Two-Dimensional Active Antenna Array With Baseband Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MIMO systems, particularly those with linear antenna arrays, face limitations in achieving higher performance and capacity due to their one-dimensional configuration, which restricts the utilization of elevation diversity and leads to suboptimal spectral efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a two-dimensional active antenna array architecture, where the active antenna array is divided into two physically separated sections by a baseband unit, with non-uniform spacing greater than one wavelength, allowing for symmetric routing and enhanced system performance, including higher capacity and reduced side lobes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a linear array with antenna elements placed in a horizontal line is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spectral efficiency and system capacity are limited due to restricted spatial diversity utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear horizontal array to a two-dimensional planar array configuration. This dimensional expansion enables the system to exploit spatial diversity in both azimuth and elevation domains, significantly improving spectral efficiency and system capacity while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic element arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-dimensional array is divided into multiple sub-arrays or groups that can be independently controlled and processed. This segmentation allows for sophisticated beamforming strategies, including elevation beamforming, which enhances spatial diversity utilization without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If antenna elements are densely packed to increase array aperture, then system capacity improves, but side lobe levels increase causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different weighting schemes or amplitude distributions to different regions of the two-dimensional array. By optimizing local element weights, the system can maintain high aperture utilization for capacity improvement while suppressing side lobe levels through localized amplitude tapering or phase adjustment strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts array parameters such as element spacing, amplitude weights, and phase shifts to optimize the balance between main lobe sharpness (for capacity) and side lobe suppression (for interference reduction). This includes implementing adaptive beamforming algorithms that modify parameters based on spatial channel conditions.
3Productivity
If a two-dimensional array with non-uniform spacing greater than one wavelength is used, then elevation beamforming performance improves, but the device complexity and routing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-uniform spacing patterns in the two-dimensional array, particularly in the elevation dimension, to optimize beamforming performance. This asymmetric arrangement creates favorable spatial sampling characteristics for elevation plane beamforming while the overall structure maintains regular enough patterns to enable systematic routing and signal distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate signal processing stages, such as separate beamforming networks for azimuth and elevation planes, or uses digital signal processing as an intermediary to decouple the complex physical routing requirements from the performance optimization goals, thereby managing routing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus capable of communication with a number of transmission points includes a processor configured to control a beamforming transmission or a beamforming reception and an antenna array module. The antenna array module includes a baseband unit configured to perform baseband functions and disposed between the two sections. The antenna array module also includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed in groups. Each of the groups includes an equal number of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements are disposed symmetrically around the baseband unit.