Multiple Antenna Transceiver with Multiport Network for Power Combining

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless systems face challenges in maintaining reliable communication between mobile stations and base stations due to path loss and environmental obstructions, as mobile stations' maximum output power is limited by size, cost, and efficiency constraints, making it difficult to equip them with high-power amplifiers.

Innovation Solution

A multiple-antenna transceiver architecture utilizing a multiport network with preprocessing of transmit signals to adjust phase and amplitude, allowing the combination of lower-power amplifiers to achieve enhanced output power and beamforming capabilities, thereby maximizing transmission power without increasing individual amplifier power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a high-power amplifier is equipped in the mobile station, then the transmission power is improved, but the device size, cost, and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission powerVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single high-power amplifier into multiple lower-power amplifiers (e.g., two amplifiers each with half the power of the original high-power amplifier). These segmented amplifiers are then combined through a combining network to achieve the desired total transmission power, thereby reducing individual amplifier size while maintaining overall power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the outputs of multiple lower-power amplifiers using a combining network (such as a hybrid coupler or phase rotator) to achieve the transmission power of a single high-power amplifier. This merging approach allows the system to attain high transmission power without requiring a single large, expensive, and power-intensive amplifier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If a high-power amplifier is equipped in the mobile station, then the transmission power is improved, but the device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission powerVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the high-power amplifier requirement into multiple lower-power amplifiers that are more economical to manufacture. Lower-power amplifiers benefit from economies of scale and more competitive pricing, making the overall system more cost-effective despite using multiple units instead of one high-power amplifier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs multiple lower-cost, lower-power amplifiers in place of a single expensive high-power amplifier. While multiple amplifiers are used, each individual amplifier is more affordable and can be replaced more easily if needed, reducing the overall system cost and improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Power

If a high-power amplifier is equipped in the mobile station, then the transmission power is improved, but the power consumption and heat generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission powerVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the high-power transmission requirement into multiple lower-power amplifiers operating in parallel. Each amplifier operates at a lower power level, which improves individual amplifier efficiency and reduces power consumption. The combined output of all amplifiers achieves the desired total transmission power with better overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the outputs of multiple efficient lower-power amplifiers to achieve high transmission power. This combining approach allows the system to attain high power output while maintaining the efficiency benefits of operating multiple amplifiers at lower, more efficient power levels, thereby reducing total power consumption and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Power

If a high-power amplifier is equipped in the mobile station, then the transmission power is improved, but the device efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission powerVSAvoidamplifier efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the high-power amplifier into multiple lower-power amplifiers, each operating in its optimal efficiency range. Amplifiers typically operate most efficiently at lower power levels, so by using multiple smaller amplifiers instead of one large amplifier, the system achieves high total power output while maintaining high individual amplifier efficiency, thereby reducing overall energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8761694B2Multiple antenna transceiver

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of a multiple antenna transceiver are disclosed. One embodiment of the multiple antenna transceiver includes a multiport network having a plurality of first ports and a plurality of second ports, wherein at least one of the second ports is responsive to at least two of the first ports. The multiple antenna transceiver further includes a plurality of antennas, an antenna connected to each of the plurality of second ports. Another embodiment includes a multiple antenna subscriber unit architecture.