Window-Facing Antenna Unit Layout to Prevent Glass Cracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Antenna units used in the quasi-millimeter wave band or the millimeter wave band generate heat, posing a risk of window glass cracking when installed near a window.

Innovation Solution

The antenna device is connected to a digital control unit via multiple wires, including optical cables, to isolate the heat-generating digital control unit from the window glass, thereby preventing heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the antenna device is installed near a window glass to face the window glass for building communication, then the communication coverage and signal transmission are improved, but the window glass may crack due to heat generated by the digital control unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidheat damage to window glass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate units: an antenna device that can be installed near the window glass for optimal signal transmission, and a digital control unit that is spaced apart from the window glass to avoid heat damage. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently based on its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The digital control unit, which generates heat, is extracted from the antenna device and positioned separately from the window glass. This extraction removes the harmful heat source from proximity to the window glass while maintaining the antenna device's communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the digital control unit is integrated with the antenna device, then the device structure is simplified, but the heat generated by the digital control unit may crack the window glass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidheat damage to window glass

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated system is segmented into separate functional units: the antenna device for signal processing and the digital control unit for control functions. This segmentation prioritizes thermal management over structural simplicity, preventing heat damage to the window glass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The digital control unit is extracted from the antenna device structure and positioned remotely from the window glass. This extraction eliminates the heat generation issue at the window glass location while maintaining full system functionality through wireless or wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the digital control unit is spaced apart from the window glass to prevent heat damage, then the risk of window glass cracking is reduced, but the connection between the digital control unit and antenna device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat damage to window glassVSAvoidconnection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Optical cables are used as intermediary transmission media to connect the digitally spaced control unit with the antenna device. Optical cables provide reliable signal transmission over distance while maintaining thermal isolation, effectively mediating the connection between the two separated units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional electrical connections are replaced with optical cable connections for transmitting control signals and data between the separated units. This substitution allows for longer connection distances and better thermal isolation while maintaining signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This configuration effectively suppresses the risk of window glass cracking due to heat, allowing the antenna device to be installed safely near a window while maintaining communication functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the first wire and the second wire are optical cables for conveying the analog signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical cable signal transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS20250183513A1Antenna device and antenna unit

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 AGC INC

AI summary

Provided is an antenna device that can be used in the quasi-millimeter wave band or millimeter wave band, and can suppress cracking of a window glass even when the antenna device is installed so as to face the window glass. The antenna device is configured to be connected to a digital control unit via a plurality of wires including a first wire and a second wire, the antenna device including: an array antenna; an analog beamformer; a frequency upconverter; and a frequency downconverter, wherein an intermediate-frequency signal that is input to the frequency upconverter is input from the digital control unit to the antenna device via the first wire, an intermediate-frequency signal that is output from the frequency downconverter is output to the digital control unit via the second wire, and a control signal for controlling the analog beamformer is input from the digital control unit to the antenna device.