Modular Broadband CPE With Polarization-Diverse Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional broadband internet delivery methods face challenges in penetrating structures and providing access to remote or obstructed areas due to signal attenuation and polarization issues, especially in non-line of sight (NLOS) communications, leading to reduced throughput and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multi-antenna array with variable polarization capabilities in customer premises equipment (CPE) that communicates with base station radio devices via dynamic shared spectrum, utilizing beamforming and polarization diversity to enhance signal strength and penetration through existing electrical wiring, thereby overcoming building penetration and cost challenges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wireless technology is used to deliver broadband internet, then throughput and capacity are increased, but building penetration capability deteriorates due to signal attenuation at higher frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic polarization adjustment where the CPE device can switch between different polarization modes (vertical, horizontal, circular) based on signal conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable communication through building structures by selecting the optimal polarization that experiences least attenuation, thereby resolving the contradiction between using high-frequency signals for throughput and maintaining penetration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the polarization parameter of the wireless signal to optimize penetration. By adjusting the polarization state of the antenna elements, the system can penetrate building structures more effectively at higher frequencies, thus maintaining both throughput and penetration capability simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If wireless signals are transmitted through obstructions in non-line of sight conditions, then broadband access is provided to obstructed areas, but signal quality deteriorates due to reflection, diffraction, refraction, and scattering causing cross-polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The CPE device dynamically adjusts its polarization orientation based on the detected signal conditions. When signals are reflected or scattered causing cross-polarization, the system can rotate its polarization to align with the dominant signal component, thereby maintaining signal quality while providing access to obstructed areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from signal quality measurements to adjust polarization settings. By monitoring the received signal characteristics and detecting polarization mismatches, the CPE can automatically correct its polarization orientation to maximize signal quality in NLOS conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing electrical wiring is utilized for broadband delivery, then installation cost is reduced, but signal interference and attenuation from the wiring infrastructure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication as an intermediary layer between the broadband network and the electrical wiring system. The CPE device receives broadband signals wirelessly and then couples them to the electrical wiring for local distribution, thereby avoiding direct signal transmission over long distances through the wiring infrastructure and reducing attenuation while still utilizing the wiring for cost-effective local deployment.
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 solution provides reliable and high-throughput broadband internet access to premises by mitigating polarization-dependent loss and interference, reducing installation costs, and enabling efficient communication through existing infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing beamforming and polarization diversity to enhance signal strength and penetration through existing electrical wiring
Implementation Method 2
utilizing beamforming and polarization diversity to enhance signal strength and penetration through existing electrical wiring, thereby overcoming building penetration and cost challenges
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a first housing having a first end configured to couple to an electric meter and a second end configured to couple to an electric meter socket. A power module is disposed at least partially within the first housing and is configured to couple to electrical wiring at a premises. The device includes a second housing having an antenna array, a feed network communicatively coupled to the power module and configured to split power and distribute the power to at least one element of one or more sub-arrays of the antenna array, a wireless wide area network (WWAN) module communicatively coupled to the antenna array and the power module, and a broadband over powerline (BPL) interface communicatively coupled to the WWAN module and the power module.