Configurable Antenna Pattern Group Selection for Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face sub-optimal wireless communication performance due to limited memory and cost constraints, which restrict the number of available antenna patterns, leading to degraded Wi-Fi coverage when the predefined patterns are not optimized for the installation environment.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device that selects a group of antenna patterns based on installation and environmental information, such as type of installation, orientation, and location, to adapt to different environments, reducing the antenna-pattern space and simplifying pattern determination, while allowing for customization of transmit-power levels and antenna patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of available antenna patterns is increased to improve wireless communication performance, then communication performance is improved, but memory usage and device cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication performanceVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complete set of antenna patterns into multiple groups, where each group contains a subset of antenna patterns optimized for specific installation environments. The system divides the problem space by creating environment-specific pattern groups (e.g., ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, floor-standing) rather than storing all possible patterns in a single large set, thereby reducing memory requirements while maintaining communication performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple antenna pattern groups, each optimized for specific installation environments. During installation, the system pre-selects the appropriate group based on the installation type, avoiding the need to store and search through all possible antenna patterns. This pre-organization of patterns into environment-specific groups reduces memory usage while ensuring optimal performance is readily available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If a fixed predefined group of antenna patterns is used to reduce memory usage, then memory usage is reduced, but adaptability to different installation environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory usageVSAvoidadaptability to installation environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by creating multiple antenna pattern groups that can serve different installation environments. Instead of having a single fixed group, the system maintains multiple groups that are universally applicable to various installation types (ceiling, wall, floor, outdoor). The controller selects the appropriate group based on the installation environment, making the system adaptable to diverse conditions while keeping each individual group compact for memory efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the antenna pattern group selection adaptive rather than static. The controller dynamically selects which antenna pattern group to use based on the detected or user-specified installation environment. This dynamic selection process allows the system to adapt to different installation conditions while maintaining a manageable memory footprint, as only the selected group's patterns are actively used at any given time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If all possible antenna patterns are stored to ensure optimal performance for any environment, then communication performance is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complete set of antenna patterns into multiple smaller, environment-specific groups. Instead of storing all possible patterns in a single large memory structure, the system divides them into separate groups (e.g., ceiling-mounted patterns, wall-mounted patterns, outdoor patterns). This segmentation reduces the memory capacity required in each group, thereby lowering device cost while ensuring optimal patterns are available for each specific installation type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the necessary antenna patterns for each specific installation environment into separate groups. Rather than storing all possible patterns universally, the system extracts and stores only the relevant patterns for each environment type. This extraction approach reduces the overall memory requirement and device cost, as each group contains only the patterns needed for its specific installation context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the antenna pattern search space is large to cover all installation types, then adaptability is improved, but pattern determination time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of installation typesVSAvoidpattern determination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antenna pattern search space by organizing patterns into multiple environment-specific groups. Instead of searching through a single large set of all possible patterns, the controller first identifies the installation environment and then searches only within the corresponding pre-configured group. This segmentation dramatically reduces the search space and determination time while maintaining comprehensive adaptability across all installation types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-organizing antenna patterns into environment-specific groups before operation. During actual use, the controller has already categorized patterns by installation type (ceiling, wall, floor, outdoor), so when an installation environment is detected, the search is limited to the pre-identified relevant group. This preliminary organization eliminates the need to search through all possible patterns, significantly reducing pattern determination time while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11570630B2Electronic device with configurable antenna-pattern group
Publication Date: 2023.01.31 RUCKUS IP HOLDINGS LLC
  • US11570630B2 patent drawing
  • US11570630B2 patent drawing
  • US11570630B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device may receive installation information about an environment of the electronic device. For example, the installation information may include a type of installation of the electronic device, such as one of: installation on a wall, installation on a pole, installation in a stadium, or installation in street furniture. Based at least in part on the installation information, the electronic device may select a group of antenna patterns that includes a subset of potential antenna patterns. Then, the electronic device communicates, via an interface circuit in the electronic device, one or more packets or frames for another electronic device using an antenna pattern in the group of antenna patterns. Note that the electronic device may determine the antenna pattern to use in subsequent communication. Moreover, the group of antenna patterns may be selected based at least in part on an orientation and/or a location of the electronic device.