Distributed Beamforming With Portable Devices for Long-Range Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable communication devices with isotropic antenna elements face limitations in transmitting wireless messages over long distances without bulky or costly equipment, especially in environments lacking tower-mounted beamforming transmitters.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising multiple discrete communication devices with isotropic antenna elements and controllers, where a master device determines the relative locations of follower devices and assigns phase delay values to form a phased antenna array that transmits messages with a phase taper, enabling beam formation towards a target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If portable communication devices use isotropic antenna elements, then the devices are portable and easy to operate, but the communication range is limited and cannot achieve long-distance transmission
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple portable communication devices are merged to form a distributed antenna array system. The devices work together cooperatively, combining their individual isotropic antenna elements into a unified phased array that achieves long-range beamforming capability while maintaining the portability and ease of operation of individual devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from individual device operation to multi-dimensional coordinated operation. By introducing spatial dimensionality through multiple devices at different locations and applying phase delay control across this spatial dimension, the system achieves directional beamforming and extends communication range beyond what single devices can accomplish.
2Length of stationary object
If tower-mounted beamforming transmitters with large antenna arrays are used, then long-distance communication is achieved, but the system requires bulky and costly equipment that is not available in all environments
Solution Approach 1:
The large tower-mounted antenna array is segmented into multiple small, portable communication devices. Instead of requiring one bulky centralized array, the system divides the functionality across multiple independent devices that can be distributed and deployed easily in various environments, achieving the same long-range beamforming capability through distributed coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable communication devices use their existing built-in antenna elements and processing capabilities to perform beamforming functions. Each device leverages its own resources (antenna, controller, processor) to contribute to the collective array operation, eliminating the need for additional specialized hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
3Length of stationary object
If conventional tactics using parabolic dishes are employed, then communication range is extended, but the system requires additional hardware that must be packed, carried, and operated manually
Solution Approach 1:
The portable communication devices serve multiple functions: they act as both the communication endpoint and the antenna array element simultaneously. The same device that the user operates for communication also contributes its antenna to the phased array system, eliminating the need for separate parabolic dish hardware and reducing the quantity of additional equipment required.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication devices use their own built-in antenna elements to provide the beamforming capability. Instead of requiring external parabolic dishes to focus RF energy, each device leverages its own antenna resources to contribute to the collective directional transmission, reducing hardware requirements while extending communication range.
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 solution allows for reliable, long-distance communication without additional hardware, increasing the range of communication by several times and enabling successful message transmission over distances that individual devices cannot achieve alone.
Implementation Method 1
assign different phase delay values to the communication devices based on the relative locations of the follower devices to the master device
Implementation Method 2
the antenna array transmits the message payload with a phase taper defined by the phase delay values to form a beam in a direction of interest towards a target
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A communication system and method include a group of multiple, discrete communication devices, each including an isotropic antenna element and a controller. A role of a first communication device is master device, and the role of the other communication devices is follower device. The controller of the master device determines relative locations of the follower devices to the master device, and assigns different phase delay values to the communication devices based on the relative locations. The controller of the master device communicates message information including the phase delay values, a message payload, and a transmit time to the follower devices for the isotropic antenna elements of the communication devices to collectively form an antenna array that transmits the message payload at the transmit time. The antenna array transmits the message payload with a phase taper defined by the phase delay values to form a beam towards a target.