Antenna Performance Map Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating antenna array performance are inefficient, often requiring manual verification or minimized drive tests, which are costly and unable to accurately detect obstacles close to the antenna or distinguish between antenna performance issues and user equipment environment problems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for generating and comparing antenna performance maps to detect obstacles by acquiring signal metrics and positions of user equipment within the antenna array's coverage area, using a reference map to identify changes that indicate obstacles, and informing users of potential coverage issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual verification or minimized drive tests are used to evaluate antenna array performance, then measurement accuracy may be improved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual antenna performance map that copies and represents the physical antenna coverage area. This digital map allows for automated performance evaluation by comparing signal metrics across different locations without requiring physical drive tests or manual verification, thus reducing time loss while maintaining measurement accuracy through systematic data collection and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification processes and physical drive tests with an automated electronic system that uses signal metrics from user equipment to generate and analyze antenna performance maps. This substitution eliminates the need for human operators to physically test the antenna coverage, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining evaluation accuracy through algorithmic analysis
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual verification methods are used to detect obstacles, then detection capability may be improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital representation of the antenna performance map that mirrors the physical environment. By analyzing changes in this copied representation over time, the system can detect obstacles without requiring complex dedicated detection hardware, thus improving detection capability while keeping device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the antenna performance map as an intermediary data structure that mediates between the physical antenna system and the obstacle detection function. This intermediary allows for indirect but effective obstacle detection by monitoring signal metric changes, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to direct sensor-based detection methods
3Reliability
If comprehensive antenna performance evaluation is performed, then reliability of network operation is improved, but loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of signal metrics from user equipment within the antenna coverage area. By continuously collecting data and maintaining an up-to-date antenna performance map, the system ensures reliable network operation without requiring periodic lengthy evaluation campaigns, thus reducing time loss while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses signal metrics from user equipment as feedback to continuously update and refine the antenna performance map. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain accurate performance information over time with minimal additional data collection, improving reliability while minimizing the time required for comprehensive evaluation
Data Source
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AI summary
Method, apparatus, computer program and computer readable storage medium are disclosed for antenna performance evaluation. According to an embodiment, signal metrics and positions of a plurality of user equipments within a coverage area of an antenna array are acquired. An antenna performance map showing how signal metric as a variable changes relative to position as another variable is generated from the signal metrics and positions. Obstacle related information is determined based on the generated antenna performance map and a reference antenna performance map. A base station comprising the apparatus is also disclosed.