Software-Defined Antenna Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antennas used in wireless communication systems lack versatility, especially when establishing remote communications with multiple receivers or on vehicles with limited space or mobility, as they require high maintenance and consume significant power, and existing electronically steerable antennas face challenges in efficient implementation.

Innovation Solution

A software-defined communication system utilizing a plurality of antenna elements connected to analog and digital signal processing units, which apply digital signal processing techniques such as phase shifts, amplitude shifts, and time delays to dynamically reconfigure and steer antenna beams, allowing for communication with multiple endpoints without moving parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional omnidirectional or directional antennas are used for wireless communication, then communication coverage is provided, but versatility is limited when establishing remote communications with multiple receivers or locating receivers in determined geographical regions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements electronically steerable antennas that can dynamically change the direction of the main lobe without physical movement. This is achieved through electronic control of antenna elements, allowing the system to adapt beam direction to different geographical regions and multiple receivers, thereby improving versatility while avoiding mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system is designed to perform multiple functions: omnidirectional coverage, directional communication, and location of receivers in determined geographical regions, all using the same antenna structure. This multi-functionality improves versatility without requiring separate specialized antennas for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If steerable antennas with moving parts (large metal surfaces or rotating mechanisms) are used to shift beam direction, then directional control is improved, but maintenance costs increase and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical steering mechanisms (rotating antennas or moving metal surfaces) with electronic beam steering. The direction of the main lobe is controlled through electronic means, eliminating moving parts and significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining directional control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical moving parts from the antenna system, retaining only the essential function of beam direction control through electronic means. This removes the source of high power consumption and maintenance requirements while preserving directional control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If steerable antennas with moving parts are used to shift beam direction, then directional control is improved, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional controlVSAvoidmaintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical steering mechanisms with electronic beam steering, eliminating moving parts that require maintenance. The electronic control system has no wear-prone components, significantly reducing maintenance costs while maintaining the ability to shift beam direction and control communication with multiple receivers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If antennas are physically mounted on large rotating mechanisms to change direction, then beam direction can be shifted, but the system becomes unsuitable for vehicles with limited space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam direction shiftingVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces large physical rotating mechanisms with electronic beam steering capability. This allows the antenna system to shift beam direction without requiring physical space for rotation mechanisms, making it suitable for integration on vehicles with limited space while maintaining the ability to establish communications in different directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12068763B2Software-defined communication system and device

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 URUGUS SA

AI summary

Systems, methods and devices to generate tailored antenna radiation patterns for particular purposes are provided. The software-defined communication devices and systems dynamically reconfigure an antenna in a controlled and reversible manner, transmit and receive signals to a plurality of endpoints simultaneously without requiring moving elements, and control radiation patterns, making them useful and more versatile for many applications, especially in implementations concerning satellite communications. Communication links may be established with multiple endpoints simultaneously, and the position of the endpoints may be learned without knowing it in advance. The configurations described in the embodiments provide great versatility due to the possibility of processing the signal at each antenna element of the antenna.