Dual Radio CPE for 4G-5G Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NSA systems face challenges in optimal radio and antenna end-to-end system implementation, leading to non-optimal radio resource use, RF spectral inefficiency, poor radio performance, excessive device size, cost, and power consumption, particularly when interoperating with legacy 4G systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a customer premises equipment (CPE) with dual radio parts, one for 4G and one for 5G, where the 4G radio part uses an omni-directional antenna for control plane signaling and the 5G radio part uses a directional antenna for user plane signaling, with a controller configuring the 5G antenna's beam alignment using user equipment information for optimal connection establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a directional antenna is used for 5G radio communication, then spectral efficiency and radio performance are improved, but device complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate radio parts: a first radio part with an omni-directional antenna for control plane signaling, and a second radio part with a directional antenna for user plane signaling. This segmentation allows each antenna type to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the complexity burden on the directional antenna system while maintaining high radio performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The omni-directional antenna acts as an intermediary that handles control plane communications, enabling the directional antenna to focus solely on high-performance user plane data transmission. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by separating the alignment-sensitive data path from the alignment-tolerant control path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual radio parts for 4G and 5G are implemented, then network interoperability and performance are improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different antenna types are assigned to different functional requirements: the omni-directional antenna handles control plane signaling where coverage is paramount, while the directional antenna handles user plane signaling where spectral efficiency is paramount. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve network interoperability without uniformly increasing device complexity across all functions.
3Reliability
If manual alignment procedures are required for directional antennas, then installation complexity increases, but connection reliability improves
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by using the omni-directional antenna to establish control plane connectivity first, which then enables the directional antenna to be configured and aligned for optimal user plane performance. This preliminary establishment of control connection simplifies the overall installation process while ensuring final connection reliability.
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
This approach enables seamless interaction between 4G and 5G networks, improving radio performance, reducing device size and power consumption, and enhancing spectral efficiency by optimizing antenna alignment and resource utilization.
Implementation Method 1
the control means is configured to configure the second radio means of the apparatus by causing alignment of an antenna beam of the second radio means with the second radio means of a base station
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including control circuitry; first radio circuitry for communicating with a first radio circuitry of a first base station; second radio circuitry for communicating with second radio circuitry of a second base station; wherein the control circuitry is configured to use information received from a user equipment, for configuring the second radio circuitry of the apparatus such that a connection can be established between the second radio circuitry of the apparatus and the second radio circuitry of a base station.