Reconfigurable Patch Antenna Beam Control via Selective Element Activation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current antenna technologies require physical replacement or manipulation to reconfigure cell shapes in response to changes in subscriber density, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable patch antenna system with selectively energizable patch elements and a substrate layer, allowing for control of beam width and direction without the need for phase shifters or multiple radio front ends, using a switchable RF transceiver and beam-forming control module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If physical replacement or manipulation of antennas is used to reconfigure cell shapes, then antenna reconfiguration can be achieved, but it requires costly and inefficient physical alterations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidcost and efficiency of reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of antenna beam patterns through electronic control of multiple radiating elements. The system can dynamically adjust main lobe width and shape by selectively activating different antenna elements based on subscriber density requirements, eliminating the need for physical antenna replacement while maintaining adaptability to changing coverage needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the antenna system by controlling the excitation states of multiple radiating elements. By adjusting which elements are active and their relative phases, the system can electronically transform beam patterns from narrow to wide main lobes, achieving reconfiguration through parameter modification rather than physical alteration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If multiple radio front ends and phase shifters are used to control beam patterns, then beam direction and width can be controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of phase shifters and radio front ends

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the antenna system into multiple independent radiating elements that can be individually controlled. Each element can be independently activated or deactivated to achieve different beam patterns, providing fine-grained control over main lobe width and shape without requiring complex phase shifter networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multiple beam control functions (direction steering, main lobe width adjustment, pattern shaping) using a single unified approach of selective element activation. This multi-functional capability is achieved without requiring separate phase shifter circuits or multiple radio front ends for each control function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7403172B2Reconfigurable patch antenna apparatus, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2008.07.22 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of a beam-reconfigurable patch antenna are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.