Baseband Compression on Ethernet Links to Remote Radio Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio access networks face challenges in providing consistent and high-quality radio frequency (RF) coverage in densely populated locations, such as buildings, due to limitations in data transmission capacity and interference management.

Innovation Solution

A communication system comprising remote units and a controller, where the remote units exchange RF signals with mobile devices, and the controller, connected via a switched Ethernet network, performs real-time scheduling and compression of baseband data, including synchronization and time stamp messaging to manage timing and interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data are compressed for transmission over Ethernet connections between base station processor and remote RF units, then data transmission capacity is improved, but transmission quality and reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidtransmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different compression levels for different data types (PRACH and PUSCH use different compression parameters) to optimize both transmission capacity and quality. By adjusting compression parameters dynamically based on data type and network conditions, the system achieves high data transmission capacity while maintaining transmission reliability through selective compression strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple mobile devices share communication resources in densely populated locations, then network capacity is improved, but interference between devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinterference between devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into distributed remote RF units and a central base station processor, allowing multiple mobile devices to be served simultaneously through spatial segmentation. Each remote unit handles specific geographic areas or device groups, enabling high network capacity while managing interference through localized resource allocation and spatial separation of communication channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a Distributed Antenna System is used to provide RF coverage in buildings, then coverage quality is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF coverage qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal Ethernet-based communication infrastructure that serves multiple functions: data transmission, compression, timing synchronization, and device interconnection. This multi-functional approach provides consistent high-quality RF coverage across distributed antenna locations while reducing overall system complexity by using standardized Ethernet technology for all communication needs between remote units and the base station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3094155B1Base station using compression on links to remote radio heads
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3094155B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3094155B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3094155B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

Among other things, a communication system comprising remote units and a controller is described. Each of the remote units comprises one or more radio frequency (RF) units to exchange RF signals with mobile devices. At least some of the RF signals comprise information destined for, or originating from, a mobile device. The controller comprises one or more modems and is connected to an external network. At least one of the modems is a baseband modem and is configured to pass first data corresponding to the information. The at least one of the modems is configured to perform real-time scheduling of the first data corresponding to the information. The controller is separated from the remote units by an intermediate network. The intermediate network comprises a switched Ethernet network over which second data corresponding to the information is carried in frames between the controller and the remote units.