MIMO Microwave Links Through Concrete With Path Loss Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face challenges in penetrating obstructions such as concrete walls and floors due to signal degradation caused by attenuation, reflection, and other physical processes, limiting signal range and data rates.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system utilizing MIMO antennas and RF transceivers configured to compensate for path loss through lossy materials like concrete and rebar, maintaining desired data rates by enhancing signal penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If microwave signals are transmitted through obstructions such as concrete walls and floors, then wireless communication can be achieved without physical penetrations, but signal degradation occurs due to attenuation and reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system that uses microwave signals as an intermediary to penetrate obstructions. The system employs multiple antennas and signal processing techniques to mediate the transmission through concrete walls and floors without requiring physical penetrations or cabling, thus achieving wireless communication while maintaining signal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters such as frequency, power, and modulation schemes to optimize signal penetration through obstructions. By changing these parameters in real-time based on channel conditions, the system maintains reliable communication while adapting to different obstruction materials and thicknesses
2Productivity
If high-frequency microwave signals are used for high-speed wireless communication, then data rates increase, but attenuation by obstacles and free space also increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of transmission parameters based on real-time channel conditions. The system continuously monitors signal quality and adjusts frequency, power, and modulation schemes to maintain high data rates while compensating for attenuation caused by obstructions and free space path loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the receiving end communicates channel quality information back to the transmitting end. This feedback enables the transmitter to adjust its parameters optimally, maintaining high data rates despite varying attenuation conditions caused by different obstruction materials and distances
3Length of moving object
If signal power is increased to penetrate obstructions, then signal range and data rates improve, but received power reduction still limits performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple antennas at both transmitting and receiving ends to create multiple independent transmission paths through the obstruction. By segmenting the signal across multiple spatial channels, the system achieves diversity gain that compensates for path loss and maintains reliable received power over extended ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs composite signal processing techniques that combine multiple transmitted signals from different antennas with different characteristics. This composite approach creates a robust combined signal that penetrates obstructions more effectively than single-signal transmission, extending signal range while maintaining received power levels
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
The system enables reliable and efficient wireless communication through obstructions by minimizing signal degradation, eliminating the need for physical penetrations and cabling, and maintaining high data rates.
Implementation Method 1
The MIMO antenna is configured to transmit and receive wireless microwave signals through a physical obstruction
Implementation Method 2
The obstruction includes one or more materials that attenuate the strength of wireless microwave signals passing through the obstruction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are one or more apparatuses, systems and methods that allow microwave communications signals to pass efficiently and reliably through high-loss obstructions, such as concrete structures. For example, a concrete-penetrating microwave apparatus includes a wireless microwave transceiver coupled to a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna. The transceiver processes wireless microwave signals transmitted and received by the MIMO antenna through one or more obstructions. The MIMO antenna and transceiver are configured to compensate for path loss experienced by the microwave signals as they pass through the lossy obstruction so as to maintain the desired data rate of the wireless microwave signals. Concrete-penetrating microwave apparatuses may be paired together and aimed at each other, with one apparatus on either side of an obstruction, to allow high-speed networked microwave communication directly through the otherwise microwave-impenetrable obstruction. This permits high-bandwidth communications throughout buildings or other structures without having to install expensive wall/floor-penetrating cable.