Switched Antenna Beamforming for Low-Power Accurate Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beamforming technologies face challenges in balancing power added efficiency (PAE) and production cost due to different circuit structures, with some technologies being costly while others inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A beamforming system comprising a switch circuit and a beam former with multiple antenna units, where the switch circuit selectively switches antenna units based on control signals to adjust radiation angles, and a hybrid structure combining passive and active phase adjustment to optimize PAE and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex circuit structures are used for beamforming, then signal transmission accuracy is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The beamforming system is divided into multiple independent antenna units, each capable of independent phase adjustment. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex beamforming functionality through simpler individual components, reducing overall production cost while maintaining signal transmission accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic phase adjustment capabilities in each antenna unit, allowing the system to adapt beamforming parameters in real-time. This dynamic approach replaces complex static circuit structures with more manageable dynamic components, improving manufacturing ease while preserving transmission accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If more antenna units are added to improve beamforming performance, then signal transmission accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the phase adjustment functionality from a centralized complex circuit and places it directly into each antenna unit. This distribution of functionality reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for complex inter-unit communication and control circuits, while still achieving high signal transmission accuracy through coordinated operation of multiple simple units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If traditional beamforming circuits are used, then signal transmission is maintained, but power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of each antenna unit by implementing efficient phase adjustment mechanisms that require less power. By optimizing the phase control parameters and using switched-capacitor based phase shifters instead of traditional variable reactance circuits, the system maintains reliable signal transmission while significantly reducing power consumption to as low as 2.4 watts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3937390B1Beamforming system
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • EP3937390B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3937390B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3937390B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a beamforming system, comprising at least one beamforming device. The at least one beamforming device comprises a switch circuit and a beam former. The beam former comprises a plurality of antenna units. The plurality of antenna units receive and transmit a wireless signal according to a plurality of radiation angles, the plurality of radiation angles respectively corresponding to the plurality of antenna units are different form each other, and the switch circuit selectively switches one of the plurality of antenna units according to a control signal.