Antenna Overlay System for Low-E Glass Wireless Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buildings and structures, particularly those with low-E glass windows, attenuate wireless signals, necessitating the installation of physical cables for data communication, increasing costs for users.
Innovation Solution
An antenna overlay system comprising a substrate with adhesive, antenna hardware, and electronic circuitry that can be attached to windows, utilizing flexible cables for signal transmission and reception, and supporting multiple carrier frequencies, including 5G and LTE, to enhance wireless connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If low-E glass is used in windows to prevent heat transfer, then thermal insulation is improved, but wireless signal reception is attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
An antenna overlay system is introduced as an intermediary component between the low-E glass window and the wireless signal. The system includes antenna elements disposed on a substrate that couples to the window surface, creating a signal path that bypasses the attenuating metal layer of the low-E glass while maintaining thermal insulation properties
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna overlay system segments the wireless communication function from the window structure itself. By placing antenna elements on a separate substrate that couples to the window surface, the system divides the signal reception function from the thermal insulation function, allowing both to operate independently without interference
2Reliability
If physical cables are installed to provide wireless connectivity through buildings, then signal reception reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable installation system with an electromagnetic field-based antenna overlay system. Instead of physically routing cables through buildings, the system uses antenna elements disposed on a substrate that couples to window surfaces, leveraging electromagnetic wave propagation through the window material to provide connectivity without physical cable installation
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna overlay system uses a flexible substrate that can be coupled to various window surfaces. This thin film approach replaces rigid cable infrastructure with a flexible, easily installable antenna array that conforms to the window surface, significantly reducing installation complexity while maintaining signal reception reliability
3Reliability
If conventional rigid antenna systems are used, then signal transmission is stable, but adaptability to different surfaces and locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna overlay system employs a flexible substrate that can be coupled to various surfaces including windows, walls, and other structures. This flexibility allows the antenna array to adapt to different installation locations and surface geometries while maintaining stable signal transmission through the coupled surface
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna overlay system is designed with universal applicability to multiple surface types and locations. The flexible substrate and coupling mechanism allow the same antenna array design to be installed on windows, walls, and other surfaces, providing versatile deployment options while maintaining transmission stability across different installation environments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves wireless signal reception and transmission through low-E glass windows, eliminating the need for physical cables and reducing installation costs by providing enhanced coverage and flexibility in attaching to various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the substrate to enable coupling or attachment of the antenna overlay system to an object
Implementation Method 2
The antenna hardware is disposed on the substrate. The electronic circuitry controls the antenna hardware to transmit and receive wireless signals through the window
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna overlay system includes antenna hardware, a communication link, and electronic circuitry disposed on a substrate. The communication link couples the electronic circuitry to the antenna hardware. During operation, the electronic circuitry in communication with the antenna hardware is operable to control transmission and reception of wireless signals in a wireless region. An adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the substrate couples the substrate to an object such as a window. In one arrangement, the window is a low-E glass windowpane that substantially attenuates wireless signals from being received by communication equipment in a building in which the windowpane is installed. The antenna overlay system provides enhanced RF signal reception and transmission.