MIMO Radio Frequency Assistant Antenna Spherical Arrangement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In compact wireless devices, achieving sufficient antenna separation for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems to reduce correlation and enhance spatial diversity is challenging due to limited space, which affects signal transmission reliability and performance.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency assistant is used to transform and retransmit radio frequency signals, with antennas separated by an optimal distance to reduce correlation, allowing for independent transmission paths and improved signal processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If multiple antennas are placed close together in compact wireless devices, then device size is reduced, but antenna correlation increases reducing MIMO spatial diversity gains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidspatial diversity gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from planar antenna arrangement to three-dimensional spherical arrangement. Multiple antennas are positioned on the surface of a sphere with the phase center at the center, utilizing the third dimension (radial distance) to achieve proper spacing. This spherical geometry allows antennas to be separated by distances of λ/2 or more while maintaining a compact overall device volume, thereby resolving the contradiction between small device size and sufficient antenna separation for spatial diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If antenna separation is increased to reduce correlation, then spatial diversity improves, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidantenna configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of antenna arrangement from planar to spherical configuration. By defining antenna positions using spherical coordinates (radius R, polar angle θ, azimuthal angle φ) and setting the phase center at the sphere's center, the system achieves optimal antenna spacing (λ/2 or more) while maintaining a compact form factor. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing a systematic method to achieve proper separation without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances signal transmission reliability, increases data rate, and reduces interference by enabling effective spatial diversity and multiplexing gains in MIMO systems within compact devices.

Implementation Method 1

a radio frequency assistant that is activated to transform radio frequency signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency transformation:

Implementation Method 2

antennas may be decorrelated at a transmitter or a receiver by spacing apart antenna elements at about a physical distance of half-lambda, λ/2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntenna decorrelation through spatial separation:

Data Source

PatentEP2355372B1Multiple input multiple output user equipment radio frequency assistant system
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2355372B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2355372B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2355372B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A user equipment and a wireless radio frequency assistant in a communication system that supports multiple input multiple output. The wireless radio frequency assistant and the user equipment operate together as a single system. The user equipment controls and activates the wireless radio frequency assistant to transform a first frequency of a radio frequency signal transmitted to the system of user equipment and the wireless radio frequency assistant to a second frequency. The wireless radio frequency assistant transmits the second frequency to the user equipment.