Dual-Polarized Ceiling Antenna with Translucent Radome
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antennas for wireless communication networks face challenges in providing wide operating bandwidth, polarization diversity, and aesthetic appeal while minimizing distortion and antenna size, often requiring customization and having limited performance capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) antenna apparatus featuring vertically and horizontally polarized elements, with the horizontally polarized element made from translucent materials and a radiator mesh, allowing for a slim design that blends with ceiling tiles and eliminates the need for aesthetic customization, while supporting both horizontal and vertical polarization diversity and spatial diversity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If spatial diversity implementations using two vertical antenna elements are used to reduce antenna size, then the antenna size is reduced, but the antenna projects significantly from the ceiling surface (below-ceiling height exceeds 100 mm) and becomes visually noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical antenna elements (one dimension) to horizontally polarized elements arranged in a planar configuration (two dimensions), allowing the antenna to lie flat against the ceiling surface. This dimensional change enables the antenna to maintain compact size while achieving a low-profile appearance that blends with the ceiling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different element configurations for different spatial locations: horizontally polarized elements are used in the visible plane to achieve aesthetic blending, while vertically polarized elements are positioned above the ceiling to provide functional diversity without visual impact. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between size reduction and profile minimization.
2Reliability
If a polymer radome is used to cover the antenna elements, then the antenna is protected and can be aesthetically customized, but additional painting and aesthetic customization are required during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a translucent or transparent radome material that allows the antenna to blend with the ceiling by matching the ceiling's light transmission properties. This eliminates the need for painting while maintaining aesthetic integration, as the radome's optical properties naturally camouflage the antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radome is designed to be self-integrating with the ceiling aesthetic through its inherent translucent properties, eliminating the need for additional customization steps. The material itself provides the aesthetic function that previously required separate painting operations, simplifying the installation process.
3Volume of moving object
If MIMO branches are designed to cover only some of the main antenna operating band to minimize antenna size, then the antenna size is reduced, but the operating bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple independently configured MIMO branches, each capable of operating across the full frequency band. By segmenting the antenna into multiple horizontal and vertical polarized elements, the system achieves full bandwidth coverage while maintaining compact dimensions through efficient spatial utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite antenna structure combining horizontally and vertically polarized elements in a unified planar configuration. This composite architecture enables the antenna to support multiple polarization modes simultaneously across the entire operating band, achieving both compact size and wide bandwidth through integrated multi-functional design.
4Shape
If the antenna is designed to be aesthetically pleasing and blend with the ceiling, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the antenna may require customization that takes additional time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses translucent radome material that inherently matches the optical properties of typical ceiling materials, providing aesthetic integration without requiring painting or customization. This eliminates time-consuming aesthetic modification steps while maintaining visual blending with the ceiling environment.
Data Source
AI summary
In-building dual-polarized antenna apparatus components, assemblies, and methods for manufacturing and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the dual-polarized ceiling mount antenna apparatus comprises a multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) device and is constructed to meet one or more aesthetically-related design goals such as e.g., being visually appealing. Specifically, only the horizontally polarized antenna element of the exemplary MIMO apparatus is visible as the remainder of the MIMO antenna apparatus is hidden from view above a ceiling tile. Moreover, the radome of the horizontally polarized antenna element is manufactured from a substantially translucent polymer cover and includes a “thin” radiating mesh. Resident above the ceiling tile, and normally obscured from view, is a vertically polarized antenna element along with an optional reflector element. Performance characteristics of the MIMO antenna apparatus and methods of manufacturing and using the aforementioned MIMO antenna apparatus are also disclosed.