Multi-band Antenna with Shared Elements for Base Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current base station antenna systems face challenges in supporting multiple spectrum bands efficiently, leading to increased site rental costs, wind load issues, and potential inter-band interference due to the need for additional antennas or wideband antennas that compromise optimization and performance.
Innovation Solution
The design of a multi-band antenna system with at least two linear arrays, where at least one antenna element is shared between arrays, allowing for independent beam tilting and optimized antenna spacing, thereby maximizing tilt-range, sidelobe level, and minimizing inter-band interference within a defined aperture size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mono-band arrays are used for different spectrum bands, then each array can be optimized for its specific band, but the overall system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mono-band arrays into a single multi-band array by sharing common antenna elements between bands. Specifically, antenna elements are designed to operate at multiple frequencies, allowing the first and second arrays to share a subset of elements while maintaining band-specific optimization. This merging reduces the total number of components while preserving the reliability benefits of dedicated band optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing antenna elements that serve multiple functions across different spectrum bands. The shared antenna elements are capable of operating at both first and second frequency bands, allowing a single element to perform the function of multiple dedicated elements. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while maintaining band-specific performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional antennas are deployed to support multiple spectrum bands, then coverage and capacity requirements are met, but site rental costs and wind load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple band-specific arrays into a single integrated multi-band array structure. By sharing common antenna elements and using a unified support structure, the system achieves multi-band support without requiring separate physical antenna installations for each band. This consolidation reduces the overall weight and wind load compared to deploying additional separate antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal antenna elements that can operate across multiple spectrum bands, allowing a single antenna structure to provide multi-band coverage and capacity. This eliminates the need for additional heavy antenna installations while maintaining the versatility to support multiple bands simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If wideband antennas are used to cover multiple spectrum bands, then the number of components is reduced, but optimization and performance for specific bands are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into distinct groups: shared common elements and band-specific elements. The first array includes elements optimized for the first band, the second array includes elements optimized for the second band, and there is a shared subset of elements that operate at both bands. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific band while maintaining low system complexity through the shared elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different optimization characteristics to different parts of the array. The shared antenna elements are designed with properties suitable for both bands, while the non-shared elements are locally optimized for their respective bands. This local optimization ensures high performance for each band without requiring completely separate arrays.
4Reliability
If separate arrays are used for different spectrum bands, then inter-band interference is minimized, but the available aperture space is not efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first and second arrays into a single multi-band array structure where they share common antenna elements and physical space. This merging allows efficient utilization of the available aperture area while maintaining inter-band isolation through careful element spacing and shared element design. The arrays are positioned to form one longer combined linear array, maximizing aperture usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by transitioning from a two-dimensional separate array layout to a one-dimensional combined linear array arrangement. The first and second arrays are positioned adjacent to each other along a linear configuration, allowing them to share the same physical aperture space while maintaining sufficient separation to minimize inter-band interference.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one example, the present disclosure describes an antenna system with at least two linear antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements. Each array is designed to transmit and receive signals from different respective spectrum bands. The first antenna array and second antenna array are arranged to form one longer, combined linear array of antenna elements. In addition, at least one antenna element is shared between the first and second antenna arrays. In one example, the first antenna array is connected to a first RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the first antenna array and the second antenna array is connected to a second RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the second antenna array.