Active Antenna Array for Dual-Protocol Signal Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active antenna arrays for mobile communications networks are expensive to maintain as they require separate setups for first and second protocol radio signals, leading to inefficiencies in beam shaping and spectrum usage due to the need for duplexer roll-off bands that waste bandwidth and incur high spectrum license fees.
Innovation Solution
An active antenna array design that incorporates multiple antenna elements, splitters, amplifiers, and couplers to concurrently relay first and second protocol radio signals, allowing for variable phase, amplitude, and delay adjustments using beamforming vectors, enabling flexible beam shaping without the need for separate antenna arrays or duplexer roll-off bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate antenna arrays are used for first and second protocol radio signals, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines first and second protocol radio signal relay functions into a single active antenna array. The antenna elements are configured to simultaneously handle both protocol types through shared signal paths, eliminating the need for separate antenna arrays for each protocol while maintaining full protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The active antenna array is designed with universal functionality to support multiple protocols. The same antenna elements, amplifiers, and signal processing components serve both first and second protocol radio signals, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different communication standards.
2Reliability
If duplexer roll-off bands are used to separate first and second protocol signals, then signal interference is reduced, but spectrum efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the duplexer roll-off bands from the system architecture. Instead of using traditional duplexers with mandatory guard bands, the invention implements direct signal separation through the active antenna array's signal processing capabilities, removing the spectral inefficiency caused by roll-off bands while maintaining reliable signal separation.
3Device complexity
If fixed beam shaping is used for first protocol signals, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to second protocol requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam shaping capabilities in the active antenna array that can adapt to different protocol requirements. The beamforming parameters are configurable to provide fixed beam shaping when needed for first protocol signals, while enabling flexible, variable beam shaping for second protocol signals that require adaptive beam patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the beamforming vectors to achieve different beam shaping characteristics. By dynamically adjusting beamforming parameters such as phase, amplitude, and delay, the antenna array can transition between fixed and flexible beam shaping modes to match the specific requirements of different communication protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure teaches an active antenna array for a mobile communications network. The active antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna elements, at least one first splitter, at least one amplifier and at least one first coupler. The first splitter forwards at least one of at least one individual first protocol receive signal and at least one individual second protocol receive signal in a receive direction from an individual one of the plurality of antenna elements. The at least one amplifier amplifies at least one of the individual first protocol receive signal and the individual second protocol receive signal. The at least one first coupler is located in the receive direction downstream of the at least one amplifier and is adapted to forward the at least one individual second protocol receive signal to a second protocol receiver.