Rotatable Multi-Sector Aircraft Antennas for Adaptive RAN Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airborne antenna systems are limited in their ability to dynamically adjust radio access patterns, requiring multiple base stations proportional to the number of radio devices and lacking flexibility in serving groups of radio devices outside of stationary or terrestrial coverage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves rotating multi-sector antennas mounted on unmanned aircraft to dynamically adjust radio access by determining signal strengths and computing optimal azimuthal directions for each sector, allowing for efficient radio access to multiple groups of radio devices while decoupling avionics from providing radio access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional airborne antenna systems use fixed curvature reflective surfaces and centralized base stations, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to dynamically adjust radio access patterns and serve multiple radio devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple independent sector antennas, each capable of being independently rotated and controlled. This allows each sector to serve different radio devices or groups dynamically, transforming a single fixed-coverage antenna into multiple adjustable coverage zones, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotation mechanisms for each sector antenna, enabling real-time adjustment of azimuth angles to track and serve moving radio devices. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to changing radio access patterns without requiring a complete reconfiguration of the base station network.
2Reliability
If multiple base stations are deployed to serve multiple radio devices, then radio coverage is improved, but the number of base stations required becomes proportional to the number of radio devices, increasing system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single airborne platform universal by equipping it with multiple rotatable sector antennas that can dynamically serve different radio devices. Instead of requiring dedicated base stations for each device, one multi-functional airborne base station with segmented, rotatable sectors can adaptively serve multiple devices, reducing the total number of base stations needed while maintaining coverage quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stationary or terrestrial base stations are used, then infrastructure is stable, but the ability to provide radio access outside of fixed coverage areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static terrestrial base stations to dynamic airborne platforms that can move and reposition themselves to provide radio access in areas outside fixed coverage zones. The rotatable sector antennas further enhance this mobility by allowing the airborne platform to dynamically adjust its coverage direction while in motion, maintaining infrastructure stability through controlled dynamic operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for rotating one or more multi-sector antennas mounted on unmanned aircrafts of a radio access network, RAN, is described. Each of the multi-sector antennas comprises multiple sectors. The multiple sectors of each of the multi-sector antennas are configured to provide radio access to radio devices in different azimuthal directions that are changeable relative to the aircraft and fixed relative to each other when rotating the respective one of the multi-sector antennas. As to a method aspect of the technique, the at least one or each of the aircrafts of the RAN determines signal strengths of radio signals exchanged between a first radio device and at least two of the multiple sectors of the multi-sector antenna mounted on the respective one of the aircrafts Based on the determined signal strengths, a first azimuthal direction is computed for providing radio access to the first radio device. A first sector of the multiple sectors of the multi-sector antenna mounted on the respective one of the aircrafts is rotated in the computed first azimuthal direction.