Reconfigurable Beamformer for Multi-Band 5G NR Pattern Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transceivers for 5G NR require multiple hardware designs due to different frequency bands, antenna patterns, and polarization needs, leading to inefficiencies and increased part numbers.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable beamformer that can be software-configured on-site to select precalibrated subbands, patterns, and switch between linear and circular polarizations, using a digital and analogue signal processing system with a digital matrix and beamformers to control phase and amplitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different hardware designs are created for each frequency band, then frequency coverage is achieved, but device complexity and part numbers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transceiver hardware platform that can operate across multiple 5G NR frequency bands (n258, n257, n260) through software configuration rather than requiring separate hardware designs for each band. The beamformer is designed with reconfigurable parameters including frequency tuning capability, antenna pattern selection, and polarization switching, allowing a single hardware design to fulfill multiple frequency band requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes operational parameters (frequency, antenna pattern, polarization) through software control of the beamformer rather than through hardware modifications. The beamformer includes programmable parameters that can be adjusted to match different frequency bands and deployment scenarios, enabling the same hardware to adapt to varying operational requirements without creating multiple part numbers.
2Reliability
If different hardware designs are created for each antenna pattern, then optimal performance for specific locations is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beamformer is designed as a universal antenna system that can generate multiple radiation patterns (omnidirectional, directional, sector patterns) through software configuration. The antenna array elements are excited with different phase and amplitude weights programmatically, allowing the same physical antenna structure to provide optimal performance for various installation locations (walls, corners, ceilings) without requiring location-specific hardware variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna pattern is made dynamically reconfigurable through the beamformer's programmable parameters. The system can switch between different radiation patterns in real-time based on the deployment scenario, allowing optimal antenna characteristics to be applied for each specific location type without committing to fixed hardware designs for each location.
3Reliability
If different hardware designs are created for each polarization type, then optimal signal coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver system incorporates a universal polarization capability that can generate both linear and circular polarizations through software control of the beamformer. The system includes polarization switching functionality that allows dynamic selection between different polarization types based on propagation conditions and coverage requirements, eliminating the need for separate hardware designs for different polarization needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable beamformer comprising a digital signal processor; an ADC/DAC operatively connected to the digital signal processor; an analogue signal processor operatively connected to the ADC/DAC; an antenna array operatively connected to said analogue signal processor.