Interleaved Multiband Antenna Structure for Compact 5G Co-Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Installing new antennas in dense urban areas to support new wireless services, such as 5G, is challenging due to site availability issues and lengthy negotiations with site owners, especially when adding new frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
An interleaved arrangement of 5G antennas within existing multiband antenna structures, where low band (LB) antennas are integrated to fit within the physical space of 5G antennas, allowing for active passive antenna (APA) configurations with identical electrical lengths for radiating elements despite varying physical dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new antennas are installed in dense urban areas to support 5G services, then wireless service coverage is improved, but site availability becomes limited and negotiation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines 5G antennas and low band antennas into a single integrated antenna structure. The 5G antenna elements are positioned on the front surface of the low band antenna structure, creating a merged assembly that provides both 5G and legacy wireless services from one physical site, thereby improving service coverage without requiring additional negotiation for separate antenna installations
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated antenna structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides 5G wireless service through the 5G antenna elements while also maintaining low band wireless service through the low band antenna elements. This multi-functional design allows a single antenna installation to support multiple wireless services and frequency bands, enhancing adaptability without increasing site complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If 5G antennas are added to existing sites, then new wireless service is enabled, but existing antenna functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: 5G antenna elements are positioned on the front surface while low band antenna elements are positioned on the rear surface. This spatial segmentation allows each antenna type to operate independently with its own radiation pattern and performance characteristics, enabling new 5G service capability while preserving existing low band functionality without interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth/layering) to resolve the contradiction by placing 5G antenna elements on the front surface and low band antenna elements on the rear surface of the same structural assembly. This dimensional arrangement allows both antenna types to coexist in the same physical footprint without compromising each other's performance, as they operate from different spatial planes
3Area of stationary object
If antenna elements are arranged to fit within limited physical space, then space utilization is optimized, but maintaining identical electrical lengths becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of antenna elements within the compact structure. The 5G antenna elements and low band antenna elements are positioned at different locations and orientations to optimize their respective radiation patterns and electrical characteristics within the limited space. This asymmetric arrangement allows each antenna type to achieve its optimal electrical length and performance despite the compact footprint, maintaining manufacturing precision through deliberate asymmetric design rather than forcing symmetric constraints
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiband antenna structure having an open rectangular box shape is arraged to provide identical electrical lengths for all of its radiating elements notwithstanding that the physical dimensions of portions of the multiband antenna may not be identical. Advantageously, such a multiband antenna may be interleaved with a 5G antenna array having unequal spacing between the 5G antennas or having an offset between at least one of the rows and the columns. This may be achieved by incorporating a dielectric material in at least one radiating element, by forming a radiating element with a serpentine shape, by having a radiating element follow a chicane, by incorporating a reflector of a 5G array, or by employing capacitive coupling.