Omni-directional Antenna Array Power Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cellular access points using beamforming techniques face complications in achieving omni-directional transmission due to the need for high power amplifiers in specific antenna elements, complicating design and placement.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing both diversity and phased arrays of antenna elements to distribute total transmitted power equally among all elements, eliminating the need for separate high power amplifiers by ensuring each element transmits a portion of the signal, thus achieving omni-directional transmission with shared power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a selected antenna element is operated at higher transmission power for omni-directional transmission, then omni-directional coverage is achieved, but the design and placement of power amplifiers becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveomni-directional transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower amplifier arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single high-power transmission task into multiple lower-power segments by distributing the signal across multiple antenna elements. Each element transmits at a lower power level, collectively achieving the desired omni-directional coverage without requiring any single element to handle the full power load, thus simplifying power amplifier design and placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the transmission functions of multiple antenna elements to achieve omni-directional coverage. By merging the output of multiple lower-power elements, the system achieves the coverage area and signal strength that would otherwise require a single high-power element, thereby eliminating the need for complex high-power amplifier arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If total transmitted power is distributed equally among all antenna elements, then the need for separate high power amplifiers is eliminated, but the complexity of power distribution control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower amplifier arrangementVSAvoidpower distribution control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes all antenna elements universal by enabling each element to perform both directional and omni-directional transmission functions. Through software-controlled signal distribution, any element can be activated for omni-directional coverage as needed, eliminating the need for dedicated high-power amplifier hardware while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the antenna elements dynamically through software control. By adjusting which elements are active and their respective signal phases and amplitudes, the system can switch between directional and omni-directional modes without hardware changes, simplifying both manufacturing and power distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8666333B2Using antenna arrays to produce omni-directional transmissions

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Diversity arrays of antenna elements and phased arrays of antenna elements can be used to produce omni-directional transmissions. Communication signaling is produced based on a desired communication signal that is to be transmitted omni-directionally. In response to the communication signaling, the antenna elements cooperate to effect approximately omni-directional antenna transmission of the desired communication signal.