Hybrid Base Station and RRH Architecture for CPRI Baseband Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base stations face challenges in flexibility and future upgradeability, particularly with the integration of 5G technology, as they often require hard-to-swap baseband cards and lack support for various remote radio head types and baseband processing splits.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid base station design incorporating a baseband card and radio head with a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) enables dual functionality as both a base station and remote radio head, allowing for flexible RAN splits and future upgrades by switching between CPRI and Ethernet backhaul.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If base stations are designed as all-in-one devices with integrated baseband processing, then device simplicity and initial deployment ease are improved, but future upgradeability and flexibility are worsened due to hard-to-swap baseband cards
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is divided into separate functional modules: remote radio heads (RRHs) for radio frequency operations and baseband processing units for signal processing. These modules can be independently upgraded and configured, allowing the system to evolve from integrated to distributed architectures without replacing entire devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The baseband processing unit is designed to support multiple radio access technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) and can function in different operational modes including standalone baseband processing and CPRI-based RRH control. This multi-functionality enables a single device to adapt to various deployment scenarios and future technology requirements.
2Reliability
If base stations use fixed baseband processing architecture, then system stability and reliability are improved, but flexibility in supporting different remote radio head types and baseband processing splits is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The baseband processing unit incorporates dynamic configuration capabilities through software-defined radio (SDR) technology, allowing real-time reconfiguration of processing parameters, protocol stacks, and interface configurations. This enables the system to adapt to different RRH types and processing split scenarios without hardware changes, maintaining stability while enhancing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes configurable parameters including CPRI interface rates, processing split points, and radio access technology settings that can be adjusted through software. These parameter changes enable the same hardware platform to support multiple RRH types and operational modes, resolving the contradiction between fixed architecture stability and adaptive flexibility.
3Extent of automation
If base stations implement centralized baseband processing only, then network control and management are improved, but support for distributed and aggregated baseband processing schemes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The baseband processing unit is designed as a universal platform that can operate in multiple modes: centralized processing with full network control, distributed processing with local autonomy, and aggregated processing with coordinated operation. Software configuration determines the operational mode, enabling a single device type to support all processing architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational characteristics based on network requirements, transitioning between centralized and distributed processing modes. The baseband unit can function as a standalone processing node or as a remote unit connected via CPRI, with software controlling the degree of centralization and coordination with other network elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed for providing base station and Remote Radio Head (RRH) functionality. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed, the method for providing base station and Remote Radio Head (RRH) functionality in a base station, comprising: providing a baseband card; providing a radio head, the radio head coupled to the baseband card by way of an interface; and switching, under the control of a processor, between use of the baseband card and use of an external baseband unit for controlling the radio head, the external baseband unit used via a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) port, thereby providing dual base station and remote radio head functionality.