Wireless Node Feeder Port Connection Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining the connection order of feeder ports to antenna ports, leading to potential beam pattern distortion due to incorrect cable connections, especially in array antenna systems, which are difficult to verify manually and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication node equipped with signal handling and processing means that collect channel estimates from uplink signals to generate a channel model, compare permutations, and identify the correct feeder port connection order using channel modeling and fitting techniques, allowing for automatic and noise-insensitive determination of connection status without manual marking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual marking methods are used to identify cable connections, then the process is simple to implement, but the reliability of connection identification deteriorates due to human errors and difficulty in verification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implementationVSAvoidconnection identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical marking methods with an automated electronic identification system. The system uses signal transmission through cables to automatically identify connection relationships between feeder ports and antenna ports, eliminating human error in manual marking while providing reliable, verifiable connection data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-identification of cable connections by automatically transmitting test signals through the cable infrastructure and analyzing the responses. This self-service approach allows the system to autonomously determine connection relationships without requiring manual intervention or verification, thereby improving both reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If physical verification of cabling is performed manually, then connection accuracy may be improved, but the time consumption and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection verification accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual physical verification with automated electronic signal transmission and analysis. The system quickly transmits test signals through cables and automatically analyzes the responses to determine connection relationships, reducing verification time from hours or days to minutes or seconds while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces test signals as intermediaries to verify cable connections. These signals act as mediators that travel through the cable infrastructure, carrying information about connection relationships back to the analysis system, thereby enabling rapid and accurate verification without direct manual inspection of physical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If connection identification is performed far from the antenna location, then operational flexibility is improved, but the ability to accurately identify and correct connection errors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidconnection error identification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses test signals as intermediaries that can be transmitted and analyzed from remote locations. These signals carry information about connection relationships back to the analysis system, enabling accurate connection identification even when performed far from the antenna location, thus maintaining both operational flexibility and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for physical proximity to antennas for connection verification with electronic signal-based identification. This substitution allows connection identification to be performed remotely at the base station or control location, improving operational flexibility while maintaining accurate error detection through automated signal analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8526553B2Wireless communication node connections

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wireless communication node (20A) adapted to via feeder ports be connected to antenna ports. It comprises signal handling and estimating means (21A) adapted to collect signals from a mobile station and to generate a plurality of channel estimates, connection combination information holding means (22A) adapted to hold information about all possible feeder port-antenna port connections, processing means (24A) comprising channel modelling means (23A) adapted to provide a channel model for the received signals. If further comprises channel model fitting means (25A) adapted to compare the channel model with the channel estimates for a plurality of permutations obtained by the connection combination information and order identifying means (26A) adapted to identify the feeder port connection order corresponding to the permutation order giving the best fit between channel model and channel estimates, hence allowing identification of the order in which the feeder ports actually are connected to the antenna ports.