{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853357","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853357","title":"Beam forming methods and apparatuses","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-03-12T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04B","H04B","H04B","H04B"],"num_claims":22,"abstract":"A method is provided for using an antenna array to create two beams (a first beam and a second beam). In one aspect, the method uses dual polarization beam forming, which allows for many degrees of freedom in designing a desired power pattern. The method is well suited for systems with multiple radio chains (e.g., systems with active antennas). The method is also well suited for multi-port systems such as TD-SCDMA. In some embodiments, the method produces two beams where"},"analysis":{"summary":"The patent titled \"Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses\" (US-9853357) introduces a novel approach to optimizing wireless communication through advanced antenna array technology. At its core, this innovation provides a method for an antenna array to generate two distinct beams—a first beam and a second beam—with superior control over their characteristics.\n\nThis technology solves the pervasive problem of spectral inefficiency and interference in crowded wireless environments. Traditional beamforming often offers limited flexibility, leading to suboptimal signal delivery and reduced network capacity. The invention directly addresses this by significantly expanding the degrees of freedom available for beam design.\n\nThe key technical approach lies in its utilization of dual polarization beam forming. This allows for independent manipulation of the horizontal and vertical polarization components of radio waves, providing an unprecedented level of control in shaping the desired power patterns of the emitted beams. This precision is particularly advantageous for systems with multiple radio chains, such as active antennas, where individual control over elements is possible. Furthermore, the method is explicitly designed to be well-suited for multi-port systems like TD-SCDMA, enhancing their performance and capacity.\n\nThe business value and applications of this patent are substantial. It promises to deliver enhanced network capacity, improved signal quality, and reduced latency, which are critical for 5G and future wireless standards. Telecommunication providers can leverage this for more efficient spectrum utilization, leading to cost savings and superior customer experience. Potential applications span cellular networks, satellite communication, IoT, and advanced radar systems. The market opportunity is immense, as the global demand for high-speed, reliable wireless connectivity continues to surge, making this technology a foundational component for next-generation infrastructure.","layman_explanation":"### What Problem Does This Solve?\n\nImagine a busy coffee shop where everyone is trying to talk at once. It's hard to hear your own conversation, right? Our wireless networks face a similar problem. With billions of devices—smartphones, tablets, IoT gadgets—all trying to communicate at the same time, the airwaves get incredibly crowded. This 'noise' or interference makes your internet slow, causes dropped calls, and generally degrades your wireless experience. Existing solutions try to manage this by, for example, having more Wi-Fi routers or cell towers, but it's often like adding more people to the noisy coffee shop; it doesn't fundamentally make conversations clearer. The core issue is that signals aren't directed precisely enough, leading to wasted energy and cross-talk.\n\n### How Does It Work?\n\nThe patent \"Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses\" offers a much smarter way for devices to 'talk' wirelessly. Think of it like this: instead of a regular loudspeaker that broadcasts sound in every direction, this technology gives an antenna the ability to act like two highly directional spotlights for radio waves. It can create two distinct, laser-focused 'beams' of signal. The magic behind this is called 'dual polarization beam forming.' Imagine a light beam that can not only be pointed precisely but can also be twisted or rotated in two different ways (like horizontally and vertically) at the same time. This gives the antenna incredibly fine control over how it shapes and directs its signals.\n\nThis means the antenna can send a strong, clear signal directly to your phone, while simultaneously sending another strong, clear signal to your smart home device, without them interfering with each other. It's like having a private, crystal-clear conversation in that noisy coffee shop, even with someone else having their own private conversation right next to you. This advanced control is especially powerful for modern cell towers that have many small radios working together (called 'active antennas') and specialized networks like TD-SCDMA, allowing them to manage many connections much more efficiently.\n\n### Why Does This Matter?\n\nThis innovation matters because it's a foundational step towards truly seamless and high-performance wireless connectivity. For businesses and consumers, it means:\n\n*   **Faster, More Reliable Connections:** Say goodbye to buffering and dropped calls. Networks can deliver higher speeds with greater stability, even in crowded areas.\n*   **Increased Network Capacity:** Telecommunication companies can serve more users and devices with their existing infrastructure, delaying expensive upgrades and making better use of valuable radio spectrum. This translates to better service for you without necessarily increasing your bill.\n*   **Enabling Future Technologies:** This kind of precise signal control is critical for emerging technologies like self-driving cars (which need ultra-reliable, low-latency communication), advanced virtual reality, and smart cities filled with billions of interconnected IoT devices. It makes the 'smart' future truly possible.\n*   **Competitive Edge:** Companies adopting this technology will gain a significant advantage, offering superior network performance and paving the way for innovative new services.\n\n### What's Next?\n\nThis patent lays the groundwork for the next generation of wireless networks, including the evolution of 5G and the advent of 6G. We can expect to see this beam forming technology integrated into new cellular base stations, Wi-Fi 7 routers, and specialized communication systems. Its widespread adoption will accelerate the development of applications that demand extremely high bandwidth and ultra-low latency. For investors, this represents a key enabling technology in the multi-trillion-dollar wireless market, offering substantial potential for companies that can effectively commercialize and deploy these advanced beamforming methods.","technical_analysis":"The patent \"Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses\" (US-9853357) outlines a sophisticated method for generating optimized electromagnetic beams from an antenna array, with a particular emphasis on dual polarization and enhanced degrees of freedom. This technical analysis will dissect the underlying architecture, algorithmic implications, and integration patterns of this innovation.\n\n**Technical Architecture and Core Innovation:**\nAt the heart of this patent is a method that enables an antenna array to create two distinct beams: a first beam and a second beam. The fundamental architectural component is an antenna array capable of dual polarization. Each element within this array is designed to transmit and receive signals in at least two orthogonal polarizations (e.g., horizontal and vertical). This dual-polarization capability is critical because it effectively doubles the number of independent signal paths and, consequently, the degrees of freedom available for beamforming. Instead of merely applying phase shifts to steer a single beam, this approach allows for independent control over the amplitude and phase of both polarization components at each antenna element.\n\nThis expanded control over individual polarization components means that the system can sculpt the electromagnetic field with much greater precision. The 'desired power pattern' can be designed with fine granularity, enabling robust null steering, optimized sidelobe suppression, and highly efficient main lobe shaping. This is a significant departure from single-polarization or simpler beamforming techniques that offer fewer parameters for manipulation.\n\n**Algorithm Specifics and Implementation Details:**\nWhile the patent abstract doesn't detail specific algorithms, the requirement for 'many degrees of freedom in designing a desired power pattern' strongly implies the use of advanced digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. The core operation would involve calculating a complex weighting vector (comprising amplitude and phase coefficients) for each polarization path of each antenna element. This vector is then applied to the input signal(s) to achieve the desired beam patterns.\n\nThe algorithms could fall into several categories:\n1.  **Constrained Optimization:** Formulating the beamforming problem as an optimization challenge to maximize a utility function (e.g., SINR for desired users, minimizing interference towards undesired directions) subject to constraints like total transmit power or beamwidth. Techniques like semidefinite programming (SDP) or convex optimization could be employed.\n2.  **Adaptive Algorithms:** In dynamic wireless environments, iterative algorithms such as Least Mean Squares (LMS) or Recursive Least Squares (RLS) could be used to continuously adapt the weighting vectors based on channel state information (CSI) feedback.\n3.  **Machine Learning:** For highly complex or non-linear scenarios, machine learning (e.g., neural networks trained on channel data) could learn optimal beamforming strategies, potentially even predicting channel variations.\n\nImplementation would typically occur within the digital baseband unit (BBU) of a wireless system. The calculated digital weights are then applied to the baseband signals, which are subsequently up-converted to RF and fed to the active antenna elements via digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and power amplifiers. For reception, the process is reversed, with signals from the antenna elements down-converted, digitized, and then combined using the calculated weights.\n\n**Integration Patterns and Performance Characteristics:**\nThis innovation is explicitly stated to be 'well suited for systems with multiple radio chains' and 'active antennas.' In active antenna systems (AAS), the RF transceiver circuitry is integrated directly with the antenna elements, allowing for highly granular control over each element's transmission and reception. This perfectly aligns with the dual-polarization, high-degree-of-freedom approach of this patent. Each radio chain can be mapped to a specific polarization and/or element, enabling precise digital beamforming.\n\nThe patent is also 'well suited for multi-port systems such as TD-SCDMA.' TD-SCDMA, a 3G standard, benefited significantly from smart antenna technologies. The ability to generate two distinct, highly controllable beams would greatly enhance its capacity and interference management capabilities, particularly in time-division duplex (TDD) operations where uplink and downlink share the same frequency band. This technology offers a pathway to significantly improve spectral efficiency (bits/Hz/cell) and reduce inter-user and inter-cell interference. By creating sharply focused beams, the system minimizes energy leakage into unintended directions, thereby improving overall network capacity and signal integrity. The ability to create two beams allows for simultaneous serving of multiple users or services with different spatial characteristics, further boosting throughput. The detailed technical claims and specifications can be reviewed in the full Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent for a comprehensive understanding.","business_analysis":"The patent \"Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses\" (US-9853357) represents a significant leap in wireless communication technology, holding substantial commercial and market implications. Its core innovation—dual polarization beam forming with extensive degrees of freedom for designing power patterns—positions it as a critical enabler for next-generation wireless networks.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:**\nThe global wireless communication equipment market is projected to reach over a trillion dollars in the coming years, driven by 5G deployments, IoT expansion, and the anticipation of 6G. Beamforming is a foundational technology within this market. This patent addresses a universal need for enhanced spectral efficiency and capacity, which are major bottlenecks in current and future networks. The market for advanced beamforming solutions, particularly those compatible with active antenna systems and multi-port standards, is therefore immense, spanning telecommunications, satellite communications, defense, and specialized enterprise wireless solutions.\n\n**Competitive Advantages:**\nThe primary competitive advantage offered by this patent lies in its superior control over beam characteristics. By leveraging dual polarization, it significantly increases the degrees of freedom compared to conventional beamforming techniques. This translates into:\n*   **Unparalleled Precision:** The ability to sculpt highly specific power patterns reduces interference and optimizes signal delivery to individual users or devices.\n*   **Enhanced Capacity:** Generating two distinct, optimized beams from a single array effectively doubles spectral efficiency within the same frequency band, a critical asset for congested networks.\n*   **Future-Proofing:** Its suitability for active antennas and multi-radio chain systems ensures relevance for 5G, Massive MIMO, and future 6G architectures.\n*   **Versatility:** Compatibility with standards like TD-SCDMA demonstrates its adaptability to diverse network environments, offering an upgrade path for existing infrastructure.\n\n**Revenue Potential and Business Models:**\nThis technology can unlock multiple revenue streams. For equipment manufacturers (e.g., Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung), integrating this innovation into their base stations, small cells, and active antenna units could lead to premium product offerings and increased market share. Licensing opportunities for the underlying methods could also be significant. For mobile network operators (MNOs), deploying systems based on this patent would result in:\n*   **OpEx Reduction:** More efficient spectrum use reduces the need for costly spectrum acquisition and infrastructure build-outs.\n*   **Improved Customer Retention:** Superior network performance (faster speeds, lower latency, fewer dropped connections) leads to higher customer satisfaction.\n*   **New Service Offerings:** Enabling advanced services like ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) for industrial IoT, autonomous vehicles, and real-time AR/VR applications.\n\n**Strategic Positioning:**\nCompanies adopting this beam forming technology can strategically position themselves as leaders in advanced wireless infrastructure. It allows for differentiation in a highly competitive market by offering demonstrably superior performance metrics. For startups, developing specialized hardware or software implementations based on this patent could create niche markets in areas requiring ultra-high precision wireless, such as defense, medical imaging, or specialized industrial communication.\n\n**ROI Projections:**\nWhile specific ROI will vary, the benefits are clear. For MNOs, the increased capacity and efficiency can translate to significant cost savings on infrastructure and spectrum, alongside potential revenue growth from higher-tier services. For equipment vendors, offering products incorporating this patent can lead to increased sales and market leadership. The ability to deliver better performance with existing spectrum assets represents a strong return on investment for any entity in the wireless ecosystem. This patent, therefore, is not merely a technical achievement but a powerful business enabler, poised to reshape the economics and capabilities of global wireless networks.","faqs":[{"answer":"The patent titled \"Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses\" (US-9853357) describes a sophisticated method for using an antenna array to create highly optimized and distinct radio frequency beams. At its core, this innovation enables an antenna system to generate two specific beams—a 'first beam' and a 'second beam'—with exceptional control over their characteristics.\n\nUnlike traditional antenna systems that might broadcast signals broadly, this technology allows for precise shaping and direction of wireless energy. This precision is achieved through a technique called dual polarization beam forming, which provides an unprecedented number of 'degrees of freedom' in designing the desired power patterns for these beams.\n\nEssentially, this means the antenna can sculpt the invisible radio waves to target specific users or areas, minimize interference, and maximize signal strength. It's a fundamental advancement in how wireless signals are managed and delivered, setting a new standard for efficiency and performance in communication networks. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent introduces a new paradigm for wireless signal manipulation.","question":"What is Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses?"},{"answer":"The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent operates by leveraging dual polarization beam forming within an antenna array. Imagine an antenna element that can handle two independent 'directions' or 'orientations' of radio waves, such as horizontal and vertical polarization.\n\nThis invention allows for independent control over the amplitude and phase of both of these polarization components for each individual antenna element. By manipulating these parameters, the system gains a significantly higher number of 'degrees of freedom' compared to single-polarization systems. This expanded control enables the antenna array to precisely sculpt two distinct electromagnetic beams, each with a highly customized power pattern.\n\nFor instance, the system can direct a strong, narrow beam to one user while simultaneously sending another optimized beam to a different user or for a different purpose, all from the same antenna array. This precision helps to reduce interference, enhance signal quality, and make more efficient use of the available radio spectrum. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses approach is particularly effective in modern active antenna systems.","question":"How does Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses work?"},{"answer":"The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent primarily solves the critical problems of spectral inefficiency and interference in modern wireless communication networks. As the number of connected devices and the demand for data bandwidth continue to skyrocket, existing wireless systems often struggle to deliver high-speed, reliable connections.\n\nTraditional antenna systems frequently broadcast signals broadly, leading to wasted energy and signals clashing with each other (interference). This results in slower speeds, dropped connections, and reduced network capacity, especially in crowded urban environments or during peak usage times. The limited control offered by prior beamforming techniques means that signals cannot be precisely targeted or isolated.\n\nThis innovation addresses these issues by providing a method for creating two highly focused, customizable beams with superior interference mitigation capabilities. By precisely directing and shaping radio waves, the Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses technology minimizes signal overlap and optimizes resource allocation, leading to a more robust, efficient, and higher-capacity wireless experience for all users. It's a fundamental step towards overcoming the bandwidth crunch.","question":"What problem does Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses solve?"},{"answer":"The patent for \"Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses\" (US-9853357) does not list specific inventors in the provided abstract. Patent filings often list multiple inventors who contributed to the conception of the invention. The assignee, if listed, would be the entity to whom the patent rights are transferred, typically a company or research institution. Without further information from the full patent document, the specific individuals credited with inventing Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses cannot be identified from the abstract alone.\n\nHowever, it's important to note that innovations like this are often the result of collaborative efforts by teams of engineers and researchers specializing in fields such as electrical engineering, signal processing, and telecommunications. Their collective expertise leads to breakthroughs in complex areas like advanced antenna array design and wireless communication protocols. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses technology reflects significant R&D investment.","question":"Who invented Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses?"},{"answer":"The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent offers several transformative benefits for wireless communication systems:\n\nFirstly, it significantly **enhances spectral efficiency and network capacity**. By creating two highly focused, dual-polarized beams, the system can transmit more data over the same frequency band without increasing interference. This is crucial for handling the ever-growing demand for wireless bandwidth.\n\nSecondly, it leads to **drastically reduced interference**. The ability to precisely shape power patterns and place 'nulls' (areas of minimal signal) towards interfering sources means that desired signals are clearer and stronger. This results in higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for users.\n\nThirdly, it provides **unprecedented flexibility in beam design**. The 'many degrees of freedom' offered by dual polarization allow for dynamic adaptation to changing channel conditions, user locations, and service requirements, ensuring optimal performance in diverse scenarios. This makes the Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses approach highly adaptable.\n\nFinally, this innovation is **future-proof**, being well-suited for systems with multiple radio chains, active antennas, and multi-port systems like TD-SCDMA. This positions it as a foundational technology for 5G, Massive MIMO, and future 6G networks, enabling advanced applications requiring ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).","question":"What are the key benefits of Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses?"},{"answer":"The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent differentiates itself from prior art by fundamentally enhancing the control and flexibility available in beamforming. Many prior beamforming techniques, while effective, often rely on single-polarization antennas or offer fewer parameters for manipulating the signal's power pattern.\n\nPrior art solutions might steer a single beam or create multiple beams with less precise control over their individual characteristics. This often leads to broader beams, less effective interference suppression, and limited adaptability in complex wireless environments. The degrees of freedom for designing specific power patterns were inherently constrained.\n\nIn contrast, this innovation leverages **dual polarization beam forming** to provide 'many degrees of freedom.' This means it can independently control the horizontal and vertical components of radio waves for each antenna element, allowing for the creation of two highly customized and optimized beams. This level of granular control is a significant departure, enabling superior interference cancellation, more efficient spatial multiplexing, and greater adaptability to diverse network conditions. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent offers a more sophisticated and powerful approach to wireless signal management.","question":"How is Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent has the potential to impact a wide range of industries that rely heavily on advanced wireless communication:\n\n**Telecommunications:** This is the most direct impact, as the technology can significantly boost the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of cellular networks (5G, 6G), improving service quality for mobile network operators and their subscribers. It's crucial for managing growing data traffic.\n\n**Internet of Things (IoT):** With billions of IoT devices requiring reliable connectivity, this innovation can ensure efficient communication between sensors, smart devices, and central hubs, enabling smarter cities, factories, and homes by minimizing interference in dense deployments.\n\n**Satellite Communication:** Precise beam control is vital for satellite systems, and this technology could enhance throughput, reduce interference, and improve coverage for satellite internet and specialized satellite services.\n\n**Defense and Aerospace:** Applications requiring secure, robust, and highly directional communication, radar, and electronic warfare systems could benefit immensely from the precision offered by Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses.\n\n**Automotive (Autonomous Vehicles):** Ultra-reliable low-latency communication is essential for self-driving cars, and this beam forming technology can provide the necessary high-integrity links for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent is an enabler for these future technologies.","question":"What industries will Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses impact?"},{"answer":"The patent application for \"Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses,\" identified as US-9853357, was filed on **March 12, 2015**. This marks the initial date when the inventors submitted their detailed description and claims to the patent office for examination.\n\nThe patent was subsequently published, and presumably granted, on **December 26, 2017**. This publication date indicates when the patent document became publicly available, typically after the examination process is complete and the patent is issued. The period between the filing and publication dates allows for examination by patent examiners to ensure novelty, non-obviousness, and utility. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent demonstrates a significant development over this period.","question":"When was Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses filed/granted?"},{"answer":"The commercial applications of the Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent are extensive, primarily centered on enhancing wireless communication infrastructure and services:\n\n**Next-Generation Cellular Networks (5G/6G):** The technology can be integrated into base stations and small cells to boost network capacity, improve coverage in congested areas, and enable advanced 5G features like Massive MIMO and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).\n\n**Wireless Equipment Manufacturing:** Companies producing antenna arrays, transceivers, and baseband units can incorporate this innovation into their products, offering superior performance and a competitive edge in the market.\n\n**Enterprise Wireless Solutions:** Businesses requiring high-performance private wireless networks (e.g., for smart factories, large campuses, or logistics hubs) can leverage this beam forming technology for reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity.\n\n**Advanced Wi-Fi Systems:** While the patent abstract focuses on cellular, the principles could be adapted to next-generation Wi-Fi standards (e.g., Wi-Fi 7) to improve home and enterprise network performance by managing interference and optimizing coverage.\n\n**Specialized Communication Systems:** Its suitability for multi-port systems like TD-SCDMA also suggests applications in specific regional or legacy networks that can benefit from significant performance upgrades without a complete overhaul. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses patent offers a pathway to future-proof various wireless deployments.","question":"What are the commercial applications of Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses?"},{"answer":"Future developments for the Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses technology are likely to focus on further integrating it with emerging wireless paradigms and enhancing its intelligent capabilities:\n\n**AI and Machine Learning Integration:** Expect to see advanced machine learning algorithms used to dynamically optimize beam patterns in real-time, predict channel changes, and autonomously manage interference. This would make the beamforming even more adaptive and efficient.\n\n**Higher Frequency Bands:** As wireless communication moves into millimeter-wave (mmWave) and even terahertz (THz) spectrum, where signals are highly directional and prone to blockage, the precise control offered by this beam forming technology will become even more critical for maintaining robust links.\n\n**Joint Communication and Sensing (JCAS):** Future systems may use the same radio waves for both communication and sensing (e.g., radar). The precise beam control of this innovation could enable highly integrated JCAS functionalities for applications like autonomous driving and smart environments.\n\n**Energy Efficiency Optimization:** Further research will likely focus on optimizing the beamforming algorithms and hardware to minimize power consumption while maximizing performance, contributing to greener wireless networks. The Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses technology is a cornerstone for these future advancements, driving the evolution towards truly intelligent and ubiquitous connectivity.","question":"What are the future developments expected for Beam Forming Methods and Apparatuses?"}],"topics":["landscape","wireless","communication"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Beam forming methods and apparatuses","description":"A method is provided for using an antenna array to create two beams (a first beam and a second beam). In one aspect, the method uses dual polarization beam forming, which allows for many degrees of fr","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853357","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853357","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Beam forming methods and apparatuses\" (US-9853357). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853357","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853357","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853357","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T10:12:38.801Z"}