Reconfigurable Antenna Reflector Layout for Low-Loss Beam Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reconfigurable antennas face high insertion loss and increased size when adjusting beam pitch angles, which affects signal coverage area and efficiency in wireless local area networks.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable antenna design featuring a controllable reflector with a switch and inductor structure, positioned between a bottom plate and a vertically polarized high-density antenna, allows for beam switching with minimal insertion loss and size increase, by controlling the reflector's state to adjust the pitch angle and coverage area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radio frequency switch is used to switch between two or more antennas with different maximum gain directions to implement beam switching at pitch angle, then beam switching function is achieved, but insertion loss increases and antenna size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of switching between multiple antennas to change beam direction, this patent inverts the approach by using a single antenna with a controllable reflector that redirects the beam. The reflector is positioned behind the antenna and can be controlled to change the radiation pattern and beam direction, eliminating the need for multiple antennas and switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllable reflector acts as an intermediary element between the antenna and the surrounding environment. By controlling the reflector's state (e.g., using PIN diodes or varactor diodes), the beam direction and coverage area are adjusted without directly switching antennas, thereby reducing insertion loss and maintaining a compact structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a radio frequency switch is used to switch between two or more antennas with different maximum gain directions to implement beam switching at pitch angle, then beam switching function is achieved, but antenna size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple antennas to achieve beam switching, this patent uses a single antenna combined with a controllable reflector positioned behind it. The reflector modifies the radiation pattern by reflecting signals in different directions, achieving beam switching functionality while maintaining a compact single-antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllable reflector is nested behind the antenna element, with the reflector structure integrated into the antenna assembly. This nested configuration allows the reflector to be positioned in a space that would otherwise be unused, achieving beam direction control without increasing the overall antenna footprint.
3Area of stationary object
If the signal coverage area of a single wireless access point is increased to avoid signal coverage holes, then coverage area is improved, but co-channel interference increases when access points are close
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system employs dynamic beam steering capability through the controllable reflector, allowing the coverage area to be adjusted in real-time. When access points are close together, the beam can be focused to a narrower area to avoid interference, while when access points are far apart, the beam can be widened to cover larger areas and eliminate coverage holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system provides different radiation patterns for different spatial regions. By controlling the reflector, the beam can be directed to provide high gain in specific directions where coverage is needed, while maintaining lower gain in other directions where interference might occur, thus achieving local optimization of coverage and interference management.
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 solution enables efficient adjustment of signal coverage area with reduced insertion loss and antenna size, improving overall performance and adaptability to different use scenarios in wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
The reconfigurable antenna reflects a signal of the vertically polarized high-density antenna by using the bottom plate, to improve overall performance of the antenna. The controllable reflector disposed between the bottom plate and the vertically polarized high-density antenna can reflect a beam of the vertically polarized high-density antenna outwards.
Implementation Method 2
the controllable reflector is further provided with an inductor structure, the inductor structure and the switch are connected in parallel, the inductor structure and the switch form a resonator, and a resonance frequency of the resonator falls within the operating frequency band of the vertically polarized high-density antenna
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a reconfigurable antenna, including a bottom plate, a vertically polarized high-density antenna, and a controllable reflector. The controllable reflector is located between the bottom plate and the vertically polarized high-density antenna, and a projection of the controllable reflector on the bottom plate is at a center of a projection of the vertically polarized high-density antenna on the bottom plate. The controllable reflector includes a switch, and the switch is configured to enable the controllable reflector to be in an operating state or an off state. In this application, the reconfigurable antenna controls switching of the operating state of the controllable reflector by using the switch, so that the controllable reflector in the operating state can reflect a beam outwards from a center of the vertically polarized high-density antenna, to increase a pitch angle of the vertically polarized high-density antenna, and extend a signal coverage area. This application further provides a network device including the reconfigurable antenna.