Variable Beam Control Antenna With Ball-and-Socket Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication system antennas face instability and high costs due to complex mechanical equipment requirements for vertical beam tilt adjustment, horizontal steering, and horizontal beam width control, leading to potential malfunctions and suboptimal beam patterns.

Innovation Solution

A variable beam control antenna with a radome, vertically arranged radiation units, and a direction variable module using ball-and-socket joints and rack gear units for precise upward, downward, leftward, and rightward rotation of radiation units, allowing for stable and flexible beam control without complex mechanical structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanical equipment is employed for vertical beam tilt adjustment, horizontal steering, and horizontal beam width control, then beam control functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam control functionalityVSAvoidmechanical equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into multiple independent radiation units arranged in a matrix configuration, where each unit can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows complex beam control functionality to be achieved through coordinated operation of simpler individual units, rather than requiring a single complex mechanical adjustment system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs adjustable and reconfigurable radiation units that can dynamically change their operational characteristics. The beam control is achieved through dynamic adjustment of phase and amplitude parameters of individual radiation units, replacing static mechanical beam tilt and steering mechanisms with dynamic electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanical equipment is employed for beam control, then beam control functionality is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam control functionalityVSAvoidantenna stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical beam adjustment mechanisms with electronic phase and amplitude control systems. Instead of using mechanical motors and linkages to physically tilt or steer the antenna beam, the system uses electronic signal processing to control the phase and amplitude of signals fed to each radiation unit, achieving beam control without moving parts and thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanical equipment is employed for beam control, then beam control functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam control functionalityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation units are designed as universal, standardized components that can perform multiple functions through electronic reconfiguration. Each radiation unit can contribute to different beam directions, tilt angles, and beam widths by adjusting its phase and amplitude parameters, eliminating the need for separate mechanical mechanisms for each control function and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2838158B1Variable beam control antenna for mobile communication system
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 KMW INC
  • EP2838158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2838158B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2838158B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~2c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a variable beam control antenna for a mobile communication system, the antenna comprising: a radome formed on the front surface at which a signal is emitted; multiple emitters vertically arranged in at least one row; a frame portion for supporting the radome and the multiple emitters; and a direction-changing module which rotates each of the multiple emitters vertically and horizontally with respect to a reference point in order to change the emission direction of the multiple emitters.