Rectangular Antenna Array for Adaptive Wireless Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antenna arrays face a tradeoff between gain and beam width, with square arrays producing circular transmission patterns that are less effective in home environments where an oval pattern is desired, and millimeter wave frequencies often waste energy sent to ceilings or floors.
Innovation Solution
A rectangular element array is used to create a customized transmission/reception pattern based on device placement and premise layout, allowing for adaptive configuration by enabling or disabling elements to focus energy on specific areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an antenna array with a high number of elements is used, then gain is improved, but beam width becomes narrower and coverage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array into multiple selectable subsets of elements. Instead of using all elements simultaneously, the system segments the array and activates only the necessary portion based on current coverage requirements, thereby maintaining high gain when needed while preserving the ability to expand coverage area by using fewer elements or different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of the antenna array by enabling or disabling specific elements based on real-time conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between high-gain narrow-beam modes and lower-gain wide-beam modes, resolving the contradiction between gain and coverage area through temporal variation in element activation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a square array configuration is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but transmission pattern becomes circular which is less effective for home environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric configurations of antenna elements within the array, selecting and activating elements in non-uniform patterns that generate oval-shaped transmission patterns. This asymmetry in element activation allows the system to maintain the simple square physical structure for ease of manufacture while achieving the desired oval coverage pattern through selective element operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling or disabling specific elements in the array based on the desired coverage pattern. Rather than uniformly activating all elements, the system selectively activates particular elements to create the optimal transmission pattern for the specific environment, thereby adapting the simple square structure to produce environmentally-appropriate oval patterns.
3Area of stationary object
If energy is transmitted in all directions including ceiling and floor, then coverage area is improved, but energy wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes unnecessary transmission directions by selectively disabling antenna elements that would transmit energy toward the ceiling and floor. By taking out the problematic elements from active service, the system concentrates energy transmission toward horizontal directions where target devices are most likely located, thereby reducing energy wastage while maintaining effective coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the antenna array by dynamically adjusting which elements are active based on the desired coverage pattern. This parameter change allows the system to optimize energy distribution by activating only those elements that contribute to effective coverage, thereby reducing energy wastage in ineffective directions while maintaining the necessary coverage area.
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 enhances wireless coverage by concentrating energy in desired areas, improving signal strength and reducing energy wastage, while allowing for flexible beam widths and patterns to accommodate various device placements and environments.
Implementation Method 1
A rectangular array of elements may be adaptively utilized to create a customized transmission/reception pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate dynamic wireless coverage through adaptive use of a rectangular array of antenna elements. A rectangular array of elements may be adaptively utilized to create a customized transmission/reception pattern that is based upon wireless device placement, premise layout, and other characteristics associated with a subscriber premise within which an access point is located.