Distributed Radio Access Network With Ethernet Fronthaul Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access networks face challenges in providing consistent and high-quality radio frequency (RF) coverage in densely populated locations, such as buildings, due to limitations in Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and the need for efficient data transmission and scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising remote units and a controller, where the remote units exchange RF signals with mobile devices, and the controller, connected via an intermediate network, performs real-time scheduling and compression of baseband data, using modems and processing devices to configure communication cells dynamically and manage RF resources effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are used to provide RF coverage in buildings, then RF coverage is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple remote units distributed throughout the building, each handling local RF coverage independently. Each remote unit contains RF transceivers and basic processing capabilities, while centralized baseband processing is performed by controllers. This segmentation allows RF coverage to be improved through distributed antennas without requiring all system functions to be complex and distributed, as only essential RF functions are segmented while baseband processing remains centralized.
2Productivity
If real-time scheduling of baseband data is implemented, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate network (such as a fiber optic network or Ethernet backbone) is introduced between the remote units and the centralized baseband processing controllers. This intermediary enables real-time scheduling and processing of baseband data by providing high-speed, low-latency communication pathways. The intermediate network allows the system to achieve real-time scheduling efficiency without requiring complex processing at each remote unit, as the scheduling intelligence can reside in the centralized controllers while maintaining real-time performance through the intermediate communication infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If baseband data is compressed in frequency domain, then data transmission capacity is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces time-domain processing with frequency-domain processing using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms. Baseband data is transformed from the time domain to the frequency domain, where compression can be applied more efficiently by identifying and eliminating redundant frequency components. This substitution allows for higher data transmission capacity through effective compression while the processing requirements are managed through standardized FFT implementations in the centralized baseband processing controllers, rather than requiring complex compression algorithms at each remote unit.
Data Source
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AI summary
Among other things, a communication system comprising remote units and a controller is described. Each of the remote units comprises one or more radio frequency (RF) units to exchange RF signals with mobile devices. At least some of the RF signals comprise information destined for, or originating from, a mobile device. The controller comprises one or more modems and is connected to an external network. At least one of the modems is a baseband modem and is configured to pass first data corresponding to the information. The at least one of the modems is configured to perform real-time scheduling of the first data corresponding to the information. The controller is separated from the remote units by an intermediate network. The intermediate network comprises a switched Ethernet network over which second data corresponding to the information is carried in frames between the controller and the remote units.