External Frequency Converter for Wireless Diversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems with fixed center frequencies face challenges in implementing frequency diversity, which is essential for better channel adaptation and interference mitigation, especially in systems like LTE-Advanced, due to the complexity and cost of adding frequency diversity capabilities within existing equipment.
Innovation Solution
An external add-on apparatus and method that uses an external frequency converter to enable frequency diversity in wireless communication systems, allowing nodes to communicate at alternative center frequencies and incorporating beacon functionality for synchronization and information transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency diversity capability is added inside existing equipment, then frequency diversity performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates frequency diversity functionality into an external frequency converter unit that operates independently from the existing communication equipment. The converter takes the output of the communication device and generates frequency-diverse signals, allowing the main device to remain unchanged while gaining frequency diversity capability through a modular add-on approach
Solution Approach 2:
An external frequency converter is introduced as an intermediary component between the communication device and the channel. This converter acts as a mediator that performs frequency shifting and diversity generation without requiring modifications to the original communication equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between improving reliability and maintaining device simplicity
2Reliability
If multiple concurrent carriers are used for frequency diversity, then frequency diversity and throughput are improved, but hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically shifts the carrier frequency over time using a frequency converter, creating time-varying frequency diversity. Instead of requiring simultaneous multi-channel hardware, the system uses a single channel that dynamically changes frequency, achieving diversity through temporal variation rather than spatial multiplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency converter periodically shifts the carrier frequency according to a predetermined pattern or algorithm. This periodic frequency shifting creates multiple frequency instances over time, providing frequency diversity equivalent to using multiple concurrent carriers but implemented through sequential rather than simultaneous operation
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system comprising at least one communication network node having a capacity for communicating with at least one additional communication network node at a given center frequency; and at least one external frequency converter, external to said node, operative to cause at least one communication network node, from outside said node, to communicate with at least one additional communication network node, at least on occasion, according to a given communication protocol, at at least one converted center frequency which differs from the given center frequency, and also comprising beacon functionality.