Reconfigurable Base Station Antenna Feeding Network for Channel Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current base station antennas require replacement to change the number of transceiver channels, which is labor-intensive and costly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a switch in the horizontal-dimensional feeding network to dynamically change the connection status between input and output ports, allowing the number of transceiver channels to be adjusted without replacing the antenna.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the base station antenna is replaced to change the quantity of transceiver channels, then the communication performance can be improved, but the labor and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of transceiver channelsVSAvoidlabor and costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a switch mechanism in the horizontal-dimensional feeding network that enables dynamic reconfiguration of transceiver channel connections. The switch can change the connection status between input ports and output ports, allowing the quantity of active transceiver channels to be adjusted dynamically without physical antenna replacement. This transforms a static antenna structure into a dynamic system that can adapt to different channel requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base station antenna is designed with a universal feeding network that can support multiple transceiver channel configurations through the switch mechanism. The horizontal-dimensional feeding network with switch capability allows the same antenna to serve multiple functions - supporting different quantities of transceiver channels (e.g., dual-TX dual-RX, four-TX four-RX, eight-TX eight-RX structures) without requiring separate antennas for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the base station antenna is replaced to change the structure of the horizontal-dimensional feeding network, then the quantity of transceiver channels can be changed, but the labor and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of horizontal-dimensional feeding networkVSAvoidlabor and costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The switch mechanism transforms the static horizontal-dimensional feeding network into a dynamic reconfigurable system. Instead of replacing the entire feeding network structure to change transceiver channel capacity, the switch allows dynamic reconfiguration of connections within the existing feeding network, enabling the same physical structure to support multiple operational configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding network is segmented into controllable sections with the switch inserted in the horizontal-dimensional feeding network. This segmentation allows independent control of different signal paths, enabling flexible reconfiguration of transceiver channel connections without affecting the entire feeding network structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a switch is added to the horizontal-dimensional feeding network, then the quantity of transceiver channels can be adjusted flexibly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of transceiver channelsVSAvoidstructure of base station antenna
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switch acts as an intermediary component inserted into the horizontal-dimensional feeding network. It mediates the connection between input ports and output ports, enabling flexible reconfiguration of transceiver channels without fundamentally altering the feeding network architecture. The switch serves as a controlled interface that manages signal routing between different parts of the feeding network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3817142B1Base station antenna, handover switch, and base station device
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3817142B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3817142B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3817142B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a base station antenna, a switch, and a base station device. A connection status between an output port and an input port of a horizontal-dimensional feeding network is changed by using a switch of the horizontal-dimensional feeding network, and in different connection statuses, quantities of input ports that are connected to a plurality of output ports of the horizontal-dimensional feeding network are different. The input port of the horizontal-dimensional feeding network is in communication with an antenna port to form a transceiver channel. In this case, a quantity of transceiver channels, of the horizontal-dimensional feeding network, formed in each connection status is different. Therefore, the quantity of transceiver channels supported by the base station device can be changed by using the base station antenna, without a need of replacing the base station antenna.