Reconfigurable Antenna Structure for MIMO Diversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antenna structures in wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting full duplex operation and multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) operations, as they often rely on antennas with the same radiation pattern and bandwidth, limiting diversity and capacity.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable antenna structure that includes an array of antennas with different radiation patterns and frequency bandwidths, enabled by a configuration module and antenna processing circuit, allowing for dynamic configuration to support various communication standards and operations, such as MIMO, by combining antennas with distinct geometric shapes and spiral configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional antenna structures with same radiation pattern and bandwidth are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but diversity and capacity for full duplex and MIMO operations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements reconfigurable antennas that can dynamically change their radiation patterns and frequency bandwidths through electronic switching mechanisms. The antenna structure includes multiple antenna elements that can be selectively activated and configured to produce different radiation patterns, allowing the system to adapt to various communication modes (full duplex, MIMO, etc.) without requiring multiple fixed antenna structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal antenna system where a single reconfigurable antenna structure can perform multiple functions - supporting both full duplex operation with different radiation patterns and MIMO operations with configurable bandwidths. The antenna array can be reconfigured to serve different communication standards and operational modes, replacing the need for multiple specialized antenna structures.
2Productivity
If antennas with same radiation pattern and bandwidth are used, then manufacturing and design simplicity is maintained, but support for concurrent communications across multiple channels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple independent antenna elements within an array structure. Each element can be independently controlled and configured to produce specific radiation patterns. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously support multiple communication channels with different radiation patterns, enabling full duplex and MIMO operations with improved concurrent communication capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes reconfigurable antenna elements that can change their electrical and radiation parameters (radiation pattern, frequency bandwidth, impedance) through electronic control mechanisms. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the antenna array can optimize performance for different communication channels and modes, supporting concurrent communications across multiple frequencies and spatial directions.
3Productivity
If reconfigurable antennas with different radiation patterns and bandwidths are implemented, then diversity and capacity are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an antenna processing circuit as an intermediary component that manages the complexity of controlling multiple reconfigurable antenna elements. This processing circuit receives control signals, determines optimal antenna configurations based on communication requirements, and switches between different radiation patterns and bandwidth settings, thereby simplifying the overall system control while maintaining high communication capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple antenna elements with similar physical structures but different configurable parameters. Rather than designing entirely different complex antenna structures for each function, the system uses replicated antenna elements that can be electronically configured to produce different radiation patterns and bandwidths, reducing design complexity while maintaining functional diversity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable antenna structure includes first and second reconfigurable antennas, a configuration module, and an antenna processing circuit. The first reconfigurable antenna is configured, in response to a first configuration signal, to have a first radiation pattern and to have a first frequency bandwidth and the second reconfigurable antenna is configured, in response to a second configuration signal, to have a second radiation pattern and to have a second frequency bandwidth. The configuration module is configured to generate the first and second configuration signals. The antenna processing circuit is configured to send one or more transmit signals to one or more of the first and second reconfigurable antennas for transmission via one or more of the channels of interest and receive one or more receive signals from the one or more of the first and second reconfigurable antennas.