Directional Antenna Steering for Wireless Device Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently discovering and establishing communication between devices with directional antennas, particularly in crowded wireless spectra, where omni-directional antennas are costly and power-intensive, and conventional directional antennas require manual adjustment and may interfere with other channels.
Innovation Solution
A beaconing protocol with three phases - neighbor discovery, resource discovery, and data communication - uses a fixed common control channel for devices to automatically steer directional antennas and select a common available channel for data communication, enabling efficient channel selection and reduced interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If omni-directional antennas are used for wireless communication, then coverage area and ease of operation are improved, but power consumption and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic antenna steering that dynamically adjusts the directional antenna orientation to track and maintain optimal communication with neighboring devices. The antenna automatically changes its pointing direction based on detected signal characteristics, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining reliable connectivity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation through automation while using directional antennas that consume less power than omni-directional alternatives.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fixed directional antennas are used, then power consumption and device cost are reduced, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automatic steering mechanisms that enable directional antennas to dynamically adjust their orientation toward neighboring devices. This adaptability allows the fixed directional antenna design to automatically respond to different spatial configurations and communication scenarios, resolving the contradiction between reduced power consumption and maintained adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna steering system operates autonomously, automatically detecting and tracking neighboring devices without user intervention. The device self-adjusts its antenna orientation to maintain optimal communication, eliminating the need for manual operation while preserving the power-saving benefits of directional antennas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If directional antennas with automatic steering are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the antenna steering functionality within the existing wireless communication framework, using the same processor and communication protocols for both data transmission and directional control. This multi-functional approach enables adaptability through automatic steering while minimizing additional hardware complexity by reusing existing system components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication system includes first and second devices having directional antenna and face each other, where a processor of at least one of the first device and the second device is configured to assign a control channel common to the first device and the second device; exchange control information over the control channel; from the control information, find a data channel available to both the first device,and the second device for data communications between the first device and the second device; and communicate data over the data channel between the first device and the second device.