Clustered Antenna Array Layout for Low-Coupling 5G MIMO
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna devices for 5G communication suffer from highly correlated radiation patterns and unacceptably high coupling between radiating elements, leading to degraded performance and inefficient transmission of independent information streams, particularly in lower frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
The antenna device features an array of radiating elements arranged in a horizontal form factor with more columns than rows, subdivided into clusters, where outer columns have more clusters than inner columns, and utilizes dual-polarized elements with reduced spacing between adjacent elements to enhance isolation and return loss, supporting MIMO operations within constrained dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If radiating elements are arranged densely to fit within constrained dimensions, then the antenna device size is reduced, but coupling between radiating elements becomes unacceptably high and radiation patterns become highly correlated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by distributing clusters non-uniformly across the antenna array, with different numbers of clusters in different columns. This asymmetric distribution creates varying spacing patterns that reduce coupling between radiating elements while maintaining compact overall dimensions, directly resolving the contradiction between size reduction and coupling reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple clusters, where each cluster contains one or more radiating elements fed by a single radio chain. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cluster positions and densities, enabling the system to achieve high isolation between elements while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for constrained dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If radiating elements are arranged densely to fit within constrained dimensions, then the antenna device size is reduced, but radiation patterns become highly correlated degrading MIMO performance
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric cluster distribution creates diverse radiation patterns with reduced correlation between elements. By having different numbers of clusters in different columns (e.g., first column with 2 clusters, second column with 1 cluster), the system achieves better spatial diversity and independent information stream transmission while maintaining compact size for reliable MIMO operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional vertical aperture structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but beamformed patterns lack sufficient resolution and system performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional vertical aperture dominance to a more balanced horizontal and vertical dimension configuration. By arranging clusters in multiple columns with horizontal spacing optimization, the system achieves sufficient beamforming resolution in both azimuth and elevation planes, improving overall system performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized cluster configurations.
4Device complexity
If uniform cluster distribution is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reflected power increases and isolation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing cluster distribution differently in different spatial locations. Specific columns have different numbers of clusters (e.g., 2 clusters in first column, 1 cluster in second column), creating location-specific spacing that minimizes reflected power and maximizes isolation where needed, while maintaining overall system simplicity through a structured non-uniform pattern.
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna device for transmitting or receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal. The antenna device includes a plurality of RF signal feeds, and an array of M times N radiating elements. The array includes M rows and N columns, where M≥2 and N≥M. The array is subdivided into a plurality of clusters. Each cluster includes one or more radiating elements. The one or more radiating elements of each cluster are connected to one of the RF signal feeds. The columns of the array include two outer columns and one or more inner columns, where each inner column includes K1 clusters, where K1≥1. Each outer column includes K2 clusters, where K2>K1.