Beamforming Antenna Array with Radar-Guided Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communications network base station antenna systems face challenges in efficiently configuring antennas for both communication and radar functions, particularly in 5G networks, where the trade-off between communication signal power and beam narrowness is significant, and there is a need for adaptive beam-steering and channel estimation to improve data throughput and reduce power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The antenna system incorporates a controller that configures dual-polarized patch antennas and waveguide antennas to operate in multiple modes, allowing for simultaneous communication and radar signal transmission and reception, enabling beamforming and beam-steering adjustments based on environmental data from radar images to optimize communication channels and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If more patch antennas are used in transmit mode, then transmitted signal power increases and beam narrowness improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system dynamically configures the number and arrangement of active patch antennas based on communication conditions. The controller selectively activates subsets of the patch antenna array, transitioning between different transmit configurations to optimize beamforming performance while managing complexity and power consumption adaptively
Solution Approach 2:
The large patch antenna array is segmented into multiple sub-arrays or groups. The controller can activate only the necessary segments for current communication requirements, enabling flexible beamforming with reduced complexity when full array power is not needed
2Measurement precision
If more patch antennas are used in receive mode, then signal sensitivity improves and beam narrowness improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the receive configuration by selectively activating subsets of patch antennas based on incoming signal characteristics. The controller adapts the number of active receive antennas to match the required sensitivity level, reducing complexity when maximum sensitivity is not required
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by reconfiguring which patch antennas are active in receive mode. This allows dynamic adjustment of the effective aperture and beam characteristics to match communication conditions, optimizing sensitivity while managing system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna system is configured for radar mode, then environmental detection capability improves, but communication signal transmission may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system alternates between communication mode and radar mode in periodic time-division multiplexing fashion. During communication time slots, the full patch antenna array serves communication functions; during radar time slots, the same antennas are reconfigured for radar detection, with the controller managing the periodic switching between these functional states
Solution Approach 2:
The same patch antenna array is designed to perform multiple functions - both communication beamforming and radar detection. The controller reconfigures the antenna elements between these different operational modes, allowing a single antenna system to provide both communication and environmental sensing capabilities without requiring separate dedicated antenna systems
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 configuration enhances data throughput, reduces power consumption, and improves channel estimation by utilizing radar images to adapt antenna settings, effectively addressing the trade-offs in existing systems and enhancing the performance of 5G networks.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna array for beamforming, the antenna array comprising at least one of a plurality of dual-polarized patch antennas and plurality of waveguide antennas
Implementation Method 2
one antenna of the plurality of antennas to receive the reflected radar signal
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system for a mobile communications base station and a method of operating a communications network including a base station is described. The antenna system includes an antenna array for beamforming and is configured either as a radar sensor, a communications antenna or a combined radar sensor. A radar image may be used to determine a map of objects in the vicinity of the antenna system and to adapt the beam-steering or beamforming of the antenna system.