Low-Profile End-Fire Antenna Array for Urban Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
In densely populated urban areas, the limited number of conventional cell towers due to zoning, aesthetic, and structural constraints results in insufficient cellular throughput, and existing small cell solutions like micro-, pico-, and femtocells may not adequately address the coverage and aesthetic concerns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of low-profile end-fire antennas mounted on buildings and structures, which are designed to be visually discreet, adjustable, and capable of targeting specific areas of high demand, using a combination of monopoles, positioning stands, and radomes to optimize signal direction and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cell towers are installed to provide cellular coverage, then throughput capacity is improved, but aesthetic impact and structural requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cellular coverage function into multiple small distributed units (microcells, picocells, femtocells) rather than using single large cell towers. Each small cell provides localized coverage, collectively achieving the throughput of a macro cell while having minimal visual impact on individual structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from vertical deployment (tall cell towers) to horizontal distribution (multiple low-profile small cells mounted on buildings, poles, and structures at various locations). This dimensional shift maintains coverage area while eliminating the need for tall structures that create aesthetic concerns.
2Productivity
If standard cell towers are installed to increase coverage, then cellular capacity is improved, but installation cost worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The small cell units are designed to be universally deployable on various existing structures (buildings, poles, walls, roofs) without requiring specialized tower infrastructure. This multi-functional mounting capability eliminates the need for expensive tower construction and foundation work, reducing deployment costs significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The small cell systems are designed for simplified self-deployment with standardized mounting hardware and modular components that can be installed with minimal structural modification. The units adapt to existing structures rather than requiring structures to be built to specification, reducing installation complexity and cost.
3Device complexity
If cell towers are placed on buildings to utilize existing structures, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but structural reinforcement requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The small cell units are designed as lightweight, temporary, or semi-permanent installations that can be mounted on existing structures without permanent structural modifications. The units can be easily removed or relocated if needed, avoiding costly structural reinforcement and building code compliance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting solutions are tailored to local structural characteristics, using appropriate attachment methods for different building types (brick, concrete, wood, metal). The distributed small cell approach allows selective placement on structures that can support the weight without requiring global structural reinforcement of the entire building.
4Productivity
If cell towers are installed in dense urban areas to provide coverage, then throughput is improved, but space availability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The small cell units are designed to nest within or attach to existing urban infrastructure (building facades, utility poles, streetlights, traffic signals, building interiors). This nesting approach utilizes existing vertical and horizontal space without requiring additional land or prominent structural additions, fitting seamlessly into the dense urban environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Low-profile end-fire antenna systems to provide additional throughput in areas of need with minimal structural and aesthetic impact. The system can include one or more low-profile end-fire antennas mounted to an exterior surface (e.g., a roof or parapet) of a building, parking deck, exiting cell tower, water tower, or other suitable structure. Additional electronics can be remotely mounted to maintain the low profile of the system. The system can be color-matched, or otherwise camouflaged, to maintain building aesthetics. The low-profile end-fire antenna can be mounted on a positioning stand to enable the elevation and/or azimuth of the system to be adjusted. The low profile of the antennas can reduce wind loading and enable the system to be mounted to existing structures without reinforcement, or other modification, to the structure. The orientation of the system relative to observers in many locations (e.g., on the ground) renders the system all but invisible.