Adjusting Vertical Beam Width in Imbalanced Antenna Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Imbalanced antenna arrays result in differing vertical beam widths between receiver-only and transceiver arrays, leading to mismatched coverage areas and reduced effective range of the receiver-only array due to additional gain from extra radiating elements.

Innovation Solution

Phase-shifting radiating elements of the receiver-only array to align its beam with the transceiver array's beam, utilizing predetermined tilt values to adjust the receiver-only array's beam width and steer it to match the transceiver array's coverage area, thereby minimizing coverage area impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If additional radiating elements are added to the receiver-only array to increase gain, then the gain is improved, but the vertical beam width becomes narrower causing coverage area mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovegainVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters (phase and amplitude) of the radiating elements in the receiver-only array to adjust the vertical beam width. By modifying these parameters, the system achieves beam width matching between the transceiver and receiver-only arrays while maintaining the gain benefits of additional elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the beamforming parameters of the receiver-only array based on the operational state of the transceiver array. This allows the receiver-only array to adapt its vertical beam width in real-time to match coverage requirements while utilizing additional gain from extra radiating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the vertical beam width of the receiver-only array is increased to match coverage area, then the coverage area is improved, but the gain from additional radiating elements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidgain

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the amplitude and phase parameters of each radiating element to simultaneously achieve the desired vertical beam width and maintain maximum gain. This parameter optimization allows the system to resolve the trade-off between coverage area and gain by finding the optimal parameter configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If phase-shifting is applied to align beams, then beam alignment is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam alignmentVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical beam steering mechanisms with electronic phase-shifting of radiating elements. This substitution achieves precise beam alignment through electrical parameter control rather than physical movement, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures that the receiver-only array maintains a similar coverage area to the transceiver array, optimizing the use of additional gain from extra radiating elements while reducing negative impacts on coverage, thereby enhancing communication effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shifting: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentUS10340594B1Systems and methods for adjusting vertical beam width

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

The invention is directed to methods and systems for adjusting the vertical beam width of an imbalanced antenna. In one embodiment, first and second antenna arrays are imbalanced because one of the arrays has at least one more radiating element than the other. The additional gain created by additional radiating element(s) distorts the beam and alters the coverage area of the corresponding array, in embodiments. The tilt of the array having at least one more additional radiating element(s) is modified using phase shifting technology and based on the tilt of the array having fewer elements. By modifying tilt of the array having at least one more additional radiating element(s), the upper 3 dB points of the first and second array may be aligned to correct for the distorted beam and altered coverage area between the first and second arrays.