Antennas configured for self-learning algorithms and related methods
View Patent ↗A Modal antenna system, control system, and algorithm is described which provides for improved connectivity in a communication system where statistics of previous antenna modes or beam positions for a mobile device operating in conjunction with specific base stations, access points, or other communication terminals are used to make intelligent decisions for current antenna beam state for optimal connectivity. A modal antenna is implemented to provide a variable radiation pattern for improved connectivity and an algorithm is provided that controls current beam position as the mobile device moves through a communication network.
1. A method for controlling a modal antenna, the modal antenna operable in a plurality of antenna modes, each mode associated with a different radiation pattern characteristic, the method comprising:
identifying a first terminal at a first waypoint;
accessing a record associated with the first waypoint in memory;
determining a first antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the first terminal at the first waypoint based on the record associated with the first waypoint;
identifying a second terminal at a second waypoint;
accessing a record associated with the second waypoint in memory;
determining a second antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the second terminal at the second waypoint based on the record associated with the second waypoint;
wherein the record associated with the first waypoint and the record associated with the second waypoint are generated in a learning mode.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the learning mode is a self-learning mode.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the self-learning mode comprises
identifying the first terminal at a first waypoint;
determining the first antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the first network terminal at the first waypoint;
storing the first antenna mode as at least part of the record associated with the first waypoint in one or more memory devices;
identifying the second network terminal at the second waypoint;
determining the second antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the second network terminal at the second waypoint;
storing the second antenna mode as at least a part of the record associated with the second waypoint in one or more memory devices.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the learning mode is a forced learning mode.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the record associated with the first terminal comprises antenna mode data associated with the first mode.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the antenna mode data comprises one or more of antenna mode identification data, frequency, power, and specific absorption rate.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the record associated with the second terminal comprises antenna mode data associated with the second mode.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the antenna mode data comprises one or more of antenna mode identification data, frequency, power, and specific absorption rate.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the record associated with the first terminal comprises network data.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the record associated with the second terminal comprises network data.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modal antenna is a cellular antenna.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modal antenna is a GPS antenna.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modal antenna is a WLAN antenna.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modal antenna comprises a radiating element and one or more parasitic elements.