Passive RF Reflecting Panel Phase Alignment for 3D Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in implementing large intelligent surfaces (LIS) due to the need for digital baseband processing of numerous antenna signals, leading to high power consumption and difficulty in achieving beamforming in three-dimensional space.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a plurality of antenna units with phase shifters that passively reflect RF signals without digital signal processing, using a reference antenna for phase alignment and analog controllers to achieve beamforming in reception and reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital baseband processing is used for massive MIMO antenna signals, then beamforming in three-dimensional space is achieved, but power consumption becomes excessive and implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital baseband processing systems with a passive reflecting system using phase shifters and analog controllers. Instead of actively processing signals through complex digital circuits, the system passively reflects RF signals with adjusted phases, substituting mechanical/electromagnetic reflection for electronic computation, thereby dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining beamforming capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of beamforming from the complex digital baseband processing chain and implements it through a simplified passive reflection mechanism. By taking out only the necessary phase adjustment functionality and implementing it through analog phase shifters controlled by simple analog controllers, the system eliminates unnecessary digital processing complexity and power consumption
2Adaptability or versatility
If digital baseband processing is implemented for numerous antenna elements, then signal focusing is achieved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex digital signal processing systems with a passive electromagnetic reflection system. Instead of using digital baseband processors to compute and apply phase corrections, the system uses analog phase shifters that directly manipulate the RF signal phases through electromagnetic reflection, replacing complex electronic computation with simpler electromagnetic manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The passive reflecting system operates autonomously by directly reflecting and phase-shifting incoming RF signals without requiring complex digital processing chains. The analog controllers automatically adjust phase shifters based on received signals, enabling the system to self-regulate and achieve beamforming without intensive digital computation or complex control algorithms
3Area of stationary object
If a vast amount of antennas are deployed in LIS, then coverage and signal strength improve, but the number of signals requiring processing increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential beamforming function from the complex digital processing required for massive antenna arrays and implements it through a passive reflection system. By taking out only the phase adjustment functionality and implementing it through simple analog phase shifters, the system maintains coverage area benefits while eliminating the exponential processing complexity associated with processing signals from numerous antenna elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex digital signal processing infrastructure required for managing signals from vast antenna arrays with a passive electromagnetic reflection system. The analog phase shifters and simple controllers directly manipulate RF signal phases without requiring digital baseband processing, substituting electromagnetic manipulation for complex electronic computation and dramatically reducing system complexity
4Use of energy by moving object
If passive reflection without digital processing is used, then power consumption is reduced, but beamforming precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic phase adjustment through analog phase shifters that can continuously vary their phase shift in response to incoming signals. The analog controllers dynamically adapt the phase settings of individual elements based on real-time signal conditions, enabling precise beamforming control without requiring digital processing, thus maintaining beamforming precision while operating passively with low power consumption
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
Enables efficient beamforming in three-dimensional space with reduced power consumption by passively reflecting RF signals, allowing for large-scale antenna arrays to focus energy without digital processing.
Implementation Method 1
each antenna unit comprises a respective phase shifter operable to adjustably impose a phase change on the RF signal before reflection
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of antenna units that are configured to receive an RF signal and passively reflect the RF signal
Implementation Method 3
the first phase settings of the phase shifters enable the system to perform beamforming in reception and/or reflection
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~5B
AI summary
A system for reflecting an RF signal comprises a plurality of antenna units (2) configured to receive and passively reflect the RF signal, and a reference antenna (6'). Each antenna unit (2) comprises a respective phase shifter (8) operable to adjustably impose a phase change on the RF signal before reflection. The system may be a Large Intelligent Surface (LIS) and the antenna units may be included in an arrangement of separate panel devices. A control system (20) is configured to operate the respective phase shifter (8) to phase align a first analog antenna signal (ASn) with a first analog reference signal (REF), which are received by the respective antenna unit (2) and the reference antenna (6'), respectively, in response to a first RF signal; determine, for the respective phase shifter (8), a first phase setting resulting in phase alignment, and store the first phase setting. The first phase settings enable the system to perform beamforming in reception and/or reflection essentially without power consumption.