Spherical Lens Antenna Array for Multi-Device Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sector antenna designs for cellular networks have limitations such as limited ports per sector, poor beam and pattern performance, and are not suitable for base station applications, necessitating a more effective use of lens antennas.
Innovation Solution
An antenna system utilizing an array of spherical lenses with mechanically movable radio frequency elements and phase shifters, allowing for ground-based and sky-based coverage, with a control mechanism to adjust the phase of signals and move elements along curved tracks for enhanced coverage and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sector antenna designs are used, then the antenna structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the number of ports per sector is limited and beam performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system divides the coverage area into multiple sectors, with each sector served by a separate lens element and RF element combination. This segmentation allows each sector to have independent beamforming capabilities, increasing the number of effective ports while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar antenna elements to three-dimensional spherical lens structures. This dimensional change enables multiple RF elements to be positioned at different locations on the sphere surface, creating multiple independent beam paths and effectively increasing the number of ports per sector
2Reliability
If traditional sector antenna designs are used, then the antenna design is straightforward, but beam and pattern performance is poor with marginal isolation between beams
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs electronically steerable beams through phase shifters that dynamically adjust beam direction and shape. This dynamic beamforming capability provides superior beam isolation and pattern control compared to fixed traditional sector antennas, while the electronic control mechanism manages complexity through software-based configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering with electronic phase shifting. Instead of physically moving antenna elements to change beam direction, phase shifters electronically control the phase of signals at each RF element, achieving beam steering and pattern control with superior precision and isolation
3Adaptability or versatility
If spherical lens antennas are used, then beam steering capability is improved, but the system complexity increases and is not suitable for base station applications
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical lens antenna system is designed to perform multiple functions: beam steering, beam forming, sector coverage, and tracking of multiple devices simultaneously. By integrating these functions into a single system architecture with reusable lens and RF element components, the patent makes the system suitable for base station applications despite the enhanced capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a nested structure where RF elements are positioned on or near the spherical lens surface, with phase shifters and control mechanisms layered behind. This nesting allows compact integration of multiple functional components, managing system complexity through efficient spatial arrangement
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 provides improved coverage and capacity by dynamically adjusting the position and phase of RF elements, enabling better geographical coverage and capacity allocation, addressing the limitations of traditional sector antennas.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna uses an array of spherical lenses, and mechanically movable elements, to provide ground-based and sky-based coverage for multiple object communication and tracking
Implementation Method 2
a phase shifter that is configured to adjust a phase of the signals produced by the RF elements
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency antenna array uses multiple lenses, and mechanically movable elements, to provide ground-based and sky-based coverage for multiple object communication and tracking. The antenna array includes at least two spherical lenses, where each spherical lens has at least two associated RF elements. A third lens is added, along with at least two additional RF elements to narrow and track the overlapped beams from the first and second lenses. Each lens also includes a sub-controller configured to adjust a phase of the signals produced by the RF elements. The antenna includes a control mechanism configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks, and automatically configure the phase shifter to modify a phase of the output signals from the elements based on the relative positions between the RF elements. The overlapped beams track independent targets, such as satellites, across an area.