Distributed Radio System Baseband Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributed radio systems face challenges in maintaining diversity gain while minimizing the use of long and expensive coaxial cables, which are necessary for multiple antenna solutions, and require a scalable solution that reduces costly cable usage.

Innovation Solution

A distributed radio system that utilizes digital communication channels, such as Ethernet or serial links, to transmit baseband signals and control information, allowing for distributed baseband processing and reducing the need for expensive cables by placing correction units and tuner control algorithms close to the antennas, thereby maintaining diversity gain and reducing cable costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple antennas are used for diversity gain and MIMO, then communication robustness and throughput are improved, but cable length and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication robustnessVSAvoidcable length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the baseband processing function into multiple distributed units (first baseband unit, second baseband unit, third baseband unit), each connected to different antennas. This allows each unit to be positioned close to its respective antenna, eliminating the need for long coaxial cables while maintaining multiple antenna diversity and MIMO capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a centralized baseband processing architecture to a distributed architecture across multiple spatial locations. By distributing baseband units to different positions near each antenna, the system achieves both cable length reduction and maintains communication robustness through spatial diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If baseband processing unit is placed close to antenna, then cable length is reduced, but diversity gain is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable lengthVSAvoiddiversity gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The baseband processing is segmented into multiple independent units distributed near different antennas. Each baseband unit processes signals from its nearby antenna, and the results are combined at a combining unit, achieving both short cable lengths and full diversity gain through proper signal combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the processed signals from multiple distributed baseband units at a combining unit. This combining operation integrates the diversity gains from multiple antennas while allowing each baseband unit to remain close to its respective antenna, thus maintaining both short cable lengths and high diversity gain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If DVB-T demodulators are co-located close to each other, then diversity gain is achieved, but lengthy costly cables are still required between antennas and tuners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediversity gainVSAvoidcable length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different baseband processing functions to different distributed units rather than co-locating all demodulators. Each unit handles specific antenna signals locally, eliminating long cables between antennas and tuners while maintaining diversity through distributed processing and signal combining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2822185B1A distributed radio system
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 NXP BV
  • EP2822185B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2822185B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2822185B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A distributed radio system comprising a plurality of receivers (1,2,15), each receiver being adapted to receive radio signals and to transmit respective digital signals. The system further comprises a digital communication channel (3) coupled to the plurality of receivers (1,2,15) and adapted to receive the digital signals and to transmit the digital signals. The system comprises a base-band unit (4) coupled to the communication channel (3) and adapted to combine and process the digital signals, the digital signals comprising information available in each receiver (1,2,15) of the plurality of receivers for exploiting a diversity gain.