Transparent Facade Antenna Layout for Adjustable Small-Cell Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deployment of small cells for 4G and 5G networks is hindered by challenges such as difficulty in finding locations, high costs for fiber and electricity installation, and urbanistic regulations, while existing planar antennas integrated into building facades face complications in installation, maintenance, and limited performance adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An antenna system comprising transparent dielectric panels and a transparent antenna arrangement with a patch network, feeding network, and ground plane, housed in a parallelepiped structure, allowing for adjustable distances and configurations to optimize transmission and reception, enabling seamless indoor or outdoor installation without affecting urban aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If small cells are deployed to improve network capacity, then network capacity is improved, but deployment difficulty and cost increase due to location constraints and infrastructure requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna system with the building façade structure itself, integrating transparent antenna panels into the architectural envelope. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting locations and reduces deployment complexity while maintaining network capacity improvements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The building façade serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, aesthetic appearance, and now also serves as the mounting substrate for the antenna system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional infrastructure and simplifies deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If planar antennas are integrated into building facades to simplify deployment, then deployment is simplified, but installation and maintenance become complicated and performance optimization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment complexityVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is segmented into modular transparent panels that can be independently installed, adjusted, and maintained. Each panel contains complete antenna functionality (patch network, feeding network, ground plane), allowing individual panel replacement or optimization without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the antenna panels to be dynamically repositioned and reconfigured. This enables performance optimization and maintenance access while keeping the façade integration, thereby improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If antenna panels are fixed in position to maintain structural integrity, then structural stability is improved, but frequency adjustment and performance optimization become impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfrequency adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the antenna panels to be dynamically repositioned to different distances from the façade surface. This dynamic adjustment capability enables frequency optimization and performance tuning while maintaining structural integrity through controlled, reversible modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows changing key parameters such as the distance between antenna panels and the façade surface, as well as panel orientations. These parameter changes enable frequency adjustment and performance optimization without compromising the overall structural stability of the building envelope.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4376213B1Antenna system
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 AGC GLASS EUROPE SA
  • EP4376213B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4376213B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4376213B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses an antenna system inscribed in a parallelepiped. The parallelepiped has an antenna system front face. The antenna system comprises a first transparent dielectric panel in front of the antenna system front face and a second transparent dielectric panel in front of the first transparent dielectric panel and separated by at least one panel interlayer from the first transparent dielectric panel. The antenna system also comprises a transparent antenna arrangement comprising a patch network attached and separated by at least one patch interlayer from the first transparent dielectric panel, a feeding network attached and separated by at least one feed interlayer from the second transparent dielectric panel and a ground plane. The antenna system also comprises an antenna housing. The present invention discloses the associated method and use.