Segmented Radiating Antenna for Single-Antenna Asset Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location-aware technologies face challenges in design, configuration, installation, and functionality, particularly in requiring multiple antennas and complex logic for effective location tracking.
Innovation Solution
A novel radiating antenna with spatially discretized signaling, comprising an assembly of conductors and switches, allows for selective signal radiation from specific sections, eliminating the need for multiple antennas and simplifying installation and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional location-aware technologies use multiple antennas and complex logic, then location tracking functionality is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple discrete sections along its length, with each section capable of being independently activated or deactivated through associated switches. This segmentation allows the system to achieve location tracking functionality by selectively activating only the necessary antenna sections, thereby reducing the effective complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system incorporates dynamic switching capability where sections can be activated or deactivated based on operational requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt its complexity level, using only the necessary sections for a given location tracking task, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional location-aware technologies use multiple antennas, then location tracking accuracy is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple antenna sections that would traditionally require separate antenna units are merged into a single continuous antenna structure with discrete switchable sections. This merging maintains the precision benefits of multiple antennas while dramatically simplifying installation, as only one antenna unit needs to be installed rather than multiple separate antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The single antenna structure serves multiple functions by incorporating switchable sections that can be independently controlled. Each section can be activated based on the specific location tracking requirements, making the single antenna unit as effective as multiple antennas while being much easier to manufacture and install.
3Reliability
If conventional technologies require multiple antennas, then signaling coverage is improved, but quantity of system components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section capable of independent signal radiation control. This segmentation provides comprehensive signaling coverage by allowing selective activation of different sections, while reducing the total number of components compared to using multiple separate antenna units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple antenna functions are merged into a single antenna structure with switchable sections. This merging reduces the quantity of system components from multiple separate antennas to one integrated antenna unit, while maintaining comprehensive signaling coverage through selective section activation.
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 provides improved design and installation efficiency, reduced complexity, and enhanced accuracy in location tracking by enabling single-point measurements with a lower number of system components.
Implementation Method 1
each section of the plurality of sections comprising one or more slots that are configured to allow a signal to radiate out of the outer conductor and into the environment
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments described herein are directed to utilizing a radiating antenna that is configured to transmit and/or receive data to/from one or more tags in spatially discrete sections along the antenna to detect the location of assets, as described herein. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure do not require multiple antennas to detect assets, leading to improvements in design, configuration, and installation.