Modal Antenna Network Control for Indoor Coverage and Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular and WLAN networks face challenges in providing consistent high data rate services indoors due to signal strength reduction and interference, with existing distributed antenna systems introducing new issues like interference between in-building and external systems, and WLANs suffering from incomplete signal coverage due to scattering and blockage.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that allows multiple networks to be simultaneously accessible by fixed and/or mobile devices, implementing a Master and Slave hierarchy and a network system controller to select optimal networks and radiation modes, dynamically managing network parameters and designating a Master device to coordinate data transfer and optimize communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed antenna systems (DAS) are implemented to improve in-building cellular signal coverage, then signal strength is improved, but interference between in-building DAS systems and external cellular base terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection of master communication devices that can switch between cellular and WLAN networks. The master device status is not fixed but dynamically assigned based on current network conditions, allowing the system to adaptively optimize communication reliability while managing interference through intelligent network selection rather than static DAS deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a master communication device that acts as an intermediary between slave devices and external networks. This master device establishes communication links with either cellular base terminals or WLAN access points, mediating all communications and enabling intelligent network selection to avoid interference issues while maintaining reliable in-building coverage
2Productivity
If WLAN systems operate at higher frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) to provide indoor coverage, then data rate is improved, but communication link range decreases due to scattering and blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes communication devices universally capable of operating on multiple networks (both cellular and WLAN). Devices can function as slave devices on either network and potentially as master devices, allowing the system to select the most appropriate network based on distance requirements and data rate needs, thus overcoming the limited range of high-frequency WLAN while maintaining high productivity where applicable
3Reliability
If multiple communication networks are simultaneously accessible to improve service reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and network coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-organizing network where communication devices automatically select master devices and appropriate networks without external coordination. The master device selection and network switching occur autonomously based on pre-established protocols and current conditions, reducing the need for complex external network coordination while maintaining high reliability through distributed intelligence
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system is described where multiple communication networks are simultaneously accessible from a plurality of fixed and/or mobile communication devices. A Master and Slave hierarchy is implemented among the communication devices to improve communication properties on one or multiple networks. A network system controller is implemented to select the network with optimal communication characteristics for subsets of communication devices as well as assigning Master status to a communication device within these subsets.