Integrated Roofing Antennas for Dense 5G mmWave Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of 5G networks faces challenges due to signal propagation issues, as mmWave signals are easily blocked by obstacles and require denser cell site installations, which are difficult and costly to implement with traditional infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Integrating 5G-capable infrastructure into roofing accessories, such as shingles and other roofing components, to provide widespread and cost-effective 5G signal coverage by embedding antennas and supporting electronics directly into roofing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireless deployment methods are used for 5G, then infrastructure costs and installation complexity increase, but signal coverage and network performance remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines 5G antenna elements, electronic components, and roofing materials into a single integrated shingle unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate infrastructure installations and reduces overall system complexity while improving signal coverage through distributed antenna placement across the roof surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated roofing shingle serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides traditional roofing protection, acts as a mounting structure for 5G antennas, and functions as part of the wireless communication infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated infrastructure components.
2Reliability
If fiber optic cabling is installed to support 5G cell sites, then network connectivity improves, but installation time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The 5G antenna elements and electronic components are pre-integrated into the roofing shingles during manufacturing, before the roofing system is installed on the building. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate post-installation infrastructure work and reduces overall deployment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The roofing system itself provides the infrastructure mounting and support functions that would otherwise require separate installation teams and materials. The shingles are self-sufficient in providing both structural roofing function and 5G infrastructure support without requiring additional specialized installation procedures.
3Reliability
If dense cell site installations are deployed for 5G coverage, then signal propagation improves, but installation costs and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The 5G infrastructure is divided into individual modular shingle units, each containing antenna elements. This segmentation allows for distributed placement across the roof surface, creating multiple small cell sites that improve signal propagation while maintaining ease of installation through standardized modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical cell site installations to a two-dimensional distributed array of antenna elements embedded in the horizontal roof surface. This dimensional change allows for denser deployment of signal sources without increasing vertical infrastructure complexity or installation difficulty.
Data Source
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AI summary
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a system of integrated roofing accessories on a plurality of roofs, where at least one integrated roofing accessory on each roof may include: i) at least one transceiver configured to produce millimeter wave (mm Wave) frequency signals using fifth generation cellular networking (5G) protocols, ii) at least one dielectric antenna in electrical communication with the at least one transceiver for emitting the mm Wave frequency signals according to the at least one 5G protocol, iii) an edge computing device having at least one processor and at least one non-transitory storage with software to operate the edge computing device in communication with the at least one transceiver, and iv) at least one power supply. The software is configured to cause, when executed, the integrated roofing accessories to form a 5G network using the mm Wave frequency signals which communicates with at least one computing device.