Interleaved Multi-Band Base Station Antennas for Massive MIMO

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing base station antennas face challenges in integrating massive MIMO capabilities in upper frequency bands due to space constraints, wind loading, and zoning restrictions, making it difficult to add additional antenna arrays to existing towers for enhanced capacity.

Innovation Solution

The integration of high-band and low-band radiating elements in a multi-band base station antenna, where low-band elements are configured to be electromagnetically transparent at high-band frequencies, allowing for the interleaving of high-band arrays within the envelope of low-band arrays, thereby enabling massive MIMO operation without the need for additional antennas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If additional antenna arrays are added to existing towers for massive MIMO capabilities, then capacity and throughput are improved, but wind loading and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacityVSAvoidwind loading

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines high-band and low-band antenna arrays into a single integrated structure, where the high-band array is positioned within the envelope of the low-band array. This merging allows massive MIMO capabilities to be achieved without adding separate antenna structures, thereby improving capacity while avoiding increased wind loading from additional arrays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The high-band antenna array is nested within the spatial envelope defined by the low-band array elements. The high-band elements are positioned in the spaces between low-band elements, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space utilization and eliminates the need for additional external structures that would increase wind loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If additional antenna arrays are added to existing towers, then capacity is improved, but available mounting space is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacityVSAvoidmounting space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges high-band and low-band arrays into a single integrated antenna system, eliminating the need for separate mounting spaces. The combined structure fits within the existing tower footprint while providing massive MIMO capabilities through the interleaved element configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional array layout to a three-dimensional interleaved configuration. By positioning high-band elements in the vertical and horizontal spaces between low-band elements, the design utilizes the third dimension (depth/space between elements) to accommodate additional radiating elements without increasing the external footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multiple arrays of radiating elements are incorporated in a single base station antenna, then capacity is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple frequency band arrays into a single integrated structure with a unified support system, feed network, and envelope. This consolidation reduces structural complexity compared to maintaining separate arrays while still achieving massive MIMO capacity through the interleaved element configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single antenna structure serves multiple functions by integrating both low-band and high-band radiating elements within a common envelope and support system. The unified design provides multi-band coverage and massive MIMO capabilities simultaneously, reducing the need for separate structural components for each array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

This solution allows for the implementation of higher MIMO orders like 16T16R without additional antenna installations, optimizing space and reducing wind loading, while maintaining performance and capacity enhancements.

Implementation Method 1

low-band elements are configured to be electromagnetically transparent at high-band frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transparency:

Data Source

PatentUS12166283B2Multi-band base station antennas having interleaved arrays

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

Base station antennas are provided herein. A base station antenna includes one or more vertical columns of low-band radiating elements configured to transmit RF signals in a first frequency band. The base station antenna also includes a plurality of vertical columns of high-band radiating elements configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band that is higher than the first frequency band. The vertical columns of high-band radiating elements extend in parallel with the one or more vertical columns of low-band radiating elements in a vertical direction.