Single Port Reconfigurable Antenna for MIMO Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional MIMO communication systems require multiple antennas in both the transmitter and receiver, leading to increased system size, cost, complexity, and power usage due to the need for multiple RF chains.

Innovation Solution

The use of electrically steerable parasitic array antennas with a driver to rapidly reconfigure their radiation patterns, allowing a single antenna to function like multiple antennas by changing directional vectors and creating virtual channels for MIMO communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used in traditional MIMO systems, then communication functionality is improved, but system size, cost, and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMIMO communication functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple antenna functions into a single reconfigurable antenna that can dynamically change its radiation pattern and directional vectors. This single antenna replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate antennas and their associated RF chains, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining MIMO communication functionality through temporal multiplexing of spatial channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a reconfigurable antenna with dynamically adjustable radiation patterns that can be steered electronically to different directional vectors. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows the single antenna to perform the functions of multiple static antennas by changing its beam direction and pattern over time, enabling MIMO operation without requiring multiple physical antennas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used in traditional MIMO systems, then communication functionality is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMIMO communication functionalityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple antenna elements and their associated RF chains into a single reconfigurable antenna structure. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering system cost while maintaining the ability to perform MIMO communications through electronic reconfiguration of the single antenna's radiation pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used in traditional MIMO systems, then communication functionality is improved, but power usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMIMO communication functionalityVSAvoidpower usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple RF chains and their power consumption into a single reconfigurable antenna system. By using one antenna with electronic beam steering capability instead of multiple actively transmitting antennas, the system reduces overall power consumption while maintaining MIMO functionality through temporal multiplexing of spatial communication channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables MIMO communication with a single antenna in both the transmitter and receiver, reducing system size, cost, and power usage while maintaining the functionality of traditional multi-antenna systems.

Implementation Method 1

The transmitter driver is arranged such that it is operable to enable the electrically steerable parasitic array transmitter antenna to transmit a beam having a first directional vector at a first time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The receiver driver is arranged such that it is operable to enable the electrically steerable parasitic array receiver antenna to receive a beam having a third directional vector at a third time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10263337B1Method for multiple-input multiple-output communication using single port radiation pattern reconfigurable antennas

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

An aspect of the present invention is drawn to a communication system that includes an electrically steerable parasitic array transmitter antenna, a transmitter driver, an electrically steerable parasitic array receiver antenna, and a receiver driver. The transmitter driver is arranged such that it is operable to enable the electrically steerable parasitic array transmitter antenna to transmit a beam having a first directional vector at a first time, a second directional vector at a second time, and an nth directional vector at an nth time. The receiver driver is arranged such that it is operable to enable the electrically steerable parasitic array receiver antenna to receive a beam having a third directional vector at a third time, a fourth directional vector at a fourth time, and an mth directional vector at an mth time.