Extensible CPE with Integrated Repeater for 5G mmWave Coverage

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) solutions struggle to effectively expand the coverage range of 5G millimeter wave communications due to serious attenuation characteristics, leading to increased costs and complexity in design.

Innovation Solution

An extensible CPE with integrated repeater function is developed, utilizing a shared Mmw Antenna Module as both a donor and service unit, and reusing control circuits and intermediate frequency paths to reduce costs and enhance efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If CPE is used to convert mobile communication signals to Wi-Fi, then network access is enabled, but coverage range is limited due to millimeter wave attenuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoidsignal attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the CPE and repeater into a single integrated device. The CPE receives millimeter wave signals from the base station via the donor antenna module, converts them to intermediate frequency signals, and the repeater function amplifies and retransmits these signals through the service antenna module. This merging allows the device to both convert signals for Wi-Fi access and extend coverage simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of signal attenuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate frequency transceiver performs multiple functions: it acts as a receiver for the CPE function to convert millimeter wave signals to baseband, and as a transmitter for the repeater function to amplify and retransmit signals. The same hardware components (antenna modules, transceiver, processor) serve dual purposes, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate CPE and repeater units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If separate CPE and repeater devices are deployed, then coverage is extended, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the CPE and repeater into a single integrated device. The CPE receives millimeter wave signals from the base station via the donor antenna module, converts them to intermediate frequency signals, and the repeater function amplifies and retransmits these signals through the service antenna module. This merging allows the device to both convert signals for Wi-Fi access and extend coverage simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of signal attenuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate frequency transceiver performs multiple functions: it acts as a receiver for the CPE function to convert millimeter wave signals to baseband, and as a transmitter for the repeater function to amplify and retransmit signals. The same hardware components (antenna modules, transceiver, processor) serve dual purposes, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate CPE and repeater units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If separate CPE and repeater devices are deployed, then coverage is extended, but product cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoidproduct cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the CPE and repeater into a single integrated device. The CPE receives millimeter wave signals from the base station via the donor antenna module, converts them to intermediate frequency signals, and the repeater function amplifies and retransmits these signals through the service antenna module. This merging allows the device to both convert signals for Wi-Fi access and extend coverage simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of signal attenuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate frequency transceiver performs multiple functions: it acts as a receiver for the CPE function to convert millimeter wave signals to baseband, and as a transmitter for the repeater function to amplify and retransmit signals. The same hardware components (antenna modules, transceiver, processor) serve dual purposes, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate CPE and repeater units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250202541A1Extensible customer premise equipment with repeater function

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication device, and specifically, to Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) with repeater function. The communication device includes: a donor antenna module for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency signal to/from a base station; a service antenna module for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency signal to/from a terminal; a System on Chip (SoC); an intermediate frequency transceiver coupled to the SoC; and a combiner comprising a combining port, a first branching port, and a second branching port, wherein the combing port is coupled to the donor antenna module via an intermediate frequency combining channel, the first branching port is coupled to the intermediate frequency transceiver via a first intermediate frequency branching channel, and the second branching port is coupled to the service antenna module via a second intermediate frequency branching channel.