Antenna Array Element Switching for Beam Gain and Coverage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for antenna arrays cannot flexibly switch between increasing the maximum half-power angle and the maximum beam gain, as these parameters are fixed and interdependent, limiting adaptability in communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to adjust the quantity of antenna elements driven by a transceiver channel, allowing for adaptive adjustment of the maximum half-power angle or beam gain by turning antenna elements on or off, based on indication information and statistical data such as terminal device access and RSRP measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the quantity of antenna elements driven by a transceiver channel is increased, then the maximum beam gain is improved, but the maximum half-power angle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the quantity of antenna elements driven by a transceiver channel adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically switch between different quantities of antenna elements (e.g., all N elements or a subset of M elements) based on service requirements, enabling flexible adaptation between beam gain and half-power angle performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of antenna element quantity from a fixed value to an adjustable variable. By modifying which antenna elements are activated (changing the effective quantity from N to M or vice versa), the system can adjust the radiation pattern characteristics to achieve different beam gains and half-power angles as needed.
2Area of stationary object
If the maximum half-power angle of the antenna array is increased, then the coverage range is improved, but the maximum beam gain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the effective number of antenna elements based on coverage requirements. When wide coverage is needed, fewer antenna elements (M) are driven, increasing the half-power angle. When high gain is needed, all antenna elements (N) are driven, reducing the half-power angle but increasing beam gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of antenna element quantity to control the trade-off between coverage and gain. By adjusting which antenna elements are active, the system can shift between wide coverage mode (fewer elements, larger half-power angle) and high gain mode (more elements, smaller half-power angle).
3Device complexity
If the antenna array configuration is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different service scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna elements into different groups that can be independently controlled. By dividing the N antenna elements into subsets (e.g., M active elements and N-M inactive elements), the system can selectively activate different segments to match different service scenarios without changing the physical antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single fixed antenna array configuration serve multiple functions by selectively activating different subsets of antenna elements. The same physical array can provide wide coverage, high gain, or intermediate performance modes, making it universally applicable to different service scenarios without requiring multiple dedicated antenna configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a method for adjusting a half-power angle of an antenna, to adjust a maximum half-power angle or a maximum beam gain of an individual transceiver channel. The method includes: first determining that M antenna elements in N antenna elements connected to a first transceiver channel of an access network device need to be turned on or off, where N>M≥1, and both N and M are integers, that is, a quantity of antenna elements driven by the first transceiver channel needs to be adjusted; and then sending first indication information to the access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate to turn on or off the M antenna elements.