Switched Beamforming Networks for 2D Antenna Beam Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spatial beamforming techniques in wireless communication systems increase cost and complexity due to the need for separate radio components for each antenna element and result in coverage limitations due to RF resource splitting, especially when implementing 2D beamforming.
Innovation Solution
An antenna apparatus with a strip of antenna elements and multiple beamforming networks that can be switched using differential coupling patterns to generate various beam patterns, reducing the need for separate radio components and allowing for efficient analog beamforming via a multi-layered structure, enabling flexible beam pattern adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic beamforming techniques are used to achieve 2D beamforming, then spatial beamforming capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to separate radio components for each antenna element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming functionality into multiple dedicated beamforming networks, each configured for specific beam patterns. This allows the system to achieve 2D beamforming capability while reducing complexity by using specialized simpler networks rather than full electronic beamforming for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal antenna system that can perform multiple beamforming functions through a single apparatus by providing multiple beamforming networks that can be switched between, enabling the system to serve different spatial beamforming requirements without requiring separate radio components for each antenna element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 2D beamforming is implemented, then spatial beamforming capability is improved, but coverage is limited due to splitting of radio frequency resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple beamforming networks with different coupling patterns that correspond to different beam patterns. This allows the system to have multiple beamforming capabilities ready in advance, enabling better coverage without requiring real-time complex resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by providing switching circuitry that can dynamically switch between different beamforming networks based on operational requirements. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt to different coverage needs and maintain effective coverage across different spatial directions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beamforming networks are provided with switching circuitry, then beam pattern flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity issue by organizing multiple beamforming networks in a multi-layered structure where each layer contains beamforming networks with specific coupling patterns. This spatial organization in another dimension (physical layout across layers) allows for beam pattern flexibility while managing complexity through structured arrangement rather than arbitrary complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An antenna apparatus is provided that has a strip of antenna elements extending in a first dimension, and a signal processing interface for connection to signal processing circuitry. A plurality of beamforming networks are also provided, wherein each beamforming network is arranged, when coupled to the strip of antenna elements, to cause an associated beam pattern of the beamforming network to be generated by the strip of antenna elements. Switching circuitry is used to enable any one of the plurality of beamforming networks to be inserted between the strip of antenna elements and the signal processing interface. Each beamforming network couples a first node of the beamforming network with multiple second nodes of the beamforming network in accordance with a coupling pattern of that beamforming network. As a result, when the switching circuitry causes a given beamforming network to be inserted between the strip of antenna elements and the signal processing interface, the signal processing interface is coupled to the first node, each antenna element is coupled to an associated one of the second nodes, and the coupling pattern of the given beamforming network causes the associated beam pattern to be generated by the strip of antenna elements.