Lens-Enhanced Antenna Array for Continuous RF Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Lens-Enhanced Phase-Array (LEPA) RF receivers face challenges with lower power reception due to non-uniform power distribution and discretized scanning, which limits their effectiveness in achieving reliable communication, especially in 4G and 5G standards, and increases the size of the receiver, making it impractical for devices requiring a thinner form factor.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a lens-based feeder array configuration that uses a proximity of the lens to the feeder array to enable continuous scanning and equalized power distribution across the antenna elements, utilizing different lens configurations with varying shapes, sizes, and permittivity profiles to enhance beam steering and power gain without increasing the array size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the area of the phased array antenna panel is increased to increase received power, then the received power is improved, but the size of the receiver increases making it impractical for thinner form factor devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar array to a three-dimensional volumetric array by stacking multiple antenna panels at different depths. This allows the system to achieve higher effective aperture and received power without increasing the lateral footprint of the receiver, thereby maintaining a thin form factor while improving power reception capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple antenna panels are stacked within a compact volumetric space. Each panel is positioned at a different depth coordinate, creating a nested three-dimensional configuration that maximizes the effective area within a constrained lateral footprint, thus improving power reception without increasing overall receiver size.
2Power
If the number of antennas in the phased array is increased to increase received power, then the received power is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large three-dimensional antenna array into multiple smaller two-dimensional panels, each containing a manageable number of antenna elements. These segmented panels are then positioned at different depths to form the complete volumetric array. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual panel design and assembly while achieving the desired total aperture and received power through spatial distribution.
3Measurement precision
If discrete scanning is performed for each phase-array element to measure power at different scan angles, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the overall delay in power measurement and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous electronic scanning across the three-dimensional antenna array by applying progressive phase shifts to all antenna elements simultaneously. This allows the beam to sweep continuously through different scan angles without stopping at discrete positions, maintaining measurement accuracy while dramatically reducing the total measurement and processing time compared to discrete element-by-element scanning.
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 improves power gain and facilitates robust communication for millimeter wave devices at 4G and 5G standards, reduces the receiver size, and enables continuous scanning, addressing the limitations of conventional LEPA configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens configured to guide a beam of input RF signals across the feeder array of a plurality of antenna elements
Implementation Method 2
lens-based enhancement of RF signals... lens configurations with varying shapes, sizes, and permittivity profiles to enhance beam steering and power gain
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a system board that includes a plurality of chips. Each chip in plurality of chips includes a plurality of antennas. A system cover coupled to system board includes a plurality of lenses. Each lens is configured to cover an antenna of plurality of antennas as a radome enclosure. Each lens includes a base, and a first tubular membrane coupled to base. A second membrane coupled to first tubular membrane. First tubular membrane and Second membrane cause the lens to have a bell shape. A support structure coupled to first tubular membrane. Support structure facilitates coupling of plurality of lenses to system cover. Each chip comprises a feeder array that further comprises a plurality of antenna elements that are positioned at a proximal distance from base of a lens, A distribution of a gain of input RF signals is substantially equalized across plurality of antenna elements.