Passive reflectors for reflecting radio signals

Abstract

To provide a device for reflecting radio signals that functions without an additional power source and can be integrated into a streetscape. [Solution] The passive reflector of the present invention is a passive reflector for reflecting radio signals, the passive reflector being configured as a flat element having a structured surface, the surface comprising a conductive material, the surface having a plurality of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface being configured to reflect a radio signal incident from a first direction in a second direction different from the first direction, and each of the second directions in which the radio signal is reflected being different for at least two of the reflective surfaces.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a passive reflector for reflecting radio signals in a wireless network. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional wireless networks, such as cellular networks, in particular use electronically trackable antennas, which with the help of beamforming techniques, based on so-called phased arrays, can dynamically align their main beam direction in order to provide need-based wireless coverage at the location of a mobile end device. Within the areas served by wireless signals, there are often areas where wireless signals cannot reach or have a low reception rate due to various interference factors such as tall buildings or trees. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] To ensure coverage of such hard-to-reach areas, antennas and repeaters are usually added to receive, amplify, and retransmit radio signals. However, this method has the disadvantage that the additional components, such as antennas and repeaters, require their own power sources, so care must be taken to ensure sufficient power when placing the antennas and repeaters, complicating network planning. In addition, antennas and repeaters do not blend well into the urban landscape due to their size and appearance. In other words, the addition of antennas and repeaters not only complicates network planning, but is also perceived as a nuisance. It is not uncommon for residents living in the immediate vicinity of proposed or existing antenna systems to complain, fearing health hazards from radiation or to avoid spoiling the attractive urban landscape.

[0004] With the devices known in the current state, it is not yet possible to provide a device for extending a wireless network which can be integrated into a wireless network in a particularly simple manner.

[0005] In view of the above, the objective technical problem of the present invention is to provide a device for extending the range of a radio signal, in particular for transferring a radio signal via a non-direct line-of-sight connection, which functions without an additional power source and can be integrated into the streetscape in an acceptable manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by the object of claim 1. Preferred further embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0007] A passive reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: 1. A passive reflector for reflecting a radio signal, comprising: the passive reflector is configured as a planar element having a structured surface, the surface comprises a conductive material; The surface has a plurality of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface being configured to reflect a radio signal incident from a first direction in a second direction different from the first direction, and each of the second directions in which the radio signal is reflected being different for at least two of the reflective surfaces.

[0008] "Passive" in this case means that the radio signal is not actively manipulated. Thus, the reflector functions without actively transmitting a radio signal. Thus, a passive reflector does not contain any components that require a power source. A passive reflector functions without being connected to a wired communication or power network.

[0009] In this case, "flat" means that the reflector is plate-like and consists of at least approximately flat or only slightly curved surfaces that are large relative to the overall shape of the reflector, as opposed to cylindrical rod antennas. This results in a very low installation depth during installation. According to the laws of reflection, passive reflectors must be customized based on the network plan with respect to the expected angles of incidence and the desired angles of reflection. Preferably, the normal vector of the flat reflector surface is exactly halfway between the angle of the incident radio signal and the angle of the reflected radio signal.

[0010] As used herein, the term "conductive material" refers to a material that has sufficient electrical conductivity for the application in question.

[0011] The term "reflective surface" refers to the individual modules that are arranged or combined independently to form a passive reflector. In particular, the more modules N used, the smaller the total volume of the reflector becomes by 1 / N 2 , which results in less material consumption. The reflection angle can be adjusted in particular via the inclination and / or elevation of the reflecting surface. Preferably, the azimuth and / or elevation reflection properties are adjusted via the inclination of the reflecting surface in the horizontal and / or vertical directions.

[0012] It is therefore essential to the invention that the reflector is able to reflect radio signals without the radio signals being actively manipulated due to the flat conductive surface and without the need for components that require a power source. This means that possible installation positions of the passive reflector can be selected independent of the power source. The passive reflector can therefore be particularly easily installed and integrated into the radio network without modifying the operation of the network and can be manufactured in a material and cost-efficient manner.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the conductive material comprises a conductive coating. The conductive coating allows the production of a material suitable for a passive reflector from any non-conductive material by applying the conductive coating to the non-conductive material to obtain metal-like reflective properties. In this way, the reflector can be produced, for example, from inexpensive plastic and then coated with a conductive coating. Preferably, the reflector is made of a 3D print made of a non-conductive material that is individually manufactured using a 3D printer. Preferably, the non-conductive material is made of a material with a low packing density so that material costs can be minimized. Preferably, the conductive coating is made by spraying, electroplating or painting with a conductive material. Particularly suitable conductive coatings are those that are also used to improve the shielding properties of the housing, such as MG Chemicals 841 Super Shield Nickel and 843AR Super Shield Silver Coated Copper.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the passive reflector is constructed in a single piece. In this embodiment, "single piece" means that the passive reflector is manufactured in one piece. Preferably, the manufacturing of the single piece is performed by a 3D printing process or as part of a 3D building printing process, and the facade shape used as the passive reflector is directly integrated into the building facade print. Multiple passive reflectors can also be combined to increase the surface area.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the structured surface comprises a honeycomb-like arrangement of a plurality of semi-cavity molds. "Honeycomb-like" in this embodiment means that the individual semi-cavity molds are arranged in several rows next to each other in the manner of a honeycomb, preferably directly next to each other, and the rows are preferably arranged offset from each other. "Semi-cavity mold" refers in particular to flexible surface shapes with different base areas, symmetrical or asymmetrical. Depending on the application area and the desired reflection properties, the semi-cavity molds can be semi-cavity spheres, semi-cavity pyramids, semi-cavity cubes or other semi-cavity bodies with different bases. The base surfaces can differ in length, width and / or radius, so that various different design options for the semi-cavity molds can be combined. The different semi-cavity shapes can be arranged non-uniformly or distributed homogeneously. Considering a plane electromagnetic wave incident on any reflecting surface, if the surface is not flat, diffuse reflection is obtained. In particular, a circular cross section embedded in the reflector produces a uniformly distributed reflected beam.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the reflective surface has a reflective side facing the ground in use and a non-reflective side facing away from the ground in use. The surface is then composed of a plurality of reflective surfaces at least partially protruding from the surface, each of which is composed of a side facing upwards (i.e. away from the ground) and each of which is composed of a side facing downwards (i.e. towards the ground) when the passive reflector is arranged vertically. The sides facing the ground are then specifically controlled to reflect radio signals by electrically trackable antennas, while the sides facing away from the ground can be configured for other purposes. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the non-reflective sides facing away from the ground in use are composed of photovoltaic elements and / or planting elements. In this way, the surfaces not used for reflection can be used for additional functions. Particularly in dense urban areas where there are many areas where radio signals are not well received, the non-reflective sides of the passive reflectors can be used for urban vertical gardens or for generating renewable energy.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the flat plate element comprises a thermal insulation material, which allows the passive reflector to assume a further additional function, i.e., to act as a protection against heat loss for the surface on which it is arranged.

[0018] According to the invention there is provided the use of a passive reflector as described above for extending the coverage of a wireless network, the passive reflector being integrated into the wireless network and being specifically controlled by a base antenna or base station, the wireless signal being reflected to an area not well covered by wireless technology and the wireless network being extended to this area.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention envisages the use of said passive reflectors for extending the coverage of a wireless network. The passive reflectors can be configured as facade elements so as to be immersed in the surroundings. If a building is covered with passive reflectors, it is possible to extend the wireless network and still use discreet components that are not perceived as intrusive. The passive reflectors can be integrated unobtrusively into the streetscape.

[0020] According to a manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, A method for manufacturing the passive reflector for a wireless network, comprising the steps of: determining a wireless network coverage of the wireless signals transmitted by the trackable antenna based on a model of an area served by the wireless signals; determining at least one sub-area within the model of the served area that is unable to receive the transmitted wireless signal; determining a position of a passive reflector in the model of the target area, said position being selected such that said trackable antenna can specifically control said passive reflector and said passive reflector can reflect said radio signal transmitted by said trackable antenna; determining a surface structure of the passive reflector, the surface structure being selected such that the radio signal transmitted by the trackable antenna is reflected to the determined sub-area; fabricating the passive reflector based on the determined surface structure; The passive reflector is installed in the area to be served based on the determined location.

[0021] In conventional network planning, a three-dimensional model of the area to be supplied with wireless signals is created. This three-dimensional model mainly includes surrounding buildings and their external structures, trees, etc. Taking into account the specified coverage targets, the potential locations of the base antennas, and the antenna characteristics, the propagation of the wireless network in the area to be covered is modeled using network planning algorithms. As a result, a digital model of the wireless network coverage without passive reflectors is obtained. Based on this digital model, the potential locations and optimal surface structures of the passive reflectors are determined, which allow to reflect the wireless signal to sub-areas where the wireless signal does not reach sufficiently. The effect of the passive reflectors on the wireless network can be modeled in the three-dimensional digital model. If the result is satisfactory, the passive reflectors are manufactured according to the determined characteristics and installed in the corresponding positions. When manufacturing the passive reflectors, first the individual modules or reflective surfaces are manufactured and individually installed in the corresponding positions in the form of tiles. Preferably, the conductive coating is applied after the passive reflectors are installed.

[0022] The production of a passive reflector involves, in particular, the production of a flat base element with a structured surface, for example by means of 3D printing, and then coating, painting or spraying the surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 2 illustrates diagrammatically the area served by a passive reflector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2A] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a passive reflector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2B] 1A and 1B show schematic perspective views of a passive reflector according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B show schematic cross-sectional views of a passive reflector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a passive reflector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically an area 8 to be served by a passive reflector 1. The covered area 8 consists of a trackable antenna 7 transmitting a radio signal 2. In the shadow of the building 6B a sub-area 9 is formed in which the radio signal 2 is only weakly or not at all received by the mobile receiver 10. To ensure that the radio signal 2 is received, two passive reflectors 1 are placed on the facade 11 of the neighboring building 6A. The radio signal 2 is specifically transmitted to the passive reflectors 1 and is reflected to the sub-area 9 without being actively manipulated. Outside the sub-area 9, the radio signal 2 is received via a direct connection 12 between the antenna 7 and the mobile receiver 10. Inside the sub-area 9, the radio signal 2 is received by the mobile terminal 10 via a connection between the antenna 7 and the mobile terminal 10 and via reflection on the passive reflector 13. The position of the passive reflector 1 and the surface 3 of the passive reflector 1 are selected such that the radio signal 2 is reflected to the sub-area 9. The passive reflector 1 is used as a facade element for covering the facade 11 of the building 6A. It is constructed to blend in with the streetscape, so that it can be immersed and integrated into the streetscape.

[0025] 2A and 2B each show a perspective view of a passive reflector 1. The passive reflector 1 in FIG. 2A is composed of a series of individual modules, so-called reflective surfaces 4. The reflective surfaces can be flat, as in FIG. 2A, or curved. An incident radio signal 2 is reflected by the reflective surface 4. The normal vector of the reflective surface 4 is exactly halfway between the angle of the incident radio signal and the angle of the reflected radio signal. The reflection characteristics in both azimuth and elevation are adjusted by the tilt of the reflective surface 4 in both the vertical and horizontal directions. This modular approach allows the depth d of the passive reflector 1 to be small depending on the number of modules N, thus enabling an unobtrusive installation.

[0026] The passive reflector 1 of FIG. 2B has a structured surface 3'. This structure is produced by arranging several semi-cavity molds 5 side by side. In this embodiment, the semi-cavity molds 5 are arranged non-uniformly, i.e., they have different base surfaces. The semi-cavity molds 5 can be square or round and are not arranged in a regular pattern. The structured surface 3' has a number of reflective surfaces 4 on which the radio signal 2 is reflected. The radio signal 2 is reflected in a direction different from the direction of incidence. The structured surface 3' is conductive. This conductivity is achieved by selecting a conductive material for the passive reflector 1 or by applying a conductive coating to a non-conductive material.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a passive reflector 1 similar to FIG. 2, taken along the line AA. A reflective surface 4 is shown in the cross-sectional view. The reflective surface 4 has two sides. One side 4A is reflective and faces towards the ground in the vertical arrangement of the reflector 1. The other side 4B is non-reflective and faces away from the ground in the vertical arrangement of the reflector 1. The passive reflector 1 is placed in the area to be covered 8 such that the radio signal 2 strikes the reflective side 4A and is reflected. The non-reflective side 4B, which is not used for reflection, is used for other purposes. The area not used for reflection can be used for energy generation or to provide an urban garden by placing photovoltaic or planting elements 14.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a method for manufacturing a passive reflector 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In a first step S1 the wireless network coverage of a wireless signal 2 transmitted by a trackable antenna 7 is determined. The determination of the wireless network coverage is made on the basis of a model of the covered area 8. In a next step S2 the wireless propagation is modelled so that it is possible to determine subareas 9 where the wireless signal 2 is poorly or not received at all.

[0029] In steps S3, S4, based on the model and the determined sub-areas 9, possible positions of the passive reflectors 1 in the model and, depending thereon, the surface structure 3' are determined.

[0030] In step S5, the passive reflector 1 is manufactured based on the determined position and surface structure 3', and in step S6, it is installed in a real environment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 Passive Reflector 2. Radio Signal 3 surface 3' surface structure 4 reflective surface 4A Reflective side facing the ground 4B Non-reflective side facing away from the ground 5 Semi-cavity mold 6A Building 6B Building 7. Trackable Antennas 8. Supply area 9. Subareas with insufficient coverage 10 Mobile receiver 11 Building Facade 12 Direct wireless signal connection 13 Connection of radio signals via passive reflectors 14 Planting Elements AA section line d Depth S1 Determine wireless network coverage S2 Determine at least some area where the transmitted radio signal cannot be received S3 Determine the position of the passive reflector S4 Determination of surface structure of passive reflector S5 Passive reflector construction S6 Passive Reflector Installation

Claims

1. 1. A passive reflector for reflecting a radio signal, comprising: the passive reflector is configured as a planar element having a structured surface, the surface comprises a conductive material; The surface has a plurality of reflective surfaces, each of which is configured to reflect a radio signal incident from a first direction in a second direction different from the first direction, and each of the second directions in which the radio signal is reflected is different for at least two of the reflective surfaces. Passive reflector.

2. 2. A passive reflector according to claim 1, The conductive material includes a conductive coating. Passive reflector.

3. 3. A passive reflector according to claim 1 or 2, The passive reflector is constructed in a single piece. Passive reflector.

4. A passive reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The structured surface includes a honeycomb-like arrangement of a plurality of semi-cavity molds. Passive reflector.

5. A passive reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: The reflective surface has a reflective side that faces toward the ground when in use and a non-reflective side that faces away from the ground when in use. Passive reflector.

6. 6. A passive reflector according to claim 5, The non-reflective side, which faces away from the ground in use, comprises photovoltaic elements and / or vegetative elements. Passive reflector.

7. A passive reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: The flat plate element includes a thermal insulating material. Passive reflector.

8. Use of a passive reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for extending the coverage of a wireless network.

9. Use of a passive reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for extending the coverage of a wireless network.

10. A method for manufacturing a passive reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for use in a wireless network, comprising the steps of: determining a wireless network coverage of the wireless signals transmitted by the trackable antenna based on a model of an area to be served by the wireless signals; determining at least one sub-area within the model of the served area that is unable to receive the transmitted wireless signal; determining a position of a passive reflector in the model of the target area, said position being selected such that said trackable antenna can specifically control said passive reflector and said passive reflector can reflect said radio signal transmitted by said trackable antenna; determining a surface structure of the passive reflector, the surface structure being selected such that the radio signal transmitted by the trackable antenna is reflected to the determined sub-area; fabricating the passive reflector based on the determined surface structure; Installing the passive reflector in the target area based on the determined location. Manufacturing method.

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