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Commodity software steerable antennas for mesh networks

Improve mesh networks with high-gain, narrow beam, and low sidelobe design software steerable antennas. Overcome challenges and design prototypes with phased array and Coplanar Waveguide phase shifters.

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Commodity software steerable antennas for mesh networks

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  1. Commodity software steerable antennas for mesh networks Jim Kajiya MSR

  2. Why software steerable antennas? • High gain antenna significantly improves mesh networks. • Narrow beam antennas are key to network topology control for minimizing interference. • High gain, low sidelobe design enables indoor placement • Software antenna control integrates routing and propagation. • Much nearer term than smart antennas/MIMO.

  3. Challenges for steerable antennas in mesh networks • Exacerbates hidden terminal problem • FCC regulations for unlicensed bands limit ERP • Aimed at access point abuse, current regulations preclude neighborhood mesh • Cost increment over omni • High gain antenna is currently very expensive

  4. First Prototype • 8x8 dipole array • Designing feed network was the hard part

  5. Phased array Antenna • Induce time delays • Phase shifters are currently expensive d 2d 3d

  6. Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) Phase shifter Dielectric

  7. CPW Phase shifter uses elementary transmission line physics • Delay is given by • Impedance is given by • As distance varies relative permittivity changes

  8. Simulation Results Phase shifter design is best done with dielectric penetrating the air gap in a coplanar waveguide.

  9. Simulation Results, cont’d • High dielectric constant material not necessary: alumina with =10 is fine. • Variable characteristic impedance does not materially affect antenna pattern or VSWR.

  10. Simulation of 4 element patch Beam Patterns

  11. Next Design • Coplanar Waveguide phase shifters compatible with corporate feed. • Form factor for indoor wall mounting

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