Active Beamforming Network Element for Base Station Antenna Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges with high power consumption and large physical size of remote radio heads, which affect power efficiency and reliability, and existing antenna array technologies are suboptimal for supporting multiple users and beam forming in 3G cellular networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an active antenna array system that allows for wireless communication between a Node-B and an antenna array, using a low-power power amplifier and eliminating the need for coaxial cables, enabling agile beam forming and distributed signal processing to reduce amplifier and duplexer component specifications, and allowing for independent processing of polarisation diversity signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote radio heads are used to enable beam forming, then beam forming capability is improved, but power consumption and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the beam forming functionality by distributing signal processing across multiple antenna elements rather than concentrating all processing in a single remote radio head. Each antenna element can be controlled independently to form beams, allowing the system to achieve beam forming capability while reducing the power and size requirements of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam forming where the phase and amplitude of signals at each antenna element are adjusted in real-time based on channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve superior beam forming performance without requiring oversized static hardware, as the same hardware can be reconfigured for different beam patterns and directions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote radio heads are used to enable beam forming, then beam forming capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to thermal management issues
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the radio frequency processing across multiple lower-power antenna elements rather than concentrating power in a single remote radio head, the system reduces thermal generation at any single location. This segmentation improves reliability by avoiding the thermal management problems that plague high-power concentrated designs.
3Ease of operation
If coaxial cables are used to connect base station to antenna array, then signal transmission is achieved, but power loss and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coaxial cable transmission system with wireless or alternative transmission methods for controlling antenna elements. This substitution eliminates the power losses inherent in coaxial cable transmission while maintaining the ability to transmit control signals and power to antenna elements efficiently.
4Productivity
If conventional antenna array technologies are used, then basic signal transmission is achieved, but support for multiple users and beam forming is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the antenna array into independently controllable elements, each capable of receiving and transmitting signals. This segmentation enables the system to form multiple simultaneous beams directed at different users, thereby improving both user support capacity and beam forming performance compared to conventional arrays where elements are more tightly coupled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic signal processing that adapts the phase and amplitude of each antenna element based on channel state information. This dynamic processing enables optimal beam forming for multiple users simultaneously, allowing the system to achieve superior multi-user support and beam forming capability compared to static conventional antenna arrays.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network element for a wireless communication system is locatable to couple at least one base station to an antenna array. The network element comprises at least one receiver arranged to receive a radio frequency signal from the at least one base station or the antenna array and modem logic operably coupled to the at least one receiver. The modem logic comprises radio frequency conversion circuitry arranged to down-convert a received radio frequency signal to a baseband signal; analogue-to-digital conversion logic arranged to convert the baseband signal to digitized signals; and beam-form processing logic arranged to perform active beam-forming adjustment on the digitized signals. The modem logic further comprises digital-to-analogue conversion logic arranged to convert the beam-form adjusted digitized signals to analogue signals and radio frequency conversion circuitry arranged to up-convert the analogue signals to a radio frequency radio signal for forwarding to the antenna array or the at least one base station.