Configurable Antenna and Method of Operating Such A Configurable Antenna

• US 20160380353A1
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Published: 12/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airspan IP Holdco LLC (Airspan Networks Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Airspan Networks Inc.
• Inventors: Dudzinski, Krzysztof, Parrott, Stuart, Lysejko, Martin, Logothetis, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 10,306,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/06 allowing pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/24 Acquisition or tracking or demodulation of signals transmitted by the system synchronisation aspects of direct sequence spread spectrum modulation H04B1/7073
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/53 Determining attitude
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/043 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/14 Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction aerial arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00; combinations of different interacting aerial units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q21/29; aerials or aerial systems providing at least two radiation patterns H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/24 the separate antennas comprising one directional antenna and one non-directional antenna, e.g. combination of loop and open antennas producing a reversed cardioid directivity characteristic
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0247 Determining attitude
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/02 Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1207 for fastening a rigid aerial element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1228 on a boom
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1257 using the received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/00 Antenna arrays or systems arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/08 the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path waveguide fed H01Q21/0037
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/24 Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 : Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/002 : providing at least two patterns of different beamwidth; Variable beamwidth antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/005 : providing two patterns of opposite direction; back to back antennas H01Q25/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/02 : using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/04 : for varying one co-ordinate of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/10 : to produce a conical or spiral scan
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/12 : using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 : varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 : varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2611 : Means for null steering; Adaptive interference nulling
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/36 : with variable phase-shifters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 : Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 : for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0621 : Feedback content
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0691 : using subgroups of transmit antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0695 : using beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0817 : with multiple receivers and antenna path selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/086 : using weights depending on external parameters, e.g. direction of arrival [DOA], predetermined weights or beamforming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0874 : using subgroups of receive antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/088 : using beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 : for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 : the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 : Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 : using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0236 : radio quality, e.g. interference, losses or delay
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0284 : detecting congestion or overload during communication monitoring arrangements H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/24 : Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 : using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/06 : based on traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 : Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20 : Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating

Abstract

An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. A wireless network controller provides a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the antenna array. The antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterise incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.

Claims

1. Antenna apparatus for communication via a wireless network comprising:

a directional antenna;

a uniform circular antenna array; and

a mounting portion configured to be fixed relative to a physical location of the antenna apparatus,

wherein the directional antenna is configured to be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to the mounting portion in dependence on wireless signals received by the uniform circular antenna array.

2. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the uniform circular antenna array comprises monitoring circuitry configured to generate signal strength information and direction information for the wireless signals received, and the directional antenna is configured to be rotatably positioned about the axis with respect to the mounting portion in dependence on the signal strength information and the direction information.

3. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the antenna apparatus is configured to send the signal strength information and the direction information to a wireless network controller, and is configured to position the directional antenna about the axis with respect to the mounting portion in accordance with a rotational positioning instruction received from the wireless network controller.

4. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the antenna apparatus is configured to determine a rotational position for the directional antenna in dependence on the signal strength information and the direction information, and is configured to position the directional antenna about the axis with respect to the mounting portion in accordance with the rotational position determined.

5. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the uniform circular antenna array is configured to transmit a predetermined characteristic signal, and

the antenna apparatus is configured to coordinate its operation with respect to at least one other antenna apparatus so that the antenna apparatus and the at least one other antenna apparatus transmit the predetermined characteristic signal at mutually exclusive times.

6. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the antenna apparatus is configured to coordinate its operation with respect to at least one other antenna apparatus so that the antenna apparatus and the at least one other antenna apparatus receive the wireless signals by their respective uniform circular antenna arrays in a period when none of the antenna apparatus and the at least one other antenna apparatus are transmitting.

7. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a motor arrangement to position the directional antenna in rotation about the axis with respect to the mounting portion.

8. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directional antenna is rotatable through a full rotation about the axis with respect to the mounting portion.

9. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the uniform circular antenna array is fixedly mounted with respect to the directional antenna.

10. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directional antenna is a uniform linear antenna array.

11. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 10, comprising linear array control circuitry for the uniform linear antenna array, wherein the linear array control circuitry comprises a set of switches for array elements of the uniform linear antenna array configured to control gain and phase of the array elements such that the uniform linear antenna array is operated with a selected beam pattern of a set of beam patterns, wherein the set of beam patterns provides a range of directionality and interference nulling.

12. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rear directional antenna, wherein the rear directional antenna is fixedly mounted with respect to the directional antenna, and wherein the rear directional antenna is oriented in a substantially opposite direction to the directional antenna.

13. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rear directional antenna is a rear uniform linear antenna array.

14. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rear uniform linear antenna array comprises fewer array elements than the directional antenna.

15. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna apparatus is configured to communicate with more than one other antenna apparatus in the wireless network concurrently.

16. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna apparatus is configured to operate as a hub node in the wireless network.

17. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna apparatus is configured to operate as a terminal node in the wireless network.

18. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna apparatus is configured to operate as a backhaul node in the wireless network.

25. A wireless network comprising:

at least two antenna apparatuses as claimed in claim 3; and

an apparatus for controlling the wireless network comprising;

an input to receive signal strength information and direction information from at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network;

configuration optimisation circuitry to perform an iterative wireless network optimisation procedure to determine at least one rotational position for the at least one antenna apparatus on the basis of the signal strength information and the direction information received, wherein the iterative wireless network optimisation procedure iterates in a direction of reduced interference for the at least one antenna apparatus; and

instruction transmission circuitry configured to send at least one rotational positioning instruction to at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network to cause the at least one antenna apparatus to rotationally position its directional antenna in accordance with the at least one rotational positioning instruction.

19. A method of operating an antenna apparatus for communication via a wireless network, wherein the antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna, a uniform circular antenna array, and a mounting portion configured to be fixed relative to a physical location of the antenna apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving wireless signals via the uniform circular antenna array; and

positioning the directional antenna in rotation about an axis with respect to the mounting portion in dependence on the wireless signals received by the uniform circular antenna array.

20. Antenna apparatus for communication via a wireless network comprising:

means for directionally transmitting and receiving wireless signals;

means for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a uniform circular manner;

means for mounting the antenna apparatus fixedly relative to a physical location of the antenna apparatus; and

means for positioning the directional antenna in rotation about an axis with respect to the means for mounting the antenna apparatus in dependence on the wireless signals received by the uniform circular antenna array.

21. Apparatus for controlling a wireless network comprising:

an input to receive signal strength information and direction information from at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network;

configuration optimisation circuitry to perform an iterative wireless network optimisation procedure to determine at least one rotational position for the at least one antenna apparatus on the basis of the signal strength information and the direction information received, wherein the iterative wireless network optimisation procedure iterates in a direction of reduced interference for the at least one antenna apparatus; and

instruction transmission circuitry configured to send at least one rotational positioning instruction to at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network to cause the at least one antenna apparatus to rotationally position its directional antenna in accordance with the at least one rotational positioning instruction.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the iterative wireless network optimisation procedure further comprises determining a selected beam pattern from a set of beam patterns for the directional antenna of the at least one antenna apparatus.

23. A method of controlling a wireless network comprising the steps of:

receiving signal strength information and direction information from at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network;

performing an iterative wireless network optimisation procedure to determine at least one rotational position for the at least one antenna apparatus on the basis of the signal strength information and the direction information received, wherein the iterative wireless network optimisation procedure iterates in a direction of reduced interference for the at least one antenna apparatus; and

transmitting at least one rotational positioning instruction to at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network to cause the at least one antenna apparatus to rotationally position its directional antenna in accordance with the at least one rotational positioning instruction.

24. Apparatus for controlling a wireless network comprising:

means for receiving signal strength information and direction information from at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network;

means for performing an iterative wireless network optimisation procedure to determine at least one rotational position for the at least one antenna apparatus on the basis of the signal strength information and the direction information received, wherein the iterative wireless network optimisation procedure iterates in a direction of reduced interference for the at least one antenna apparatus; and

means for transmitting at least one rotational positioning instruction to at least one antenna apparatus in the wireless network to cause the at least one antenna apparatus to rotationally position its directional antenna in accordance with the at least one rotational positioning instruction.