Backfire Distributed Antenna System with Delayed Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cellular network strategies face challenges in providing consistent indoor coverage due to high penetration losses, high power load, and limited cell isolation, which degrade data throughput and increase soft handover zones, especially in HSDPA systems.

Innovation Solution

A distributed antenna system (DAS) with a backfire configuration and delayed signal transmission between widely spaced antennas, utilizing MIMO techniques like Space Time Coding and Spatial Multiplexing, to improve signal isolation and consistency, thereby enhancing the geometry factor and overall network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microcells are deployed in high traffic urban areas to provide deep indoor coverage, then coverage and capacity are improved, but cell isolation between neighboring cells deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor coverageVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coverage area by deploying multiple microcells with widely spaced antennas (300-500 meters apart) rather than using a single large cell. This segmentation creates distinct cell boundaries and reduces overlap between neighboring cells, thereby improving cell isolation while maintaining deep indoor coverage in high traffic areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial dimension solution by widely distributing antennas across the coverage area rather than concentrating them in one location. This dimensional spread of antenna positions creates better geometric separation between cells, reducing interference while providing comprehensive indoor coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If microcells are deployed with typical inter-site distances of 300-500 meters, then deep indoor coverage is achieved, but soft handover zones increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeep indoor coverageVSAvoidsoft handover zone
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the specific geometry and positioning of each microcell based on local coverage requirements. By carefully selecting antenna positions and orientations within the 300-500 meter inter-site distance range, the system achieves deep indoor coverage in specific areas while minimizing the creation of large soft handover zones between cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If HSDPA operates on the same channel in neighbor cells, then spectral efficiency is improved, but signal to interference ratio deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of same-channel operation into a benefit by using widely spaced antenna positions (300-500 meters) to create natural geometric isolation. This spatial separation transforms the interference problem into an opportunity to maintain spectral efficiency through frequency reuse while the physical distance and antenna geometry provide sufficient isolation to protect the signal-to-interference ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Device complexity

If multiple antennas are closely spaced in MIMO networks, then device complexity is reduced, but signal coverage consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna configurationVSAvoidsignal coverage consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the MIMO antenna system into widely spaced antenna positions (300-500 meters apart) rather than using closely spaced arrays. This segmentation maintains manageable device complexity at each antenna location while the widespread geometric distribution across the coverage area ensures consistent signal coverage by providing diverse propagation paths and reducing shadowing effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2396907B1Backfire distributed antenna system (DAS) with delayed transport
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP2396907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2396907B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2396907B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A distributed antenna system (DAS) is provided, comprising a host unit and a plurality of remote placed to define a common coverage area. Each of the plurality of remote units is communicatively coupled to the host unit, points at least partially towards the common coverage area, and simulcasts data from the host unit.