Single-Cable Antenna Duplexing With Flexible Waveguide Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle communication systems face challenges with high temperatures affecting RF electronics, bulky cooling solutions, complex cable distributions, and increased weight and cost due to multiple cables connecting antennas and RF front ends, which degrade performance and increase material and installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A single coaxial cable system for connecting RF front end devices (RFFE) and antenna front end devices, utilizing controlled time domain duplexing (TDD) to minimize cables, and a flexible waveguide structure for RF/microwave/mmW interconnections that can accommodate bends and curves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cables are used to connect RFFE and antennas, then reliability of connection is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate cables (RF cable, DC power cable, control cable) into a single integrated coaxial cable assembly. The inner conductor carries RF signals and DC power, while the outer shield provides RF shielding and return path, eliminating the need for separate cable bundles and reducing overall vehicle weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial cable structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as an RF transmission line, a DC power delivery medium, a control signal path, and an electromagnetic shield. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple dedicated cables, reducing weight while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple cables are used to connect RFFE and antennas, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple cable functions into a single coaxial cable assembly with a unified connector interface. This merging eliminates the complexity of managing multiple separate cable connections, routing paths, and connector types, while maintaining reliable electrical connections for all signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coaxial cable assembly is designed to handle multiple signal types (RF, DC, control) through its inherent structure, simplifying the cable distribution system. The unified interface and integrated shielding reduce installation complexity and system management burden compared to multiple separate cables.
3Reliability
If antennas are placed on vehicle surface, then wireless connectivity performance is improved, but temperature increases affecting RF electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a low-loss waveguide as an intermediary component between the antenna (placed on the vehicle surface for optimal wireless performance) and the RFFE (housed in a thermally controlled environment). This waveguide enables the separation of the antenna from the electronics, allowing the antenna to operate in the hostile thermal environment while the RFFE remains protected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct thermal zones: the antenna operates independently in the high-temperature vehicle surface environment, while the RFFE is housed separately in a climate-controlled interior location. The low-loss waveguide connects these segmented portions, enabling thermal management while maintaining wireless connectivity performance.
4Loss of energy
If low-loss waveguide is used for RF interconnections, then signal loss is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) based waveguide structure that provides low-loss RF transmission. The FPC allows for flexible routing and conformal mounting on vehicle surfaces while maintaining controlled impedance and low insertion loss. This flexible PCB approach is more cost-effective than rigid metal waveguides while achieving similar RF performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure is designed with optimized geometric parameters (cross-sectional dimensions, wall spacing, surface finish) to minimize RF signal loss at the operating frequencies. By carefully controlling these parameters in a cost-effective FPC implementation, the patent achieves low insertion loss without requiring expensive precision-machined metal waveguides.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency front end and an antenna front end may be separated from one another to maintain close proximity between a low noise amplifier and an antenna while achieving improved thermal regulation of a power amplifier. The radio frequency front end and antenna front end may include a duplexing system that enables operation with a single electrical cable. Furthermore, where it is desired to transmit a radiofrequency signal via a waveguide, a flexible waveguide may be constructed with a distributed capacitance between waveguide protrusions.