Combining-Splitting Communication Module for Massive MIMO Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing CPRI-based digital signal transmission between BBU and RU in communication systems faces limitations in capacity, especially with massive MIMO, leading to bottlenecks due to lower-order modulation, which is costly and power-intensive when higher-order modulation is required.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication module with a combining and splitting unit and digital-to-analog conversion units to convert digital signals to analog signals, allowing higher-order modulation on the analog carrier, thereby eliminating the need for additional higher-order modulation, thus improving transmission efficiency and capacity while reducing costs and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lower-order modulation is used for digital signal transmission on CPRI, then cost and power consumption are reduced, but transmission capacity is limited and cannot meet massive MIMO requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the modulation parameter from digital lower-order modulation to analog higher-order modulation. By converting digital signals to analog signals before transmission, the system enables higher-order modulation (e.g., 16-QAM, 64-QAM) on the analog carrier, significantly increasing transmission capacity while avoiding the high power consumption associated with digital higher-order modulation at the baseband unit.
2Productivity
If higher-order modulation is applied at the baseband unit, then transmission capacity is improved, but cost and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the higher-order modulation function from the baseband unit and relocates it to the radio unit. The baseband unit only performs digital-to-analog conversion and transmits analog signals, while the radio unit performs the higher-order modulation on the analog carrier. This division of labor reduces the complexity and cost of the baseband unit while maintaining high transmission capacity.
3Productivity
If digital signal transmission is used on CPRI, then implementation is standard and simple, but transmission capacity becomes a bottleneck for massive MIMO
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an analog signal as an intermediary between the baseband unit and radio unit. Instead of directly transmitting digital signals through CPRI, the system converts digital signals to analog signals at the baseband unit, transmits the analog signals through the radio unit, and then converts them back to digital signals. This intermediary analog signal layer enables higher transmission capacity while maintaining system implementability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances transmission efficiency and capacity without additional higher-order modulation, meeting the demands of massive MIMO while minimizing costs and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a digital-to-analog conversion unit... convert the digital signal received from the combining and splitting unit into an analog signal
Data Source
AI summary
A communication module is provided. The communication module includes a digital-to-analog conversion unit and a combining and splitting unit connected to the digital-to-analog conversion unit, and a digital signal is transmitted between the combining and splitting unit and the digital-to-analog conversion unit. The combining and splitting unit is configured to: in a first transmission direction, combine multi-carrier signals into one digital signal and transmit the digital signal to the digital-to-analog conversion unit; and in a second transmission direction, split one digital signal received from the digital-to-analog conversion unit into a plurality of multi-carrier signals. The digital-to-analog conversion unit is configured to: in the first transmission direction, convert the digital signal received from the combining and splitting unit into an analog signal; and in the second transmission direction, convert a received analog signal into the digital signal and transmit the digital signal to the combining and splitting unit.