Configurable Massive MIMO Antenna Module Switching Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional massive MIMO antennas face challenges in providing flexible beamforming capabilities to cover diverse application scenarios, such as rural and urban areas, due to limited vertical and horizontal range restrictions, necessitating the development of two different antenna types, which complicates logistics and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The design of a configurable antenna module with a switching matrix that allows each signal port to be coupled with either all antenna elements in a row or column, enabling flexible beam steering without the need for additional transceivers, thus accommodating various application requirements with a single antenna model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two concurrent or neighboring vertical antenna elements are combined, then the number of transceiver paths is reduced by a factor of two, but the vertical range in which a beam can be directed is significantly reduced to only +/−10°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna element pairing configurable rather than fixed. The switching matrix allows the system to dynamically change which antenna elements are paired together - whether vertically or horizontally - depending on the required beam direction range. This enables the same hardware to adapt between wide vertical coverage (horizontal pairing) and reduced complexity (vertical pairing) scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the configuration parameter of antenna element pairing from a fixed state to a configurable state. By using the switching matrix to control which antenna elements are connected to the same transceiver path, the system can adjust the pairing orientation (vertical or horizontal) to optimize for different operational requirements, thus changing the effective parameters of the antenna array.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two horizontal antenna elements are paired, then a wide vertical range for beam direction is achieved, but two different kinds of antennas are required for different use cases, complicating logistics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single antenna module that can perform multiple functions through configurable switching. The same physical antenna elements can be paired vertically or horizontally depending on the switching matrix configuration, allowing one antenna model to serve both rural areas (wide horizontal coverage) and urban areas (wide vertical coverage for high-rise buildings) without requiring separate antenna types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic reconfiguration capability where the switching matrix can change the pairing configuration of antenna elements based on the deployment scenario. This dynamic adaptability allows a single static antenna hardware design to provide different beamforming capabilities as needed, eliminating the need for multiple antenna models in the logistics chain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each antenna element is connected to its own transceiver, then beamforming capabilities are optimized for arbitrary directions, but transceivers and their corresponding front end elements become very complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple antenna elements to share common transceiver paths. Instead of dedicating one transceiver per antenna element, the system pairs antenna elements (vertically or horizontally) and connects each pair to a single transceiver path. This reduces the total number of transceivers required while maintaining effective beamforming capability through the phased array of antenna elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an antenna module for a massive MIMO antenna, the antenna module comprising a plurality of first signal ports, a number of first antenna elements arranged in a first matrix arrangement, wherein a number of rows of the first matrix arrangement and/or a number of columns of the first matrix arrangement equals the number of first signal ports, and a switching matrix that is configured to controllably couple each of the first signal ports either with all first antenna elements of a respective row of the first matrix arrangement or all first antenna elements of a respective column of the first matrix arrangement. Further, the present invention provides a respective massive MIMO antenna.