Small Cell Antenna Layout for Wide Uniform Sector Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving uniform signal strength over a wider angle of coverage than a single directional antenna can provide is challenging, and existing solutions require complex and costly arrangements of multiple antennas.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective antenna structure comprising multiple directional antennas mounted on laterally displaced supports forming a prescribed angle, allowing each antenna to face away from the others, providing uniform coverage over 180 degrees or more.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple directional antennas are used to achieve uniform signal strength over wider coverage, then coverage uniformity and angle of coverage are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is divided into multiple discrete antenna elements (at least two directional antennas) mounted on separate supports, allowing each antenna to be independently positioned and oriented. This segmentation enables the system to achieve wider coverage angles by combining the radiation patterns of individual antennas while maintaining manageable complexity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-directional antenna configuration to a multi-dimensional spatial arrangement by mounting antennas on supports that are laterally displaced and angled relative to each other. This dimensional expansion in the horizontal plane enables coverage of wider angles (greater than 180 degrees) while maintaining uniform signal strength through geometric distribution of antenna elements.
2Reliability
If multiple antennas are arranged to provide uniform coverage, then signal uniformity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each antenna element is positioned at a specific location on laterally displaced supports with particular orientations (facing away from each other at prescribed angles). This local positioning strategy ensures that each antenna serves a specific coverage sector, and the cumulative effect of locally optimized positions achieves uniform overall coverage without requiring complex integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna supports are arranged asymmetrically with lateral displacement and prescribed angles between them, rather than using symmetric configurations. This asymmetric arrangement allows for uniform signal distribution across wide coverage angles while using simple, low-cost support structures (such as plastic materials), reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Power
If directional antennas are used for focused coverage, then signal strength in primary direction is improved, but coverage angle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple directional antennas are merged into a single antenna structure system where each antenna maintains its directional radiation pattern for focused signal strength in its primary direction. By combining these directional patterns through spatial arrangement (laterally displaced supports with prescribed angles), the system achieves both focused signal strength from individual antennas and expanded overall coverage angle from the collective array.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna structure is disclosed. The antenna structure comprises: a plurality of supports; and a plurality of antennas, each of at least two antennas of the plurality of antennas being mounted on a respective one of the supports; wherein each of the at least two antennas are mounted on a side of their respective supports so as to face away from each other; and wherein at least two of the plurality of supports are laterally displaced from each other along one of their respective edges by a prescribed distance and are arranged to form a prescribed angle between themselves. Multiple ones of the antenna structure may be placed so as to provide full space coverage with sectorization, and some embodiments provide for at least partially overlapping coverage.