Sectorized Analog Beam Search System for Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog beamformers face challenges such as high costs, difficulty in antenna alignment, limited range due to EIRP limits, cable losses, and increased interference with fan-beam radiation patterns, especially in long-distance point-to-point communication, and require cumbersome beam sweeping processes for optimal configuration.
Innovation Solution
A scalable, lower-cost antenna beamformer architecture with automatic beam alignment and scanning capabilities, utilizing a steerable pencil beam for similar coverage to fan-beam patterns, and a cloud coordinator for dynamic beam searching, enabling efficient communication across short, mid, and long-range links in the 5-7 GHz frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional analog beamformers use fan-beam radiation patterns for coverage, then coverage area is improved, but interference increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coverage area into multiple sectors, each with its own dedicated beamformer. This segmentation allows each sector to transmit focused beams only in its specific direction, reducing interference to other sectors while maintaining comprehensive coverage area through the combination of all sectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements direction-dependent transmission characteristics where each beamformer transmits with high gain only in its specific sector direction rather than uniformly in all directions. This local quality approach concentrates energy where needed while minimizing interference in other directions, resolving the contradiction between coverage and interference.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional analog beamformers use fan-beam radiation patterns, then coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides coverage into multiple sectors, each handled by a simpler beamformer unit. This segmentation allows each unit to be manufactured independently with simpler requirements compared to a single complex fan-beam system, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of each beamformer to operate in specific angular ranges rather than requiring full 360-degree fan-beam patterns. This parameter change allows use of lower-cost components and simpler antenna designs that don't require expensive wide-angle beamforming capabilities across the entire sphere.
3Measurement precision
If beam sweeping process is used for optimal beam configuration, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beam alignment by configuring each beamformer to a predetermined optimal sector based on sectorization information. This preliminary action establishes a good initial alignment state without requiring extensive sweeping, reducing the time needed for subsequent optimization while maintaining sufficient alignment accuracy for practical deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing complete exhaustive beam sweeping across all possible angles, the patent applies partial action by limiting the search to predefined sectors. This partial sweeping approach achieves adequate alignment accuracy for the application requirements while significantly reducing the time consumption compared to full sweeping.
4Ease of operation
If automatic beam alignment is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic beam alignment where the beamformer system self-configures its own beam directions based on received sectorization information from the access point. The system performs self-service alignment without requiring manual intervention or complex external control mechanisms, improving ease of operation while keeping device complexity manageable through autonomous operation.
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 solution reduces interference, enables long-distance communication with compact antennas, and simplifies the beam alignment process, providing efficient and cost-effective sectorized analog beam searching across various communication ranges.
Implementation Method 1
steering a radiation pattern of electromagnetic energy by adjusting a beamforming configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies directed to sectorized analog beam searching are described. One method includes a first wireless device receiving a first destination address of a second wireless device, a first angle value corresponding to a first direction, and a second angle value corresponding to a second direction. The first wireless device generates a first signal beam transmitted in the first direction and spanning a first geographic region and receives an RSSI value corresponding to the first signal beam. The first wireless generates a second signal beam transmitted in the second direction and spanning a second geographic region and receives a second RSSI value corresponding to the second signal beam. The first wireless device determines that the first RSSI value is greater than the second RSSI value. The first wireless device determines, using a third signal beam a third angle value corresponding to a third direction located within the first geographic region.