Spatial Modulation Antenna Array Power Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional phased array spatial modulation systems face challenges in achieving high efficiency, particularly in minimizing adjacent channel distortion and optimizing power combination at mmWave frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for spatial modulation using an antenna array with multiple radiating elements and power amplifiers, where the amplitude of output signals is determined based on input signals, and output amplitude levels are dynamically assigned to radiating elements to form combined signals with improved efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional physical combiners are used for power combination at mmWave frequencies, then output power can be increased, but power loss increases and combination efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput powerVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional physical combiners (mechanical/electrical systems) with spatial modulation techniques that combine signals in the spatial domain through phased array beamforming. This substitution eliminates the power losses associated with physical combiners while maintaining the ability to combine output power from multiple radiating elements at mmWave frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from combining signals in the electrical domain (conventional power combiners) to combining signals in the spatial domain (phased array spatial modulation). By utilizing the spatial dimension and directional beamforming, the system achieves power combination without the losses inherent in traditional electrical combiners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If conventional physical combiners are used for power combination, then output power can be increased, but adjacent channel distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput powerVSAvoidadjacent channel distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical combiners with spatial modulation techniques that perform power combination through constructive interference in the spatial domain. This substitution eliminates the adjacent channel distortion generated by physical combiners while maintaining high output power capability at mmWave frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spatial modulation and phased array beamforming as an intermediary mechanism between multiple power amplifiers and the final output. This intermediary enables power combination through spatial filtering and directional transmission, avoiding the harmful effects of direct physical combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If high-power amplifiers are used for linear transmission, then transmission linearity is improved, but power efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission linearityVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission function across multiple radiating elements, each with its own power amplifier operating at lower power levels. Through spatial modulation and phased array combining, these segmented transmissions are coherently combined to achieve the equivalent of a single high-power linear transmission, but with improved overall power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the output of multiple power amplifiers operating at lower power levels through spatial modulation and phased array beamforming. This combining in the spatial domain achieves the linearity of high-power transmission while maintaining the power efficiency of lower-power amplifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12278682B2Spatial modulation system and method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 AGENCY FOR SCI TECH & RES

AI summary

A method of spatial modulation using an antenna array including radiating elements having power amplifiers communicatively coupled thereto. An amplitude of an output signal to be formed in space is determined by the antenna array based on an input signal. Output amplitude levels for the radiating elements are determined based on the amplitude of the output signal and a current output amplitude level of the antenna array. The first signal(s) for a first subarray of the antenna array and the second signal(s) for a second subarray of the antenna array are generated based on the input signal. The output amplitude levels are assigned to the power amplifiers of the radiating elements. The first signal(s) are sent to radiating elements of the first subarray and the second signal(s) are sent to radiating elements of the second subarray for transmission therefrom to form a combined signal in space as the output signal.