Staggered Spherical Lens Antenna Array for Reduced Grating Lobes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple beam antenna systems face challenges with poor beam-to-beam isolation due to high azimuth side lobe levels, leading to interference and transmit power imbalances, which complicates network capacity enhancement in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of an array of spherical lenses in a staggered arrangement reduces azimuth side lobe levels while maintaining gain and beam width, employing phase shifters and control mechanisms to adjust RF element positions and phases for improved beam configuration and signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple beam antennas are used to increase network capacity, then the number of sectors at a given cell site increases, but beam to beam isolation deteriorates due to poor azimuth side lobe levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple independent lens elements arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each lens element focuses energy in a particular direction, creating distinct beams with reduced side lobe levels. This segmentation allows multiple beams to coexist with improved isolation, resolving the contradiction between increasing network capacity through multiple sectors and maintaining beam to beam isolation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If azimuth side lobe levels are reduced to improve beam isolation, then beam to beam isolation improves, but this requires specific lens arrangements that may increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric geometric arrangements of lens elements, specifically using staggered configurations where lenses are positioned at non-uniform intervals and angles. This asymmetric arrangement naturally suppresses azimuth side lobes without requiring complex additional components, thereby improving beam isolation while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spherical lens elements with specific curvature characteristics to focus and direct RF energy. The spherical geometry inherently provides good focus and beam shaping properties, and when arranged in staggered configurations, naturally reduces side lobe levels. This geometric approach achieves improved beam isolation without adding significant device complexity.
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
This approach enhances beam isolation, reduces interference, and maintains antenna performance, allowing for increased network capacity with minimal impact on other parameters like gain and cross-polarization levels.
Implementation Method 1
an array of spherical lenses in a staggered arrangement reduces azimuth side lobe levels while maintaining gain and beam width
Implementation Method 2
employing phase shifters and control mechanisms to adjust RF element positions and phases for improved beam configuration and signal integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency antenna array uses lenses and RF elements, to provide ground-based coverage for cellular communication. The antenna array can include a spherical lens, where each spherical lens has at least two associated RF elements. Each of the RF elements associated with a given lens produces an output beam with an output area. The antenna includes a control mechanism configured to enable a user to move the RF elements along their respective tracks, and automatically phase compensate the output beams produced by the RF elements based on the relative distance between the RF elements.