Sensor-Based Wireless Receive Diversity Antenna Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining signal strength and direction due to the isotropic nature of antennas, leading to low antenna gain and increased multipath effects as the wireless unit moves, which affects receive diversity.
Innovation Solution
A wireless unit equipped with a plurality of antennas, an inertial sensor, and a processor that uses orientation information to select the most suitable antennas for signal reception, enhancing antenna gain and reducing multipath interference through diversity processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an isotropic antenna is used for signal reception, then the antenna can receive signals uniformly in all directions, but the antenna gain is low and multipath effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single isotropic antenna into multiple directional antennas arranged in specific geometric patterns. Each antenna segment handles signals from particular directions, collectively providing omnidirectional coverage while maintaining high gain through directional focusing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric antenna element patterns and non-uniform amplitude weighting across the antenna array. This asymmetric configuration creates constructive interference in desired directions while producing nulls in directions of multipath interference, thereby improving signal strength and reducing multipath effects.
2Reliability
If a single antenna is used for signal reception, then the device complexity is low, but the receive diversity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements into a unified phased array system with centralized control. The antenna selector and signal processing components integrate signals from multiple antennas through constructive interference, achieving receive diversity while managing complexity through systematic signal combination rather than independent processing of each antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic antenna selection and phase adjustment mechanisms that adapt to changing signal conditions. The antenna selector dynamically chooses optimal antenna combinations based on received signal quality, and the phased array dynamically adjusts phase and amplitude weights to maintain optimal receive diversity as the wireless unit moves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless unit moves to different locations, then the coverage area increases, but the signal strength and direction stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors signal strength and quality from multiple antennas. Based on this feedback, the antenna selector adjusts which antennas are active and how signals are combined, maintaining stable signal reception despite changes in location and orientation. The system adapts to maintaining optimal signal direction stability through continuous feedback-driven adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are disclosed for achieving receiver diversity. A wireless unit includes a plurality of antennas, an antenna selector to select one or more antennas from the plurality of antennas, a processor with input data from an inertial sensor for monitoring the orientation of the wireless unit. Based on the input data, the processor commands the antenna selector to select one or more antennas. In one aspect, the processor is a diversity processor. Based on the input data from the inertial sensor, the diversity processor computes the combination of the received signals. In another aspect, the wireless unit further includes a baseband processor to process the output of the diversity processor for a particular unit application.