Omnidirectional Array Antenna Beamforming for 5G Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MIMO antennas for 5G applications face challenges such as large size, heavy weight, high installation costs, low gain, and complex algorithms, particularly in low-capacity and less-mode scenarios, where traditional macro station antennas are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
An omnidirectional array antenna design featuring N subarray units arranged circumferentially with coaxially-arrayed symmetric oscillators, utilizing specific beamforming algorithms to achieve high gain and multiple formed beams with reduced array element coupling, suitable for 5G applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional macro station antennas are used to achieve high capacity and large coverage, then system capacity and coverage are improved, but antenna size, weight, and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple subarrays (e.g., 8 subarrays) that can be independently controlled and combined through beamforming. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high capacity through spatial multiplexing while keeping each individual subarray compact and lightweight, avoiding the need for a single large macro station antenna
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar antenna arrays to a three-dimensional spherical geometry arrangement. By distributing antenna elements on a spherical surface, the system achieves omnidirectional coverage and multiple beamforming capabilities in three-dimensional space, enabling high capacity without increasing horizontal footprint or weight
2Area of stationary object
If traditional macro station antennas are deployed to ensure large coverage, then coverage area is improved, but site selection and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system employs dynamic beamforming capabilities that allow electronic steering of multiple beams in different directions without physically moving the antenna structure. This dynamic beam steering enables large coverage area through electronic control rather than physical expansion, simplifying installation and site selection
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical array antenna serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides omnidirectional coverage, supports multiple beamforming modes (single beam, dual beams, quadruple beams), and enables both wide coverage and focused high-gain transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate antennas for different coverage requirements, reducing installation complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If omnidirectional antenna is used to achieve horizontally omnidirectional coverage, then installation simplicity and cost are improved, but antenna gain and beamforming capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent elevates the antenna design from traditional two-dimensional planar arrays to three-dimensional spherical geometry. This dimensional transition enables the antenna to maintain omnidirectional simplicity while achieving high gain through three-dimensional spatial focusing and multiple beamforming modes that are impossible with planar arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system combines multiple subarrays with different radiation patterns and polarizations (e.g., H/V dual-polarized elements) into a unified spherical array. This composite structure integrates the simplicity of omnidirectional elements with the high-gain capabilities of directional beamforming through coherent combination of multiple subarray outputs
4Ease of manufacture
If low-order MIMO antenna is used to reduce size and cost, then manufacturing cost and array size are improved, but beamforming capability and gain deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging a limited number of antenna elements (e.g., 8-16 elements) on a spherical surface rather than a plane, the system achieves three-dimensional beamforming capabilities that would require many more elements in traditional planar configurations. This dimensional arrangement maximizes the beamforming versatility and gain achievement with minimal element count
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves high beamforming capability with low-order MIMO by changing the spatial distribution parameters of antenna elements from uniform planar grids to optimized spherical geometries. By adjusting element positions, spacing, and phase distributions on the spherical surface, the system achieves multiple beamforming modes and high gain with fewer elements
Data Source
AI summary
An omnidirectional array antenna includes N omnidirectional subarray units circumferentially arranged to form a circular array, where each of the omnidirectional subarray units includes p coaxially-arrayed symmetrical oscillators, and N and p are both natural numbers. The omnidirectional array antenna beamforming method includes various omnidirectional subarray units stimulated by equiamplitude, in-phase or out-phase stimulation, thereby forming different types of transaction beams, such as an omnidirectional beam, a double-beam, a triple-beam, and a quadruple-beam.