Beam Steering via Focus Array and Lookup Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving fast beam steering and long-range, high-data-rate communication links due to limitations in phase and amplitude programming, computation, and the costly deployment of high-gain, narrow-beam antennas that require precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a transceiver circuit with fed channels generating signals for antenna arrays, coupled with a focus array that includes frequency-dependent phase offset antenna arrays and tiled reflector/transmit arrays, enabling fast beam steering and long-range communication with high capacity, using pre-loaded lookup tables and integrated circuits for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If high gain antennas with narrow beam width are used to achieve long range communication, then communication range and data rate are improved, but deployment cost and alignment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple antenna arrays arranged in a grid configuration, where each array can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high gain and long range communication without requiring precise alignment of a single narrow beam antenna, as multiple slightly wider beams can be combined to achieve the same effective coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-dimension beam steering to two-dimensional beamforming by arranging antenna arrays in a grid pattern with both horizontal and vertical elements. This dimensional expansion enables more flexible beam control and reduces the precision requirements for individual element alignment while maintaining long range capability
2Speed
If conventional phase and amplitude programming is used for beam steering, then system simplicity is maintained, but beam steering speed is limited by computation and settling time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-computed beamforming weight sets stored in lookup tables for different beam directions and focal zones. When beam steering is required, the system simply switches between pre-computed configurations rather than performing real-time phase and amplitude calculations, dramatically reducing the time required for beam steering operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically reconfigurable antenna arrays where beamforming weights can be rapidly switched between different pre-computed states. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt beam directions quickly in response to changing communication requirements without being constrained by slow computation cycles
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
This solution allows for very fast beam steering and high-capacity, long-range wireless communication links, improving steering and beamforming capabilities while reducing deployment costs and complexity, suitable for 5G networks with time division duplex operations.
Implementation Method 1
The focus array may have a plurality of focal zones configured to reflect the beams into a beam zone. Each beam may be steerable by the antenna to one of the focal zones at a time. The focal zones may redirect the beams to a plurality of locations within the beam zone.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a transceiver circuit, an antenna and a focus array. The transceiver circuit may have a plurality of fed channels configured to generate a plurality of signals. The antenna may have a plurality of antenna arrays configured to generate one or more beams in response to the signals. Each antenna array may (i) have a plurality of subarrays and (ii) be coupled to the fed channels of the transceiver circuit. The focus array may have a plurality of focal zones configured to reflect the beams into a beam zone. Each beam may be steerable by the antenna to one of the focal zones at a time. The focal zones may redirect the beams to a plurality of locations within the beam zone.