Cycling Beam Shape Configurations for Wireless Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in providing network coverage to a mix of continuous and interval use devices, as existing methods often use a single beam configuration that does not optimize power usage or service delivery for devices with varying usage patterns.

Innovation Solution

The method involves cycling through a coverage sequence that includes a wide beam for all devices and a narrow beam for continuous use devices, while providing coverage by a less capable network to interval use devices, allowing for alternating power usage and service delivery based on device activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wide beam configuration is used to provide coverage for all devices in an area, then coverage availability for both active and inactive devices is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates due to low power beams being transmitted to all devices continuously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage availabilityVSAvoidpower efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between wide beam and narrow beam configurations based on device activity state. Active devices receive narrow high-power beams while inactive devices receive wide low-power beams, optimizing power efficiency while maintaining coverage availability. The beam configuration is not static but adapts to real-time network conditions and device states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different beam configurations are applied to different device groups based on their activity state. Continuous use devices receive narrow high-power beams tailored to their specific locations, while interval use devices receive wide low-power beams. This localized quality adjustment ensures each device group receives appropriate power levels without waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If a narrow beam configuration is used to provide high power coverage for continuous use devices, then power efficiency for active devices is improved, but coverage availability for interval use devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidcoverage availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic switching between wide beam coverage for all devices and narrow beam coverage for continuous use devices. During wide beam periods, interval use devices receive coverage; during narrow beam periods, power efficiency is optimized for active devices. This periodic alternation ensures both coverage availability and power efficiency are maintained over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The beam configuration dynamically adapts based on which devices are actively transmitting or receiving data. The system monitors device activity and switches beam types accordingly, ensuring narrow high-power beams are used only when necessary for active devices while wide low-power beams serve inactive devices, resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and coverage availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single beam configuration is used for all devices, then system complexity is reduced, but service optimization for devices with varying usage patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidservice optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic beam configuration switching based on device activity detection. The base station monitors whether devices are in continuous use or interval use states and automatically selects appropriate beam configurations. This dynamic adaptation provides service optimization for varying usage patterns without requiring complex manual configuration for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments devices into two groups: continuous use devices and interval use devices. Each segment receives appropriately optimized beam configurations - narrow high-power beams for continuous use devices and wide low-power beams for interval use devices. This segmentation enables service optimization without requiring individual customization for each device, balancing complexity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2749070B1Network coverage by cycling through beam shape coverage configurations
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 EMPIRE TECH DEV LLC
  • EP2749070B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2749070B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2749070B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The methods for providing network coverage for a group of devices may include cycling over time through a coverage sequence that includes providing a first coverage configuration and providing a second coverage configuration. Providing the first coverage configuration may include transmitting a first beam of a first network that may be configured to provide coverage for the group of devices. Providing the second coverage configuration may include transmitting a second beam of the first network that may be narrower than the first beam and configured to provide coverage to at least one continuous use device of the group of devices, and providing coverage by a second network to a plurality of interval use devices of the group of devices.