Beam-Steering OTA TV Mesh Nodes for In-Building Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional over-the-air TV reception is hindered by signal degradation due to distance and obstructions, and lacks a reliable method to distribute TV channels to multiple devices within homes, especially in areas where outdoor antennas are not feasible, and there is no parallel streaming of local content with internet services.
Innovation Solution
A wireless RF distribution system utilizing beam steering antennas that receive VHF/UHF signals, demodulate, and re-broadcast them as Wi-Fi, forming a mesh network to improve signal quality and coverage throughout a home or building, with adaptive antenna systems adjusting radiation patterns based on signal metrics for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an outdoor antenna is positioned high above ground level (20-30 feet), then signal reception quality is improved, but installation feasibility deteriorates due to lack of roof access in apartment buildings and HOA restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical outdoor antenna installation (20-30 feet above ground) to indoor wall-mounted or desktop placement, changing the spatial dimension and installation environment. This allows signal reception in locations where traditional outdoor antennas cannot be installed, such as apartment buildings and homes with HOA restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an indoor antenna system as an intermediary solution between the broadcast tower and the receiver. This indoor antenna, combined with signal distribution equipment, mediates the signal transmission to overcome the limitations of both outdoor installation restrictions and indoor signal degradation.
2Ease of operation
If an antenna is placed inside the home, then installation feasibility is improved, but signal reception quality deteriorates due to reduced height and wall obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple indoor antennas positioned at different locations within the home, each optimized for its specific local environment. Rather than relying on a single antenna, the system uses multiple antennas with different radiation patterns and orientations to compensate for local obstructions and achieve overall high-quality signal reception throughout the home.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple indoor antennas and their received signals into a unified distribution system. The signals from multiple antennas are processed and distributed to various receivers, merging the capabilities of individual antennas to overcome the limitations of any single indoor location.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional over-the-air transmission is used, then service cost is reduced (free reception), but signal strength deteriorates with distance from the transmission tower and obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors signal strength and quality from multiple antennas, then dynamically adjusts antenna selection, signal processing parameters, and distribution routing to optimize reception. This feedback loop maintains high signal quality despite variations in distance from the broadcast tower and environmental obstructions.
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
Enhances received signal quality and provides reliable distribution of TV channels to multiple devices, including mobile ones, by dynamically adjusting antenna radiation patterns to compensate for obstructions and optimize signal strength, enabling better communication link quality and redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
A first antenna system 21 configured to receive first signals from a broadcast tower 11. The first signals can comprise UHF and VHF television signals.
Implementation Method 2
A translation circuit 23 coupled to the first antenna system 21 and configured to translate the first signal into a second signal for rebroadcasting within the home or building.
Implementation Method 3
The first antenna system being implemented as an active multi-mode antenna system (or 'modal antenna') which is capable of beam steering, frequency tuning, or both beam steering and frequency tuning.
Implementation Method 4
Additional VHF/UHF beam steering antennas can be positioned throughout the home or building and used in a mesh network to improve signal reception performance
Data Source
AI summary
A system is described for distributing over the air (OTA) channels within buildings and homes. The system can implement one or more active multi-mode antennas for improved performance and reliability. The system can be configured as a mesh network where multiple nodes are distributed to improve the probability of channel capture across the VHF and UHF frequencies used for over the air TV distribution. A node consists of a beam steering antenna that operates at the VHF and UHF frequencies for TV signal reception, a receiver and demodulation circuit, a transcoder to convert the received information for re-distribution, and a transceiver capable of operation at a secondary frequency band for use in re-distributing the information to communication devices in proximity of the node. The secondary frequency band can be the common WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) system such as Wi-Fi, with the Wi-Fi transceiver also containing beam steering antennas for improved in-building propagation of the re-distributed information.