Phased-Array Beam Steering to Suppress Mesh Network Side Lobes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless mesh networks face significant challenges in scalability due to throughput loss per hop, which leads to performance degradation as the coverage area and number of nodes increase, primarily caused by radio interference among neighboring nodes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a steerable antenna device with a directionally-disordered quasi-uniform two-dimensional array and phase-selecting multiplexers, which minimizes radiation pattern side lobes by arranging antenna elements along a Fermat spiral at golden angle intervals and selecting phase delays to control the radiation direction, thereby reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional antenna array is used in mesh networks, then coverage area and number of nodes can be increased, but throughput loss per hop increases due to radio interference among neighboring nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam steering capability that allows the antenna array to electronically redirect radiation patterns in real-time without physical movement. The phase shifter network enables continuous adjustment of beam direction and null positioning to adapt to changing network conditions and interference environments, maintaining high throughput as the network scales.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies directional beamforming that concentrates radiation energy into focused main lobes directed toward specific nodes while creating nulls in directions of interfering signals. This local quality enhancement ensures that each transmission is optimized for its specific target, reducing interference to neighboring nodes and maintaining throughput as coverage area expands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more antenna elements are added to increase coverage, then network scalability improves, but radiation pattern side lobes increase causing more interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase shifter networks that dynamically adjust the phase of signals fed to each antenna element. By changing these phase parameters, the system can control the interference patterns created by multiple elements, suppressing side lobes and redirecting energy into the main lobe. This allows the array to maintain low interference levels even as the number of elements increases for expanded coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the phase relationships between antenna elements based on the desired beam direction and interference conditions. This dynamic control enables the array to maintain optimal radiation patterns with suppressed side lobes regardless of the number of active elements, supporting network scalability without increasing interference.
3Reliability
If directional beam steering is implemented to reduce interference, then signal quality improves, but device complexity increases due to phase control networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phase control function into individual phase shifter modules, one for each antenna element. Each module independently controls the phase of its associated element, allowing for modular design and implementation. This segmentation makes the overall complex system more manageable and enables parallel control of multiple elements without requiring a monolithic complex control structure.
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 solution effectively reduces signal loss and increases throughput by minimizing radiation pattern side lobes, leading to improved performance and resilience in wireless mesh networks.
Implementation Method 1
a directionally-disordered quasi-uniform two-dimensional array including a plurality of antenna elements attached to the substrate, the array configured to operate at an operating wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of switches for each one of the plurality of antenna elements, the switches configured to select, for each one of the plurality of antenna elements, a respective phase delay from a respective set of possible phase delays
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable antenna device for a reconfigurable wireless mesh network comprises a directionally-disordered quasi-uniform two-dimensional array including a plurality of antenna elements attached to the substrate. The steerable antenna device further comprises a plurality of switches for each one of the plurality of antenna elements, the switches configured to select, for each of the antenna elements, a respective phase delay from a respective set of possible phase delays by selecting a respective path from a set of possible respective paths in the network of antenna feed traces.