Digital Antenna Switching for Multi-Sector RRU Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks face inefficiencies in coverage and resource utilization, particularly in low-traffic areas, leading to increased costs and resource waste due to the need for multiple antennas and RRUs, which are often idle.
Innovation Solution
An antenna switching method that determines an antenna identifier based on air interface transmission information to switch channels between multiple antennas using a digital switch, reducing the number of RRUs required and optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple antennas and RRUs are deployed to ensure signal coverage in remote areas, then coverage range is improved, but device cost and resource waste increase due to low traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single RRU device to serve multiple antennas by implementing antenna switching functionality. The RRU can dynamically switch between different antennas based on traffic requirements, making one RRU universal for multiple antenna connections. This resolves the contradiction by reducing the quantity of RRU devices needed while maintaining coverage capability through time-division multiplexing of antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic antenna switching capability where the RRU can change its connected antenna based on real-time traffic conditions. Instead of a static one-to-one mapping between RRU and antenna, the system dynamically reconfigures connections to match traffic demands, thereby reducing the number of RRUs required in low-traffic areas while maintaining coverage.
2Reliability
If multiple RRUs are deployed to support multiple antennas, then signal coverage is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates as RRUs remain idle in low-traffic areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by enabling a single RRU to sequentially serve multiple antennas through switching. Instead of having multiple RRUs sitting idle, the single RRU continuously switches between antennas to handle incoming traffic, ensuring that the RRU resource is always actively utilized when needed while maintaining signal coverage across all sectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna switching operates periodically or dynamically based on traffic patterns, allowing the RRU to cycle through different antenna connections. This periodic switching ensures that each antenna receives adequate service while the RRU remains continuously productive, resolving the contradiction between maintaining coverage and avoiding idle resources.
3Device complexity
If a single RRU supports a single antenna, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as the RRU cannot serve multiple sectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the RRU universal by adding switching capability that allows it to connect to multiple antennas. The RRU maintains its simple single-device structure while gaining the ability to serve multiple sectors through time-division multiplexing. This resolves the contradiction by providing multi-sector adaptability without increasing device complexity, as the switching function is integrated into the existing RRU architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide antenna switching methods and apparatuses. In an implementation, a first communication device determines a first antenna identifier based on air interface transmission information, the first communication device sends the first antenna identifier to a digital switch, and the digital switch switches from a second switch state to a first switch state based on the first antenna identifier, where the first switch state indicates that a second communication device communicates with the first antenna within a first time unit, and the second switch state indicates that the second communication device communicates with a second antenna within a second time unit.