Antenna Bracket with Non-Horizontal Ground Plane for Stadium Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile phone network technologies face challenges in providing sufficient coverage and access to large groups of users in crowded venues like stadiums and arenas, as conventional antennas are too large and intrusive to effectively target desired areas.
Innovation Solution
A communications device with a rigid antenna bracket and enclosure that allows for adjustable orientation of the antenna's ground plane to a non-horizontal plane, enabling omnidirectional coverage and reduced signal blockage, mounted under seating areas to cover multiple rows of seats with a reduced profile design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional mobile network antennas are placed around perimeters or on super-structures, then coverage area is increased, but antenna size becomes too large and intrusive to provide desired coverage in crowded venues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple small distributed antenna units rather than using one or few large conventional antennas. Each small antenna is mounted individually on seat backs or other venue structures, collectively providing comprehensive coverage throughout the crowded venue without any single antenna being intrusive or oversized.
2Measurement precision
If directional antennas are used to target desired areas, then signal focus is improved, but antenna size increases making them too large to locate sufficiently for desired coverage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using large directional antennas, the system segments coverage into multiple small omnidirectional or mildly directional antennas distributed throughout the venue. Each small antenna provides localized coverage to its immediate area, and collectively they achieve comprehensive coverage with appropriate signal focus for crowded environments.
3Reliability
If multiple conventional antennas are deployed to provide sufficient coverage, then coverage completeness is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple identical or similar small antenna units with standardized enclosures and mounting mechanisms. This copying approach simplifies installation and system management compared to deploying different types of large conventional antennas, as each unit can be installed independently using the same procedures and hardware configurations.
4Ease of manufacture
If antennas are mounted in traditional locations, then installation simplicity is maintained, but signal blockage from seating structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves antenna mounting from traditional horizontal locations (walls, ceilings, perimeters) to vertical surfaces such as seat backs. This dimensional change in mounting orientation allows antennas to radiate signals both forward and backward, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to overcome signal blockage from seating structures while maintaining relatively simple installation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications device may include an enclosure, mounting structure for mounting the enclosure in a predetermined orientation, an antenna bracket mounted to the enclosure, the antenna bracket having an antenna mounting portion, and an antenna mounted to the antenna mounting portion of the antenna bracket. The antenna bracket is configured so that when the enclosure is mounted in the predetermined orientation a ground plane of the antenna extends along a non-horizontal plane.