Millimeter Wave Scanning Repeater for Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited coverage of millimeter wave wireless systems due to strong propagation directivity and high sensitivity to blockage requires multiple base stations or repeaters, increasing deployment costs and inefficiencies, especially when conventional repeaters with fixed directions are insufficient in providing coverage beyond line-of-sight areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of scanning-capable smart repeaters, known as Distributed Wireless Smart Antennas (DWSAs), equipped with beam-steering antennas and multi-user MIMO capabilities, which can form multiple radio wave beam patterns to extend coverage areas without the need for optical fiber or cable connections, allowing for improved coverage and reduced deployment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple base stations are deployed to cover blocked areas, then system coverage is improved, but network deployment cost increases due to required optical fiber or cable connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (optical fibers or cables) with a wireless millimeter wave communication system. The repeater uses wireless backhaul to communicate with the base station, eliminating the need for physical fiber or cable connections to the repeater site. This substitution reduces deployment complexity while maintaining coverage improvement.
2Device complexity
If conventional repeaters with fixed directions are deployed, then deployment cost is reduced, but coverage area is limited due to strong signal propagation directivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam steering capability in the repeater, allowing it to change its transmitting and receiving directions adaptively. The repeater can form multiple radio beam patterns and scan different directions to track users and provide coverage beyond the fixed directional limits, thereby expanding the coverage area while maintaining deployment simplicity.
3Device complexity
If conventional repeaters with fixed directions are deployed, then deployment cost is reduced, but sufficient coverage in blocked areas cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater employs dynamic beam scanning and steering to adaptively adjust its coverage directions. It can scan multiple directions and track user equipment movements, ensuring reliable coverage in blocked areas where fixed-direction repeaters would fail. This dynamic capability maintains deployment simplicity while significantly improving coverage reliability.
4Area of stationary object
If tens of conventional repeaters are deployed to cover the same blocked area, then coverage is improved, but deployment efficiency significantly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single repeater with dynamic beam scanning capability that can cover the same blocked area that would otherwise require tens of fixed-direction repeaters. The repeater scans different directions and forms multiple beam patterns to cover various regions, achieving comprehensive coverage with one unit and dramatically improving deployment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both coverage extension and area scanning functions with a single device. It can serve multiple directions and track multiple users simultaneously through beam steering, replacing the need for multiple specialized fixed-direction repeaters and enhancing deployment efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention presents a millimeter wave (mmWave) Distributed Wireless Smart Antenna (DWSA) or scanning-capable repeater that can form different radio wave beam patterns to scan for spatial beam direction(s) or beam alignment to build one or more mmWave wireless links with one or more User Equipment, and complete pass-through beamforming with one or more central base stations.