Single Feed Distributed Antenna System With Directional Couplers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for providing multi-antenna coverage in radio-opaque areas, such as leaky feeder transmission lines, are inefficient due to poor antenna gain, limited frequency tunability, and the need for extensive installation of separate transmission lines, making them costly and difficult to control.
Innovation Solution
A radio system utilizing a base radio connected to multiple antennas through a transmission line with strategically placed directional couplers, which allow simultaneous communication by isolating signals to prevent downstream travel and maintaining high signal strength to each antenna, enabling efficient and affordable multi-antenna coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If leaky feeder transmission line is used to provide multi-antenna coverage, then antenna coverage is achieved, but antenna gain is poor and frequency tunability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line is segmented into multiple sections with directional couplers placed at intervals. Each directional coupler creates a separate signal path to a distributed antenna, allowing independent frequency tuning and optimization for each antenna while maintaining overall system reliability through the modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Directional couplers serve as intermediary devices between the transmission line and antennas. These couplers selectively couple signals to antennas while isolating them from downstream paths, enabling precise frequency control and maintaining high antenna gain through proper signal routing and isolation.
2Reliability
If separate transmission lines are routed to each antenna in a central location, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate transmission line paths are merged into a single distributed transmission line architecture. Directional couplers are placed along the transmission line to create multiple antenna connections from one continuous line, reducing installation complexity while maintaining communication reliability through the directional isolation properties of the couplers.
Solution Approach 2:
The single transmission line serves multiple functions by connecting to multiple antennas through directional couplers. This universal architecture allows one transmission line to provide reliable communication to multiple distributed antennas simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated lines for each antenna.
3Productivity
If directional couplers are placed along the transmission line to enable simultaneous communication with multiple antennas, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Directional couplers are pre-configured along the transmission line during installation to establish proper signal routing before operation. Each coupler is positioned and adjusted in advance to ensure optimal signal coupling to antennas while maintaining isolation, enabling simultaneous efficient communication without requiring complex real-time control during 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 system enables simultaneous communication with multiple antennas while maintaining high signal integrity and efficiency, reducing the need for extensive transmission lines and improving coverage in radio-opaque structures.
Implementation Method 1
The directional coupler is characterized with a high loss ratio (100:1 to 1000:1) from the tap port for the antenna and the output port of the directional coupler to prevent signals received by the antenna from traveling downstream away from the base station
Implementation Method 2
A transmission line is run from the base station to two or more locations where direct communication with the base radio is desired
Data Source
AI summary
A radio system provides multi-antenna coverage of an area in an efficient and affordable manner. The radio system includes a base radio to transmit and communicate with and through multiple antennas spaced throughout a substantially radio opaque structure through a single transmission line. The base radio has an antenna port that connects the base radio to a transmission line. Several directional couplers are spaced in line with the transmission line corresponding with the areas where antenna coverage is needed.