Impedance-Tuned Access Point Antenna Array for Low-Loss Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard wireless access point systems with beam steering and beamforming capabilities for multiple channel frequencies require complex and expensive circuitry, leading to significant signal losses and poor receive and transmit performance.
Innovation Solution
A wireless access point system with an array of antenna elements and impedance tuning elements, including variable capacitors and reverse-biased diodes, that allows for beamforming and beamsteering by setting resonant and non-resonant impedance values, reducing parasitic coupling and enabling flexible radiation patterns and steering with low computational and circuit complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex circuitry such as Butler matrixes and multiple antenna arrays are used for beam steering and beamforming, then beamforming capability is achieved, but signal losses increase and Rx/Tx performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the impedance parameter of antenna elements dynamically using tuning elements (such as varactor diodes) to achieve beamforming. By adjusting the impedance of individual antenna elements across different frequencies, the system forms beams without requiring complex Butler matrix circuitry, thereby reducing signal losses while maintaining beamforming capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna arrays adapted for particular channel frequencies are used, then multi-frequency support is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single antenna array universal across multiple frequencies by incorporating impedance tuning elements on each antenna element. These tuning elements allow the same physical antenna structure to be adapted for different channel frequencies (e.g., 5GHz, 5.5GHz, 6GHz, 6.5GHz) without requiring separate dedicated arrays for each frequency, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-frequency support.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the impedance of antenna elements in real-time to support different frequencies and beamforming configurations. By using controllable tuning elements that can change their electrical characteristics, the antenna array transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that adapts to different operating conditions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-frequency arrays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Butler matrixes are used for phase shifting, then beam steering is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex Butler matrix phase-shifting circuitry from the system. Instead of using dedicated phase shifters and switching networks, the invention achieves beam steering directly through impedance control of antenna elements, eliminating the need for expensive and complex phase-shifting hardware while maintaining the essential beam steering functionality.
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 system provides improved beamformed wireless communication signals with high granularity in radiation pattern and steering, reducing signal losses and enhancing performance compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
impedance tuning elements that are each electrically coupled to a respective antenna element of the array... adapted to set a resonant impedance value of the impedance tuning elements... and set a non-resonant impedance value... for suppressing antenna element resonance
Implementation Method 2
the impedance tuning elements include variable capacitors that are each electrically coupled to an RF ground and the respective antenna element
Implementation Method 3
the impedance tuning elements include reverse-biased diodes that are each electrically coupled to an RF ground and the respective antenna element... adapted to modify a reverse DC bias of each of the reverse-biased diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless access point system is provided that includes at least one of a beamforming module adapted to set a resonant impedance value of impedance tuning elements of a first sub-array, wherein respective antenna elements of the first sub-array resonate at a first frequency, the beamforming module further adapted to set a non-resonant impedance value of the impedance tuning elements of a second sub-array for suppressing antenna element resonance at the first frequency, thereby configuring the array to provide a beamformed wireless communication signal; or a beamsteering module adapted to set the resonant impedance value for the impedance tuning elements of the first sub-array and set the non-resonant impedance value for the impedance tuning elements of the second sub-array for steering the beamformed wireless communication signal.