Beamforming Repeater Failover for Cellular Coverage Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular networks experience connectivity loss due to geography, large structures, and multipath interference, leading to blind spots and coverage holes, which can disrupt critical applications in devices like smartphones and autonomous vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A radio repeater with a beamforming antenna system that steers to detect surrounding base stations, determines performance indicators, and reconfigures to relay signals from a second serving sector to maintain connectivity, using machine learning for optimal beam selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a radio repeater uses a fixed serving sector configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to connectivity loss in blind spots and coverage holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity reliabilityVSAvoidrepeater system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic serving sector selection by enabling the radio repeater to switch between different serving sectors based on real-time performance indicators. The system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where the serving sector can change automatically when performance degradation is detected, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by introducing controlled adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring performance indicators of serving sectors and using this information to trigger serving sector changes. The feedback loop detects connectivity issues and initiates appropriate corrective actions, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making based on measured parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a radio repeater implements dynamic serving sector switching, then reliability improves, but ease of operation worsens due to automated reconfiguration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidrepeater configuration management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The radio repeater system performs self-service by automatically detecting serving sector performance degradation and executing serving sector changes without human intervention. The system monitors its own operation, identifies connectivity issues, and autonomously reconfigures itself to maintain service continuity, thereby improving reliability while simplifying operation through automation rather than increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a radio repeater steers beamforming antenna system to detect surrounding base stations, then adaptability improves, but use of energy increases due to active scanning and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserving sector selection capabilityVSAvoidrepeater power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by performing beamforming antenna steering and performance indicator detection only when serving sector changes are needed or at scheduled intervals, rather than continuously. This selective operation maintains adaptability for serving sector selection while significantly reducing power consumption compared to constant scanning and processing of all surrounding base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Ensures reliable cellular service by dynamically switching to a better serving sector, minimizing service disruptions and maintaining high-quality connectivity in challenging environments.

Implementation Method 1

A beamforming, antenna system coupled to communicate with a first serving sector of a first base station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Data Source

PatentUS20250379643A1Cellular network repeater with failover function

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 AIRGAIN INC

AI summary

A beamforming, antenna system of a radio repeater is coupled to communicate with a first serving sector of a first base station. A radio transceiver relays signals between the first serving sector and a terminal device. A processor is coupled to the radio transceiver and operable to receive a signal to change from the first serving sector. The processor steers the antenna system to determine performance indicators of surrounding base stations detectable by the radio repeater. The processor determines a second serving sector different from the first serving sector based on a comparison of the performance indicators. Signals are relayed between the second serving sector and the terminal device, e.g., by reconfiguring the transceiver.