Elevated Platform Beam-Forming Antenna for Supercell Site Survey
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional site survey tools are inadequate for evaluating large dimensions of cell coverage (20-75 km) required for high-elevation cellular base station deployments, leading to high costs and inefficient network infrastructure deployment in rural areas.
Innovation Solution
A site survey tool featuring an elevated platform with a directionally adjustable beam-forming antenna and a ground unit that adjusts to multiple locations, measuring signal quality and estimating the power azimuth angular spectrum based on the antenna's motion, beam-forming pattern, and received signal phase and amplitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional base stations are placed on 30-40 meter standard height towers, then coverage area is limited, but deployment cost increases due to requiring several towers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level base stations to elevated platforms (aerostats, balloons, high-altitude balloons) operating at heights of 30-75 km, adding a vertical dimension to base station deployment. This dimensional change enables single platforms to cover vast areas previously requiring multiple ground-based towers, directly resolving the contradiction between coverage area and number of stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the elevation parameter from conventional 30-40 meter towers to high-altitude platforms at 30-75 km elevation. This parameter transformation allows a single platform to provide coverage equivalent to or greater than multiple conventional towers, reducing the total quantity of base stations needed while expanding coverage area.
2Length of moving object
If base stations are elevated to greater heights, then propagation range improves, but site survey capability deteriorates due to lack of appropriate survey equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the elevated platform system: the platform simultaneously serves as a base station providing communication services and as a mobile survey platform equipped with antennas and measurement equipment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the same elevated structure that extends propagation range to also perform site survey operations at various locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile ground vehicle as an intermediary survey platform that can position itself at different locations to conduct measurements. This intermediary approach enables site survey capability at elevated deployment locations without requiring the base station itself to be fixed, bridging the gap between extended propagation range and survey flexibility.
3Quantity of substance
If elevated platforms are used to reduce number of base stations, then deployment cost decreases, but measurement precision deteriorates due to antenna beam direction changes during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic beam tracking where the antenna system continuously adjusts its beam direction to follow the moving platform. This dynamic adaptation ensures that signal quality measurements remain precise despite platform movement, resolving the contradiction between reduced number of base stations and maintained measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors platform position and antenna beam direction, then adjusts the beam steering to maintain optimal alignment. This closed-loop feedback ensures measurement precision is preserved even as the platform moves to different survey locations, enabling cost-effective deployment with fewer base stations.
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
Enables effective evaluation of sites for supercell base station deployment, reducing the number of elevated base stations needed and lowering the total cost of ownership by determining suitable areas for high-elevation installations that support adaptive high-order sectorization.
Implementation Method 1
an elevated platform includes a directionally adjustable beam-forming antenna
Implementation Method 2
transmitting or receiving, by an elevated platform, wireless signals
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for a site survey tool are disclosed. One site survey tool includes an elevated platform, wherein the elevated platform includes a directionally adjustable beam-forming antenna, wherein the elevated platform operates to adjust an elevation of the adjustable beam-forming antenna, and wherein the elevated platform operates to transmit or receive wireless signals while the directionally adjustable beam-forming antenna changes a beam direction. Further, a ground unit transmits wireless signals to the elevated platform or receives wireless signals from the elevated platform while the directionally adjustable beam-forming antenna changes the beam direction. A signal quality of received wireless signals is measured, and a power azimuth angular spectrum of a surveyed site is estimated based on a known motion of the adjustable beam-forming antenna, a known beam-forming pattern of the adjustable beam-forming antenna, and the measured phase and amplitude of the received wireless signals.