Configurable 3D Antenna Grid for RF Signal Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems have not utilized a configurable 3-D antenna grid to improve the reception of RF signals, limiting their effectiveness in various operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a configurable 3-D antenna grid that includes multiple antenna elements coupled to switching elements, controlled by a switch controller and a memory device, allowing for dynamic configuration of antenna configurations based on operational requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a configurable 3-D antenna grid is implemented, then RF signal reception is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system employs dynamically controllable switching elements that can change the electrical coupling states of antenna elements in real-time. The switch controller dynamically adjusts which switching elements are closed or opened based on received RF signal characteristics, allowing the antenna grid to adapt its configuration for optimal signal reception without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters of the antenna grid by selectively closing or opening switching elements to alter the electrical coupling between antenna elements. This parameter change enables the same physical antenna structure to present different electrical characteristics for receiving different types of RF signals, improving reception reliability without adding physical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna configurations are stored and switched between, then adaptability to different signal types is improved, but memory requirements and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores multiple antenna configurations in memory, each representing a specific coupling state of the switching elements for different signal types. When an RF signal is detected, the processor retrieves the appropriate pre-configured configuration data and applies it immediately, avoiding real-time complex calculations and enabling rapid adaptation to different signal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The same antenna grid structure and switching elements serve multiple functions by being reconfigurable for different signal types and frequencies. The switching elements universally control the electrical coupling for all antenna pairs, and the memory structure universally stores configurations for various operational modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for configuring a communication system are provided. The communication system has an antenna system with a 3-D antenna grid. The configurable 3-D antenna grid has a plurality of antenna elements operably coupled to a plurality of switching elements. The method includes selecting a first 3-D antenna configuration associated with the configurable 3-D antenna grid from a plurality of antenna configurations. The method further includes controlling a memory device to output first data corresponding to the first 3-D antenna configuration. The method further includes closing selected ones of the plurality of switching elements to obtain the first 3-D antenna configuration in the configurable 3-D antenna grid in response to the first data. The first 3-D antenna configuration is one of the plurality of antenna configurations wherein at least a portion of the plurality of antenna elements are electrically coupled together.