Multi-Range Antenna Array for Repeater Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional repeater devices face limitations in providing consistent data throughput and signal quality due to directional beam transmission, path loss, and interference, especially in scenarios with varying user positions and increasing numbers of IoT devices, which challenges high-performance communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A repeater device with a multi-range antenna array that dynamically selects antenna configuration modes based on user distance and position to minimize path loss, signal-to-noise ratio, and power consumption, while maintaining consistent quality of experience, and reduces interference by adjusting beam directivity and power combining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional repeater devices use directional beam transmission, then signal focus and transmission efficiency are improved, but transmission range and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple independently controllable sub-arrays or antenna elements. Each element can generate its own beam, and the system selectively activates different elements or combinations based on user position and distance, enabling both focused transmission and extended coverage through coordinated beamforming across segmented elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beam characteristics including direction, width, and power distribution in real-time based on detected user position and distance. By continuously adapting beam parameters, the system maintains high transmission efficiency for nearby users while extending effective range for distant users through adjusted beamforming weights and power allocation.
2Measurement precision
If beam width is reduced to improve directionality, then signal focus is improved, but coverage area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts beam width as a variable parameter based on user distance and position. For nearby users, narrow beams provide focused signal strength; for distant users or when multiple users are present, the system widens the beam pattern to maintain adequate coverage while adjusting power levels to preserve signal quality across varying coverage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the coverage area receive differently optimized beam characteristics. The system applies local quality control by adjusting beam width and power distribution according to specific spatial zones, providing high focus where needed while maintaining adequate coverage in other regions through coordinated multi-element beamforming.
3Length of stationary object
If antenna elements are increased to extend range, then transmission distance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple independently controllable elements or sub-arrays. This segmentation enables the system to extend transmission range by activating additional elements while managing complexity through modular control, where each segment can be independently adjusted based on communication requirements without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire array.
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates only the necessary number of antenna elements based on current communication requirements rather than always using the full array. For distant users, more elements are activated to extend range; for nearby users, fewer elements suffice, reducing the effective complexity while maintaining the capability to extend range when needed.
4Productivity
If beam directivity is increased to improve signal strength, then data throughput is improved, but interference to other users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts beam directivity and direction based on real-time detection of user positions and active transmissions. When a user requires high data throughput, the system directs focused beams toward that user while simultaneously adjusting other beams or nulling directions to minimize interference to other users, creating a dynamic spatial multiplexing effect that balances throughput and interference across multiple users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to continuously monitor user positions, signal quality, and interference levels. Based on this feedback, the beamforming weights and directivity parameters are adaptively adjusted to maximize throughput for the intended user while minimizing interference to others, creating a closed-loop control system that balances competing performance requirements.
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
The solution enhances wireless communication capacity, coverage, and reliability by equalizing signal path parameters across different ranges, optimizing power consumption, and minimizing interference between nearby repeater devices, supporting multi-gigabit data rates and diverse frequency spectrums.
Implementation Method 1
a beam of RF signals transmitted by conventional systems may be highly directional in nature
Data Source
AI summary
A repeater device includes a first antenna array having a plurality of antenna configuration modes, where each mode defines a unique configuration of one or more sub-arrays of a plurality of different sub-arrays of the first antenna array. The repeater device further includes control circuitry configured to select one of the plurality of antenna configuration modes and based on the selected one of the plurality of antenna configuration modes, activate a first set of antenna elements of the first antenna array and deactivate a second set of antenna elements of the first antenna array. The first set of antenna elements corresponds to a first configuration of one or more sub-arrays of the first antenna array. A beam of RF signal is directed to a user equipment from the first configuration of the one or more sub-arrays of the first antenna array.