more location variables is a finite set. However, it is possible that the set of possible values of at least one of the one or more location variables is an infinite set, and it is possible that the set of possible values of at least one of the one or more variables. location is a continuous set.

It is possible that the set of possible values of at least one of the one or more location variables has at least three elements. For example, an infrared proximity sensor using flight time measurements and dedicated to the evaluation of the distance to a human body (for example the VL6180 device from STMicroelectronics) can be used to obtain a location variable such as the set of possible values of the location variable has at least three elements, one of the values meaning that no human body has been detected, each of the other values corresponding to a different distance between an area of the apparatus for radio communication and the part of a human body detected closest. It is possible that the set of possible values of any of the one or more location variables has at least three elements.

It is possible that at least one of the one or more location variables is an output of a sensor that is not dedicated to the detection of a human body. For example, it is possible that at least one of the one or more location variables is determined by a change of state of a switch of a keyboard, which reveals the position of a human finger. For example, it is possible that at least one of the one or more location variables is determined by a change of state of an output of a touch screen, which reveals the position of a human finger. Such a touch screen can use any of the available technologies, such as a resistive touch screen, a capacitive touch screen or a surface acoustic wave touch screen, etc.

It is said above that each of the one or more location variables depends on the distance between a portion of a human body and an area of the radio communication apparatus. This should be interpreted as meaning that each of the one or more location variables is such that there is at least one configuration in which the distance between a portion of a human body and an area of the radio communication apparatus has an effect. on said each of one or more location variables. However, it is possible that there are one or more configurations in which the distance between a portion of a human body and an area of the radio communication apparatus has no effect on the said one of the one or more variables. location. For example, the distance between a portion of a human body and an area of the radio communication apparatus has no effect on a switch if there is no force exerted directly or indirectly by the body human on the switch. For example, the distance between a portion of a human body and an area of the radio communication apparatus has no effect on a proximity sensor if the human body is out of range of the proximity sensor.

The selected frequency can take any value in a "set of possible values of the excitation carrier frequency", which has several elements. Each of the one or more antenna setting instructions being determined according to the selected frequency and one or more location variables, and only depending on the selected frequency and one or more location variables, it is clear that an open loop control is used to generate each of the one or more antenna control signals.

The specialist understands that, in this twelfth embodiment, the step of delivering one or more tuning control signals may be faster, for a given accuracy, than the corresponding step of the first embodiment, thanks to the use of one or more location variables.

Thirteenth embodiment.

The thirteenth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 14, and all the explanations provided for the twelfth embodiment are applicable to this thirteenth embodiment. In addition, in this thirteenth embodiment, the apparatus for radio communication is a mobile telephone, and the location sensor unit comprises four proximity sensors.

Fig. 15 is a drawing of a rear view of the mobile phone (700). Fig. 15 shows: a point (71) where the first of the four proximity sensors is located; a point (72) where the second of the four proximity sensors is located; a point (73) where the third of the four proximity sensors is located; and a point (74) where the fourth of the four proximity sensors is located.

A finite set of typical usage patterns is defined. For example, Figure 16 shows a typical first usage configuration, which may be referred to as "right hand and head configuration"; Fig. 17 shows a second typical usage configuration, which may be referred to as a "two-handed configuration"; and Fig. 18 shows a typical third usage configuration, which may be referred to as "right hand only configuration". In Fig. 16, Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, the mobile phone (700) is held by a user. Specifically, the user holds the mobile phone near his head with his right hand in Figure 16, away from his head with both hands in Figure 17, and away from his head only with his right hand in Figure 18 In an actual use configuration, the location variables evaluated by the 4 proximity sensors are used to determine the typical usage pattern closest to the actual usage configuration. Each of the one or more antenna tuning instructions is determined from a set of predetermined antenna tuning instructions which are stored in a look-up table in the transmission and signal processing unit. based on the closest typical usage pattern and the selected frequency. The specialist understands how to build and use such a look-up table. The specialist understands the advantage of defining and using a set of typical usage patterns, which must be large enough to cover all relevant cases, and small enough to avoid an overly large look-up table.

It has been shown that, in order to obtain good accuracy of each of the one or more antenna setting instructions, more than two typical usage patterns must be defined, and that a single location variable can not be used to determine a typical typical usage configuration. Therefore, in this thirteenth embodiment, it is important that a plurality of location variables are estimated.

In addition, in order to be able to determine a closest typical usage pattern, it is necessary to use location variables dependent on the distance between a portion of a human body and different areas of the radio communication apparatus. . More precisely, it is necessary that two of the location variables, denoted A and B, exist, the location variable A depending on the distance between a part of a human body and an area X of the radio communication apparatus, the location variable B dependent on the distance between a portion of a human body and a zone Y of the radio communication apparatus, such that X and Y are distinct, or preferably such that X and Y have an empty intersection. In this thirteenth embodiment, this result is obtained by using a location sensor unit comprising a plurality of proximity sensors, located at different locations of the radio communication apparatus, as shown in FIG. 15.

Fourteenth embodiment.

The fourteenth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, to the algorigrams shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. and to the single input access chord unit and single output port shown in Fig. 5. All explanations provided for the first embodiment and for the fourth embodiment are applicable to this fourteenth embodiment. . As p = 2, the "one or more tunable unit impedance devices" may be referred to as the "adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit".

In this fourteenth embodiment, the tuning control unit outputs two tuning control signals to the single input access tuner unit and the single output port, and the reactance of each of the devices to be tuned. Adjustable impedance of the tuning unit is mainly determined by one and only one of the chord control signals.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart applicable, in this fourteenth embodiment, to the "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" (843) process of FIG. 6. In addition to the start symbol (84301) and the end symbol (84307), this flowchart comprises: an "initialization" processing (84302), in which a condition is defined; a "generate subsequent values of the tuning control signal for 403" (84303) processing, wherein at least one subsequent value of the tuning control signal which primarily determines the reactance of a first one of the tunable impedance devices; the tuning unit (403) is delivered using an extremum search algorithm to a parameter, the extremum search control algorithm to a parameter seeking to maximize the performance variable by controlling said signal tuning control device which primarily determines the reactance of a first one of the adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (403); a process "generating subsequent values of the tuning control signal for 404" (84304), wherein at least one subsequent value of the tuning control signal which primarily determines the reactance of a second of the tunable impedance devices; the tuning unit (404) is delivered using a one parameter extremum search control algorithm, the extremum search control algorithm to a parameter seeking to maximize the performance variable by controlling said signal tuning control device which primarily determines the reactance of a second of the adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (404); a process (84305) in which a test value is determined; and a conditional branch (84306) used to reach the end symbol (84307) if the test value satisfies the condition (which corresponds to a completion criterion).

The specialist understands that, in this fourteenth embodiment, at least one subsequent value of each of the tuning control signals is generated using a two-parameter extremum search control algorithm, the search control algorithm. two-parameter extremum algorithm using a one-parameter extremum search control algorithm in the "generate subsequent values of the tuning control signal for 403" (84303) process, and a search control algorithm of extremum to a parameter in the process "generate subsequent values of tuning control signal for 404" (84304). Here, "one-parameter extremum search algorithm" refers to an extremum search control algorithm that controls and varies a tuning control signal over time, and 'two-parameter extremum' means an extremum search control algorithm which controls and varies two tuning control signals over time.

More generally, if p is an integer greater than or equal to 2, let us use "extremum search algorithm with p parameters" to designate an extremum search control algorithm which controls and varies p control signals. agreement over time. In a different embodiment such that the single input access tuning unit and the single output access ap tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit, such as the tuning control unit delivers p tuning control signals, and such that the reactance of each of the adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit is primarily determined by one and only one tuning control signal, it is possible that at least one subsequent value of each of the chord control signals is generated using a p-parameter extremum search control algorithm which uses a plurality of extremum search control algorithms each of which controls and varies p tuning control signals over time, eg p control algorithms by extremum search to a parameter.

Fifteenth embodiment.

The fifteenth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the radio communication apparatus shown in FIG. 3, to the flow charts shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. to the single input access and single output tuning unit shown in Fig. 5, and to the process flow chart "generate subsequent values of the tuning control signals" shown in Fig. 19. All explanations provided for the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment and the fourteenth embodiment are applicable to this fifteenth embodiment.

We have shown in FIG. 20 a flowchart applicable, in this fifteenth embodiment, to the "generate subsequent values of the tuning control signal for 403" (84303) of FIG. 19, and to the "generate values subsequent to the tuning control signal for 404 "(84304) of FIG. 19. In addition to the start symbol (84901) and the end symbol (84906), this flowchart includes: a processor (84902) in which a timer (in English: timer) is set to zero and started; a process (84903) in which an extremum one parameter search algorithm, which outputs subsequent values of one of the tuning control signals, is started; and a conditional branch (84904) used to wait for a pre-defined time; and a process (84905) in which the one parameter extremum search control algorithm is stopped.

For example, an extremum search algorithm at a suitable parameter may be an algorithm called "disturbance based extremum-seeking control algorithm" in English, which includes a step in which a periodic perturbation is applied to said one of the chord control. For example, this approach is discussed in Chapter 1 of the said book by Ariyur KB and Krstic, in the case of a purely analog implementation.

Sixteenth embodiment.

The sixteenth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, to the flow charts shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. to the single input access and single output tuning unit shown in Fig. 5, and to the process flow chart "generate subsequent values of the tuning control signals" shown in Fig. 19. All explanations provided for the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment and the fourteenth embodiment are applicable to this sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart applicable, in this sixteenth embodiment, to the "generate subsequent values of the tuning control signal for 403" (84303) of FIG. 19, and to the "generate values subsequent to the tuning control signal for 404 "(84304) of Fig. 19. In addition to the start symbol (84901) and the end symbol (84906), this flowchart comprises: a processing (84907) in which a condition is defined; a process (84908) in which a step of an extremum parameter control algorithm is performed, during which a pre-defined number of subsequent values of one of the tuning control signals are output; a process (84909) in which a test value is determined; and a conditional branch (84910) used to reach the end symbol (84906) if the test value satisfies the condition.

For example, an extremum search algorithm with a suitable parameter may be an algorithm called "stochastic extremum-seeking control algorithm" in English, which includes a step in which a stochastic or random disturbance, for example a past colored noise through a bounded non-linearity, is applied to said one of the tuning control signals. For example, this approach is discussed in Chapter 5 of this book by S.-J. Liu and M. Krstic, in the case of a purely analog implementation.

Seventeenth embodiment.

The seventeenth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, to the algorigrams shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, and to the single input access tuning unit and single output port shown in FIG. 5. All explanations provided for the first embodiment and for the fourth embodiment are applicable to this embodiment. seventh embodiment. As p = 2, the "one or more tunable unit impedance devices" may be referred to as the "adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit".

In this seventeenth embodiment, the tuning control unit outputs two tuning control signals to the single-input and single-output access tuner unit, and the reactance of each of the Adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit is mainly determined by one and only one of the tuning control signals.

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart applicable in this seventeenth embodiment to the "generate subsequent values of the tuning control signals" (843) of FIG. 6. In addition to the start symbol (FIG. 84301) and the end symbol (84307), this flowchart comprises: a processing (84308) in which a timer (in English: timer) is set to zero and started; a process (84309) in which a two-parameter extremum search control algorithm, which outputs subsequent values of the two tuning control signals, is started; a conditional branch (84310) used to wait for a pre-defined time; and a process (84311) in which the two-parameter extremum search control algorithm is stopped.

For example, a suitable two-parameter extremum search algorithm may be an algorithm called a "perturbation based extremum-seeking control algorithm" in which there is a step in which two different periodic disturbances are each applied to one of the signals. Chord control. For example, this approach is discussed in Chapter 2 of the said book by Ariyur KB and Krstic, in the case of a purely analog implementation. It offers higher performance than that used in the fourteenth embodiment.

More generally, p being an integer greater than or equal to 2, in a different embodiment such that the tuning unit with single input access and single output access ap devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit , such that the tuning control unit delivers p tuning control signals, and such that the reactance of each of the adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit is mainly determined by one and only one of the tuning control signals. tuning control, it is possible that at least one subsequent value of each of the tuning control signals is generated using a p-parameter extremum search control algorithm which is of the type called "disturbance based extreme". seeking control "in English, which comprises a step in which p different periodic disturbances are each applied to one of the tuning control signals.

Eighteenth embodiment.

The eighteenth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 3, to the algorigrams shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, and to the single input access tuning unit and single output port shown in FIG. 5. All explanations provided for the first embodiment and for the fourth embodiment are applicable to this embodiment. eighth embodiment. As p = 2, the "one or more tunable unit impedance devices" may be referred to as the "adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit".

In this eighteenth embodiment, the tuning control unit outputs two tuning control signals to the single input access tuning unit and the single output port, and the reactance of each of the Adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit is mainly determined by one and only one of the tuning control signals.

FIG. 23 shows a flowchart applicable, in this eighteenth embodiment, to the "generate subsequent values of tuning control signals" (843) process of FIG. 6. In addition to the start symbol (FIG. 84301) and the end symbol (84307), this flowchart comprises: a processing (84312) in which a condition is defined; a process (84313) in which a step of a two-parameter extremum search control algorithm is performed, during which a pre-defined number of subsequent values of the two tuning control signals are output; a treatment (84314) in which a test value is determined; and a conditional branch (84315) used to reach the end symbol (84307) if the test value satisfies the condition (which corresponds to a completion criterion).

For example, a suitable two-parameter extremum search algorithm may be an algorithm called a "stochastic extremum-seeking control algorithm" in which there is a step in which two different stochastic or random perturbations are each applied to one of the chord control signals. For example, this approach is dealt with in chapter 8 of this book of S.-J. Liu and M. Krstic, in the case of a purely analog implementation. It offers higher performance than that used in the fourteenth embodiment.

More generally, p being an integer greater than or equal to 2, in a different embodiment such that the tuning unit with single input access and single output access ap devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit , such that the tuning control unit delivers p tuning control signals, and such that the reactance of each of the adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit is mainly determined by one and only one of the tuning control signals. tuning control, it is possible that at least one subsequent value of each of the chord control signals is generated using a p-parameter extremum search control algorithm which is of the type called "stochastic extremum-seeking control "in English, which comprises a step in which p different stochastic or random perturbations are each applied to one of the tuning control signals.

Nineteenth embodiment.

In the context of a nineteenth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, we have shown in FIG. 24 the block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication comprising: = 4 tunable passive antennas (1), each of the tunable passive antennas comprising at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of said antenna each of the tunable passive antennas, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means; a switching unit (9), the switching unit having N antenna ports each coupled to one and only one of the tunable passive antennas through an antenna link (2), the switching unit having a network access of antennas, the switching unit operating in an active configuration determined by one or more "configuration instructions", the active configuration being one of a plurality of permitted configurations, the switching unit providing, in any one of authorized configurations, for signals in a given frequency band, a bidirectional path between the antenna network access and one and only one of the antenna accesses; a single input access and a single output access tuning unit (4) having an input port and an output port, the single input access agreement unit and the single output port comprising p adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to one, the adjustable impedance devices being referred to as "one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit" and being such that, at a given frequency in the given frequency band, each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit being adjustable by electric means; a detection unit (3) delivering one or more "detection unit output signals", each of the one or more detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more electrical variables sensed (or measured) at the output port while excitation is applied to the input port, the output port being indirectly coupled to the network access of antennas through the detection unit; a signal transmission and processing unit (8), the signal transmission and processing unit delivering the one or more configuration instructions, the signal transmission and processing unit delivering one or more " antenna adjustment instructions ", the signal transmission and processing unit applying the excitation to the input port, the signal transmission and processing unit estimating q actual quantities dependent on a impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals, the transmitting and processing unit of the output signal "tuning unit tuning instructions", at least one tuning unit tuning instruction being an "initial tuning unit tuning instruction", each of one or more tuning instructions unity of agreement being determined in according to one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being a "subsequent tuning unit tuning instruction"", The signal transmission and processing unit executing an extremum search control algorithm to generate each of the one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, the search tuning algorithm of extremum seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable, the performance variable being estimated based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals; and a control unit (6), the control unit delivering one or more "antenna control signals" to one or more tunable passive antennas, each of the one or more antenna control signals being determined according to the at least one of the one or more antenna setting instructions, each said at least one parameter of each said at least one antenna control device of each of the tunable passive antennas being determined by at least one of the one or more signals antenna control unit, the control unit delivering one or more "tuning control signals" to the single input access tuning unit and the single output port, the control unit generating, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, one or more values of said each of the one or more tuning control signals, said one or more values of each of said one or more tuning control signals. ord being determined according to at least one of the tuning unit setting instructions, the reactance of each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit being determined by at least one of the one or more chord control signals. The switching unit operates (or is used) in an active configuration determined by the one or more configuration instructions, the active configuration being one of a plurality of authorized configurations, the switching unit providing, in any which authorized configurations, for signals in the given frequency band, a path between the network access of antennas and one of the antenna accesses. Thus, the switching unit operates in an active configuration which is one of the authorized configurations, and each authorized configuration corresponds to a selection of an antenna access among the N antenna accesses. It is also possible to say that the switching unit operates in an active configuration corresponding to a selection of an antenna access among the N antenna accesses.

Each authorized configuration corresponds to a selection of an antenna access among the N antenna accesses, the switching unit providing, for signals in the given frequency band, a path between the antenna network access and the antenna access selected. This path may preferentially be a low-loss path for signals in the given frequency band. The specialist understands that a suitable switching unit may include one or more electrically controlled switches and / or switches. In this case, one or more of said one or more switches and / or switches controlled electrically may for example be an electromechanical relay, or a microelectromechanical switch, or a circuit using one or more PIN diodes and / or one or more effect transistors insulated gate field as switching devices.

In this nineteenth embodiment, it is not possible to say that, for each of the tunable passive antennas, a signal access of the tunable passive antenna is coupled, directly or indirectly, to the output port. However, in this nineteenth embodiment, the output port is indirectly coupled to one and only one of the N tunable passive antennas. Or, more precisely, the output port is indirectly coupled to a signal access of one and only one of the N tunable passive antennas, through the detection unit, the switching unit and one and only one of the links. 'antenna. Since the output port is indirectly coupled to the network access of antennas through the detection unit, the specialist sees that the device for radio communication makes it possible, at the given frequency, to transfer power from the access port. input to an electromagnetic field radiated by the tunable passive antennas. Thus, the apparatus for radio communication is such that, if a power is received by the input port at the given frequency, a portion of said power received by the input port is transferred to an electromagnetic field radiated by the passive antennas tunable to the given frequency, so that a power of the electromagnetic field radiated by the passive antennas tunable at the given frequency is equal to said portion of said power received by the input port. The apparatus for radio communication allows, at said given frequency, a transfer of power from an incident electromagnetic field on the tunable passive antennas to the input port. Moreover, the single input access and single output access tuning unit (4) and the tunable passive antennas are such that, at said given frequency, for suitable values of the one or more control signals of tuning and one or more antenna control signals, a low loss power transfer from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by the tunable passive antennas can be obtained (for radio transmission), and a low loss power transfer from an incident electromagnetic field on the tunable passive antennas to the input port can be obtained (for radio reception). The apparatus for radio communication is such that open-loop control is used to determine each of the one or more antenna setting instructions, and an open-loop control is used to generate each of the one or more antenna control. The specialist understands that this characteristic implies for example that the detection unit output signals are not used to obtain the one or more antenna control signals. The apparatus for radio communication is a radio transmitter or a radio transceiver, so that the signal transmission and processing unit (8) also performs functions which have not been mentioned above, and which are well known to specialists. The given frequency band contains only frequencies greater than or equal to 300 MHz.

For example, each of the one or more configuration instructions can be determined based on: one or more location variables, defined as in the twelfth embodiment; a frequency used for radio communication with tunable passive antennas; one or more additional variables, each of the additional variables being an element of a set of additional variables, the elements of the set of additional variables including: communication type variables which indicate whether a radio communication session is a voice communication session, data communication session or other type of communication session; a hands-free activation indicator; a loudspeaker activation indicator; variables obtained using one or more accelerometers; user identity variables that depend on the identity of the current user; reception quality variables; and emission quality variables.

The elements of said set of additional variables may further include one or more variables which are different from the location variables and which characterize the manner in which a user holds the apparatus for radio communication.

Each of the one or more configuration instructions may for example be determined using a look-up table.

Each of the one or more configuration instructions can be of any type of digital message. Each of the one or more antenna setting instructions and each tuning unit setting instruction can be of any type of digital message. The one or more configuration instructions, one or more antenna tuning instructions, and tuning unit tuning instructions are output during a plurality of tuning sequences. The transmitting and signal processing unit starts an adjustment sequence when one or more configuration instructions are issued. The signal transmission and processing unit terminates the adjustment sequence when the last tuning unit tuning instruction of the tuning sequence has been delivered. The duration of an adjustment sequence is less than 100 microseconds.

In order to respond to variations in the electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the tunable passive antennas and / or the operating frequency, tuning sequences may occur repeatedly. For example, a new tuning sequence may start periodically, for example every 10 milliseconds.

Outside the control sequences, the signal transmission and processing unit uses the one or more detection unit output signals to estimate one or more quantities each dependent on the power provided by the output port. For example, such quantities each dependent on the power provided by the output port may be used to regulate the power provided by the output port, by varying the power supplied to the input port.

Twentieth embodiment.

In the context of a twentieth embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, we consider a method for automatically adjusting one or more tunable passive antennas and a single access access and access tuner unit. single output port, the single entry access tuning unit and the single output port having an input port and an output port, the one or more tunable passive antennas and the dc tuner unit. single input and single output port being parts of a radio communication apparatus, the apparatus for radio communication which, at a given frequency, transfers power from the input port to a radiated electromagnetic field by the one or more tunable passive antennas, the method comprising the steps of: delivering one or more "antenna control signals", based on a "selected frequency", each of one or more tunable passive antennas comprising at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of said one of the one or more tunable passive antennas said at least one parameter being electrically adjustable, said at least one parameter being primarily determined by at least one of one or more antenna control signals; applying an excitation to the input port, the excitation having a carrier frequency called "the carrier frequency of the excitation", the carrier frequency of the excitation being equal to the selected frequency; sensing one or more electrical variables at the output port while the excitation is applied to obtain one or more "sensing unit output signals", each of the one or more sensing unit output signals being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more electrical variables sensed at the output port; measuring, at one or more locations in the single input access tuning unit and single output access, a temperature, to obtain one or more "temperature signals", each of said one or more temperature signals being mainly determined by one or more of the temperatures at said one or more locations; estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals; outputting one or more "tuning control signals", the single input access tuning unit and the single output access having adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to one, the p adjustable impedance devices being referred to as "one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuner unit" and being such that, at the given frequency, each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit being electrically adjustable, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the unit according to being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more tuning control signals, said step of providing one or more "tuning control signals" comprising the following steps: Enable, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an initial value of said each of one or more tuning control signals, based on one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and according to said one or more temperature signals; generating, for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, an extremum seeking control algorithm being used to generate said at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of one or more tuning control signals, the extremum search control algorithm seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable by controlling the said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, the performance variable being judged based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals.

The specialist understands that for each of the one or more tuning control signals, an open loop control is used to generate the initial value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals. The specialist understands that, for this reason, it is advantageous to take into account said one or more temperature signals to generate the initial value of each of the one or more tuning control signals. The skilled artisan understands how to generate an initial value of each of the one or more tuning control signals, based on one or more of the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, and based on said one or more temperature signals. The specialist also knows that the characteristics of the components of the single input access and single output access tuning unit depend on the frequency and the temperature. Therefore, it is also advantageous to take into account the carrier frequency of the excitation to generate the initial value of each of the one or more tuning control signals. The skilled artisan understands how to generate an initial value of each of the one or more tuning control signals, based on one or more of the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, as a function of one or more quantities depending on the carrier frequency of the excitation, and as a function of said one or more temperature signals.

FIG. 25 shows the block diagram of a first apparatus for radio communication implementing the method of this twentieth embodiment of the invention, the apparatus for radio communication comprising: a tunable passive antenna (1) having at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of the tunable passive antenna, said at least one parameter being adjustable by means electric; an antenna link (2); a single input access and a single output access tuning unit (4) having an input port and an output port, the single input access agreement unit and the single output port comprising p adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the adjustable impedance devices being referred to as the "one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit" and being such that, at a given frequency each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit being electrically adjustable, single input access tuning unit and single output port having a temperature measuring device which measures, at one or more locations in the single input access tuning unit and the single output access, a temperature, to obtain one or more "temperature signals", each of said one or more temperature signals being primarily determined by one or more of the temperatures at said one or more locations; a detection unit (3) delivering one or more "detection unit output signals", each of the one or more detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more electrical variables sensed at the access of the sensor unit; output while excitation is applied to the input port; a signal transmission and processing unit (8), the signal transmission and processing unit delivering one or more "antenna setting instructions", the transmitting and signal processing unit applying the excitation at the input port, the excitation having a carrier frequency called "the carrier frequency of the excitation", the unit of emission and processing of the signal delivering "control unit setting instructions "tuning" means that at least one tuning unit tuning instruction is an "initial tuning unit tuning instruction", each of the one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions being determined by according to said one or more temperature signals and according to one or more of said actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being a "Unit setting instruction after tuning ", the signal transmitting and processing unit executing an extremum search control algorithm to generate each of the one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, the control algorithm an extremum search for maximizing or minimizing a performance variable, the performance variable being estimated based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals; and a control unit (6) similar to that used in the first embodiment.

For the reasons explained above, it is possible for each of the initial one or more tuning unit tuning instructions to be determined based on one or more of the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the access. output, depending on one or more amounts dependent on the carrier frequency of the excitation, and as a function of said one or more temperature signals.

FIG. 26 shows the block diagram of a second apparatus for radio communication implementing the method of this twentieth embodiment of the invention, the apparatus for radio communication comprising: a tunable passive antenna (1) having at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of the tunable passive antenna, said at least one parameter being adjustable by means electric; an antenna link (2); a single input access and a single output access tuning unit (4) having an input port and an output port, the single input access agreement unit and the single output port comprising p adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the adjustable impedance devices being referred to as the "one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit" and being such that, at a given frequency each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit being electrically adjustable, single input access tuning unit and single output port having a temperature measuring device which measures, at one or more locations in the single input access tuning unit and the single output access, a temperature, to obtain one or more "temperature signals", each of said one or more temperature signals being primarily determined by one or more of the temperatures at said one or more locations; a detection unit (3) delivering one or more "detection unit output signals", each of the one or more detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more electrical variables sensed at the access of the sensor unit; output while excitation is applied to the input port; a signal transmission and processing unit (8) similar to that used in the first embodiment, delivering one or more "antenna tuning instructions" and "tuning unit tuning instructions", at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being an "initial tuning unit tuning instruction", at least one tuning unit tuning instruction being a "tuning unit instruction subsequent agreement "; and a control unit (6), the control unit receiving the one or more antenna setting instructions, the control unit outputting one or more "antenna control signals" to the tunable passive antenna, each of one or more antenna control signals being determined according to at least one of one or more antenna setting instructions, each of said parameters being primarily determined by at least one of one or more control signals of antenna, the control unit receiving tuning unit tuning instructions, the control unit delivering one or more tuning control signals to the single input tuner unit and a single output port, the control unit generating, for each of the one or more tuning control signals, one or more values of each of the one or more tuning control signals, each of said one or more values each of said one or more tuning control signals being determined according to said one or more temperature signals and according to at least one of tuning unit tuning instructions, the reactance of each of said or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit being primarily determined by at least one of one or more tuning control signals.

The specialist understands that, in this twentieth embodiment, the step of delivering one or more tuning control signals may be faster, for a given accuracy, than the corresponding step of the first embodiment, because the The extremum search control algorithm is started closer to the optimum values of the tuning control signals by using the temperature signals.

Twenty-first embodiment.

The twenty-first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 25 or to the apparatus for radio communication shown. in Fig. 26, and all the corresponding explanations provided in the twentieth embodiment are applicable to this twenty-first embodiment.

We have shown in Fig. 27 the unique input access and single output access agreement unit (4) used in this twenty-first embodiment. This single-input and single-output access tuning unit comprises: an output port (401) having two terminals (4011) (4012), the output port being asymmetrical; an input port (402) having two terminals (4021) (4022), the input port being asymmetrical; one of one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (403), having a negative reactance and connected in series with a terminal of the output port; one of one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (404), having a negative reactance and connected in series with a terminal of the input port; a winding (405) having a grounded terminal and a terminal coupled to a terminal of each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (403) (404); a temperature measuring device (45) having two temperature sensors (451) (452), the temperature measuring device measuring, at the location of each of the temperature sensors, a temperature, to obtain one or more signals of temperature, each of said one or more temperature signals being primarily determined by the temperature at the location of one of the temperature sensors; and an electromagnetic screen (48), which is grounded.

All one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (403) (404) are electrically adjustable, but the circuits and control links necessary to adjust the reactance of each of the one or more impedance devices Adjustable tuning unit is not shown in Fig. 27. The links necessary to supply the temperature sensors (451) (452) and to carry said ones one or more temperature signals are not shown in the figure. 27.

Experimental results have shown that the electromagnetic characteristics of the volume surrounding the single input access tuning unit and single output access often influence Ζυ. The specialist understands that this phenomenon can be detrimental, because an open-loop control is used to generate the so-called one or more initial values. Experimental results have shown that this phenomenon can be mitigated by reducing the variable electromagnetic field produced by the single input access chord unit and the single output access outside the chord access tuner unit. single entry and single exit access. In Fig. 27, a suitable reduction of this electromagnetic field is provided by the electromagnetic screen (48), which may also be referred to as an electromagnetic shield, and which is connected to a ground plane of the printed circuit board on which the unit of Single entry access agreement and single exit access is achieved.

A first one of the temperature sensors (451) is located near a first one of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (403), such that it measures a temperature that is close to the temperature said first one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit. A second one of the temperature sensors (452) is located near a second one of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (404), so that it measures a temperature which is close to the temperature said second one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit. In this manner, the one or more temperature signals provide information on the temperatures of each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit, which may be different from each other. The specialist understands that these temperatures may in particular be different if a significant high-frequency power is applied to the input port, because the powers dissipated in the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit are typically different from each other.

In this twenty-first embodiment, two temperature sensors are used, for measuring, at two locations in the single input port tuning unit and single output port, a temperature. Thus, it is possible that the number of locations in the single-input and single-output tuning unit at which a temperature is measured is greater than or equal to 2.

Twenty-second embodiment.

The twenty-second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the radio communication apparatus shown in FIG. 25 or to the radio communication apparatus shown in FIG. Fig. 26, and all the corresponding explanations provided in the twentieth embodiment are applicable to this twenty-second embodiment.

We have shown in Fig. 28 the unique input access and single output access agreement unit (4) used in this twenty-second embodiment. This single-input and single-output access tuning unit comprises: an output port (401) having two terminals (4011) (4012), the output port being asymmetrical; an input port (402) having two terminals (4021) (4022), the input port being asymmetrical; one of one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit (406), having a positive reactance, having a first terminal connected to a terminal of the input port, and having a second terminal connected to a terminal exit access; one of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (407), having a negative reactance and connected in parallel with the output port; one of one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (408), having a negative reactance and connected in parallel with the input port; a temperature measuring device (45) having a single temperature sensor (453), the temperature measuring device measuring at the location of the temperature sensor a temperature, to obtain one or more temperature signals, each of said one or more temperature signals being primarily determined by the temperature at the location of the temperature sensor; and an electromagnetic screen (48), which is grounded.

All one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (406) (407) (408) are electrically adjustable, but the circuits and control links necessary to adjust the reactance of each of the one or more Adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit are not shown in Fig. 28. The links necessary for supplying the temperature sensor (453) and for conveying said one or more temperature signals are not shown in the figure. 28.

In this twenty-second embodiment, the electromagnetic screen (48) forms an enclosure containing all one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (406) (407) (408), wherein the temperature is almost uniform. That's why only one temperature sensor is used.

In this twenty-second embodiment, three adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit are used. Thus, it is possible that the number of devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit is greater than or equal to 3.

Twenty-third embodiment.

The twenty-third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, also corresponds to the apparatus for radio communication shown in FIG. 25 or to the apparatus for radio communication represented on FIG. Fig. 26, and all corresponding explanations provided in the twentieth embodiment are applicable to this twenty-third embodiment.

We have shown in Fig. 29 the unique input access and single output access agreement unit (4) used in this twenty-third embodiment. This single-input and single-output access tuning unit comprises: an output port (401) having two terminals (4011) (4012), the output port being symmetrical; an input port (402) having two terminals (4021) (4022), the input port being asymmetrical; a transformer (409); two adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (403) (404), each having a negative reactance; a coil (405); and a temperature measuring device having three temperature sensors (451) (452) (454), the temperature measuring device measuring, at the location of each of the temperature sensors, a temperature, to obtain one or more signals. of temperature, each of said one or more temperature signals being primarily determined by the temperature at the location of one of the temperature sensors.

All one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (403) (404) are electrically adjustable, but the circuits and control links necessary to adjust the reactance of each of the one or more impedance devices Adjustable tuning unit is not shown in Fig. 29. The links necessary to transport said one or more temperature signals are not shown in Fig. 29.

A first one of the temperature sensors (451) is located near a first one of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit (403), such that it measures a temperature that is close to the temperature said first one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit. A second one of the temperature sensors (452) is located near a second of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit (404), so that it measures a temperature that is close to the temperature said second one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuning unit. A third of the temperature sensors (454) is near the coil (405) so that it measures a temperature that is close to the temperature of the coil. In this manner, the one or more temperature signals provide information on the temperatures of the coil and each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit, which may be different from each other. The specialist understands that these temperatures may in particular be different if significant high frequency power is applied to the input port. The coil used in this twenty-third embodiment has a ferrite core, so that its inductance and losses depend on the temperature of the coil. This is why the third of the temperature sensors (454) is present.

In this twenty-third embodiment, the transformer (409) is used to obtain a symmetrical output port. Such a transformer is often called a balun.

More generally, according to the invention, it is possible for the input access and / or the output access of the single input access and single output access tuner unit to be asymmetrical, and it is possible that It is possible that the input access and / or the output access of the single input access and single output access chord unit are symmetrical.

In this twenty-third embodiment, three temperature sensors are used to measure, at three locations in the single input access tuning unit and single output port, a temperature. Thus, it is possible that the number of locations in the single input access and single output access tuning unit, at which a temperature is measured, is greater than or equal to 3.

Twenty-fourth embodiment.

In the context of a twenty-fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example, we have shown in FIG. 30 the block diagram of an apparatus for radio communication comprising: a tuneable passive antenna (1), the tunable passive antenna comprising at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an effect on one or more characteristics of the antenna passive tunable, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means; an antenna link (2); a single input access tuning unit and single output port (4) similar to that used in the first embodiment, having an input port and an output port; a detection unit (3), the detection unit delivering one or more "detection unit output signals", each of the one or more detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more electrical variables captured at the output port while excitation is applied to the input port; an additional detection unit (35), the additional detection unit delivering one or more "additional detection unit output signals", each of the additional detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more variables electrically sensed at the input port while said excitation is applied to the input port; a signal transmission and processing unit (8), the signal transmission and processing unit delivering one or more "antenna setting instructions", the transmitting and signal processing unit applying the excitation at the input port through the additional detection unit, the excitation having a carrier frequency called "the carrier frequency of the excitation", the signal transmission and processing unit estimating that actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals, the transmission unit and signal processing outputting "tuning unit tuning instructions", at least one tuning unit tuning instruction being an "initial tuning unit tuning instruction", each of which or more acco unit setting instructions wherein the initial values are determined according to one or more of the actual q quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions being a "tuning instruction". subsequent tuning unit ", the signal transmitting and processing unit executing an extremum seeking control algorithm to generate each of the one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, the extremum search control seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable, the performance variable being estimated based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals and as a function of one or more one or more additional detection unit output signals; and a control unit (6) similar to that used in the first embodiment. The detection unit (3) may for example be such that the one or more detection unit output signals comprise: a first detection unit output signal proportional to a first electrical variable, the first electrical variable being a voltage across the output port; and a second detection unit output signal proportional to a second electrical variable, the second electrical variable being a current output from the output port. Alternatively, the detection unit (3) may for example be such that the one or more detection unit output signals comprise: a first detection unit output signal proportional to a first electrical variable, the first variable electrical being an incident voltage at the output port; and a second detection unit output signal proportional to a second electrical variable, the second electrical variable being a voltage reflected at the output port. The additional detection unit (35) may for example be such that the one or more additional detection unit output signals comprise: a first additional detection unit output signal proportional to a first electrical variable, the first an electric variable being a voltage across the input port; and a second additional detection unit output signal proportional to a second electrical variable, the second electrical variable being a current entering the input port. Alternatively, the additional detection unit (35) may for example be such that the one or more additional detection unit output signals comprise: a first additional detection unit output signal proportional to a first electrical variable, the first electrical variable being an incident voltage at the input port; and a second additional detection unit output signal proportional to a second electrical variable, the second electrical variable being a reflected voltage at the input port.

The specialist understands that said incident voltage at the input port is defined by

(6) where uF is said incident voltage at the input port, νυ is a complex voltage across the input port, iv is a complex current entering the input port, and ZRU is a reference impedance used to define the incident voltage at the input port.

For example, the performance variable may be substantially equal to the product of a negative constant, an average of the square of an instantaneous voltage at the exit port, and the inverse of an average of the square of instantaneous incident voltage at the input port. It can be shown that, if the reference impedance used to define the incident voltage at the input port is equal to the internal impedance of an access of the transmission and signal processing unit, this access delivering the excitation to the input port, then minimizing this performance variable maximizes a composite power gain of the single input access and single output access tuner unit. This performance variable is such that variations of the modulus of the complex envelope of the excitation have no effect on the performance variable. This performance variable can therefore be used when the excitation is modulated in amplitude.

INDICATIONS ON INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The method according to the invention is adapted to automatically and optimally adjust one or more tunable passive antennas and a single input access tuning unit and single output access. The radio communication apparatus according to the invention can automatically and optimally adjust its one or more tunable passive antennas and its unique input access and single output access tuner unit. The device for radio communication according to the invention can for example be a radio receiver, a radio transmitter or a radio transceiver. The invention is particularly adapted to mobile radio transceivers, for example those used in portable radiotelephones or laptops, which may be subject to rapid variations in the electromagnetic characteristics of the medium surrounding the one or more tunable passive antennas used for the mobile radio transceivers. radio communications.

Claims (10)

A method for automatically adjusting one or more tunable passive antennas (1) and a single input access tuning unit and single output access (4), the single input access and access tuner unit single output device having an input port and an output port, the one or more tunable passive antennas and the single port access tuning unit and the single output port being parts of a radio communication apparatus , the apparatus for radio communication allowing, at a given frequency, a transfer of power from the input port to an electromagnetic field radiated by the one or more tunable passive antennas, the method comprising the following steps: delivering a or more "antenna control signals", each of one or more tunable passive antennas including at least one antenna control device, one or more characteristics each of the one or more tunable passive antennas being controlled using said at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an influence on said one or more characteristics, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electrical means, said at least one parameter being mainly determined by at least one of one or more antenna control signals; apply an excitation to the input access; sensing one or more electrical variables at the output port while the excitation is applied to obtain one or more "sensing unit output signals", each of the one or more sensing unit output signals being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more electrical variables sensed at the output port; estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals; outputting one or more "tuning control signals", the single input access tuning unit and the single output access having adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to one, the p adjustable impedance devices being referred to as "one or more devices with adjustable impedance of the tuner unit" and being such that, at the given frequency, each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuner unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit being electrically adjustable, the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the unit according to being mainly determined by at least one of the one or more tuning control signals, said step of outputting one or more "tuning control signals" comp performing the following steps: generating, for each of the one or more chord control signals, an initial value of said each of the one or more chord control signals, based on one or more of said q actual dependent quantities. an impedance seen by the output port; generating, for one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, an extremum seeking control algorithm being used to generate said at least one subsequent value of each of said one or more of one or more tuning control signals, the extremum search control algorithm seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable by controlling the said one or more of the one or more tuning control signals, the performance variable being judged based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals. The method of claim 1, wherein the single input access and single output access tuning unit is such that, if an impedance seen by the output port equals a given impedance, then the The reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit influences an impedance presented by the input port. 3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein p is greater than or equal to 2. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the extremum search control algorithm includes a step in which one or more disturbances are each applied to one of the tuning control signals. 5. Apparatus for radio communication comprising: one or more tunable passive antennas (1), each of one or more tunable passive antennas having at least one antenna control device, one or more characteristics of said each of the one or more passive antennas; tunable being controlled using said at least one antenna control device, said at least one antenna control device having at least one parameter having an influence on said one or more characteristics, said at least one parameter being adjustable by electric way; a single input access tuning unit and single output access (4) having an input port and an output port, the radio communication apparatus allowing, at a given frequency, a power transfer from the an input access to an electromagnetic field radiated by one or more tunable passive antennas, the single input access tuning unit and single output access having adjustable impedance devices, where p is an integer greater than or equal to one, the adjustable impedance devices being referred to as the "one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit" and being such that, at the given frequency, each of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuning unit has a reactance, the reactance of any of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the tuning unit being adjustable by electrical means ; a detection unit (3), the detection unit delivering one or more "detection unit output signals", each of the one or more detection unit output signals being mainly determined by one or more electrical variables captured at the output port while excitation is applied to the input port; a signal transmission and processing unit (8), the signal transmission and processing unit delivering one or more "antenna setting instructions", the transmitting and signal processing unit applying the excitation at the input port, the transmission and signal processing unit estimating q actual quantities dependent on an impedance seen by the output port, where q is an integer greater than or equal to one, by using one or more of the one or more detection unit output signals, the signal transmission and processing unit outputting "tuning unit setting instructions", at least one of the setting instructions tuning unit being an "initial tuning unit tuning instruction", each of the one or more initial tuning unit tuning instructions being determined according to one or more of said q real quantitiesdependent on an impedance seen by the output port, at least one of the tuning unit setting instructions being a "subsequent tuning unit tuning instruction", the transmitting and processing unit the signal executing an extremum search control algorithm to generate each of the one or more subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, the extremum search tuning algorithm seeking to maximize or minimize a performance variable the performance variable being estimated based on one or more of the one or more sensor unit output signals; and a control unit (6), the control unit delivering one or more "antenna control signals" to one or more tunable passive antennas, each of the one or more antenna control signals being determined according to the at least one of the one or more antenna setting instructions, each said at least one parameter of each said at least one antenna control device of each of the one or more tunable passive antennas being primarily determined by at least one of one or more antenna control signals, the control unit providing one or more "tuning control signals" to the single input access tuning unit and the single output port, the control generating, for each of the one or more chord control signals, one or more values of said each of the one or more chord control signals, said one or more values each of the one or more tuning control signals being determined according to at least one of the tuning unit tuning instructions, the reactance of each of the one or more tunable impedance devices of the unit agreeing being primarily determined by at least one of one or more tuning control signals. An apparatus for radio communication according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more detection unit output signals is: a detection unit output signal proportional to an electric variable, the electric variable being a voltage across the output port; or a detection unit output signal proportional to an electrical variable, the electrical variable being a current output from the output port; or a detection unit output signal proportional to an electrical variable, the electrical variable being an incident voltage at the output port; or a detection unit output signal proportional to an electrical variable, the electrical variable being a voltage reflected at the output port. An apparatus for radio communication according to claim 5, wherein the one or more antenna setting instructions and tuning unit setting instructions are output during one or more tuning sequences, one of one or more sequences. control unit comprising: a processing (842), wherein the transmission and signal processing unit outputs an initial tuning unit setting instruction, and wherein for each of the one or more control signals of In agreement, the control unit generates a value of said each of the one or more tuning control signals, said value being called the initial value, said initial value being determined according to the unit setting instruction. initial agreement; a processing (843), wherein the transmission and signal processing unit outputs subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, and wherein for each of the one or more tuning control signals and for each each of the subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions, the control unit generates a value of said each of the one or more chord control signals, said value being referred to as a subsequent value, said subsequent value being determined as a function of said each of the subsequent tuning unit tuning instructions. An apparatus for radio communication according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the single input access and single output access tuning unit is such that, if an impedance viewed by the output port is equal to a given impedance, then the reactance of any of the one or more adjustable impedance devices of the tuner unit influences an impedance presented by the input port. An apparatus for radio communication according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein p is greater than or equal to 2. An apparatus for radio communication according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the extremum search control algorithm comprises a step in which one or more disturbances are each applied to one of the chord control signals. .