Shared-Panel Antenna Downtilt Control with Independent RF Modulators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems integrated on the same panel face limitations in adjusting individual signal coverage, leading to reduced communication flexibility due to the need for consistent downtilts.
Innovation Solution
The antenna system includes two antennas with separate mechanical downtilt adjustments and dedicated modulators for adjusting electrical downtilts, allowing independent signal coverage adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If two or more antennas are integrated on the same panel, then antenna panel resources are saved, but downtilts of the antennas must be consistent which reduces communication flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the downtilt adjustment function into two independent parts: mechanical downtilt adjustment (physical orientation of each antenna) and electrical downtilt adjustment (phase modulation of radio frequency signals). This segmentation allows each antenna to have independent control over both mechanical and electrical downtilts, resolving the contradiction by enabling flexible individual adjustment while maintaining panel integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter control mechanism by introducing separate modulators for each antenna that can independently adjust electrical downtilt parameters (phase and amplitude of RF signals). This parameter independence allows antennas on the same panel to have different downtilt settings, improving communication flexibility while conserving panel resources.
2Ease of manufacture
If downtilts of integrated antennas are made consistent, then panel integration is simplified, but individual signal coverage adjustment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates downtilt control into mechanical segmentation (each antenna's physical orientation) and electrical segmentation (independent phase modulation for each antenna). This dual segmentation allows simplified panel integration while maintaining full individual adjustability for signal coverage optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical downtilt adjustment with a hybrid system that combines mechanical positioning and electrical phase modulation. The modulators electronically adjust the phase and amplitude of RF signals to achieve electrical downtilt, substituting additional mechanical complexity with electronic control that simplifies panel integration while enhancing operational flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This application provides an antenna system, including: a radio frequency unit, configured to generate a to-be-sent first radio frequency signal; a divider, configured to divide the first radio frequency signal into a first radio frequency sub-signal and a second radio frequency sub-signal; a first modulator, configured to adjust a first electrical downtilt of the first radio frequency sub-signal; a second modulator, configured to adjust a second electrical downtilt of the second radio frequency sub-signal; a first antenna, configured to transmit an adjusted first radio frequency sub-signal; and a first antenna, configured to transmit an adjusted second radio frequency sub-signal. A modulator for adjusting an electrical downtilt of each antenna is separately disposed for each antenna, so that coverage of a signal sent by using the two antennas can be adjusted by adjusting the electrical downtilt even if at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna shares a same antenna panel with another antenna. Therefore, communication flexibility can be improved on the premise of saving antenna panel resources.