Digital Multichannel I/Q Interface for Radio Distribution Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication systems between base stations and repeaters in telecommunications networks require complex signal processing and high-power RF amplification, leading to increased equipment costs and power consumption due to the use of radio frequency communication links for digital-to-analog conversion and signal processing.
Innovation Solution
A digital multichannel I/Q interface is introduced, which receives and reformats wideband I/Q data streams, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog conversion and RF amplification by directly transmitting digital signals between the base station and repeater, using frame timing information for synchronization and multiplexing to maintain frame alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radio frequency communication links are used for digital-to-analog conversion and signal processing, then communication functionality is achieved, but equipment costs and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the radio frequency communication link with a digital baseband interface that directly transmits I/Q data streams. This substitution eliminates the need for digital-to-analog conversion and RF amplification, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining communication functionality between the base station and repeater.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary RF signal processing components (DAC and power amplifier) from the communication path. By directly transmitting digital baseband signals, the system eliminates the harmful conversion processes while preserving the essential information transfer function.
2Reliability
If radio frequency communication links are used for digital-to-analog conversion and signal processing, then communication functionality is achieved, but equipment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex RF hardware (DAC, power amplifier, RF front-end components) with a simpler digital baseband interface. This replacement reduces equipment costs while maintaining the ability to transmit communication signals between base station and repeater.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes unnecessary RF signal processing equipment from the system architecture. By eliminating DAC and power amplifier components, the system reduces both equipment costs and device complexity while preserving core communication functionality through direct digital signal transmission.
3Reliability
If digital-to-analog conversion and RF amplification are performed, then signal transmission is achieved, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex signal processing operations (digital-to-analog conversion, RF modulation, power amplification) with direct digital signal transmission. The baseband interface transmits I/Q data streams without conversion, thereby reducing signal processing complexity while maintaining transmission reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital multichannel interface for a first unit of a radio distribution system, the digital multichannel interface comprising a first uplink interface and a first downlink interface. The first uplink interface is configured to receive uplink transmit frames from a second unit of the radio distribution system, the uplink transmit frames including frame timing information, the radio distribution system including a plurality of remote units communicatively coupled to at least one of the first unit or the second unit. The first downlink interface is configured to: generate a plurality of reformatted wideband downlink I/Q data streams based on the frame timing information extracted from the uplink transmit frames received from the second unit; generate downlink transmit frames including the plurality of reformatted wideband downlink I/Q data streams; and provide the downlink transmit frames to the second unit.