Steerable 5G Small-Cell Antennas With Edge Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of 5G cellular networks requires a high density of small cell towers to achieve low latency and high throughput, leading to aesthetic concerns and increased infrastructure needs, particularly in urban areas where direct line of sight is necessary for optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of steerable and actuated antennas integrated with edge processing modules, including cryogenic, quantum, neuromorphic processors, and neural networks, to optimize 5G parameters and beamforming, allowing for efficient communication and resource management in 5G networks, including network slicing and low-latency data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high density of small cell towers is deployed to achieve low latency and high throughput, then network performance is improved, but infrastructure complexity and aesthetic impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into existing infrastructure elements. Street lights and traffic signals are transformed into multi-functional units that provide both traditional illumination/traffic control functions and 5G small cell communication functions. This allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for dedicated communication towers while achieving high network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines 5G small cell components with existing urban infrastructure such as street lights, traffic signals, and building facades. By merging communication functions with already-deployed infrastructure, the system achieves high density deployment without adding separate communication towers, thereby reducing visual clutter and infrastructure complexity.
2Reliability
If small cell towers are positioned frequently in urban areas to ensure coverage, then network coverage is improved, but aesthetic impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Existing urban infrastructure elements like street lights and traffic signals are equipped with 5G small cell capabilities, allowing them to provide both their original functions and wireless communication services. This integration enables frequent positioning of small cells throughout urban areas without adding dedicated communication infrastructure that would impact aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses conventional infrastructure forms (street lights, traffic signals, building facades) as carriers for 5G small cells. By copying the visual appearance of these familiar urban elements, the communication infrastructure blends into the existing streetscape, providing widespread coverage while maintaining aesthetic consistency with the urban environment.
3Device complexity
If steerable antennas are used to optimize beamforming and reduce infrastructure needs, then device complexity increases, but infrastructure density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs steerable and actuated antennas that can dynamically change their beam direction and focus. This dynamic capability allows a single small cell to serve multiple spatial zones by electronically steering beams, reducing the need for additional infrastructure while maintaining comprehensive coverage through adaptive resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes electronically controllable antenna parameters such as beam direction, width, and focus point. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system can optimize coverage and capacity without adding physical infrastructure, achieving higher infrastructure efficiency through parameter optimization rather than physical expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a transceiver to communicate with a predetermined target; one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver each electrically or mechanically steerable to the predetermined target; and an edge processing module coupled to the transceiver and one or more antennas to provide low-latency computation for the predetermined target.