Distributed Repeater System for MIMO Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems face limitations in transmission range and coverage due to directional RF signals, obstructions, and inability to handle a large number of IoT devices, leading to issues with data communication quality, latency, and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A repeater system employing distributed MIMO operations with multiple repeater devices to enhance wireless communication capacity, coverage, and reliability by receiving and re-transmitting RF signals with gain and phase control, supporting multi-gigabit data rates and near-zero latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional directional RF signal transmission is used, then transmission focus is improved, but transmission range and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the coverage area into multiple directional beams, each handled by a separate beamforming module. Multiple repeater devices receive different beams and retransmit them, collectively covering a wide area while maintaining directional signal focus in each beam
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-directional transmission to multi-dimensional beam coverage by using multiple repeater devices positioned at different locations. Each repeater handles a specific spatial dimension or sector, collectively achieving omnidirectional or multi-sector coverage while maintaining focused transmission in each direction
2Productivity
If beamforming techniques are used, then signal transmission efficiency is improved, but transmission range is reduced due to directionality
Solution Approach 1:
Repeater devices serve as intermediaries between the base station and distant user equipment. They receive focused beams from the base station, amplify and retransmit them, enabling extended transmission range while preserving the efficiency benefits of directional beamforming
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission path is segmented into multiple hops: base station to repeater, then repeater to end user. Each segment uses focused beamforming for efficiency, while the combination of multiple segments achieves extended overall transmission range
3Device complexity
If conventional communication systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but ability to handle massive IoT devices is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple repeater-assisted cells, each handling a portion of the IoT device load. This distributes the complexity across multiple simple repeater units rather than requiring a single complex base station, enabling support for massive numbers of devices
Solution Approach 2:
Repeater devices are designed as universal nodes that can serve multiple functions: extending coverage, increasing capacity, and supporting various types of traffic including massive IoT devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse device requirements without increasing individual node complexity
4Illumination intensity
If directional RF transmission is used, then signal strength in specific direction is improved, but reception reliability is reduced due to obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
Repeater devices positioned with line-of-sight to both base station and end user act as intermediaries that bypass obstructions. They receive signals from the base station and retransmit them to the end user, maintaining signal strength while ensuring reliable reception despite physical obstructions in the direct path
Solution Approach 2:
The direct transmission path is segmented into two separate paths: base station to repeater, and repeater to end user. Each segment maintains line-of-sight for reliable transmission, while the repeater bridges the gap where obstructions would otherwise block the direct path
Data Source
AI summary
A repeater system includes a first repeater device that receives a first beam of radio frequency (RF) signal from a first network node and a second repeater device that receives a second beam of RF signal from the first network node. The first repeater device controls the second repeater device to provide the first beam of RF signal and the second beam of RF signal to a second network node and select a plurality of signal parameters at the first repeater device and the second repeater device for the first beam of RF signal and the second beam of RF signal respectively, based on a plurality of measurements. The first repeater device further controls the second repeater device to establish an additional link with the second repeater device to create an additional dimension in a MIMO channel between the first network node and the second network node.