Antenna Sub-Array Selection for Backhaul and Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In antenna arrays, especially in 5G New Radio (NR) cellular base stations, there is a challenge in efficiently managing backhaul and access communications to minimize interference and maximize spectral efficiency, as existing technologies struggle to optimally select sub-arrays for these functions based on interference and power thresholds.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method involve transmitting reference signals from multiple sub-arrays with varying beamwidths, receiving measurement signals from user terminals, and selectively choosing sub-arrays for backhaul and access communications based on interference and power thresholds, ensuring that sub-arrays with acceptable interference and power levels are used for backhaul, while the remaining sub-arrays are utilized for access communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If reference signals are transmitted from all sub-arrays simultaneously, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but cross-link interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple sub-arrays, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to transmit reference signals from selected sub-arrays rather than all sub-arrays simultaneously, thereby reducing cross-link interference while maintaining effective coverage through coordinated sub-array operations.
2Measurement precision
If sub-arrays with narrow beamwidth are selected for backhaul, then backhaul link precision improves, but coverage area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sub-arrays with different beamwidth characteristics are deployed within the antenna array structure. The system selects specific sub-arrays for backhaul communications based on their local quality characteristics (beamwidth, gain patterns) to match specific communication requirements, while other sub-arrays with broader coverage characteristics can be used for access communications, thereby resolving the trade-off between precision and coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively mitigates cross-link interference, maximizes spectral efficiency, and ensures reliable communication by optimizing the selection of sub-arrays for backhaul and access communications, enhancing the overall performance of antenna arrays in cellular networks.
Implementation Method 1
The radio waves radiated by each antenna may combine to contribute constructively to enhance the power radiating in desired directions
Implementation Method 2
cancel by interfering destructively to reduce the power radiated in other directions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method is disclosed in relation to antenna arrays. The method may include transmitting a reference signal to one or more remote user terminals from each of a plurality of sub-arrays of an antenna array, each sub-array including a quantity of radiating elements of the antenna array capable of establishing a backhaul link with a remote communications node. The method may also include receiving measurement signals from the one or more remote user terminals, indicative of one or more characteristics of the received reference signals. The method may also include selecting, based on received measurement signals, a first subset of the sub-arrays for backhaul communications with the remote communications node and a second subset of the sub-arrays, including one or more of the remaining sub-arrays, for access communications with the one or more remote user terminals.