Reconfigurable Antennas for Millimeter-Wave Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional phased array antennas for millimeter-wave communication systems require multiple RF signal chains, leading to increased power consumption and manufacturing costs, while offering limited degrees of freedom for beam steering and interference reduction.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing passive antenna elements that alter their electrical length by changing impedance, allowing for the formation of multiple simultaneous beams associated with a single RF chain, enabling beam steering and MIMO communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RF signal chains are used in phased array antennas, then beam steering capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements (including passive elements) into a single phased array system that shares one RF signal chain. The passive antenna elements are integrated with active elements to collectively form multiple beams, eliminating the need for separate RF chains for each element while maintaining beam steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single RF signal chain is designed to serve multiple antenna elements simultaneously, enabling it to perform the function of multiple specialized chains. The system can form multiple independent beams using one RF chain by controlling the phase and amplitude across all antenna elements, making the RF chain universal for multiple beamforming tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RF signal chains are used in phased array antennas, then beam steering capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna elements into a single system that shares common RF infrastructure. By integrating passive antenna elements with active elements and using a single RF signal chain, the system reduces the number of discrete components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single RF signal chain is designed to be universal, serving multiple antenna elements and multiple beamforming functions simultaneously. This universality reduces the total component count and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to having dedicated RF chains for each antenna element.
3Ease of operation
If traditional phased array antennas are used, then beam steering is achieved, but degrees of freedom for beam steering are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple independent antenna elements (both active and passive) that can be individually controlled. This segmentation allows each element to contribute independently to the overall beam pattern, increasing the degrees of freedom for beam steering and enabling more flexible beamforming configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of phase and amplitude across multiple antenna elements to achieve flexible beam steering. By dynamically adjusting the parameters of each element based on a desired beam pattern, the system can adapt to different steering requirements and achieve a wider range of beam configurations.
4Productivity
If multiple RF signal chains are used, then MIMO communication is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements into a unified system that shares a single RF signal chain, reducing system complexity while maintaining MIMO capability. The passive and active elements work together to provide multiple spatial channels for MIMO communication without requiring separate RF chains for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The single RF signal chain is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously, including beamforming, beam steering, and MIMO communication across multiple antenna elements. This universal design reduces the overall system complexity compared to having dedicated RF chains for each MIMO stream.
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 manufacturing costs, enhances beam forming and steering capabilities, and minimizes interference and stray radiation exposure, while supporting higher data throughput and security in millimeter-wave communication.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical length of the passive elements may be controlled by opening, shorting, or changing the impedance (e.g., resistance, inductance, capacitance) of each passive element
Implementation Method 2
smart or reconfigurable antennas may be incorporated into wireless communication devices... by using beam steering or beam forming to reduce signal loss
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include two or more active antenna elements with a corresponding antenna pattern. The apparatus may further include a single radio frequency signal chain communicatively coupled with the two or more active antenna elements. The apparatus may also include multiple passive antenna elements in proximity to the two or more active antenna elements. The multiple passive antenna elements may alter the antenna pattern to form multiple simultaneous beams associated with the two or more active antenna elements.