Direct-Connect Active Antenna Repeater for MIMO and Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amplify and forward (AF) repeaters fail to optimize MIMO and carrier aggregation performance, leading to degraded signal-to-interference-and-noise ratios (SINR) and reduced network speeds and data throughput rates in radio terminal devices, particularly when used indoors or in rural areas, due to issues with antenna isolation, decorrelation, and interference amplification.
Innovation Solution
A direct-connect, 'one-way' amplify-and-forward repeater system with band-selective circuits and 'net-zero' or negative gain on the uplink channel, ensuring proper MIMO and carrier aggregation support without antenna isolation issues, while maintaining uplink power control and preventing signal distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional amplify and forward repeaters are used to boost signal strength, then signal coverage is improved, but MIMO and carrier aggregation performance deteriorates due to antenna isolation and decorrelation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a direct-connect repeater system that interfaces directly with the radio terminal device's antenna ports, serving as an intermediary that processes signals before they enter the device's MIMO and carrier aggregation chains. This direct connection eliminates the antenna isolation and decorrelation problems that plague traditional wireless repeaters, allowing the repeater to boost signals while maintaining full MIMO and carrier aggregation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater system is segmented into multiple independent repeater units, each handling specific frequency bands or signal paths. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for specific functions while collectively supporting multiple MIMO streams and carrier aggregation bands without interfering with each other, thus maintaining high productivity while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If repeaters amplify all signals including interference, then weak signals are boosted, but signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater system applies different gain characteristics to different signal components. By using band-selective repeater circuits, the system can apply high gain to desired signal frequencies while applying lower gain or attenuation to interference frequencies. This local quality approach allows the repeater to boost weak signals while simultaneously rejecting interference, thus improving SINR rather than degrading it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of interference into a benefit by using the interference characteristics themselves for signal discrimination. The band-selective circuits are designed to identify and amplify desired signals while naturally attenuating interference signals based on their frequency characteristics, thus turning the challenge of interference into an opportunity for selective signal enhancement.
3Productivity
If direct-connect repeater system is implemented, then MIMO and carrier aggregation performance is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The direct-connect repeater system is designed with universal interfaces that can work with multiple radio terminal device types and configurations. The repeater units are multi-functional, capable of handling different frequency bands, MIMO configurations, and carrier aggregation schemes through a unified architecture. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high productivity across different应用场景.
4Adaptability or versatility
If band-selective repeater circuits are used, then frequency band selectivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The band-selective repeater circuits utilize parameter changes in the RF domain, specifically adjusting center frequencies and bandwidths of filter circuits to achieve frequency selectivity. This approach is more manufacturable than hardware reconfiguration methods because it relies on standard RF component tuning and integration, which are well-established in the industry. The parameter changes are implemented through software-controlled RF synthesizers and filter banks, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high adaptability.
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
The solution achieves high network speeds and data throughput rates by optimizing MIMO and carrier aggregation performance, ensuring efficient signal transmission and reception, and maintaining uplink power control, thus enhancing connectivity for radio terminal devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of band selective amplify and forward repeater circuits between the at least one antenna port and the at least one RTD/RBS port
Implementation Method 2
band selective amplify and forward repeater circuits
Data Source
AI summary
An RF repeater (1000) comprising one or more antennas (500), one or more radio terminal device connection ports (1004) for direct, wired connection to a radio terminal device (100), one or more uplink channels (1014) between the one or more antennas and the one or more radio terminal device ports, the one or more uplink channels for carrying an uplink signal and one or more downlink channels (1012) between the one or more antennas and the one or more radio terminal device ports, the one or more downlink channels for carrying a downlink signal. The repeater has repeater circuitry (1016, 1018, 1020) configured to provide one of the downlink channel signal and uplink channel signal with a net positive gain and provide the other of the downlink channel signal and uplink channel signal with a net zero gain or net negative gain.