Asymmetric Sectorization for Wireless Base Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems face limitations in capacity and coverage due to the need for identical sectorization configurations for both uplink and downlink, which restricts the optimization of antenna beam-forming and increases complexity and cost, especially when transitioning from 3-sector to 6-sector configurations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of asymmetric radio coverage sectorization, where a base station can have 6 sectors for downlink and 3 sectors for uplink, using one transmit antenna per sector for downlink and two receive antennas per sector for uplink, allowing independent optimization of sectorization configurations for improved capacity and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of sectors per base station is increased to six with one receive antenna per sector, then downlink capacity is improved, but uplink coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by allowing different sectorization configurations for uplink and downlink. Specifically, the base station can have 6 downlink sectors with one transmit antenna per sector while having only 3 uplink sectors with two receive antennas per sector. This asymmetric configuration enables the base station to optimize downlink capacity through increased sectorization while maintaining uplink coverage through receive antenna diversity, thereby resolving the contradiction between downlink capacity improvement and uplink coverage deterioration.
2Reliability
If the total number of transmit antennas per base station is increased to 12 for 6-sector deployment with two antennas per sector, then uplink coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the same physical antenna to serve multiple sectors through beamforming and spatial multiplexing techniques. Instead of requiring 12 separate physical antennas for 6 sectors with two antennas per sector, the base station uses a smaller number of antennas (e.g., 6 or fewer) that can dynamically form multiple beams serving different sectors. This reduces hardware complexity and cost while maintaining the capability to provide 6-sector downlink coverage and 3-sector uplink coverage with receive diversity.
3Device complexity
If identical sectorization configurations are used for both uplink and downlink, then system simplicity is maintained, but capacity optimization is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sectorization configuration flexible and adaptable rather than fixed and identical for both uplink and downlink. The base station can dynamically adjust the number of sectors and antenna configurations based on traffic conditions, channel characteristics, and service requirements. For example, during peak downlink traffic periods, the system can activate 6 downlink sectors with one antenna per sector to maximize downlink capacity, while during uplink-heavy periods, it can switch to 3 uplink sectors with two receive antennas per sector to optimize uplink coverage, thereby achieving capacity optimization without sacrificing system simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, apparatus and method for flexible sectorization in a wireless communication system are disclosed. For example, a system for flexible sectorization in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The system includes a base communication unit, a plurality of first communication link sector generation units coupled to the base communication unit, and at least a second communication link sector generation unit coupled to the base communication unit. Each communication link sector generation unit is configured to generate at least one associated sector for radio coverage, and the number of first communication link sector generation units is not equal to the number of second communication link sector generation units.