Transparent Window Antenna for Building Signal Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of repeater systems in buildings, particularly those with athermal glass, is challenging due to signal attenuation and difficulties in integrating outdoor and indoor antennas, as well as coaxial cables, which hinders network coverage for users inside.
Innovation Solution
A compact repeater system integrated into a window-like building element with an optically transparent planar antenna embedded in the glass panel, allowing for signal transmission between the base station and user terminal, while minimizing installation constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If athermal glass is used in modern buildings, then the building has good aesthetic and thermal properties, but the metallized layer greatly attenuates the signal from base stations to terminals inside and vice versa
Solution Approach 1:
The window is divided into multiple glass layers with the metallized layer positioned at a specific distance from the antenna. This segmentation allows the antenna to be placed in a location where signal attenuation is minimized while maintaining the thermal properties of the athermal glass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the specific arrangement of glass layers and the metallized layer) that mediates between the antenna and the external environment. This intermediary structure allows signal transmission while maintaining the thermal properties of the athermal glass.
2Reliability
If outdoor and indoor antennas and coaxial cables are installed separately, then the repeater system can be implemented, but the installation becomes complex with multiple components to integrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outdoor antenna and indoor antenna into a single integrated antenna structure within the window. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the installation process while maintaining the repeater system's ability to provide network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated antenna structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the outdoor antenna for receiving base station signals and the indoor antenna for transmitting signals to terminals inside. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate antenna installations and cable routing.
3Ease of operation
If a compact repeater system is integrated into a window-like building element, then installation constraints are minimized, but the antenna design becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is integrated into the window structure during the manufacturing process rather than being installed separately afterward. This preliminary integration ensures that the antenna is properly positioned relative to the glass layers and metallized layer, simplifying the final installation while addressing the manufacturing challenges through standardized production.
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
Enhances network coverage inside buildings by simplifying the integration of the repeater system and reducing radioelectric losses, ensuring effective signal transmission through the use of optically transparent conductive materials and efficient power supply methods.
Implementation Method 1
optically transparent conductive materials
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The system (1) has repeater units (20) e.g. RF MR 303B extended global system for mobile communication (EGSM) repeater, connected to an optically transparent planar external antenna (10). The units forms an interface between the antenna and an internal antenna (30) e.g. dipole antenna. The units communicate with a user terminal to repeat signals received by one of the antennas to another antenna. The external antenna is integrated to a transparent glass panel (2) for interior lighting of a space. The external antenna is formed by an earth plane and radiating elements.