Guided Wave Antenna Array for High-Bandwidth Wireless Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for higher bandwidth in wireless communication due to ubiquitous smart phones and data usage poses challenges for existing wireless infrastructure, particularly in providing reliable broadband access and efficient data transmission over traditional macrocells.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that utilizes an antenna array and multiple communication paths to transmit and receive data via guided electromagnetic waves along transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials, eliminating the need for an electrical return path and allowing for efficient propagation over long distances with reduced loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional macrocell wireless infrastructure is used, then coverage area is provided, but bandwidth capability is insufficient to address increased data demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional macrocell coverage area into multiple smaller cell zones, each served by distributed antenna systems. This segmentation allows each small cell to provide high-bandwidth service while collectively covering the entire macrocell area, thus resolving the contradiction between bandwidth capability and coverage area.
2Productivity
If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then bandwidth capability is improved, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small cell antenna systems into a unified distributed antenna network that shares common signal processing and control functions. This merging approach maintains high mobile bandwidth capability while reducing overall infrastructure complexity through resource sharing and centralized management.
3Loss of energy
If guided electromagnetic waves are used along transmission media, then propagation loss is reduced, but device complexity increases due to antenna array requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the antenna array elements to serve multiple functions: they act as both guided wave launchers and receivers, provide spatial diversity for signal robustness, and enable beamforming for directional communication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby lowering overall device complexity while maintaining low propagation loss.
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 enables efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss, supports high-frequency signals, and provides reliable broadband access by using guided electromagnetic waves that can propagate along transmission media without requiring an electrical circuit, thus addressing the bandwidth demands and infrastructure limitations.
Implementation Method 1
transmit and receive data via guided electromagnetic waves along transmission media
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system configured for receiving modulated signals operating in a first plurality of frequency bands, and utilizing a plurality of signaling protocols, selectively converting the plurality of modulated signals to a plurality of frequency converted signals, wherein the second plurality of frequency bands differs from the first plurality of frequency bands, selectively assigning at least one of the second plurality of frequency bands to each of a respective one of a plurality of antenna systems, and transmitting a reference signal with the plurality of frequency converted signals for receipt by a respective one of the plurality of antenna systems. Other embodiments are disclosed.