Orthogonal Antenna Elements for Isotropic Wireless Meter Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electricity meters with wireless communication capabilities face issues of biased antenna radiation directivity due to metal power lines, leading to uneven radiation patterns and reduced communication stability, especially in harsh environments with multipath phasing, where isotropic radiation is necessary for reliable mesh network communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device with a first antenna element disposed orthogonally to power lines and a second antenna element with orthogonal polarization, along with a switching unit and impedance regulator, to improve radiation directivity and diversity gain, ensuring stable communication across a wider circumference and reducing correlation between antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the antenna is disposed on the front side of the electricity meter, then the radiation intensity forward of the meter is improved, but the radiation directivity becomes biased and backward, leftward, and rightward radiations become weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single antenna element to multiple antenna elements arranged in different spatial dimensions. Specifically, it uses antenna elements disposed in directions along the power line wiring direction and antenna elements disposed in directions orthogonal to the power line wiring direction, creating a three-dimensional radiation pattern that achieves isotropic radiation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple independent antenna elements with different orientations. By segmenting the radiation function across multiple elements (some parallel to power lines, some orthogonal to power lines), the system achieves balanced isotropic radiation while maintaining close proximity to power lines for diversity gain.
2Reliability
If the antenna is disposed close to power lines, then diversity gain is improved, but the radiation directivity becomes biased due to power line influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spatial orientations to different antenna elements based on their local relationship with power lines. Antenna elements close to power lines are oriented orthogonally to minimize interference, while maintaining the beneficial diversity effect of proximity to power lines for signal reception in challenging environments.
3Device complexity
If a single antenna element is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the radiation directivity cannot be made isotropic in all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs antenna elements with asymmetric orientations relative to the power lines - some parallel and some orthogonal - creating a balanced asymmetric configuration that achieves isotropic radiation. This asymmetric arrangement of symmetrically-oriented elements allows the system to overcome the directional bias that would result from uniform antenna placement.
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 radiation directivity to be more isotropic, improving communication stability and distance in mesh networks by reducing the impact of power lines on antenna radiation and increasing diversity gain, even in environments with significant radio wave attenuation and multipath phasing.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna element that transmits and receives radio waves
Implementation Method 2
an environment where large radio wave attenuation and strict multi-path incoming waves are present
Implementation Method 3
impedance regulator
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wireless communication device of the present disclosure, to which an electric power measurement value is input that is measured in an electric power measurer to which a power supply side power line and a load side power line are connected, includes a first antenna element that transmits and receives radio waves and a wireless circuit connected to the first antenna element. The first antenna element has a longitudinal side perpendicular to a line along which the power supply side power line and the load side power line extend.