A smart repeater operating in reflecting and relaying modes

Abstract

Invention is a smart repeater (100) for relaying telecommunication signals. It is characterized by comprising at least a first carrier plate (121) which is facing a base station (200) and at least a second carrier plate (122) which is facing an opposite direction; comprising plurality of antenna elements (130) which are configured to selectively operate between a reflection mode where received communication signal is reflected back to a first direction that carrier plate that is carrying antennas that received the communication signal is facing and a relaying mode where received signal is fed to said uplink line (141) or said downlink line (142) to be transmitted to a second direction by antennas that are on the carrier plates that are on the opposite side of the carrier plates that are carrying antennas that received the communication signal; comprising a controller (110) configured to control antenna elements' (130) operating mode.

Description

[0001] A SMART REPEATER OPERATING IN REFLECTING AND RELAYING MODES

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Invention relates to a smart repeater (network controlled repeater) for relaying telecommunication between devices.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The coverage enhancement for 5G systems is a challenge in 3GPP standards. Radio frequency repeaters are known in the art to widen the coverage area, but they work independently and create interference. Therefore, a network-controlled repeater (NCR), also known as a smart repeater (SR), is developed in order to enhance the coverage. Additional functions in NCR make it superior and smarter than traditional repeaters, including time division duplex (TDD) information access, RU on / off, and multi-beam operation. To incorporate these features, a control unit is added to NCR that performs simple baseband processing to retrieve the side information from the control signals sent by the base station. The side information helps to improve its performance. For instance, it can exploit TDD information for efficient amplification and forward relaying or beamforming the signals toward the users and base station. Besides, with on / off information, it can turn off to save power and avoid the unnecessary amplification of noise signals.

[0006] The current network-controlled repeater operation is only works in amplify and forward configuration. The NCR device can be controlled by the base station and turned off when the NCR operation is not necessary to save energy. NCR by its design has two antenna units separated by each other and physically separated to overcome self-interference problem. However, this type design limits the coverage region of the NCR device.

[0007] WO2021022241 discloses a control method for smart repeaters to receive the RF signal and control information over a bandwidth part. Then extract the information to select the beams and use those beams to receive or transmit information from or to one or more devices based on the control information. WO2022228786A1 discloses a reconfigurable intelligent beamforming system comprising a passive fixed array panel configured to receive signals and focus the signals to provide focused signals towards at least one fixed location, and at least one intelligent surface at the at least one fixed location, the at least one intelligent surface configured to receive the focused signals and to control beamforming of the focused signals to provide beamformed signals.

[0008] US2017069967 discloses an antenna is including an electromagnetic metasurface. The electromagnetic characteristics of the antenna are dynamically tunable thus allowing reflection of signals.

[0009] Tierui Gong et al. “Holographic MIMO Communications: Theoretical Foundations, Enabling Technologies, and Future Directions” and Jiancheng An. Et al. “A Tutorial on Holographic MIMO Communications — Part II: Performance Analysis and Holographic Beamforming” discloses holographic antennas and meta-surfaces that are able to reflect or receive radio frequency signals.

[0010] All the problems mentioned above have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant technical field as a result.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a smart repeater to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0013] An object of the invention is to increase coverage area and quality of a cell.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a smart repeater that contributes to cell reception in power saving mode.

[0015] To achieve all the objects mentioned above and that will emerge from the following detailed description, the present invention relates to a smart repeater for relaying telecommunication signals. Accordingly, it is characterized in that comprising at least a first carrier plate which is facing a base station and at least a second carrier plate which is facing an opposite direction; plurality of antenna elements are provided on said first carrier plate and said second carrier plate; at least an uplink line and at least a downlink line are provided between antenna elements of first carrier plate and second carrier plate; antenna elements are configured to selectively operate between a reflection mode where received communication signal is reflected back to a first direction that carrier plate that is carrying antennas that received the communication signal is facing and a relaying mode where received signal is fed to said uplink line or said downlink line to be transmitted to a second direction by antennas that are on the carrier plates that are on the opposite side of the carrier plates that are carrying antennas that received the communication signal; comprising a controller configured to control antenna elements’ operating mode. Thus, coverage area and quality of a cell reception is increased. Enables user equipment that are obstructed from base station’s direct communication signal to receive reflected communication signals. In other words, this allows coverage of blind spots.

[0016] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least some of the antenna elements are holographic antennas.

[0017] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least some of antenna elements are meta-surface antennas.

[0018] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that control unit is configured to operate at least some of the antennas in the reflecting mode and some of the antennas in relaying mode.

[0019] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized by comprising at least a first amplification element provided on uplink line and at least a second amplification element provided on downlink line; comprising a first reflection switch element and a second reflection switch element, controlled by said controller, connecting uplink line to downlink line in such way that received uplink communication signal is fed to downlink line in order to be transmitted back from the antenna elements that are provided on the carrier plate that received the communication signal; and received downlink communication signal is fed to uplink line in order to be transmitted back from the antenna elements that are provided on the carrier plate that received the communication signal.

[0020] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that smart repeater is configured to operate in a power saving mode where antenna elements operate in reflection mode and rest of the antenna elements are in off state. Thus, power consumption is greatly reduced while providing coverage using reflection. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that controller is configured to receive instruction signals from a base station in order to control operation mode of smart repeater or antenna elements.

[0021] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that controller is configured to control antenna elements’ operating channels; controller is configured to operate at least some of the antenna elements that is dedicated to receive communication signals in a first channel in reflection mode; and operate at least some of the antenna elements that is dedicated to receive a communication signal in a second channel in relaying mode.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a drawing illustrating schematic view of the smart repeater.

[0024] Figure 2 is a drawing illustrating schematic view of the system.

[0025] Figure 3 is a drawing illustrating representative an operating scenario of the system.

[0026] Figure 4 is a drawing illustrating representative an operating scenario of the system.

[0027] Figure 5 is a drawing illustrating representative an operating scenario of the system.

[0028] REFERENCE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE FIGURE

[0029] 100 Smart repeater

[0030] 110 Controller

[0031] 121 First carrier plate

[0032] 122 Second carrier plate

[0033] 130 Antenna elements

[0034] 141 Uplink line

[0035] 142 Downlink line

[0036] 151 First reflection switch element

[0037] 152 Second reflection switch element

[0038] 153 Connection line

[0039] 160 Amplification element

[0040] 200 Base station 300 User equipment

[0041] 310 First user equipment

[0042] 320 Second user equipment

[0043] 400 Obstacle

[0044] 510 First device

[0045] 520 Second device

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] In this detailed description, the subject matter is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

[0048] Referring to figure 1 , present invention is a smart repeater (100) for relaying communication signals between a base station (200) and user equipment (300) or between other devices that realize radio frequency communication. Smart repeater (100), selectively reflects and / or relays communication signals in hybrid manner. Smart repeater (100) comprises a controller (1 10) in order to control operation functions thereof. Smart repeaters (100) are known in the art as smart repeater device (SRD) or network controlled repeaters (NCR).

[0049] Smart repeater (100) comprises a first carrier plate (121 ) facing a base station (200) and a second carrier plate (122) facing an opposite side. Carrier plates comprise antenna elements in order to receive and transmit communication signals in radio frequency. Antenna elements may comprise beamforming circuitry and other well-known components in the art. Thus, further details are not disclosed herein.

[0050] Referring to figure 2, an uplink line (141 ) and a downlink line (142) and an uplink line (141 ) is provided between antenna elements that are on first carrier plate (121 ) and antenna elements that are on second carrier plate (122). Uplink line (141 ) is provided to receive, amplify and transmit uplink communication signals. Downlink line (142) is provided in order to receive, amplify and transmit downlink communication signals. Uplink line (141 ) and downlink line (142) comprises amplification element (160). Uplink line (141 ) and downlink line (142) may comprise frequency shifting elements (not shown in the drawings) controlled by controller (110) in order the shift the frequencies of signals before they are transmitted. Base station (200) is well- known in the art. Base station (200) may comprise RF transceivers, antennas, baseband processing components, controllers (1 10) and software in order to provide telecommunication between user equipment (300) in its cell and a wider network. Base station (200) may be a g- Node-B (gNB) base station (200).

[0051] Antenna elements (130) are configured to selectively operate in a reflection mode and a relaying mode. Said controller (1 10) is configured to control operating mode of antenna elements. Antenna elements (130) may be integrated into carrier plates (122).

[0052] In said reflective mode, antenna elements (130) reflects received communications signals towards the side that signal was received. In relaying mode, antenna elements (130) is fed to uplink line (141 ) or downlink line (142) to be transmitted by antenna elements (130) that are on the opposite side of the antenna elements that received the communication signal.

[0053] Referring to figure 3, invention is also a system that comprises at least a base station (200) and at least above mentioned smart repeater (100). Base station (200) is configured to command smart repeater (100) relating to communication channels to be used and operation mode to be operated in.

[0054] In a possible embodiment, at least some of the antenna elements (130) are holographic antennas. Holographic antennas are known in the art. Therefore specific operating principle is not disclosed herein. Holographic antennas are controlled by a controller (1 10) and they transmit received signals in desired directions.

[0055] In another possible embodiment, at least some of the antenna elements (130) are metasurface antennas. Meta surface antennas are also know in the art. Meta surface antennas reflect received transmission signals and may be used to receive transmission signals as well.

[0056] Referring to figure 2, in another possible embodiment, smart repeater (100) comprises at least a first amplification element (160) provided on uplink line (141 ) and at least a second amplification element (160) provided on downlink line (142). First (510) reflection switch (151 ) element and a second reflection switch element (152), are provided which are controlled by said controller (1 10). First reflection switch element (151 ) and second reflection switch element (152) connects uplink line (141 ) to downlink line (142) in such way that received uplink communication signal is fed to downlink line (142) in order to be transmitted back from the reflective antennas that are provided on the carrier plate that received the communication signal; and received downlink communication signal is fed to uplink line (141 ) in order to be transmitted back from the reflective antennas that are provided on the carrier plate that received the communication signal. First reflection switch (151 ) element and second reflection switch elements (152) are connected by connection lines (153) In a scenario when a downlink communication is received from reflective antenna elements (130) on the first carrier plate (121 ), if antenna elements (130) are operating in a reflection mode, first reflection switch element (151 ) connects to second reflection switch element (152). This enables feeding communication signal back to antennas that are on the first carrier plate (121 ). Antenna elements that are on the carrier plate transmits fed back communication signal, thus causing a reflection of communication signal. When relaying mode is activated, reflection switch elements separates inputs of amplification elements (160) on uplink line (141 ) and downlink line (142). This enables generic transmission of received signal from the antennas that are on second carrier plate (122). This embodiment gives example of an active reflection mode. In another embodiment, antenna elements (130) may operate in passive reflection mode where received signal is directly reflected back without going through reflection switches.

[0057] Amplification element (160) may be an RF amplifier. In a possible embodiment (160) amplification element (160) may be reflection type amplifier.

[0058] In a possible embodiment, controller (1 10) may operate some of the antenna elements (130) in reflecting and some of the antenna elements (130) in relaying mode. For instance, reflective antenna elements (130) that are dedicated to a first channel may operate in reflecting mode and antenna elements (130) that are dedicated to a second channel may operate in relaying mode.

[0059] Referring to figure 1 , base station (200) transmits a downlink communication signal in a first channel to a first user equipment (310). Base station (200) also transmits a downlink communication signal in a second channel to a second user equipment (320). Since, second user equipment (320) is between base station (200) and smart repeater (100) and first user equipment (310) is located facing second carrying plate of base station (200), base station (200) sends command signal to smart repeater (100) device so that smart repeater (100) device operates at least some of antenna elements dedicated to second channel on first carrier plate (121 ) in reflecting mode and operates antenna elements (130) dedicated to first channel on first carrier plate (121 ) in relaying mode. Thus, if communication signals transmitted from base station (200) to second user equipment (320) is blocked by an obstacle (400), signals reflected from smart repeater (100) may reach to second user equipment (320). Referring to figure 4, in an exemplary base station (200) transmits communication signal to user equipment (300) on first channel. A first device (510) transmits RF signal to a second device (520) on a second channel. Smart repeater (100) operates antenna elements (130) on first carrier plate (121 ) and second carrier plate (122). Smart repeater (100) operates some of the antenna elements (130) in relaying mode on first carrier plate (122) and some of the antenna elements (130) on second carrier plate (122) in reflective mode. Thus, first device (510) may send RF signal to second device (520) with help of smart repeater (100).

[0060] Referring to figure 5, in an exemplary scenario base station (200) transmits downlink communication signal to user equipment (300). In this scenario link between base station (200) and user equipment (300) may be weak. Smart repeater (100) operates reflective antenna elements (130) in passive reflection mode, and rest of the antennas in off state. Thus, smart repeater (100) provides reflection of communication signals consuming reduced power. In this embodiment meta surface antennas may be utilized in order to operate in passive reflection mode.

[0061] The scope of protection of the invention is specified in the attached claims and cannot be limited to those explained for sampling purposes in this detailed description. It is evident that a person skilled in the art may exhibit similar embodiments in light of the above-mentioned facts without drifting apart from the main theme of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A smart repeater (100) for relaying telecommunication signals characterized in that comprising at least a first carrier plate (121 ) which is facing a base station (200) and at least a second carrier plate (122) which is facing an opposite direction; plurality of antenna elements are provided on said first carrier plate (121 ) and said second carrier plate (122); at least an uplink line (141 ) and at least a downlink line (142) are provided between antenna elements of first carrier plate (121 ) and second carrier plate (122); antenna elements are configured to selectively operate between a reflection mode where received communication signal is reflected back to a first direction that carrier plate that is carrying antennas that received the communication signal is facing and a relaying mode where received signal is fed to said uplink line (141 ) or said downlink line (142) to be transmitted to a second direction by antennas that are on the carrier plates that are on the opposite side of the carrier plates that are carrying antennas that received the communication signal; comprising a controller (1 10) configured to control antenna elements’ (130) operating mode.

2. The smart repeater (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least some of the antenna elements (130) are holographic antennas.

3. The smart repeater (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least some of antenna elements (130) are meta-surface antennas.

4. The smart repeater (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that control unit (210) is configured to operate at least some of the antenna elements (130) in the reflecting mode and some of the antenna elements (130) in relaying mode.

5. The smart repeater (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that comprising at least a first amplification element (160) provided on uplink line (141 ) and at least a second amplification element (160) provided on downlink line (142); comprising a first reflection switch element (151 ) and a second reflection switch element (152), controlled by said controller (110), connecting uplink line (141 ) to downlink line (142) in such way that received uplink communication signal is fed to downlink line (142) in order to be transmitted back from the reflective antennas that are provided on the carrier plate that received the communication signal; and received downlink communication signal is fed to uplink line (141 ) in order to be transmitted back from the antenna elements (130) that are provided on the carrier plate that received the communication signal.

6. The smart repeater (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that smart repeater (100) is configured to operate in a power saving mode where antenna elements (130) operate in reflection mode.

7. The smart repeater (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that controller (1 10) is configured to receive instruction signals from a base station (200) in order to control operation mode of smart repeater (100) or antenna elements (130).

8. The smart repeater (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that controller (1 10) is configured to control antenna elements’ (130) operating channels; controller (110) is configured to operate at least some of the antenna elements (130) that is dedicated to receive communication signals in a first channel in reflection mode; and operate at least some of the antenna elements (130) that is dedicated to receive a communication signal in a second channel in relaying mode.

9. A system comprising a smart repeater (100) of one of the claims 1 -8 and a base station (200) which is configured to control said smart repeater (100).

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