Antenna Switching Controller for Signal Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiver systems with multiple antennas face challenges in efficiently switching between antennas to receive signals, particularly when the power levels of the signals are unknown, leading to blind switching and potential loss of signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A receiver system with a plurality of antenna elements, a switching device, and a controller that selects antenna elements based on predetermined time intervals and power level determination, allowing for optimized signal reception without blind switching by processing power levels during non-selected sub-channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blind antenna switching method is used, then the receiver system can switch between antennas when signal power is below threshold, but the power level of the other antenna is unknown until switching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary power level measurements on all antenna elements during non-selected sub-channel time intervals before making switching decisions. This allows the receiver to know the power levels of all antennas in advance, rather than discovering them only after switching occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and measures signal power levels from all antenna elements, using this feedback information to make informed switching decisions. The controller compares power levels from different antennas and selects the optimal antenna based on measured values, creating a closed-loop control system.
2Measurement precision
If the receiver system switches to another antenna, then it can potentially receive better signal quality, but it cannot determine the power level of the other antenna until after switching
Solution Approach 1:
Power level measurements are performed in advance during non-selected sub-channel time intervals. The system uses these pre-measured power levels to make switching decisions, eliminating the time delay associated with determining power levels after switching occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures power levels from all antenna elements during non-selected sub-channel intervals, maintaining an ongoing record of signal quality from each antenna. This continuous measurement process ensures that power level information is always available when switching decisions are needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are used to receive different signals, then the receiver system can handle multiple signal sources, but the antennas cannot be used to receive both signals simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses time division multiplexing to periodically assign different antennas to receive different sub-channels. Each antenna is activated during specific time intervals corresponding to particular sub-channels, allowing multiple antennas to serve multiple signal sources through periodic, structured switching rather than complex simultaneous handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The received signal is divided into multiple sub-channels transmitted in different time intervals. Each sub-channel can be assigned to a specific antenna element, segmenting the overall reception task across multiple antennas and time periods. This segmentation simplifies the switching operation by creating a structured, time-based assignment scheme.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver system and method for switching among a plurality of antenna elements to receive a signal. At least a portion of plurality of antenna elements receive a transmitted signal, such that the transmitted signal includes a plurality of sub-channels that are transmitted in predetermined time intervals. A switching device is in communication with the plurality of antenna elements, and switches among single antenna elements to receive the transmitted signal. A controller is in communication with the switching device, and commands the switching device to select each of the antenna elements separately in predetermined periods of time based upon the predetermined time intervals of each of the sub-channels. A power level of the transmitted signal is determined during the predetermined period of time that corresponds to the predetermined time intervals, and the controller commands the switching device to switch to an antenna element based upon the determined power level.