Dynamic Antenna Switching for Shared RRU Cell Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication networks face inefficiencies in coverage and resource utilization, particularly in low-traffic areas, leading to increased costs and resource waste due to the need for multiple RRUs to maintain signal coverage, which are often idle in such areas.

Innovation Solution

An antenna switching method that allows a single RRU to connect to multiple antennas dynamically based on air interface transmission information, using a digital switch to optimize resource allocation and reduce RRU device costs by enabling flexible cell coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If antenna switching is implemented to support full-duplex communication, then communication efficiency and spectrum utilization are improved, but system complexity and signal interference risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is segmented into multiple independent antennas that can be individually controlled and switched. The communication process is divided into different time slots or frequency bands, allowing separate handling of uplink and downlink signals through antenna switching, thereby improving communication efficiency while managing system complexity through modular organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic antenna switching mechanisms where antenna connections are dynamically adjusted based on communication requirements. The switching system adapts in real-time to optimize signal transmission and reception, enabling full-duplex operation by dynamically allocating different antennas for simultaneous uplink and downlink communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If antenna switching is implemented to support full-duplex communication, then spectrum utilization is improved, but self-interference and signal leakage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidself-interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an antenna switching mechanism as an intermediary component that mediates between transmitting and receiving operations. By using a switching network as an intermediary, the system can isolate transmit and receive paths while enabling full-duplex communication, thereby reducing self-interference and signal leakage between simultaneous transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna switching operates periodically or in synchronized intervals to alternate between transmission and reception modes on different antennas. This periodic switching pattern allows the system to achieve full-duplex functionality while minimizing interference through time-division or frequency-division strategies implemented via the switching mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4224722B1Antenna switching method and related device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4224722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4224722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose an antenna switching method, applied to a mobile communication network. A first communication device determines a first antenna identifier based on air interface transmission information, the first communication device sends the first antenna identifier to a digital switch, and the digital switch switches from a second switch state to a first switch state based on the first antenna identifier, where the first switch state indicates that a second communication device communicates with the first antenna within a first time unit, and the second switch state indicates that the second communication device communicates with a second antenna within a second time unit.