3D Omnidirectional MIMO Antenna Array for 5G Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networking infrastructure lacks the precision and agility to efficiently direct and control electromagnetic radiation patterns, particularly in 5G networking, which requires more precise control of direction, polarization, and power level, and existing methods are limited by inertia and complexity when reorienting or phase controlling antennas.
Innovation Solution
A multi-input, multi-output wireless system that integrates a sophisticated radiating structure capable of 360-degree azimuth and 60-degree elevation coverage, with up-conversion and down-conversion capabilities, allowing for rapid re-selection of beam orientations and independent control of carrier frequency, polarization, and power level for each antenna element, effectively hiding the complexity of high-frequency operations through a low-frequency interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If physical reorientation of antenna mechanism is used to direct radiation pattern, then beam direction control is achieved, but mechanical inertia limits the agility of beam redirection
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple fixed antenna elements arranged in a geometric array, with each element capable of independent phase control. This segmentation eliminates the need for mechanical reorientation of the entire antenna mechanism, allowing electronic beam steering by adjusting the phase of individual elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical reorientation system with an electronic phase control system. Instead of physically moving the antenna to change beam direction, the system uses electronic phase shifters to control the radiation pattern, eliminating mechanical inertia and improving beam redirection agility.
2Measurement precision
If precise phase control among fixed antenna elements is used to direct radiation pattern, then beam direction control is achieved, but phase control actuating element inertia limits agility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic phase control across multiple fixed antenna elements, allowing the beam direction to be electronically steered in real-time. The system can rapidly adjust the phase of each element to redirect the beam without mechanical movement, achieving both precision and agility through electronic control.
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated radiating structure is used for 5G networking with precise control of direction, polarization, and power level, then radiation control precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by independently controlling the phase, amplitude, and polarization of each antenna element in the array. This allows precise control of the overall radiation pattern through localized adjustments at each element, achieving high precision without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiating structure is designed with multi-functionality, where the same antenna array can control direction, polarization, and power level simultaneously. The system can adapt to different operational requirements (5G networking, frequency conversion, dual-use technologies) using the same physical structure with reconfigurable parameters.
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequency conversion capability is added to interface with 5G networking frequencies, then adaptability to different frequency bands is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frequency conversion capability with the existing antenna array structure. The phase control mechanism that directs beams is extended to also perform frequency conversion operations, combining multiple functions (beam steering, frequency translation, power control) into a unified system rather than adding separate complex subsystems.
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional, 360 degree, omnidirectional multiple-input multiple-output wireless systems is described herein. The multiple-input multiple-output wireless system is comprised of a plurality of radio inputs, a plurality of radio-frequency converters, an RF signal distribution network, a plurality of transceivers, and a plurality of antennas. The multiple-input multiple-output wireless system may further have a plurality of planar stacks.