Reconfigurable Base Station Antenna Array for Dynamic Radiation Pattern Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base station antenna systems require replacement or reorientation to change radiation patterns, which is costly and time-consuming, limiting their adaptability to varying user densities and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable base station antenna system with a feeder network that can alter the radiation pattern by adjusting the phase and amplitude of signals applied to antenna panels, allowing for various types of radiation patterns without physical changes to the antenna or its orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a base station antenna uses a fixed radiation pattern, then the antenna structure is simple and cost-effective, but the system cannot adapt to varying user densities and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reconfigurable antenna system where the radiation pattern can be dynamically changed by adjusting the phase and amplitude of signals applied to different antenna panels. The feeder network includes controllable components (such as phase shifters and amplitude controllers) that allow the antenna to transition between different radiation patterns (e.g., omnidirectional, sector, directional) based on real-time requirements, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and adaptive versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the radiation pattern by modifying the electrical parameters (phase and amplitude) of the signals fed to each antenna element rather than physically reconfiguring the antenna structure. This allows multiple radiation patterns to be achieved from a single fixed antenna configuration, providing adaptability without increasing physical device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation pattern is changed by replacing the antenna or changing its orientation, then the desired radiation pattern is achieved, but the process is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical reconfiguration methods (physical antenna replacement or orientation change) with an electrical control system. The feeder network uses electronic phase shifters and amplitude controllers to change the radiation pattern instantaneously by adjusting signal parameters, eliminating the need for mechanical intervention and significantly reducing reconfiguration time from hours/days to seconds or milliseconds.
Solution Approach 2:
A single antenna structure is designed to perform multiple functions by generating different radiation patterns through electrical control. The antenna system can serve as omnidirectional, sector, or directional antenna based on control signals, eliminating the need for multiple physical antennas and reducing both time and cost for pattern changes.
3Area of stationary object
If a quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern is used for broad area coverage, then coverage area is maximized, but throughput is limited when user density increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the radiation pattern based on user density and distribution. When user density is low, an omnidirectional pattern provides broad coverage. When user density increases in specific areas, the system reconfigures to directional or sector patterns to concentrate resources and improve throughput for high-density regions, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and system throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a reconfigurable antenna system including a reconfigurable antenna capable of providing various types of radiation patterns without having to be replaced or needing its orientation changed. The reconfigurable antenna may create various types of quasi-omni directional radiation patterns of different shapes depending on the environment.