Repeater with Electronically Shaped Antenna Beams for Interference Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular communication repeaters often fail to establish a clear channel to the transmitting party while also amplifying interfering signals, leading to potential system degradation and interference.
Innovation Solution
A repeater with electronically shaped antenna beams that focus on the transmitting party while minimizing interference, either through adaptive beam shaping based on measurements or instructions from other nodes, to optimize the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the repeater antenna beam is directed towards the transmitting party to establish a good channel, then the channel quality is improved, but interfering signals from other directions are also amplified and forwarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different beam characteristics in different spatial directions. The antenna system generates a first beam with high gain towards the transmitting party for reliable signal reception, while simultaneously creating a second beam with nulls (low gain) towards interfering sources to suppress interference. This spatially differentiated beam quality allows the repeater to selectively amplify desired signals while rejecting interfering signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the antenna radiation pattern into multiple independent beams. Instead of using a single omnidirectional or broad beam, the antenna system divides the spatial spectrum into separate beam components - a first beam for the desired transmitting party and a second beam for suppressing interfering parties. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each beam's characteristics to simultaneously achieve good channel quality and interference suppression.
2Power
If traditional repeaters amplify all received signals, then signal strength is improved, but system interference increases and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different beam characteristics in different spatial directions. The antenna system generates a first beam with high gain towards the transmitting party for reliable signal reception, while simultaneously creating a second beam with nulls (low gain) towards interfering sources to suppress interference. This spatially differentiated beam quality allows the repeater to selectively amplify desired signals while rejecting interfering signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of interference into a beneficial outcome by using the known positions and characteristics of interfering sources to design targeted null beams. The interfering signals, which would normally be amplified and cause system degradation, are instead identified and actively suppressed through directional beamforming with nulls positioned towards the interfering parties, transforming a harmful input into an opportunity for selective rejection.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed antenna beam directions are used, then installation is simplified, but the repeater cannot adapt to changing channel conditions or interference patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna beam directions adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically reposition beam main lobes towards different transmitting parties and reposition nulls towards different interfering sources based on changing channel conditions, traffic patterns, and interference environments. This dynamic capability allows the repeater to adapt to various scenarios while maintaining relatively simple installation through automated beam training and optimization procedures.
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
The repeater effectively enhances the channel to the transmitting party while suppressing interference, improving system performance and reducing the risk of system degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The repeater of the invention is arranged to shape at least one of its antenna beams electronically, so as to focus that antenna beam on a first transmitting party in the system, while minimizing interference from other transmission sources
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a repeater (225; 325) for a cellular communications system (200, 300), the repeater (225; 325) comprising at least a first antenna with a first and a second antenna beam (226, 227). The repeater (225; 325) is arranged to shape atleast one of its antenna beams (226) electronically, so as to focus that antenna beam (226) on a first transmitting party (215) in the system (200, 300) while minimizing interference from other transmission sources (210).