Dual Antenna Array System for Wide and Narrow Beam Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna deployment technologies can only provide narrow beam coverage, failing to meet the requirement for both wide and narrow beam coverage in multi-column antenna systems.

Innovation Solution

An antenna system comprising a first antenna array for wide beam coverage and a second antenna array for narrow beam coverage, with a multi-band combiner connected to both, allowing for adjustable beam configurations and reduced mutual coupling through optimized column intervals and isolation apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If close-spaced multi-column antennas are deployed to improve antenna capacity, then antenna capacity is improved, but beam coverage becomes narrow and cannot provide both wide and narrow beam coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna capacityVSAvoidbeam coverage flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into two separate antenna arrays: a first antenna array with larger column intervals configured for wide beam coverage, and a second antenna array with smaller column intervals configured for narrow beam coverage. This segmentation allows each array to specialize in specific beam types, resolving the contradiction between antenna capacity and beam coverage flexibility by enabling both wide and narrow beam capabilities simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single antenna array is used to provide both wide and narrow beam coverage, then device complexity is reduced, but beam quality and coverage performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna system structureVSAvoidbeam coverage performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses two dedicated antenna arrays instead of one multi-functional array. The first array with larger spacing optimizes wide beam performance, while the second array with smaller spacing optimizes narrow beam performance. This segmentation improves beam coverage performance for both beam types compared to a single array, while the overall system complexity remains manageable through standardized array designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Both antenna arrays are designed with the same basic structure and can support multiple frequency bands through multi-band combiners, providing universal functionality. This allows the system to maintain relatively simple device complexity while achieving specialized beam coverage performance through the dual-array configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the column interval is reduced to provide narrow beam coverage, then narrow beam quality is improved, but wide beam coverage capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenarrow beam qualityVSAvoidwide beam coverage capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the beam formation function into two arrays: the second antenna array with smaller column intervals is optimized for narrow beam quality, while the first antenna array with larger column intervals is optimized for wide beam coverage capability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different spatial configurations to different beam requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a dimensional aspect by using two arrays with different column interval characteristics working in parallel. Instead of trying to optimize a single array for both narrow and wide beams, the solution operates in a higher-dimensional space where each array contributes its specialized capability, achieving both narrow beam quality and wide beam coverage through combined operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3057179B1Antenna system and base station
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3057179B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3057179B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3057179B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna system and a base station. The antenna system according to the present invention includes a first antenna array configured to form wide beam coverage and a second antenna array configured to form narrow beam coverage. The first antenna array includes at least one column of antennas, where each column of antennas provide at least one wide beam port; the second antenna array includes at least two columns of antennas, and the second antenna array provides at least one narrow beam port. The embodiments of the present invention resolve a problem that close-spaced multi-column antennas can provide only a narrow beam, and satisfy a requirement that an antenna system should provide both a wide beam and a narrow beam.