Segmented Dielectric Antenna Array for Bandwidth Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for higher bandwidth in wireless infrastructure due to ubiquitous smart phones and portable devices is not adequately met by existing technologies, particularly in providing efficient broadband access and managing interference in communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that uses electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires or dielectric materials, to propagate signals without requiring an electrical circuit, allowing for efficient data transmission with reduced interference and increased bandwidth capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wireless infrastructure and macrocell base stations are used to provide broadband access, then existing wireless networks can serve current devices, but they cannot adequately meet the increasing bandwidth demand from ubiquitous smartphones and portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple selectable sections or subsets, allowing the system to dynamically activate only the necessary portions of the array. This segmentation enables efficient resource utilization to meet varying bandwidth demands without requiring the entire array to be operational at all times, thereby improving productivity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and switches between different antenna sections based on real-time communication requirements, user distribution, and interference conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the wireless infrastructure to flexibly respond to changing bandwidth demands from multiple devices, resolving the contradiction between current capability and future adaptability.
2Area of stationary object
If antenna arrays are used to provide coverage, then broadband access can be extended, but interference management becomes more complex and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the antenna array into independent selectable sections, the system can isolate and manage interference locally within specific sections rather than across the entire array. This reduces the overall complexity of interference management while maintaining extended coverage through coordinated operation of multiple sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the antenna array can be independently configured and optimized for specific coverage areas or interference conditions. This local quality approach allows tailored interference management strategies for different spatial zones, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Productivity
If small cell deployment with microcells and picocells is pursued to provide coverage for smaller areas, then bandwidth can be increased for local areas, but the overall network complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna sections into a unified array structure that can operate as integrated small cells or macrocells depending on configuration. This merging approach provides the bandwidth benefits of small cell deployment while reducing overall network complexity by managing multiple cells within a single coordinated infrastructure rather than requiring separate independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, selecting a first segment from a plurality of selectable segments of an array of dielectric antennas, where the first segment corresponds to a first set of one or more dielectric antennas from the array of dielectric antennas coupled to a first set of launchers, directing the first set of launchers to launch first electromagnetic waves directed to the first set of one or more dielectric antennas to generate a first beam pattern, selecting a second segment from the plurality of selectable segments, where the second segment corresponds to a second set of one or more dielectric antennas from the array of dielectric antennas coupled to a second set of launchers, and directing the second set of launchers to launch second electromagnetic waves directed to the second set of one or more dielectric antennas to generate a second beam pattern. Other embodiments are disclosed.