Top-Mounted Directive Antenna for Drone Backhaul Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerial base stations face challenges in achieving high throughput capacity for backhaul links while maintaining a small size and minimizing interference with existing networks, especially for smaller drones with strict size and weight constraints.

Innovation Solution

The use of a directive backhaul antenna mounted on the aerial base station, oriented such that the main beam is parallel to the axis of the largest dimension of the antenna, allows for efficient backhaul connectivity without the need for beamsteering, enabling a smaller and lighter drone design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a directive backhaul antenna is used to improve backhaul link throughput, then the backhaul link budget is enhanced and data rates increase, but the antenna size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackhaul link throughputVSAvoidantenna weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional side-mounted antenna configuration to top-mounted configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension (z-axis) for antenna placement. This dimensional change allows the antenna to be positioned above the drone body, leveraging the main beam direction along the z-axis to achieve superior backhaul performance without lateral space constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric antenna elements with different dimensions along x, y, and z axes, where the largest dimension is oriented along the z-axis. This asymmetric design creates an end-fire radiation pattern with the main beam directed vertically, optimizing backhaul connectivity while managing the antenna's physical footprint on the drone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If a larger antenna is used to increase antenna gain for better backhaul connectivity, then the backhaul link distance and throughput improve, but the device size and carrying capacity constraints are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackhaul link connectivityVSAvoidantenna volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by mounting the antenna on the top surface of the drone body, allowing the antenna's largest dimension to extend along the z-axis. This approach bypasses the lateral space (x-y plane) constraints, enabling larger effective aperture for higher gain without increasing the drone's horizontal footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent concentrates the antenna's radiating elements and electromagnetic energy in the vertical direction (z-axis), creating a focused end-fire beam pattern. This localized quality enhancement in the vertical dimension provides high directional gain toward the donor base station while keeping the antenna's horizontal dimensions compact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional side-mounted antenna configuration is used, then the antenna can be installed, but beamsteering functionality is required and stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna installationVSAvoiddrone stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional antenna mounting approach by placing the antenna on the top of the drone instead of the side. This inversion eliminates the need for beamsteering mechanisms because the main beam naturally points along the vertical z-axis toward the ground-based donor base station, simplifying the system and improving stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the beamsteering functionality from the antenna system by adopting a fixed top-mounted configuration where the main beam direction aligns with the vertical axis. This extraction eliminates complex mechanical or electronic beamsteering components, reducing device complexity and enhancing stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Length of stationary object

If transmit power is increased to extend backhaul link distance, then the coverage area increases, but the power consumption increases and flying time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackhaul link distanceVSAvoidtransmit power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the antenna configuration parameters (mounting position and orientation) to achieve higher directional gain. This parameter change in the antenna system allows the backhaul link to extend over longer distances with lower transmit power, as the enhanced antenna gain compensates for path loss without requiring increased power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250141533A1Method and devices for providing backhaul links

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

An aerial base station is disclosed comprising a directive backhaul antenna for obtaining a backhaul link to a ground-based donor base station. The directive backhaul antenna is arranged on a body of the aerial base station such that a direction of a main beam of the directive backhaul antenna towards the donor base station is essentially parallel to an axis of a largest dimension of the directive backhaul antenna. The directive backhaul antenna is mounted such that the axis of the largest dimension is parallel to the body of the aerial base station.