Passive MIMO Beam Steering With Lens and RF Switch Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passive MIMO devices face challenges with high power consumption, complex architectures, and high latency in beam direction due to the large numbers of components and complex architectures that do not address the technical problem of providing consistent signal strength in environments with high signal reflections or occlusions by buildings or objects in the environment.
Innovation Solution
The use of beam forming structures such as lenses and Butler matrixes with RF transmission line-based switching paths to reduce the number of components and simplify control architectures, enabling efficient signal redirection without amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional passive MIMO devices use large numbers of components and complex architectures for beam direction, then signal coverage can be achieved, but power consumption increases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the beamforming function into two separate components: a passive reflective surface that handles signal redirection and a controlled switch array that handles beam direction. This segmentation allows the majority of the system to operate passively without power consumption, while only the essential switching components are actively controlled, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining signal coverage reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam direction control through a switch array that can selectively connect different antenna elements to different transmission lines based on control signals. This dynamic switching capability enables the system to adapt beam directions in real-time without requiring all components to be actively powered, thus maintaining reliability while reducing power consumption compared to traditionally fully active systems
2Reliability
If traditional passive MIMO devices use large numbers of components and complex architectures for beam direction, then signal coverage can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into distinct functional modules: a passive reflective surface array, a switch array with controllable switches, transmission lines, and control circuitry. This modular segmentation simplifies the overall device complexity by clearly defining the function of each component and reducing the interdependencies that characterize traditional complex MIMO architectures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transmission lines as intermediary components that connect the switch array to the antenna elements. These transmission lines serve as simple, well-understood RF components that facilitate signal routing without adding complex processing or control logic, thereby achieving signal coverage reliability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable
3Reliability
If traditional passive MIMO devices use large numbers of components and complex architectures for beam direction, then signal coverage can be achieved, but latency in beam direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch array is pre-configured with multiple switch elements that can be rapidly activated or deactivated based on control signals. This preliminary arrangement of controllable switches eliminates the need for complex real-time computation and reconfiguration, allowing the system to quickly redirect beams in response to changing environmental conditions or user device positions, thereby reducing latency while maintaining signal coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic switching control where the state of individual switches can be changed in real-time based on control signals from the base station or user device. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt beam directions quickly without the latency associated with reconfiguring entire antenna arrays or complex signal processing chains, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliable signal coverage
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
This approach reduces power consumption and complexity, allowing for reduced latency and improved signal coverage in challenging environments by using fewer components and simpler control circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more transmission lines each have a first end terminated with a quarter wavelength grounding line
Implementation Method 2
a beam forming structure coupled to the array of antennas, wherein wireless signals incident on the wireless communication apparatus at a plurality of angles correspond to respective ports based on operation of the beam forming structure
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of switches are configured to couple the respective ports to corresponding transmission lines of the one or more transmission lines via the plurality of switches with an initial switch coupled to each corresponding transmission line positioned at a quarter wavelength distance from the first end of the corresponding transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure related to devices, wireless communication apparatuses, methods, and other aspects of passive multiple input multiple output. In some aspects, an apparatus is provided that includes a first radio frequency (RF) transmission line having a first terminated with a quarter wavelength grounded transmission line, and a first array of antennas including a plurality of antenna elements. The apparatus also includes a switch array including a corresponding switch for each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements of the first array of antennas, to selectively connect each antenna element to the first RF transmission line, and path lengths selectable by the switches at half wavelength distances for passive transmission. The apparatus also includes or more lens elements configured to modify wireless inputs signals to the first array of antennas and to modify wireless output signals from the first array of antennas.