Glazing-Mounted 4G/5G Antenna With Decoated RF Transmission Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glazing units with solar control coatings significantly attenuate RF signals, particularly at high frequencies, impairing indoor and outdoor communication, and existing solutions for improving signal penetration through glazing units compromise thermal performance or field of view.
Innovation Solution
A 4G and/or 5G signal communication unit with a housing containing an antenna and a matching element, attached to a glazing unit, which includes a decoated zone in the coating system to enhance RF signal transmission and beamforming, while maintaining thermal efficiency and field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a solar control coating system is applied to the glazing unit to reduce heat accumulation, then thermal comfort is improved, but RF signal transmission is significantly attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a decoated zone at specific locations on the glazing unit where RF signals need to penetrate, while maintaining the solar control coating in other areas to preserve thermal performance. This localized modification allows the system to have different properties in different regions: full coating for thermal control and decoated areas for signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating system is segmented into coated regions and decoated zones. The glazing unit surface is divided into functional areas where the coating is present in some regions and absent in others, allowing simultaneous achievement of thermal control and RF signal penetration in different spatial locations.
2Reliability
If a decoated zone is created in the coating system to improve RF signal penetration, then communication performance is improved, but thermal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The decoated zone is strategically positioned at locations where RF signal penetration is most needed (such as near antenna positions), while the majority of the glazing surface retains the solar control coating to maintain thermal efficiency. This localized approach minimizes the impact on thermal performance while achieving adequate signal penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely removing the coating from the entire glazing unit, only partial decoating is performed in specific zones. This partial action is sufficient to improve RF signal penetration where needed while preserving the thermal control function in the coated regions.
3Strength
If the glazing unit uses multiple glass panels with interlayers to reduce noise and ensure safety, then structural performance is improved, but RF signal transmission is further attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the compounded attenuation effect of multiple glass panels by applying the decoated zone strategy to the entire glazing assembly. By removing coating in strategic locations, RF signals can penetrate through the multiple glass layers and interlayers more effectively, compensating for the signal loss caused by the complex multi-layer structure.
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
The solution provides improved indoor and outdoor RF signal penetration with a wide field of view and increased likelihood of line-of-sight links for both low and high frequencies through glazing units, enhancing communication performance without compromising thermal comfort.
Implementation Method 1
at least one adaptive fixing means is provided to fix the communication device to the housing to adapt the distance between the antenna and the housing to minimize the detuning of the antenna
Implementation Method 2
a glazing unit may be coated with a coating system, for example a solar control coating system, which absorbs or reflects solar energy
Implementation Method 3
a glazing unit may be coated with a coating system, for example a solar control coating system, which absorbs or reflects solar energy
Implementation Method 4
at least one of the two glass panels comprises two glass sheets laminated together by at least one interlayer
Data Source
AI summary
A 4G and/or 5G signal communication unit is able to be attached to a glazing unit that includes housing with at least side parts and a cover. A communication device is fixed inside the housing and is surrounded by the side parts and the cover. The 4G and/or 5G signal communication device has at least one antenna. The housing includes a matching element. A communication system includes a glazing unit, at least the 4G and/or 5G signal communication unit and a provider fixed station or active or passive repeater, which is placed at least at 1 m outside from the glazing unit. The 4G and/or 5G signal communication unit is fixed to the glazing unit at the opposite side from the provider fixed station or active or passive repeater.