Network sharing method and apparatus for supporting multiple operators in a wireless communication system

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a communication technology for supporting convergence of IoT technology for supporting higher data transmission rate of a beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) and a 5th-Generation (5G) or a quasi-5G communication system, and a system therefor. The disclosure can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, health care, digital education, retail industry, security and safety-related services, etc.) based on 5G communication technologies and IoT-related technologies. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a network sharing method and apparatus for supporting multiple operators in a wireless communication system can be provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication systems, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for supporting network sharing among multiple operators. Background Technology

[0002] Efforts are underway to develop and improve fifth-generation (5G) or near-5G communication systems to meet the growing demand for wireless data services following the commercialization of fourth-generation (4G) communication systems. Therefore, 5G or near-5G communication systems are referred to as communication systems following 4G networks (beyond 4G networks) or systems following Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems (post-LTE).

[0003] To achieve high data rates, 5G communication systems are being considered for implementation in ultra-high frequency (millimeter-wave (mmWave)) bands (e.g., the 60 GHz band). To mitigate path loss and increase transmission distance of radio waves in the ultra-high frequency band, beamforming, massive MIMO, full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive MIMO technologies are being discussed in 5G communication systems.

[0004] In addition, to improve the network of the system, technologies such as evolved small cells, advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (cloud RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device communication (D2D), wireless backhaul, mobile networks, cooperative communication, coordinated multipoint (CoMP), and interference cancellation are being developed in 5G communication systems.

[0005] In addition, advanced coding and modulation (ACM) methods such as hybrid frequency shift keying and orthogonal amplitude modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) are being developed in 5G systems, as well as advanced connectivity technologies such as filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and sparse code multiple access (SCMA).

[0006] In 5G systems, support for various services is being considered compared to existing 4G systems. For example, the most representative services could be enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and evolved multimedia broadcast / multicast service (eMBMS). Furthermore, a system providing URLLC services can be called an URLLC system, and a system providing eMBB services can be called an eMBB system. Additionally, the terms "service" and "system" are used interchangeably.

[0007] URLLC service is a new service considered for 5G systems. It differs from existing 4G systems and, compared to other services, needs to meet ultra-high reliability requirements (e.g., approximately 10). -5 The conditions include a low packet error rate and low latency (e.g., approximately 0.5 milliseconds). To meet these stringent requirements, URLLC services may need to apply a shorter Transmission Time Interval (TTI) than eMBB services, and various operational methods using this time interval are being considered.

[0008] Meanwhile, the internet is evolving from a human-centric network where humans generate and consume information to an Internet of Things (IoT) network, which exchanges and processes information between distributed components such as objects. The Internet of Everything (IoE) technology is also emerging, combining big data processing technologies with IoT technologies through connections to cloud servers. To realize the IoT, technological elements such as sensing technologies, wired and wireless communication and network infrastructure, service interface technologies, and security technologies are required. Recently, technologies for connecting objects, such as sensor networks, machine-to-machine (M2M), and machine-type communication (MTC), have been researched.

[0009] In the IoT environment, intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) technology services can be provided, creating new value in human life by collecting and analyzing data generated from connected objects. Through the integration and combination of existing IT technologies with various industries, IoT can be applied to fields such as smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, smart grids, healthcare, smart appliances, and advanced medical services.

[0010] Therefore, various attempts are being made to apply 5G communication systems to IoT networks. For example, technologies such as sensor networks, machine-to-machine (M2M), and machine-type communication (MTC) are being implemented using techniques such as beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas, which are 5G communication technologies. The aforementioned cloud radio access network (cloud RAN) as an application of big data processing technology may be an example of the integration of 5G and IoT technologies.

[0011] In addition, technologies for sharing wireless network infrastructure (RAN sharing) among multiple communication service operators are being studied. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Technical issues

[0013] Base stations can be configured with radio frequency chains (RF chains) to share wireless network infrastructure (RAN sharing) with multiple communication service operators by considering the bandwidth allocated to them.

[0014] Therefore, as the number of communication service operators to be supported increases, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the RF chain should operate in order to share wireless network infrastructure may increase.

[0015] However, as the frequency bandwidth required for operation increases, problems may arise such as difficulty in implementing base station equipment components, rapid increase in component costs, and rapid increase in power consumption.

[0016] This disclosure aims to address the aforementioned problems and to consider the size of the frequency bandwidth of a band that needs to be operated in some configurations of the RF chain as the size of the frequency bandwidth corresponding to a band operated by a single communication service operator, rather than the sum of the sizes of the frequency bandwidth corresponding to bands operated by multiple communication service operators.

[0017] Technical solution

[0018] A base station in a wireless communication system according to embodiments of the present disclosure for solving the above-mentioned problems includes: a baseband (BB) processing unit that generates and outputs a signal of a first frequency band corresponding to a first frequency bandwidth; an intermediate frequency (IF) band processing unit that converts the signal of the first frequency band output from the baseband (BB) processing unit into a signal of a second frequency band corresponding to a second frequency bandwidth and outputs the signal of the second frequency band; a switch matrix control unit that generates a switch matrix control signal for mapping one of at least one phase-locked loop (PLL) to an antenna array; and a radio frequency (RF) band processing unit that, based on the switch matrix control signal, uses the at least one PLL and the switch matrix to convert the signal of the second frequency band into a signal of a third frequency band corresponding to a third frequency bandwidth, maps the signal of the third frequency band to an antenna array, and transmits the signal of the third frequency band.

[0019] Furthermore, a method for a base station in a wireless communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: generating and outputting a signal of a first frequency band corresponding to a first frequency bandwidth via a baseband (BB) processing unit of the base station; converting the signal of the first frequency band output from the baseband (BB) processing unit into a signal of a second frequency band corresponding to a second frequency bandwidth via an intermediate frequency (IF) band processing unit of the base station and outputting the signal of the second frequency band; generating a switch matrix control signal for mapping one of at least one phase-locked loop (PLL) to an antenna array via a switch matrix control unit of the base station; and converting the signal of the second frequency band into a signal of a third frequency band corresponding to a third frequency bandwidth via the at least one PLL and the switch matrix via a radio frequency (RF) band processing unit of the base station based on the switch matrix control signal, using the at least one PLL and the switch matrix, mapping the signal of the third frequency band to an antenna array, and transmitting the signal of the third frequency band.

[0020] Beneficial effects

[0021] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the configuration of the RF chain for each arbitrary time slot portion has the effect of taking into account the size of the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band to be operated as the size of the frequency bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band operated by an operator.

[0022] Furthermore, it can facilitate the implementation of components for base station equipment used in shared wireless network infrastructure, thereby reducing component costs and power consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the frequency bands allocated to the telecommunications service operators in each country.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the size of the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that each processing unit in the RF chain in the base station should operate on.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a base station supporting an operator's communication in any time slot in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the size of the bandwidth of the frequency band that needs to be operated by each processing unit of the RF chain according to a change in the numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) in the base station, based on a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the size of the frequency bandwidth required for each processing unit of the RF chain to operate according to a change in the local oscillator (LO) in the base station, based on a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an RF chain, multiple RF phase-locked loops (PLLs), a switch matrix, and a switch matrix control unit in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 7a This is a flowchart illustrating the switching matrix control unit in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 7b This is a diagram illustrating the flow of a base station in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating multiple RF chains, multiple RF phase-locked loops (PLLs), a switch matrix, and a switch matrix control unit in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 9This is a diagram illustrating the mapping relationship between the antenna array and the RF PLL of the switch matrix control unit in the base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the mapping relationship between the antenna array and the terminal in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] In describing embodiments, descriptions of technical content known in the art to which this disclosure pertains and not directly related to this disclosure may be omitted. This is to more clearly convey the gist of this disclosure without obscuring it by omitting unnecessary descriptions.

[0036] For the same reason, some components may be enlarged, omitted, or shown schematically in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the size of each component may not perfectly reflect its actual size. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing may be assigned the same reference numerals.

[0037] The advantages and features of this disclosure, as well as methods of implementing them, will become clear from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to complete the disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, and the scope of this disclosure can be defined by the scope of the claims. Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals may refer to the same components.

[0038] Furthermore, each block can represent a module, segment, or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for performing a specific logical function. Additionally, in some alternative implementations, the functions mentioned in a block may appear out of order. For example, two blocks shown consecutively may actually execute substantially simultaneously, or these blocks may sometimes execute in reverse order according to their corresponding functions.

[0039] In this context, the term "~unit" as used in embodiments of this disclosure refers to a software component or a hardware component such as an FPGA or ASIC, and a "~unit" may perform certain roles. However, "~unit" may not be limited to software or hardware. A "~unit" may be configured in an addressable storage medium and may be configured to run one or more processors. Thus, for example, a "~unit" may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided in components and "~units" may be combined into a smaller number of components and "~units," or may be further separated into additional components and "~units." Furthermore, components and "~units" may be implemented to run one or more CPUs in a device or secure multimedia card. Additionally, in embodiments, a "~unit" may include one or more processors.

[0040] For ease of description, this disclosure may use terms and names defined in the 3GPP LTE or 3GPP 5G NR standards. However, this disclosure is not limited to terms and names and may be equally applied to systems conforming to other standards.

[0041] With the development of wireless communication, the frequency bands used for wireless communication are gradually increasing. In particular, to achieve high data rates, 5G communication systems are being considered for implementation in ultra-high frequency (mmWave) bands (e.g., the 60 GHz band). To mitigate path loss of radio waves in the ultra-high frequency band and increase the transmission distance of radio waves, beamforming, massive MIMO, full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive MIMO technologies are being discussed in 5G communication systems.

[0042] As frequency increases, the reach of radio waves may relatively decrease. Therefore, in the UHF band, the size of the cell that a base station should cover may gradually decrease. Consequently, in order for each of multiple communication service operators to support wireless communication, base stations need to be densely installed for each of the multiple communication service operators.

[0043] However, outside of city center areas, there may be situations where the number of subscribers connected within a given cell area is significantly less than the base station's communication capacity. Therefore, for efficient base station operation, multiple communication service providers may increase the need for shared radio network infrastructure (RAN sharing). For example, multiple communication service providers may share a single base station device.

[0044] In the case of RAN sharing, in order for a base station device to support frequency bands operated by multiple communication service operators, the required frequency bandwidth of the frequency band becomes significantly larger than the frequency bandwidth that only supports a single existing communication service operator.

[0045] Therefore, as the number of communication service operators to be supported increases, the frequency bandwidth of the RF chain in the base station should increase in order to share the wireless network infrastructure. However, as the frequency bandwidth of the frequency chain to be operated increases, problems may arise such as difficulty in implementing base station equipment components, a rapid increase in component costs, and a rapid increase in power consumption.

[0046] To address this problem, according to embodiments of this disclosure, for each arbitrary time slot, there is an effect in the configuration portion of the RF chain to reduce the size of the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band to be operated to the size of the frequency bandwidth corresponding to the frequency band operated by an operator, which makes the implementation of base station equipment components for sharing wireless network infrastructure easier, reduces component costs, and reduces power consumption.

[0047] In the following, the operation of the base station in the first and second embodiments of this disclosure for solving the above-mentioned problems will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the frequency bands allocated to the telecommunications service operators in each country.

[0049] refer to Figure 1 To support RAN sharing for each country, the required frequency bandwidth for the frequency bands to be operated can be different for 120 and 140.

[0050] For example, in the first country 110, to enable the first communication service operator 112 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the first country 110 may be from 27.0 GHz to 27.4 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth may be 0.4 GHz. Furthermore, in the first country 110, to enable the second communication service operator 114 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the first country 110 may be from 27.4 GHz to 27.8 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth may be 0.4 GHz. Furthermore, in the first country 110, to enable the third communication service operator 116 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the first country 110 may be from 27.8 GHz to 28.2 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth may be 0.4 GHz. Furthermore, in the first country 110, to enable the fourth communication service operator 118 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the first country 110 may be from 28.2 GHz to 28.6 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth may be 0.4 GHz.

[0051] Therefore, in the first country 110, in order for the base station to share the wireless network infrastructure with multiple communication service operators 112, 114, 116 and 118, the required frequency bandwidth 120 of the frequency band to be operated can be 1.6 GHz.

[0052] Furthermore, in the second country 130, to enable the fifth communication service operator 132 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the second country can be from 27.0 GHz to 27.4 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth can be 0.4 GHz. Furthermore, in the second country 130, to enable the sixth communication service operator 134 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the second country can be from 27.4 GHz to 27.8 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth can be 0.4 GHz. Furthermore, in the second country 130, to enable the seventh communication service operator 136 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the second country can be from 27.8 GHz to 28.2 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth can be 0.4 GHz. Furthermore, in the second country 130, to enable the eighth communication service operator 138 to support wireless communication, the frequency band allocated from the second country can be from 29.1 GHz to 29.5 GHz, and the frequency bandwidth can be 0.4 GHz.

[0053] Therefore, in the second country 130, in order for the base station to share the wireless network infrastructure with multiple communication service operators 132, 134, 136 and 138, the required frequency bandwidth 140 of the frequency band to be operated can be 2.5 GHz.

[0054] When operating across multiple communication service providers' frequency bands, the base station should operate with a larger frequency bandwidth than when operating within a single provider's band. For example, if supporting only one provider, the base station should operate with a frequency bandwidth of 0.4 GHz in one country and 0.4 GHz in another. However, for shared radio network infrastructure (RAN sharing), when supporting multiple providers, the base station should operate with a frequency bandwidth of 1.6 GHz in one country and 2.5 GHz in another.

[0055] Furthermore, depending on the frequency bands operated by multiple communication service operators, the size of the frequency bandwidth required for RAN sharing can vary. For example, as in the second country 130, where the frequency bands operated by multiple communication service operators are discontinuous (e.g., a 0.9 GHz frequency bandwidth exists between the frequency bands of the seventh and eighth communication service operators), the size of the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the base station should operate can be increased.

[0056] Therefore, in order to support wireless network infrastructure sharing (RAN sharing), the frequency bandwidth of the frequency bands that the base station components, such as modems, baseband (BB) processing units, intermediate frequency (IF) band processing units, and radio frequency (RF) band processing units, should operate in can be increased.

[0057] However, in order to make each processing unit cover a wide frequency bandwidth, problems may arise such as difficulty in implementing components, increased component costs, and increased power consumption.

[0058] Figure 2 This is a graph showing the size of the frequency bandwidth required for each processing unit in the RF chain of a base station to operate.

[0059] refer to Figure 2 In the case of the second country 130, in the RF chain that serves as a component of the base station, problems may arise as the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that needs to be operated for each processing unit increases.

[0060] The base station may include a baseband (BB) processing unit 210, an intermediate frequency (IF) band processing unit 220, and a radio frequency (RF) band processing unit 230.

[0061] First, the baseband (BB) processing unit 210 may include a digital front-end (DFE) unit 211.

[0062] DFE unit 211 is a component that performs frequency up-conversion, frequency down-conversion, and channel filtering through digital processing. Furthermore, DFE unit 211 can configure information bits for each channel to correspond to the frequency bandwidth and generate a baseband signal using information from the modem.

[0063] Second, the intermediate frequency (IF) band processing unit 220 may include a digitally controlled oscillator (NCO) unit 221, a digital down-to-up converter (DDUC) unit 222, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) unit 223, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) unit 223, and a bandpass filter (BPF) unit 224, etc.

[0064] The NCO unit 221 is a digital signal generator for a specific frequency and can generally generate discrete sine waves. The frequency generated by the NCO unit can be the same as the center frequency of the intermediate frequency band. Furthermore, DDUC units and DAC units can be used to generate analog signals for the intermediate frequency band.

[0065] Furthermore, the DDUC unit 222 is a digital down- / up-converter, and can mix the digital signal generated from the NCO unit 221 with the baseband signal generated from the DFE unit (i.e., a digital mixer), and then up-convert it to an intermediate frequency band signal. Conversely, it can down-convert the received intermediate frequency band signal to a baseband signal.

[0066] Furthermore, the DAC / ADC unit 223 is a digital-to-analog converter circuit unit that can convert digital signals into analog signals or vice versa. The DAC / ADC unit 223 can generate analog signals in the intermediate frequency band.

[0067] Furthermore, BPF unit 224 is a bandpass filter and can allow only signals between specific frequencies in the generated mid-band analog signal to pass through.

[0068] Third, the radio frequency (RF) band processing unit 230 may include a local oscillator (LO) unit 231, a down-to-up converter (DUC) unit 232, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) unit 233, an antenna array unit 234, etc.

[0069] The LO unit 231 is an analog signal generator for a specific frequency, and analog signals for the radio frequency band can be generated using the RF PLL (phase-locked loop) and the DUC unit of the LO unit. In this case, the frequency generated by the LO unit can be combined with the center frequency of the intermediate frequency band to become the center frequency of the radio frequency band.

[0070] Furthermore, the DUC unit 232 is a down / up converter and can mix the generated frequency band signal with the analog signal generated from the LO unit 231 (i.e., an RF mixer), and then upconvert it to an RF frequency band signal. Conversely, it can downconvert the received RF frequency band signal to an intermediate frequency band signal.

[0071] Furthermore, RFIC unit 233 is a radio frequency integrated circuit unit and can be applied to integrated circuits operating in a frequency range suitable for wireless communication.

[0072] Furthermore, the antenna array element 234 is a collection of several connected antennas, and can be operated together as a single antenna to transmit and receive radio waves.

[0073] For example, in the case of the second country 130, in order for the base station to support RAN sharing, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band operated by each of the baseband (BB) processing unit 210, intermediate frequency (IF) band processing unit 220 and radio frequency (RF) band processing unit 230 can be as follows.

[0074] At any given time t1, a fifth communication service operator (215, 225, 235) can be supported, and at another given time t2, an eighth communication service operator (216, 226, 236) can be supported. In this case, since all base stations should operate in each frequency band corresponding to each communication service operator, they can operate in a frequency band from 27.0 GHz, the minimum frequency of the fifth communication service operator, to 29.5 GHz, the maximum frequency of the eighth communication service operator. In this way, the base station should operate in all frequency bands capable of supporting communication (e.g., frequency bands corresponding to the minimum to maximum frequencies). Therefore, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the baseband processing unit should operate in could be 2.5 GHz 217, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the intermediate frequency band processing unit should operate in could be 2.5 GHz 227, and the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the radio frequency band processing unit should operate in could be 2.5 GHz 237.

[0075] Therefore, compared to supporting only one existing operator, each processing unit of the base station can increase the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that needs to be operated.

[0076] However, as mentioned above, due to the increased frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that each processing unit should operate in, there may be problems such as increased hardware size required for each processing unit, increased power consumption, difficulty in implementing ADC / DAC units, and the inability of BPF to properly filter unnecessary signals.

[0077] Therefore, in order to solve this problem, efforts are needed to reduce the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that each processing unit must operate in.

[0078] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a base station supporting an operator's communication in any time slot in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] refer to Figure 3 In 5G ultra-high frequency (mmWave) bands based on beamforming, even if a base station can support (RAN-shared) communication with terminals registered with multiple communication service operators, only one beam can be formed in an antenna array, and this beam cannot communicate with two terminals simultaneously. Furthermore, since the direction of the beam in this single antenna array is determined within a time slot, this beam can be used for communication with only one terminal.

[0080] The term "time slot" can refer to a scheduling unit. A scheduling unit can refer to a transmission time interval (TTI), which can be configured with at least one consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol unit. For example, depending on the communication standard, a TTI can include time slots, subframes, etc.

[0081] Therefore, refer to Figure 3 In any time slot N 315, a beam 311 formed in the antenna array 301 of the base station 300 can be used solely to support the communication service operator A 310. Furthermore, in any time slot N+1 325, another beam 321 formed in the antenna array 301 of the base station 300 can be used solely to support the communication service operator B 320.

[0082] Therefore, based on a single time slot, if the frequency bandwidth required for a base station to support multiple communication service operators is equal to the size of the frequency band operated by one operator, then that frequency bandwidth may be sufficient. This is because, based on a single time slot, one beam corresponds to only one communication service operator. Furthermore, to support multiple communication service operators, the RF frequency can be changed for each time slot, and RF frequency 335 can be supported sequentially in a manner corresponding to other communication service operators.

[0083] Therefore, in embodiments of this disclosure, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that each processing unit of the base station should operate in can be reduced to the size of the frequency bandwidth operated by a single operator. Furthermore, in order to change the RF frequency in any time slot, a structure in which the frequency band of the signal output from the NCO unit in the intermediate frequency band processing unit and the frequency band of the signal output from the LO unit in the radio frequency band processing unit are changed in any time slot can be applied.

[0084] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the size of the frequency bandwidth required for each processing unit of the RF chain to operate according to a change in the numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) in the base station, based on a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] refer to Figure 4 The frequency band of the signal output from the NCO unit 421 in the intermediate frequency band processing unit 420 can be changed in any time slot, so that the intermediate frequency band can be changed to correspond to the frequency band operated by multiple communication service operators.

[0086] The intermediate frequency (IF) band processing unit 420 changes the frequency band of the signal output from the NCO unit 421 in any time slot. Furthermore, the IF band processing unit 420 can generate an analog signal in the IF band by using the DDUC unit 422 to mix the signal output from the NCO unit 421 with the signal generated by the baseband processing unit. In this case, the frequency bandwidth of the signal generated by the baseband processing unit before mixing can correspond to the frequency bandwidth used to support an operator.

[0087] For example, in the case of the second country 130, in order for the base station to support RAN sharing, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band operated by each of the baseband processing unit 410, intermediate frequency band processing unit 420 and radio frequency band processing unit 430 can be as follows.

[0088] If, at any time t1, the fifth communication service operator (415, 425, 435) is supported and at another arbitrary time t2, the eighth communication service operator (416, 426, 436) is supported, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the baseband processing unit should operate in can be 0.4 GHz, which is the frequency bandwidth size used to support one operator 417; the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the intermediate frequency band processing unit should operate in can be 2.5 GHz 427; and the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the radio frequency band processing unit should operate in can be 2.5 GHz 437.

[0089] Therefore, since the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the baseband processing unit should operate in is reduced, it is possible that the baseband processing unit is easier to implement, which can reduce component costs and power consumption.

[0090] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the size of the frequency bandwidth required for each processing unit of the RF chain to operate according to a change in the local oscillator (LO) in the base station, based on a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] refer to Figure 5 The frequency band of the signal output from the LO unit 531 in the radio frequency band processing unit 530 can be changed in any time slot, so that the radio frequency band can be changed to correspond to the frequency band operated by multiple communication service operators.

[0092] The RF band processing unit 530 changes the frequency band of the signal output from the LO unit 531 in any time slot. Furthermore, the RF band processing unit 530 can generate an analog signal in the RF band by mixing the signal output from the LO unit 531 and the signal generated by the intermediate frequency band processing unit 520 using the DUC unit 532. In this case, the frequency bandwidth of the signal output from the baseband processing unit before mixing and the frequency bandwidth of the signal output from the intermediate frequency band processing unit can correspond to the frequency bandwidth used to support an operator.

[0093] For example, in the case of the second country 130, in order for the base station to support RAN sharing, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band operated by each of the baseband processing unit 510, intermediate frequency band processing unit 520 and radio frequency band processing unit 530 can be as follows.

[0094] At any given time t1, a fifth communication service operator (515, 525, 535) can be supported, and at another given time t2, an eighth communication service operator (516, 526, 536) can be supported. In this case, the baseband processing unit should operate on a frequency bandwidth of 0.4 GHz, which is the frequency bandwidth used to support one operator 517; the intermediate frequency band processing unit should operate on a frequency bandwidth of 0.4 GHz, which is the frequency bandwidth used to support one operator 527; and the radio frequency band processing unit should operate on a frequency bandwidth of 2.5 GHz 537.

[0095] Therefore, since the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band that the baseband processing unit and the intermediate frequency band processing unit should operate in is reduced, it is possible that the baseband processing unit and the intermediate frequency band processing unit may be easier to implement, which can reduce component costs and also reduce power consumption.

[0096] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above effects, in Figure 4 and Figure 5 In such cases, it is necessary to rapidly change the frequency band of the signal generated by the NCO unit and LO unit according to the frequency band corresponding to each communication service operator in any time slot. In particular, to implement the LO unit, it is possible to consider implementing an RF phase-locked loop (PLL) (in the following text, RF PLL and PLL will be used interchangeably) and changing the frequency band by a switching method.

[0097] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an RF chain, multiple RF phase-locked loops (PLLs), a switch matrix, and a switch matrix control unit in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] refer to Figure 6 According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station may include a baseband processing unit 621, an intermediate frequency band processing unit 621, radio frequency band processing units 611, 613, 615, 631, 641 and a switch matrix control unit 651, and the LO unit in the radio frequency band processing unit may include RF PLLs 611, 613 and switch matrix 615.

[0099] RF PLLs 611 and 613 are phase-locked loops (PLLs) and can be used to fix the frequency of an analog signal by fixing its phase. This allows the frequency variation of the signal output from the LO unit to be fixed. Furthermore, the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) (not shown) of the RF PLL is an oscillator that generates a specific frequency based on the input voltage and can output analog signals corresponding to the frequency bands of multiple communication service operators. Therefore, each of RF PLLs 611 and 613 can output analog signals with frequencies corresponding to each of the different communication service operators.

[0100] For example, assuming the number of multiple communication service operators is arbitrary and totals M, RF PLL-#1 611 can output an analog signal with a frequency corresponding to the first communication service operator, and RF PLL-#M 613 can output an analog signal with a frequency corresponding to the Mth communication service operator.

[0101] The switch matrix 615 can be connected to multiple RF PLLs 611 and 613. Furthermore, the switch matrix 615 can change the switching based on the switch matrix control signal input from the switch matrix control unit 651 to map the antenna array 631 and the RF PLL for each arbitrary time slot.

[0102] Furthermore, the switch matrix control unit 651 can determine the communication service operator supporting communication through the antenna array for each arbitrary time slot based on a predetermined scheduling standard, and can input switch matrix control signals to the switch matrix so that the RF PLL with the frequency corresponding to the communication service operator determined by the switch matrix control unit is mapped to the antenna array.

[0103] Furthermore, the switch matrix control unit 651 can request that scheduling information be determined based on predetermined scheduling criteria. The scheduling information can be received from the base station's scheduler in any time slot, and this scheduling information in any time slot can be generated in the switch matrix control unit.

[0104] Figure 7a This is a flowchart illustrating the switching matrix control unit in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] refer to Figure 7a A detailed flowchart of the operation of the switch matrix control unit in the second embodiment is shown, and each step is divided and represented as follows.

[0106] In step S710, the switch matrix control unit can confirm that the preset RF PLL supports multiple communication service operators. For example, the switch matrix control unit can confirm that RF PLL#1 can support the first communication service operator. In addition, the switch matrix control unit can confirm that RF PLL#2 can support the second communication service operator, and RF PLL#M can support the Mth communication service operator.

[0107] Then, in step S720, for each arbitrary time slot, the switch matrix control unit can determine the switch matrix according to a predetermined scheduling criterion.

[0108] The predetermined scheduling criteria may include at least one of the following: the ratio of the number of terminals connected to the base station in the corresponding cell for each communication service operator and the data throughput required for each network of each communication service operator.

[0109] When at least one communication service operator should be supported according to predetermined scheduling criteria, the switch matrix can be determined to support the corresponding communication service operator.

[0110] When the switch matrix is ​​determined, in step S730, the switch matrix control unit can generate a switch matrix control signal.

[0111] Furthermore, in step S740, the switch matrix control unit can input a switch matrix control signal into the switch matrix. Through the switch matrix control signal, the switch matrix can change the switches to map the RF PLL corresponding to the identified supported communication service operator to at least one antenna array.

[0112] Figure 7b This is a diagram illustrating the flow of a base station in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] refer to Figure 7b The diagram shows a detailed flowchart of the base station operation in the second embodiment, and each step is divided and represented as follows.

[0114] In step S750, the base station can generate and output a signal of the first frequency band corresponding to the first frequency bandwidth through the baseband (BB) processing unit of the base station.

[0115] In addition, the baseband processing unit may also include a DFE unit that generates information bits for each channel.

[0116] Furthermore, in step S760, the base station can convert the signal of the first frequency band output from the baseband processing unit into a signal of the second frequency band corresponding to the second frequency bandwidth through the intermediate frequency (IF) band processing unit of the base station, and can output the converted signal. In this case, the size of the first frequency bandwidth and the size of the second frequency bandwidth can be the same.

[0117] Furthermore, in step S770, the base station can generate a switch matrix control signal through its switch matrix control unit to map one of at least one phase-locked loop (PLL) to the antenna array. In this case, each of the at least one PLL may correspond to a frequency band operated by a different communication service operator.

[0118] Furthermore, in step S780, through the radio frequency (RF) band processing unit of the base station, the base station can convert the signal in the second frequency band into a signal in the third frequency band corresponding to the third frequency bandwidth using at least one phase-locked loop (PLL) and a switching matrix based on the switching matrix control signal, and can transmit the signal in the third frequency band by mapping it to the antenna array.

[0119] Furthermore, the intermediate frequency band processing unit may include a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) unit that generates digital signals in a fourth frequency band. The intermediate frequency band processing unit may also include a converter unit that converts signals in the first frequency band to digital signals in the second frequency band using the digital signals in the fourth frequency band, and converts digital signals in the second frequency band to signals in the second frequency band. In this case, the center frequency of the fourth frequency band may be the same as the center frequency of the second frequency band.

[0120] Furthermore, a phase-locked loop (PLL) can generate an analog signal in the fifth frequency band. The radio frequency band processing unit may include a converter unit that converts a signal in the second frequency band to a signal in the third frequency band using the analog signal in the fifth frequency band. In this case, the center frequency of the third frequency band can be equal to the sum of the center frequencies of the second and fifth frequency bands.

[0121] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating multiple RF chains, multiple RF phase-locked loops (PLLs), a switch matrix, and a switch matrix control unit in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] refer to Figure 8According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station may include baseband processing units 821, 823, 825, intermediate frequency band processing units 821, 823 and 825, radio frequency band processing units 811, 813, 815, 831, 833, 835, 841, 843, 845 and a switch matrix control unit 851, and the LO unit in the radio frequency band processing unit may include RF PLLs 811 and 813 and a switch matrix 815.

[0123] Multiple baseband processing units 821, 823, and 825 and intermediate frequency band processing units 821, 823, and 825 may exist, as well as multiple antenna arrays 831, 833, and 835. Furthermore, in order to map the RF PLL to correspond with the multiple antenna arrays 831, 833, and 835, the switch matrix 815 may have an [MxN] switch matrix structure.

[0124] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the mapping relationship between the antenna array and the RF PLL of the switch matrix control unit in the base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0125] refer to Figure 9 By using at least one or more RF PLLs, switch matrices, and switch matrix control units in any time slot, at least one or more antenna arrays can correspond to each network of each communication service operator.

[0126] For example, RF PLL-#1 901 can output an analog signal with a frequency corresponding to the first communication service operator, and RF PLL-#2 903 can output an analog signal with a frequency corresponding to the second communication service operator. Furthermore, a total of four antenna arrays 931, 933, 935, and 937 can be included in a single base station.

[0127] In any time slot N 930, the switch matrix control unit 921 can input a switch matrix control signal, which controls the switch matrix according to a predetermined scheduling criterion, to the switch matrix 911. The switch matrix 911, receiving the switch matrix control signal, can use beamforming for the first communication service operator to support communication services for a total of four antenna arrays 931, 933, 935, and 937. In this case, since all antenna arrays 931, 933, 935, and 937 correspond to the same first communication service operator's network, the RF PLLs assigned to the corresponding arrays can be the same RF PLL-#1901.

[0128] In any time slot N+1 960, the switch matrix control unit 921 can input a switch matrix control signal, which controls the switch matrix according to a predetermined scheduling criterion, to the switch matrix 911. The switch matrix 911, receiving the switch matrix control signal, can configure the mapping for beamforming communication services for the two antenna arrays 931 and 933 to support such mapping for the first communication service operator, and can configure the mapping for beamforming communication services for the remaining two antenna arrays 935 and 937 to support such mapping for the second communication service operator. In this case, since the two antenna arrays 931 and 933 correspond to the same network of the first communication service operator, the RF PLLs assigned to the corresponding antenna arrays can be the same RF PLL-#1901. Furthermore, since the remaining two antenna arrays 935 and 937 correspond to the same network of the second communication service operator, the RF PLLs assigned to the corresponding antenna arrays can be the same RF PLL-#2 903.

[0129] In any time slot N+2990, the switch matrix control unit 921 can input a switch matrix control signal, which controls the switch matrix according to a predetermined scheduling criterion, to the switch matrix 911. The switch matrix 911, receiving the switch matrix control signal, can use beamforming for the second communication service operator to support communication services for a total of four antenna arrays 931, 933, 935, and 937. In this case, since all antenna arrays 931, 933, 935, and 937 correspond to the same second communication service operator's network, the RF PLLs assigned to the corresponding arrays can be the same RF PLL-#2 902.

[0130] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the mapping relationship between the antenna array and the terminal in a base station according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] refer to Figure 10 At least one or more antenna arrays can support communication services by using beamforming on the terminals of the corresponding communication service operators in any time slot.

[0132] In any time slot N 1010, a total of four antenna arrays 1011, 1012, 1013, and 1014 can support communication services for the first communication service operator by using beamforming. Therefore, a total of four antenna arrays 1011, 1012, 1013, and 1014 can support communication services for terminals supported by the first communication service operator by using beamforming. Furthermore, in situations where the corresponding terminal is in an environment where communication is difficult using only one antenna array, communication services can be supported by using beamforming from at least one or more antenna arrays 1018.

[0133] In any time slot N+1 1020, two antenna arrays 1021 and 1022 can support communication services for a first communication service operator using beamforming, and the remaining two antenna arrays 1023 and 1024 can support communication services for a second communication service operator using beamforming. Therefore, two antenna arrays 1021 and 1022 can support communication services for terminals supported by the first communication service operator using beamforming, and the remaining two antenna arrays 1023 and 1024 can support communication services for terminals supported by the second communication service operator using beamforming.

[0134] In any time slot N+21030, a total of four antenna arrays 1031, 1032, 1033, and 1034 can support communication services by using beamforming for the second communication service operator. Therefore, a total of four antenna arrays 1031, 1032, 1033, and 1034 can support communication services by using beamforming supported by the second communication service operator. Furthermore, in situations where the corresponding terminal is in an environment where communication is difficult using only one antenna array, communication services can be supported by using beamforming from at least one or more antenna arrays 1036.

[0135] Therefore, according to embodiments of this disclosure, in the configuration of the RF chain for each arbitrary time slot portion, there is an effect of taking into account the size of the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band to be operated as the size of the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band operated by an operator.

[0136] Furthermore, it can facilitate the implementation of components for base station equipment used in shared wireless network infrastructure, thereby reducing component costs and power consumption.

[0137] The methods described in the claims or specification of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0138] When implemented as software, a computer-readable storage medium may be provided to store one or more programs (software modules). The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be configured to be executed by one or more processors in an electronic device. The one or more programs include instructions to cause the electronic device to perform a method according to an embodiment described in the claims or specification of this disclosure.

[0139] Such programs (software modules, software) can be stored in random access memory, non-volatile memory including flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), disk storage devices, compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD) or other forms of optical storage devices, and magnetic tape. Alternatively, such programs can be stored in a memory configured with some or all of the above-mentioned types of memory. Furthermore, each configured memory may include multiple such memories.

[0140] Furthermore, the program can be stored in an attachable storage device that can be accessed via a communication network such as the Internet, intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or storage area network (SAN), or a combination thereof. Such a storage device can be connected to a device executing embodiments of this disclosure via an external port. Additionally, a separate storage device on the communication network can access the device executing embodiments of this disclosure.

[0141] In the specific embodiments described above in this disclosure, components included in this disclosure are represented in a singular or plural form according to the presented specific embodiments. However, for ease of explanation, singular or plural expressions are appropriately chosen for the presented situation, and this disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components, and even if a component is expressed in a plural form, it may be configured in a singular form, or even if it is expressed in a singular form, it may be configured in a plural form.

[0142] Furthermore, the embodiments of this disclosure disclosed in this specification and accompanying drawings are merely specific examples to readily explain the technical content of this disclosure and aid in understanding it, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical concepts of this disclosure can be implemented. Moreover, each of the above embodiments can be combined with each other as needed. For example, portions of one embodiment and another embodiment of this disclosure can be combined with each other to operate a base station and a terminal. For example, portions of multiple embodiments of this disclosure can be combined with each other to operate a base station and a terminal. Furthermore, the above embodiments have been proposed based on a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) LTE system, but other modifications based on the technical concepts of the above embodiments can be implemented in other systems such as Time Division Duplex (TDD) LTE, 5G, or NR systems.

[0143] In the specific embodiments of this disclosure described above, the components included in this disclosure are represented in a singular or plural form according to the presented embodiments. However, for ease of explanation, singular or plural representations are appropriately chosen for the presented situation, and this disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components; even if components are represented in a plural form, they may be configured in a singular form, or even if components are represented in a singular form, they may be configured in a plural form.

[0144] Furthermore, various modifications may be made during the detailed description of this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A base station in a wireless communication system, comprising: The baseband BB processor is configured to generate and output a signal in a first frequency band corresponding to a first frequency bandwidth. The intermediate frequency (IF) band processor is configured to convert a signal from the first frequency band output from the baseband processor into a signal from the second frequency band corresponding to the second frequency bandwidth and output the signal from the second frequency band. A switching matrix controller is configured to generate a switching matrix control signal for mapping one of at least one phase-locked loop (PLL) to an antenna array for each arbitrary time slot; as well as The radio frequency (RF) band processor is configured as follows: Based on the control signal of the switching matrix, using at least one PLL and the switching matrix, the signal of the second frequency band is converted into a signal of the third frequency band corresponding to the third frequency bandwidth, and After mapping the third frequency band signal onto the antenna array, the third frequency band signal is transmitted. Each of the at least one PLL corresponds to a frequency band operated by a different communication service operator.

2. The base station according to claim 1, wherein, The second frequency bandwidth is smaller than the third frequency bandwidth.

3. The base station according to claim 1, wherein, The size of the first frequency bandwidth is equal to the size of the second frequency bandwidth.

4. The base station according to claim 1, wherein, The baseband processor also includes a digital front-end (DFE) that generates information bits for each channel.

5. The base station according to claim 1, in, The intermediate frequency IF band processor also includes: The numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) is configured to generate digital signals in the fourth frequency band. The converter is configured to use a digital signal from a first frequency band to convert a signal from a second frequency band into a digital signal from a fourth frequency band, and to convert the digital signal from the second frequency band into an analog signal from the second frequency band. The center frequency of the fourth frequency band is equal to the center frequency of the second frequency band.

6. The base station according to claim 1, in, The PLL generates an analog signal in the fifth frequency band. The radio frequency band processor further includes a converter configured to use analog signals from the fifth frequency band to convert signals from the second frequency band to signals from the third frequency band. The center frequency of the third frequency band is equal to the sum of the center frequencies of the second and fifth frequency bands.

7. The base station according to claim 1, wherein there are multiple RF chains including a BB processor, an IF band processor, and an RF band processor. in, The switch matrix control signal is used to map at least one PLL to multiple antenna arrays.

8. The base station according to claim 1, in, The switch matrix control signal is determined by a predetermined scheduling criterion, and The predetermined scheduling criteria include at least one of the following: the ratio of the number of terminals connected to each communication service operator's network in any time slot and the data throughput required by each communication service operator's network.

9. A method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system, comprising: The baseband BB processor of the base station generates and outputs a signal of the first frequency band corresponding to the first frequency bandwidth; The intermediate frequency (IF) band processor of the base station converts the signal of the first frequency band output from the baseband processor into a signal of the second frequency band corresponding to the second frequency bandwidth and outputs the signal of the second frequency band. The base station's switch matrix controller generates switch matrix control signals for mapping one of at least one phase-locked loop (PLL) to the antenna array for each arbitrary time slot. as well as The base station RF band processor, based on the switch matrix control signal, uses at least one PLL and a switch matrix to convert the second band signal into a third band signal corresponding to the third frequency bandwidth, and then transmits the third band signal after mapping it onto the antenna array. Each of the at least one PLL corresponds to a frequency band operated by a different communication service operator.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The second frequency bandwidth is smaller than the third frequency bandwidth.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The size of the first frequency bandwidth is equal to the size of the second frequency bandwidth.

12. The method according to claim 9, in, The switch matrix control signal is determined by a predetermined scheduling criterion, and The predetermined scheduling criteria include at least one of the following: the ratio of the number of terminals connected to each communication service operator's network in any time slot and the data throughput required by each communication service operator's network.

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