Corridor Node Antenna Radiation Pattern for FTTX Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deployment of fibre-to-the-X (FTTX) communication systems in built-up areas is labor-intensive, expensive, and disruptive due to the need for trenching for fibre cables, causing inconvenience to inhabitants.

Innovation Solution

A communication system utilizing corridor nodes with strategically shaped radiation patterns and dual-part radio transceivers mounted on opposite sides of a corridor to provide uniform coverage to user stations while minimizing interference, using directional antennas and a backhaul network for efficient data communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fibre cables are deployed using traditional FTTX methods with trenches on both sides of the street, then reliable communication coverage is achieved, but deployment becomes labor-intensive, expensive, and disruptive to inhabitants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoiddeployment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical trenching system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. Corridor nodes with directional antennas transmit radio frequency signals to user stations, eliminating the need for physical fibre cable installation through trenches. This substitution maintains communication reliability while dramatically improving deployment efficiency by removing earthmoving equipment, trenching operations, and cable laying requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the communication function from the physical fibre infrastructure. Instead of requiring fibre cables to be physically present in trenches connecting user stations, the system extracts the essential communication capability and delivers it wirelessly through corridor nodes positioned on building facades, separating the communication function from the mechanical cable infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If corridor nodes use omnidirectional antennas to provide coverage, then all user stations can be reached, but interference between adjacent nodes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring each corridor node with directional antennas that concentrate radiation patterns toward specific user stations rather than radiating uniformly in all directions. The radiation pattern is shaped to provide strong signal strength to intended recipients while creating nulls or low-gain regions in directions where adjacent nodes operate, thereby providing localized coverage without generating harmful interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetry in the radiation patterns of corridor nodes. Adjacent nodes use asymmetric beamforming where the main lobe of one node is directed toward its target user station while creating a null in the direction of the adjacent node. This asymmetric configuration ensures that each node provides adequate coverage to its designated area while minimizing overlap and interference with neighboring nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This approach reduces the need for trenching, lowers deployment costs, and provides reliable, interference-minimized communication services to user stations along a corridor, such as houses on a street, by optimizing signal strength and reducing physical infrastructure requirements.

Implementation Method 1

The radiation pattern of the antenna arrangement comprises at least a first, second, third and fourth elongate main lobe... The first lobe is directed upstream in a first general direction A along the street towards a first region on the first side of the street...

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3577791B1System and method for providing communications services on both sides of a corridor
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 POYNTING ANTENNAS PTY
  • EP3577791B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3577791B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3577791B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system 10 for providing communication services to user stations 14.1 to 14.n which are spaced on first and second opposed sides 16, 18 of an elongate corridor 12, comprises a first node 20 and a second node 22. The nodes drive respective radiation patterns comprising at least first, second, third and fourth lobes 30, 32, 34 and 36 having respective main axes 38, 40, 42 and 44. The arrangement is such that in respect of the second corridor node: main axis 38 is directed towards a first region 14.27 which is on the first side 16, to illuminate stations on the first side; main axis 40 is directed towards a second region 14.46 which is on the second side 18, to illuminate stations on the second side; main axis 42 is directed towards a third region 14.10 which is on the first side, to illuminate stations on the first side; and main axis 44 is directed towards a fourth region 14.63, to illuminate stations on the second side.