Staggered Spherical Lens Antenna Array for Azimuth Side Lobe Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple beam antenna arrays face challenges with poor beam-to-beam isolation due to high azimuth side lobe levels, leading to transmit power imbalances and increased complexity, which affects network capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of an array of spherical lenses in a staggered arrangement with mechanically movable RF elements and phase shifters to reduce azimuth side lobe levels, allowing for independent movement and phase adjustment of RF elements to cancel side lobes and improve beam isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple beam antenna arrays are used to increase network capacity, then the number of sectors or nodes can be increased, but azimuth side lobe levels increase leading to poor beam-to-beam isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful azimuth side lobes into beneficial main beam energy through iterative phase and amplitude adjustment. The side lobes that initially cause interference are redistributed and reinforced into the main beam direction, improving beam-to-beam isolation while maintaining network capacity. This is achieved by adjusting the phase and amplitude of each antenna element to cancel side lobes and reinforce main beams through constructive interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase and amplitude parameters of each antenna element dynamically to optimize beam formation. By iteratively adjusting these parameters, the system transforms the radiation pattern to reduce azimuth side lobe levels while maintaining main beam gain. This parameter optimization enables better beam isolation without reducing network capacity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If azimuth side lobe levels are reduced to improve beam isolation, then beam-to-beam isolation improves, but antenna complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an iterative feedback mechanism that measures the current radiation pattern and automatically adjusts phase and amplitude parameters to optimize beam isolation. The system measures side lobe levels and main beam gain, then uses this feedback to refine the antenna element parameters in successive iterations. This automated feedback loop reduces the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms while achieving superior beam isolation.
3Productivity
If traditional cell splitting is used to increase network capacity, then more nodes are added, but site complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single antenna site perform multiple functions by enabling it to form multiple isolated beams simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate physical sites for each sector, the multi-beam antenna array provides multi-functionality by directing independent beams to different geographic areas. This universal approach allows one site to replace multiple sites, reducing site complexity and costs while maintaining increased network capacity.
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 configuration enhances beam isolation, reduces side lobe levels, and increases antenna efficiency, enabling better discrimination between output beams and maintaining capacity while minimizing the need for additional sites or sectors.
Implementation Method 1
The array includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens arranged in a staggered configuration... each lens focuses RF waves to reduce azimuth side lobe levels
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 two spherical lenses, 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. Each lens is positioned with the other lenses in a staggered arrangement. 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.