Base Station Modem Dynamic Range Extension via Time Shifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In rural areas with sparsely populated base stations, handoffs between neighboring cells often result in dropped connections and dead zones where mobile communication devices cannot connect to either base station, leading to poor coverage and frequent call drops.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a base station modem that dynamically extends the service region by advancing the signal sent by the base station and delaying the time window for listening to responses from mobile communication devices, allowing for increased coverage without affecting synchronization with the mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the service region of a base station is statically extended by increasing the time window for listening to responses, then the coverage area is improved, but the synchronization with mobile devices is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice regionVSAvoidsynchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the time window adjustment adaptive rather than static. The base station dynamically extends the time window based on real-time conditions such as mobile device location, signal strength, and handoff state. This allows the system to optimize between coverage extension and synchronization maintenance according to actual operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between fixed service region and dynamic coverage needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of time window duration dynamically. Instead of using a fixed time window, the system adjusts the time window parameter based on factors like distance to mobile devices, signal attenuation, and handoff transitions. This parameter change allows the base station to extend coverage when needed while maintaining synchronization by reducing the time window when devices are in stable connected states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If more base stations are added to eliminate dead zones, then the coverage is improved, but the cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbase station population

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively extending the service region of existing base stations before mobile devices enter dead zones. By dynamically adjusting the time window in advance based on predicted device trajectories and signal conditions, the base station can maintain continuous coverage without requiring additional base stations. This prevents dead zones from forming in the first place, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing base stations multi-functional by enabling them to dynamically adapt their service region boundaries. Instead of having fixed, static coverage areas, base stations can universally adjust their operational parameters to cover varying areas depending on traffic patterns, device locations, and network conditions. This multi-functionality allows a single base station to serve multiple potential coverage scenarios without requiring dedicated base stations for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If the time window for listening to responses is extended, then the service region is expanded, but the handoff smoothness is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice regionVSAvoidhandoff smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms to monitor handoff conditions and adjust the time window accordingly. The base station receives feedback about device status, signal quality, and handoff progress, and uses this information to dynamically modify the time window parameter. This feedback loop ensures that the time window is extended only when necessary to maintain coverage during handoff, while being reduced when conditions are stable, thus maintaining handoff smoothness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11463975B2Base station dynamic range extension

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Dynamic range extension of a base station. In one instance, the base station includes a base station modem having a modulator-demodulator, a clock buffer providing an advanced time signal to the modulator-demodulator, a receiver buffer coupled between the modulator-demodulator and a transceiver, a transmitter buffer coupled between the modulator-demodulator and the transceiver, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to determine a first amount by which to modify a range of a service region of the base station. The electronic processor is also configured to introduce a first delay in the receiver buffer corresponding to the first amount and introduce a second delay in the transmitter buffer corresponding to the first amount.