Antenna Device With Switchable Polarization For MIMO Gain

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna devices for line-of-sight microwave/millimeter wave communication systems face challenges in maintaining high MIMO GAIN without increasing the physical arrangement of antenna elements, which can lead to a decrease in multiplex transmission capacity due to fixed link distances and frequencies.

Innovation Solution

The antenna device incorporates antenna elements that can switch their polarization direction between orthogonal directions, allowing for adjustable MIMO GAIN by altering the output polarization of some elements when link distances change, without physically rearranging the antenna elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the physical arrangement of antenna elements is adjusted to maintain high MIMO GAIN when link distance changes, then the reception quality is improved, but the device size increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMIMO GAINVSAvoidphysical arrangement adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna elements are configured to dynamically switch their polarization directions between different orientations (e.g., vertical, horizontal, slant) based on link distance changes. This dynamic polarization switching allows the system to maintain high MIMO GAIN without physically rearranging the antenna elements, thereby avoiding increased device complexity while preserving reception quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the polarization state parameter of the antenna elements rather than their physical positions. By switching polarization directions (e.g., between vertical and horizontal orientations), the system adapts to varying link distances and maintains optimal MIMO GAIN without requiring mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thus avoiding increased device size and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple antenna elements are arranged to optimize MIMO transmission, then the transmission capacity increases, but the device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiplex transmission capacityVSAvoidantenna device weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna elements are configured to dynamically switch their polarization directions between different orientations (e.g., vertical, horizontal, slant) based on link distance changes. This dynamic polarization switching allows the system to maintain high MIMO GAIN without physically rearranging the antenna elements, thereby avoiding increased device complexity while preserving reception quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the polarization state parameter of the antenna elements rather than their physical positions. By switching polarization directions (e.g., between vertical and horizontal orientations), the system adapts to varying link distances and maintains optimal MIMO GAIN without requiring mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thus avoiding increased device size and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the antenna elements are fixed in position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the MIMO GAIN decreases when link distance changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna arrangement mechanismVSAvoidMIMO GAIN

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna elements are configured to dynamically switch their polarization directions between different orientations (e.g., vertical, horizontal, slant) based on link distance changes. This dynamic polarization switching allows the system to maintain high MIMO GAIN without physically rearranging the antenna elements, thereby avoiding increased device complexity while preserving reception quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the polarization state parameter of the antenna elements rather than their physical positions. By switching polarization directions (e.g., between vertical and horizontal orientations), the system adapts to varying link distances and maintains optimal MIMO GAIN without requiring mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thus avoiding increased device size and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach maintains high MIMO GAIN and multiplex transmission capacity across varying link distances without the need for physical adjustments, reducing the size and weight of the antenna device and avoiding manufacturing and installation complexities.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the plurality of antenna elements is configured in such a way that a polarization direction of the radio signals can be switched between a first direction and a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization switching: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS11362440B2Antenna device, wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, and wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 NEC CORP

AI summary

An antenna device includes a plurality of antenna elements. Each of the plurality of antenna elements outputs radio signals transmitted to another antenna device arranged so as to be opposed to the antenna device. At least one of the plurality of antenna elements is configured in such a way that a polarization direction of the radio signals to be output can be switched between a first direction and a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.