Single-Column Antenna Multiplexing Beamforming Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Macro cell-based wireless communication systems face challenges with increased antenna volume and complexity due to the need for higher capacity and transmission rates, particularly with horizontal and vertical split technologies that require larger antennas and more complex network planning.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an antenna system that splits and phase-shifts signals using power splitters and phase-shift networks, allowing for multiplexing of signals to be transmitted by antenna arrays, which adjusts beam directions and gains without increasing antenna size, thereby enhancing system capacity without increasing device complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizontal split is implemented using multi-column antenna, then system capacity is improved, but antenna width is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges horizontal and vertical beamforming capabilities into a single-column antenna structure. By using a unified antenna array with combined power splitters and phase-shift networks, the system achieves multi-beam formation in both horizontal and vertical directions without requiring separate antenna columns, thereby maintaining reduced antenna width while improving system capacity through enhanced beamforming flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system implements multi-functionality by enabling both horizontal and vertical beamforming using the same antenna elements. The power splitter network and phase-shift networks are configured to generate beams in multiple directions (different azimuth and elevation angles) from a single antenna column, allowing the antenna to serve multiple beamforming purposes simultaneously without increasing physical width.
2Productivity
If vertical split is implemented using circuit network, then system capacity is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming function into modular components: power splitter modules and phase-shift network modules. Each beam direction is formed by a dedicated power splitter feeding a specific phase-shift network, which then controls the antenna elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each beam path and simplifies the overall circuit design compared to a fully interconnected network, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to form multiple vertical beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic beamforming control where phase-shift networks can electronically adjust beam directions and characteristics without physical reconfiguration. This dynamic capability allows the antenna system to adaptively form beams in different vertical directions using the same hardware infrastructure, improving system capacity through flexible beam management while avoiding the complexity of multiple fixed circuit networks for each beam direction.
3Productivity
If horizontal and vertical split change sector coverage, then system capacity is improved, but network planning complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of beam parameters (direction, width, tilt angle) through electronic phase-shift control without changing the physical antenna structure. By modifying phase and amplitude parameters in the signal processing networks, the system can adaptively adjust sector coverage characteristics to match existing network configurations, thereby improving system capacity while minimizing the need for extensive network re-planning and optimization.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses an antenna and methods for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal. The antenna includes a first power splitter that splits a first beam signal into k1+m first beam branch signals, a second power splitter that splits a second beam signal into k2 second beam branch signals, a first phase-shift network that performs phase-shift processing on the m first beam branch signals to obtain M first beam branch phase-shifted signals, a signal multiplexing network that performs processing on the k1 first beam branch signals and the k2 second beam branch signals to obtain K multiplexed signals, M first antenna elements that are configured to transmit the M first beam branch signals, and K multiplexing antenna elements that are configured to transmit the K multiplexed signals, where a first beam is formed after the M first beam branch phase-shifted signals and the K multiplexed signals are transmitted, and a second beam is formed after the K multiplexed signals are transmitted. The antenna can increase system capacity without increasing an antenna volume.