Antenna Alignment via Phase and Amplitude Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antenna alignment methods in microwave communication are time-consuming, energy-intensive, and have low accuracy due to the need for manual adjustment of mechanical horizontal and pitch angles based on received signal strength indication (RSSI) voltage, requiring trial and error in different directions.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the phase and amplitude of signals transmitted by multiple antenna units to form a target beam with a specific width, allowing for precise alignment of transmit and receive antennas by adjusting mechanical angles according to the beam's direction, enabling quick and accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of mechanical horizontal and pitch angles based on RSSI voltage is used, then alignment can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with electronic beamforming control. By adjusting the phase and amplitude of signals at multiple antenna elements, the beam direction is electronically steered to align with the target antenna, eliminating the need for time-consuming mechanical angle adjustments while maintaining alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters from mechanical angles to electrical parameters (phase and amplitude). By modifying the phase difference between adjacent antenna elements, the beam direction is controlled electronically, achieving rapid and precise alignment without mechanical movement
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of mechanical horizontal and pitch angles is performed, then alignment can be achieved, but the process requires trial and error in different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment procedures with simple electronic parameter settings. The beamforming controller directly computes and applies the required phase and amplitude values to each antenna element, eliminating the trial-and-error mechanical adjustment process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the received signal strength is monitored and used to optimize the beamforming parameters. The system automatically adjusts phase and amplitude based on feedback from the received signal, achieving accurate alignment without manual trial and error
3Adaptability or versatility
If narrow beam width is used for microwave transmission, then directionality is improved, but alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the beam dynamic and adjustable through electronic beamforming. The beam width and direction can be dynamically changed by modifying the phase and amplitude parameters of the antenna elements, allowing the system to maintain narrow beam directionality while easily adjusting alignment through electronic control rather than mechanical movement
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 approach facilitates convenient and high-accuracy antenna alignment by iteratively adjusting signal phases and amplitudes to achieve a target beam width, ensuring the receive antenna is within the beam's coverage, thereby reducing alignment time and improving precision.
Implementation Method 1
adjustment processing is performed on a phase and an amplitude of a signal that is transmitted by each antenna unit of the first antenna, where the target preset condition includes: a width of a target beam is less than or equal to a target width, and the second antenna is located within a coverage scope of the target beam
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method, an apparatus, a device, and a system for antenna alignment. The method includes: performing, according to a target preset condition, adjustment processing on a phase and an amplitude of a signal that is transmitted by each antenna unit of a first antenna, where the target preset condition includes: a width of a target beam is less than or equal to a target width, and the second antenna is located within a coverage scope of the target beam; and determining that a difference between a horizontal angle of the target beam and a mechanical horizontal angle of a current mechanical location of the first antenna is a horizontal angle, that needs to be adjusted, of the first antenna, determining that a difference between a pitch angle of the target beam and a mechanical pitch angle of the current mechanical location of the first antenna is a pitch angle, that needs to be adjusted, of the first antenna, and adjusting the mechanical horizontal angle and the mechanical pitch angle of the first antenna according to the horizontal angle that needs to be adjusted and the pitch angle that needs to be adjusted. By means of the method for antenna alignment according to embodiments of the present invention, convenient and quick antenna alignment with high accuracy can be implemented.