Dynamic Antenna Selection for Wireless Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face a bottleneck in capacity due to ICIC technology, which improves signal quality for cell-edge users but degrades near-end user signal quality and overall throughput.
Innovation Solution
An antenna system with a first antenna for wide area coverage and a second antenna with greater vertical beam width for near-end signal enhancement, where a baseband processing pool dynamically selects between the two antennas based on channel quality to transmit and receive signals, increasing system capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ICIC technology is used to improve signal quality for cell-edge users, then signal quality of cell-edge users is improved, but signal quality of near-end users and average throughput of the entire cell deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic antenna selection where the baseband processing pool continuously monitors channel quality indicators (CQI) from user terminals and dynamically switches between the first antenna (wide beam) and second antenna (narrow beam) based on real-time channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize signal quality for cell-edge users when needed while maintaining good throughput for near-end users, resolving the contradiction between improving edge user signal quality and maintaining overall cell throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different antenna beam characteristics tailored to specific spatial regions: the first antenna provides wide beam coverage for cell-edge users in distant regions, while the second antenna provides narrow beam focus for near-end users. This local quality differentiation allows each antenna to be optimized for its target region, improving signal quality for cell-edge users without significantly degrading service for near-end users, thereby maintaining overall cell throughput.
2Area of stationary object
If a single antenna is used for wide area coverage, then coverage area is maximized, but signal quality for near-end users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between wide beam and narrow beam modes based on user terminal positions and channel conditions. When cell-edge users are detected, the wide beam antenna is activated for broad coverage; when near-end users are the primary users, the narrow beam antenna is activated for high signal quality. This dynamic switching enables the system to achieve both wide coverage and high signal quality at different times based on actual needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses two antennas with different beam characteristics: the first antenna provides wide beam coverage for distant cell-edge users, while the second antenna provides narrow beam focus for near-end users. This local quality differentiation ensures that each antenna type serves its optimal spatial region, achieving both wide coverage and high signal quality in different locations simultaneously.
3Productivity
If multiple antennas with different beam widths are used, then system capacity and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into two distinct segments: a first antenna subsystem with wide beam characteristics and a second antenna subsystem with narrow beam characteristics. Each antenna is connected to the baseband processing pool through separate transmission paths. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each antenna type while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The baseband processing pool serves multiple functions: it processes signals from both antenna types, performs channel quality measurement, makes antenna selection decisions, and controls the switching between antennas. This multi-functionality consolidates control logic into a single unit, reducing overall system complexity despite having multiple antennas with different characteristics.
Data Source
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AI summary
An antenna system and a processing method are disclosed. The antenna system includes: a first antenna subsystem, including a first antenna and a first remote radio unit RRU, where the first antenna is connected to the first RRU by using a feeder; a second antenna subsystem, including a second antenna and a second RRU, where the second antenna is connected to the second RRU by using a feeder; and a baseband processing pool, separately connected to the first RRU and the second RRU by using cables, and configured to determine, according to quality of a channel between the first antenna and a terminal and quality of a channel between the second antenna and the terminal, to use the first antenna and/or the second antenna to transmit a signal to the terminal and/or receive a signal transmitted by the terminal. The antenna system can flexibly select, according to the quality of the channel between the first antenna and the terminal and the quality of the channel between the second antenna and the terminal, to use the first antenna and/or the second antenna to transmit a signal to the terminal and/or receive a signal transmitted by the terminal, thereby increasing a capacity of a communications system.