Rotatable Dual Antenna Arrays for Cell-Edge Beam Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Higher frequency signals in wireless communications systems lead to path loss and beam broadening issues when electronically steering antenna beams, resulting in reduced coverage and gain loss, making it difficult to maintain effective communication at the edges of cells.
Innovation Solution
The use of a dual antenna array system with mechanical positioning circuitry allows for adjustment of the first antenna array relative to the second array about a common axis of rotation, enabling mechanical steering without the beam broadening and gain loss associated with electronic steering, and allowing various deployment configurations to optimize coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic beam steering is used to direct antenna beams away from boresight direction, then beam direction can be changed, but beam broadening and gain loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical dynamics by making the antenna array physically moveable relative to the support structure through a rotation mechanism. This allows the entire antenna array to be steered mechanically to different directions, maintaining optimal beam characteristics without the gain loss associated with electronic beam steering away from boresight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic beam steering mechanism with a mechanical steering system. Instead of electronically adjusting beam direction while maintaining fixed antenna orientation, the entire antenna array is mechanically rotated to point in the desired direction, substituting electronic control with mechanical positioning to preserve gain.
2Productivity
If higher frequency signals are used to increase bandwidth, then communication capacity improves, but path loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple antenna elements arranged in an array configuration. This segmentation allows for constructive interference and beam forming effects that concentrate energy in specific directions, compensating for the higher path loss inherent in higher frequency signals used for increased bandwidth.
3Productivity
If narrow beams are used to deliver coverage to cell edges, then bandwidth utilization improves, but coverage area reduction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning of the antenna array through mechanical rotation mechanisms. This allows the narrow high-gain beam to be physically redirected to different directions, covering multiple areas sequentially or simultaneously through beam forming, thus maintaining both narrow beam benefits and extended coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional antenna system that can operate in different modes: narrow beam for high-gain point-to-point communication and broader coverage through mechanical repositioning and beam forming across multiple elements. The same antenna array structure serves both high-bandwidth narrow beam and extended coverage functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technique provides an antenna apparatus and a method of operating an antenna apparatus comprising a first antenna array and a second antenna array. Antenna positioning circuitry is used to move the first antenna array relative to the second antenna array about a common axis of rotation to facilitate positioning of the first and second antenna arrays in a chosen deployment configuration between a first limit and a second limit. Antenna array control circuitry is used to coordinate operation of the first antenna array and the second antenna array dependent on the chosen deployment configuration.