High SINR synchronous beam mobile network and base station antenna design

Abstract

A multi-beam communication system uses an array of antenna assemblies and RF elements to provide two or more multiple beam sets, each of which can be considered a beam state. The antenna assemblies have a first set of RF elements oriented to generate a first beam state and a second set of RF elements oriented to generate a second beam state. Each set of RF elements is configured with a set of power sectors, and a controller is configured to selectively activate the beam states.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to the following application: U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 397,113, filed August 11, 2022, entitled "High SINR Synchronized-Beams Mobile Network and Base-Station Antenna Design." This application and all other referenced external materials are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In the event that a definition or use of a term in a reference material incorporated by reference contradicts or is contrary to the definition of that term set forth herein, the definition of that term set forth herein shall be deemed controlling. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of the invention relates to RF frequency antennas and lenses. [Background technology]

[0003] The background discussion includes information useful in understanding the present invention, and is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0004] With the introduction of 5G and 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 16, and the upcoming Releases 17 and 18, beam selection, where possible, plays a key role in achieving key network performance targets such as data throughput, quality of service (QoS), and capacity. 3GPP standards include Inter-cell Interference Coordination (ICIC), introduced in Release 8, which mitigates interference by restricting portions of the frequency spectrum for UEs at the cell edge. Release 9 also introduced Enhanced Inter-cell Interference Coordination (eICIC), which introduced the concept of Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) to further mitigate interference. Release 10 further added Enhanced Inter-cell Interference Coordination (FeICIC) with advanced channel state information (CSI) capabilities and CoMP, which further mitigates inter-cell interference by sharing eNBs. Thus, although the 3GPP standard has put considerable effort into inter-cell interference over the past 15 years, there is still merit in beam selection RF lens techniques, and the switching techniques described diagrammatically here, as an example, serve to blank subframes from analog, and can be implemented within the standard.

[0005] User equipment (UE) requires increased signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) to achieve the high performance of 256QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation). However, as the number of UEs increases over time, and the demand for higher throughput and capacity also increases, more beams / sectors / radios are deployed throughout the network to accommodate this increased demand. As more beams / sectors / radios are introduced into the network, the interference between these beams / sectors / radios increases. In other words, as more sectors are introduced to accommodate capacity demands, more beams interfere with each other, essentially creating more SINR. Therefore, the main drawbacks of previous technologies are poor SINR with "always-on" multiple beams, especially in areas where beams intersect, increasing SINR and degrading CQI, and the lack of standardization of beam selection.

[0006] A more recent approach to reducing SINR within a single sector is the introduction of MIMO / beamforming antenna technology. Instead of using the traditional approach of a static beam (or multiple static beams intended to increase capacity), this technology uses a single non-static sector at a time and moves and shapes a single active beam to cover different geographic locations within the sector. Using a single non-static beam reduces SINR because only one sector / beam is operating at a time. However, a solution is still needed to achieve high SINR between two separate sectors due to the potential for significant interference and SINR from adjacent sectors or cell sites. Furthermore, this approach is limited to covering a geographic area with a single radio and does not provide good SINR isolation when multiple beams are required for a single sector.

[0007] Therefore, we propose a new approach to optimize network performance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The following description includes information useful in understanding the present invention, but is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0009] The most commonly implemented solution uses an RF lens antenna with an assembly that provides two or more sets of multiple beams. Each set of beams can be considered a "beam state" for network operation purposes, because a given state describes the set of patterns available to the network at that slice of time. The primary performance advantage of providing more than one beam state is that a given beam state has a very high SINR across all angles within the beam for a referenced power level. As an example, a beam state can be designed to achieve an SINR exceeding 20 dB within a 3 dB or 10 dB pattern level. Such high SINR across a significant portion of the beam is possible because the nearest neighboring beams only produce low-level sidelobes. In 3GPP terminology, a state can be thought of as a radio frame or subframe, and when the term "switching" is used herein, it can be thought of as an ABS, or equivalent, that changes from one wireless channel to another, as defined in the standard.

[0010] As required by the network, two or more sets of output beams can be alternately selected to achieve high SINR coverage across an entire sector. This arrangement allows for the use of up to a single radio per beam set and more than one radio per sector, with the added benefit of increasing capacity without increasing the physical footprint of additional cell sites. The same concept can be extended across the three sectors of a typical cell site, and across clusters of many cell sites, ensuring high SINR across large portions of the network.

[0011] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements.

[0012] The following discussion provides many exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. While each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, it is understood that the inventive subject matter includes all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment consists of elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment consists of elements B and D, it is understood that the inventive subject matter also includes any other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates an exemplary antenna system. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates an exemplary antenna system in a first beam state. [Figure 1C] 1 illustrates an exemplary antenna system in a second beam state. [Figure 1D] 1 shows an exemplary antenna system having two beam states, each with a set of output beams. [Figure 1E] 1 shows an exemplary antenna system having three beam states, each with a set of output beams. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary antenna system having an RF lens and controllers, each controller including two associated RF elements. [Figure 3] 1 shows an alternative antenna system having three controllers, each with multiple RF elements. [Figure 4] 1D shows an antenna system similar to that of FIG. 1D, but for a complete three-sector site. [Figure 5]1 illustrates an alternative antenna system having multiple output sites, each having multiple output beams and configured to correspond to multiple beam states. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] As used throughout this description and the claims that follow, when a system, engine, or module is described as being configured to perform a set of functions, "configured to" or "programmed to" is defined as one or more processors being programmed by a set of software instructions to perform the set of functions.

[0015] The following discussion provides exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, it is contemplated that the inventive subject matter includes all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment consists of elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment consists of elements B and D, it is contemplated that the inventive subject matter also includes any other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0016] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (where the two elements coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (where at least one additional element is disposed between the two elements). Thus, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used interchangeably.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an antenna system 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the present inventive subject matter. In the illustrated embodiment, the antenna system 100 includes a spherical lens 150. A spherical lens is a lens having a surface with a spherical shape (or a substantially spherical shape). As defined herein, a lens having a surface that conforms to a substantially spherical shape means that at least 50% (preferably, at least 80%, and more preferably, at least 90%) of its surface area conforms to the shape of a sphere. Examples of spherical lenses include spherical shell lenses, Luneberg lenses, and the like. Spherical lenses can include only one layer of dielectric material or multiple layers of dielectric material. A conventional Luneberg lens is a spherically symmetric lens with multiple layers of different refractive indexes inside a sphere.

[0018] Antenna system 100 also includes a plurality of RF element assemblies associated with spherical lens 150. The RF element assemblies may include emitters, receivers, or transceivers. As shown, antenna system 100 includes RF element assemblies 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, and 145. In this example, each element assembly includes only one RF element, although it is contemplated that each element assembly may accommodate multiple RF elements.

[0019] 1A , RF element assembly 110 generates output beam 111, RF element assembly 120 generates output beam 121, RF element assembly 130 generates output beam 131, RF element assembly 140 generates output beam 141, RF element assembly 115 generates output beam 116, RF element assembly 125 generates output beam 126, RF element assembly 135 generates output beam 136, and RF element assembly 145 generates output beam 146. Each RF element assembly generates an output beam, which can be adjusted by an associated sub-controller (not shown) to cover an output sector. Antenna system 100 includes output sectors 112, 117, 122, 127, 132, 137, 142, and 147. In a preferred embodiment, output beams 111, 116, 121, 126, 131, 136, 141, and 146 for spherical lens 150 are generated by eight RF elements of antenna system 100 separated by 15 degrees to generate eight sectors, centered at -52.5 degrees, -37.5 degrees, -22.5 degrees, -7.5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 37.5 degrees, and 52.5 degrees. In some embodiments, spherical lens 150 is a 180 cm diameter spherical Lundberg lens.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, each RF element (from RF element assemblies 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, and 145) is configured to transmit an output beam (e.g., a radio frequency signal) in the form of a beam through its corresponding spherical lens into the atmosphere. Spherical lens 150 may narrow the width of the output RF signal, allowing the resulting beam to travel farther. In some embodiments, at least some of the RF elements are configured to receive / detect input signals focused by spherical lens 150.

[0021] In some embodiments, the output beams of a 180 cm diameter spherical Lundberg lens (not shown) with eight RF elements are separated at 15 degree intervals centered at -52.5 degrees, -37.5 degrees, -22.5 degrees, -7.5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 37.5 degrees, and 52.5 degrees. This beam separation pattern can represent a multi-beam system using eight beams simultaneously to cover a traditional 120 degree sector of a cellular network, improving throughput, signal quality (QoS), and capacity.

[0022] Two characteristics of generating all beams at once are 1) high crossover and 2) high sidelobe levels. Traditionally, cellular networks have been based on 120-degree sectors, with the crossover points of the radiation patterns between sectors designed to occur at approximately a 10 dB level. The concepts presented herein are configured to accommodate any beam crossover level. Another impact of traditional antenna structures is high SINR levels in the crossover region. Figure 1A follows the traditional approach with a 10 dB crossover level and the resulting high SINR in the crossover region.

[0023] 1B shows antenna system 100 in a first beam state in which RF element 110 generates output beam 111, RF element 120 generates output beam 121, RF element 130 generates output beam 131, and RF element 140 generates output beam 141. Similarly, FIG. 1C shows antenna system 100 in a second beam state in which RF element 115 generates output beam 116, RF element 125 generates output beam 126, RF element 135 generates output beam 136, and RF element 145 generates output beam 146. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second beam states are configured at different times. In the illustrated example, output beams 111, 116, 121, 126, 136, 141, and 146 are sufficiently separated in azimuth to eliminate significant crossover levels and eliminate single-ended hopping within each beam. A consideration associated with this approach is that the eight beams require two separate time slots. Prior to the implementation of beam selection in the 3GPP standard, this approach required an "ad hoc" mechanism to handle beam selection, but beam selection methods are well established in today's standards, and the method described here is consistent with the inter-cell interference approach presented in the standard.

[0024] FIG. 1D illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 1C, defining two beam states 160 and 170, each including a set of output beams. Beam state 160 is configured to include output beams 111, 121, and 131. Beam state 170 is configured to include output beams 116, 126, and 136. The present subject matter is not limited to two beam states. In fact, more than two beam states are possible in some embodiments. FIG. 1E illustrates a three-beam state case, with beam states 180, 185, and 190. Beam state 180 is configured to include output beams 111 and 126. Beam state 165 is configured to include output beams 116 and 131. Beam state 190 is configured to include output beams 121 and 136.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the inventive concept comprising antenna system 200 having RF lens 201 and controllers 215, 230, 245, and 260. Each controller includes at least two associated RF elements. Controller 215 includes RF elements 205 and 210. Controller 230 includes RF elements 220 and 225. Controller 245 includes RF elements 235 and 240. Controller 260 includes RF elements 250 and 255. In some embodiments, RF elements 205, 220, 235, and 250 are configured to output their respective output beams in a first beam state. In related embodiments, RF elements 210, 225, 240, and 255 are configured to output their respective output beams in a second beam state. In a preferred embodiment, the controller of antenna system 200 is configured to select between at least two beam states to generate the associated output beams. In related embodiments, the controller 215 may either be another device in addition to the radio, or in a more realistic scenario for 5G, the controller 215 may be implemented in software such that the radio effectively selects between different beams for a given moment.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present subject matter for three beam states, where a multi-beam communication system 300 includes an RF lens 301 (with RF elements 351-358 arranged around the RF lens 301 to generate an output beam), controllers 320-340, and a radio 310. In the illustrated embodiment, RF elements 351, 354, and 357 are controlled via controller 340, RF elements 352, 355, and 358 are controlled via controller 330, and RF elements 353 and 356 are controlled via controller 320. Radio 310 is configured to provide commands to controllers 320-340. In some embodiments, radio 310 is a 5G new radio (e.g., a gnodeB). In other embodiments, radio 310 is a base station transceiver station (BTS).

[0027] Advantageously, this configuration of RF lenses with multiple paired feed elements, as depicted in Figure 3, provides the ability to form multiple simultaneous and independent beams for required coverage from a single antenna. This extends to flat panel arrays in 8x8 configurations, which require additional hardware and / or software to achieve similar, but degraded, results due to their inability to generate beams with consistent performance in 8x8 scenarios, or for full 120-degree coverage from a single antenna.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an embodiment similar to Figure 1D, but for a full three sector site. Figure 4 shows antenna system 400 with output beams 405, 406, 410, 411, 415, 416, 420, 421, 425, 426, 430, 431, 435, 436, 440, 441, 445, 446, 450, and 451 in first beam state 405 and second beam state 410. In the illustrated embodiment, antenna system 400 in first beam state 405 generates output beams 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, and 450. Antenna system 400 in second beam state 410 generates output beams 406, 411, 416, 421, 426, 431, 436, 441, 446, and 451. In a preferred embodiment, first beam state 405 and second beam state 410 are asynchronous. In a related embodiment, first beam state 405 and second beam state 410 are at least partially synchronous.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates the concept of the present invention applied to a cluster of sites. FIG. 5 shows an antenna system 500 in a first configuration 510A and a second configuration 510B having output sites 501-503. Output site 501 generates an output beam in a first beam state 501A and a second beam state 501B. Output site 502 generates an output beam in a first beam state 502A and a second beam state 502B. Output site 503 generates an output beam in a first beam state 503A and a second beam state 503B. In the first configuration 510A, output sites 501-503 of antenna system 500 generate output beams in first beam states 501A-503A. In the second configuration 510B, output sites 501-503 of antenna system 500 generate output beams in first beam states 501B-503B.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the present subject matter further includes modifying the precoding weights selected by the controller or base station transceiver after receiving and processing channel state information (CSI) from the mobile station to allow for two or more sets of beam states derived from the beam state selection timing algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the algorithm is configured to activate only one beam state at a given time. In a related embodiment, the controller or base station transceiver is configured to connect one radio port to one antenna beam port, and the controller is implemented in software and conforms to 5G 3GPP standards.

[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the novel concept of using two sets of beams emanating from an RF lens to provide a significant improvement in system SINR can be applied to a wide range of embodiments, including the number of beams, the use of lens arrays to form beams with narrow elevation patterns, frequency ranges, number of beam outputs connected to each radio, etc., all falling within the scope of the described invention.

[0032] Furthermore, this approach to time-synchronizing different beams can be applied to: 1) single sector (synchronization of multiple beams within a single sector), 2) multi-sector (synchronization between two or more single / multiple beam sectors), and 3) network (synchronization between different cell sites). Indeed, in preferred embodiments, the system can be used for beamforming of standard antennas or groups of antennas. In related embodiments, the antenna includes a lens. While RF lens antennas offer distinct advantages for this method when multiple beams are required within a power sector or when multiple radios are required within a power sector, this approach is not limited to use with RF lens antennas and can be applied to any type of antenna.

[0033] The discussion herein provides many exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. While each embodiment represents a single combination of the inventive elements, it is understood that the inventive subject matter includes all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment consists of elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment consists of elements B and D, it is understood that the inventive subject matter also includes any other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0034] In some embodiments, numerical values ​​expressing characteristics such as quantities, orientations, and positions of components used to describe and claim particular embodiments of the invention are understood to be modified in some cases by the term "about." Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values ​​set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values ​​set forth in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0035] As used throughout this description and the claims that follow, the meaning of the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0036] The recitation of ranges of values ​​herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of individually referencing each individual value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated herein as if it were individually set forth herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Any examples provided herein with respect to specific embodiments, or the use of exemplary language (e.g., "such as"), are intended merely to better describe the invention and do not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention as set forth in other claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0037] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referenced and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group may be included in or deleted from a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability. When such inclusions or deletions are made, the specification shall be deemed to include the group as modified so as to satisfy all Markush group descriptions used in the appended claims.

[0038] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications beyond those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Accordingly, the present subject matter is not to be limited except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that a referenced element, component, or step may be present, utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps not expressly referenced. When a claim herein refers to at least one member selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, ..., and N, the statement should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, and not A+N, B+N, etc.

Claims

1. 1. A multi-beam communication system comprising a first antenna assembly in an antenna assembly array, the first antenna assembly having a first set of RF elements oriented to produce a first beam state and a second set of RF elements oriented to produce a second beam state; the first set of RF elements includes a first set of output sectors, and the second set of RF elements includes a second set of output sectors; A multi-beam communication system, wherein a controller is configured to selectively activate the first beam state and the second beam state.

2. 2. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1, wherein the first beam state further comprises a first set of beams and the second beam state further comprises a second set of beams.

3. 2. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1, wherein the first set of output sectors at least partially overlaps the second set of output sectors.

4. 4. The multi-beam communication system of claim 3, wherein the first set of output sectors do not overlap with the second set of output sectors.

5. 10. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1, wherein the selective activation of the controller is a function of a wireless network protocol.

6. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna assembly further comprises a first RF lens.

7. 7. The multi-beam communication system of claim 6, further comprising a second RF lens having a third set of RF elements oriented to produce a third set of output sectors and a fourth set of RF elements oriented to produce a fourth set of output sectors.

8. 7. The multi-beam communication system of claim 6, wherein at least some of said beam states operate simultaneously within 0.5 to 30 GHz.

9. 2. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively activate the first beam state independently from the second beam state.

10. 2. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to combine at least the first beam state and the second beam state into a combined beam state, the combined beam state being configured to correspond to 120-degree coverage.

12. 10. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively activate the first beam state and the second beam state as a function of time.

13. 7. The multi-beam communication system of claim 6, wherein the first RF lens is configured such that selective activation of the first beam state alters the first output beam with respect to at least one of a beam frequency range, a beam width, a beam direction, a beam polarization, a beam gain, and a beam sidelobe level.

14. further comprising a second antenna assembly within the antenna assembly array; the second antenna assembly having a third set of RF elements oriented to produce a third beam state and a fourth set of RF elements oriented to produce a fourth beam state; the third set of RF elements includes a third set of output sectors, and the fourth set of RF elements includes a fourth set of output sectors; 2. The multi-beam communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the third beam state and the fourth beam state.

15. 15. The multi-beam communication system of claim 14, wherein the third beam state further comprises a third set of beams, and wherein the third beam state comprises a third set of beams.

16. 15. The multi-beam communication system of claim 14, wherein the third beam state is the same as the first beam state.

17. 15. The multi-beam communication system of claim 14, wherein the third beam state is different from the first beam state.

Images