Route-Based Directional Antenna Pointing for Vehicle Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in maintaining reliable and optimized mobile network connectivity for vehicles, particularly in areas with remote locations or numerous obstacles, leading to poor signal strength and connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A directional antenna device for vehicles that dynamically adjusts its orientation based on the vehicle's position, the location of fixed transceivers, and the route, using a microprocessor to calculate the optimal azimuthal rotation angle for continuous signal optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a directional antenna is used to obtain stronger signal strength, then signal quality improves, but the antenna orientation must be continuously adjusted to maintain optimal direction toward transceivers
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates the optimal antenna orientation angles along the entire route before the vehicle begins its journey. By using the route coordinates and transceiver locations to compute azimuthal rotation angles in advance, the system eliminates the need for real-time orientation adjustments during motion, thereby maintaining strong signal strength without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical continuous adjustment systems with a simplified approach using pre-calculated orientation data. Instead of employing sophisticated real-time mechanical control systems to continuously track transceivers, the system uses stored pre-computed angle data that can be implemented with simpler mechanical actuators or even fixed mounting positions corresponding to the pre-determined optimal angles.
2Reliability
If real-time antenna adjustment is implemented to maintain optimal orientation, then connectivity is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all necessary computational work before the vehicle's journey begins. The microprocessor calculates the optimal azimuthal rotation angles for each segment of the route using the known route coordinates and transceiver locations. This pre-computation approach ensures continuous connectivity during motion while avoiding the need for complex real-time computational systems, GPS continuous processing, or dynamic re-calculation mechanisms during the journey.
3Device complexity
If omni-directional antenna is used for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but signal strength becomes insufficient in remote areas with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the omnidirectional antenna concept into multiple directional antenna elements, each optimized for a specific direction toward a transceiver. Rather than using a single omni-directional antenna that radiates equally in all directions with limited gain, the system employs directional antennas that concentrate energy in specific directions, providing much stronger signal strength in those directions while maintaining relatively simple individual antenna structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an antenna device for a vehicle for optimizing the signal strength or quality from a mobile network having at least one fixed transceiver. The device comprises: at least one directional antenna; at least one turning device, such as an electric motor, for rotating the directional antenna around an axis substantially perpendicular to the antenna boresight; and a microprocessor configured to calculate an azimuthal rotation angle for pointing the directional antenna to at least one selected fixed transceiver. The calculated azimuthal rotational angle is based on: directional and positional data of the vehicle; positional data of the selected fixed transceivers; and a route for navigating the vehicle between a starting point and a destination. The azimuthal rotation angle of the directional antenna is calculated continuously or at intervals, such that the signal strength or quality from the mobile network is continuously optimized along the route. The present disclosure is further related to a directional wireless hotspot device for communication in a mobile network, wherein the device comprises at least two directional antennas. The present disclosure further relates to a method for automatically pointing a directional antenna on a vehicle to a fixed transceiver in a mobile network for optimizing the signal strength or quality, wherein the antenna is pointed to a transceiver based a calculated route for navigating between a starting point and a destination.