Element Arrays for Passive Reflection in Blocked mmWave Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges with high path loss and blockage issues in mmWave frequencies, particularly due to obstacles blocking the line-of-sight path between transmitters and receivers, leading to significant signal degradation and increased power consumption when using multiple active antennas.
Innovation Solution
Implementing distributed antennas as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) that act as passive reflectors, adjusting signal phase shifts to enhance directivity and reduce power consumption by limiting active RF chains, allowing for modes of operation as active antennas or passive reflectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple active antennas are used to overcome path loss and blockage, then communication quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into two distinct portions: an active portion that transmits and receives signals, and a passive reflecting portion that redirects signals without active electronics. This segmentation allows the system to achieve beamforming and path loss mitigation through the active portion while using the passive portion to overcome blockages, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to using all antennas actively.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive reflecting elements act as intermediaries that manipulate electromagnetic waves without requiring active power consumption. These elements reflect and redirect signals around obstacles, serving as a mediator between the active antennas and the target device, thus improving communication quality without proportionally increasing power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If distributed antennas are used as passive reflectors, then power consumption is reduced, but directivity control capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically configures which antenna elements are active and which are passive based on real-time communication requirements. The network can adjust the boundaries between active and passive portions, and modify the reflecting characteristics of passive elements, providing dynamic control over signal direction and strength without requiring all elements to be fully active at all times.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is designed with multi-functionality where elements can switch between active transmitting/receiving modes and passive reflecting modes. This universal design allows the same physical structure to perform multiple functions, providing both directivity control through active elements and power-efficient signal redirection through passive elements.
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
Enhances communication quality by mitigating path loss and blockage while reducing power consumption, effectively utilizing mmWave frequencies and other bands like FR3 or sub-terahertz bands.
Implementation Method 1
A RIS may include a set (e.g., an array) of passive reflecting elements, which can adjust signals incident on the surface via one or more phase shifts of the elements
Implementation Method 2
A RIS may include a set (e.g., an array) of passive reflecting elements, which can adjust signals incident on the surface via one or more phase shifts of the elements
Data Source
AI summary
Some examples of the techniques described herein may utilize distributed antennas with directivity gain. Distributed antennas may also be utilized as a passive reflector to assist one or more user equipments (UEs) with relatively weak links to a network entity. In some approaches, distributed antennas may achieve directivity while avoiding or reducing increased power consumption. The distributed antennas may also be utilized as a passive reflector when not used for active transmission or reception. For example, distributed antennas may be utilized as a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). A RIS may include a set (e.g., an array) of passive reflecting elements, which can adjust signals incident on the surface via one or more phase shifts of the elements.