Remote Antenna Cable Loss Compensation via Feedback Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, cable loss between a primary antenna and a remote antenna reduces signal power, limiting the range and accuracy of antenna coverage due to the physical constraints of vehicle mounting and the inability of existing transceivers to adequately compensate for this loss.
Innovation Solution
A remote antenna system with a bidirectional data signal path and a control path that includes a comparator circuit and amplifiers to compensate for cable loss, using a microcontroller to measure and adjust transmit power, and switches to select between transmit and receive paths based on control signals, thereby optimizing signal strength and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a remote antenna is mounted far from the transceiver to increase coverage area, then the antenna coverage area is improved, but cable loss increases causing signal power reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the remote antenna controller measures the actual transmit power at the remote antenna and sends this information back to the transceiver. The transceiver then adjusts its transmit power level based on this feedback to compensate for cable loss, maintaining the desired signal strength at the remote antenna while enabling broader coverage through extended cable length.
2Area of stationary object
If cable length is increased to extend remote antenna position for broader coverage, then antenna coverage area is improved, but signal power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the signal strength and power levels through bidirectional communication between the remote antenna controller and the transceiver. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of transmit power to maintain reliable signal strength despite variations in cable length and associated losses.
3Loss of energy
If transceiver transmit power is increased to compensate for cable loss, then signal power at remote antenna is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial compensation rather than full compensation for cable loss. The feedback mechanism allows the transceiver to increase power only to the extent necessary to achieve the target signal strength at the remote antenna, avoiding excessive power consumption while still effectively compensating for the actual cable loss.
4Loss of energy
If amplification circuitry is added at the remote antenna to compensate for cable loss, then signal power is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex local amplification circuitry with a feedback-based power adjustment mechanism. Instead of adding amplifiers and associated control circuits at the remote antenna, the system uses bidirectional communication to measure actual power levels and adjust the transceiver's transmit power accordingly, achieving the same compensation effect with simpler circuitry.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A remote antenna system is provided. The remote antenna system comprises an antenna controller circuit and a remote antenna circuit coupled to the antenna controller circuit by a cable. The remote antenna system further comprises a bidirectional data signal path for carrying transmit and received data signals between the antenna controller circuit and the remote antenna circuit; and a control path for carrying control information between the antenna controller circuit and the remote antenna circuit. The control path is a bidirectional control path. The control path comprises a transmit circuit comprising an input to receive control information and configured to convert the control information into a series of pulses; and a receive circuit comprising a comparator circuit configure to receive the series of pulses and reconstruct them to the control signal.