Dual Polar Antenna Array with Distinct Beamforming for Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current base station antenna systems face challenges in maximizing uplink capacity while maintaining downlink performance, with separate arrays for uplink and downlink requiring more land and increasing aesthetic impact, and existing sectorization methods not adequately addressing future capacity demands.
Innovation Solution
A common antenna array with distinct beamforming arrangements for uplink and downlink, using a six column array for the uplink to form multiple (sin x/x) beams and low cusp beams for the downlink, allowing independent design to meet differing requirements and reducing overlap and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate antenna arrays are used for uplink and downlink, then each direction can be optimized independently, but the number of base stations increases and land area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single antenna array that serves both uplink and downlink functions simultaneously. The array is configured with beamforming capabilities that can independently optimize for each direction through separate weighting schemes, allowing one structure to perform multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated arrays for each communication direction.
2Productivity
If more base stations are deployed to increase capacity, then coverage and capacity requirements are met, but costs increase and aesthetic impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the beamforming weights and antenna element configurations to achieve different beam patterns for uplink and downlink. By adjusting parameters such as beam direction, width, and shape through mathematical weighting of antenna elements, the system achieves enhanced capacity and coverage from a single base station without requiring additional physical infrastructure.
3Productivity
If traditional sectorization is used to increase capacity, then some capacity improvement is achieved, but partition loss increases and further capacity gains are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing adaptive beamforming that can dynamically adjust beam characteristics based on traffic conditions and spatial distribution of users. Unlike fixed sectorization, the beam patterns can be reconfigured in real-time to optimize capacity utilization and minimize partition loss by adapting to changing network conditions and user locations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an antenna array suitable for use in a base station in a wireless communications network, the antenna array having a first beamforming arrangement for producing uplink beams and a second beamforming arrangement for producing downlink beams, wherein the first and second beamforming arrangements are different from one another. Preferably the first and second beamforming arrangements feed a common antenna array to produce the uplink and downlink beams. Particularly preferably a plurality of (sin x/x) beams are formed for the uplink, and a plurality of low cusp beams are formed for the downlink. These are advantageously dual polar, in order to achieve diversity gain. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna array is arranged such that three dual polar low cusp beams are formed for the downlink, and six dual polar (sin x/x) beams are formed for the uplink. A cellular communications network and a base station transceiver having such antenna arrays are also provided, as are a radio signal transmitted as a plurality of (sin x/x) beams forming an uplink of a cellular communications network, and a method of operating a wireless communications network.