Flexible RF Chain Allocation Across RATs and Transmission Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access technologies (RATs) such as LTE and NR do not accommodate flexible allocation of radio frequency (RF) chains and/or antennas among different transmission modes, leading to inefficiencies in network coverage, capacity, and bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that support multiple RATs by sharing RF transmitter and receiver chains and antennas, allowing dynamic switching between transmission modes like carrier aggregation, multiple-input multiple-output, and multiple-point transmission/reception, with control signaling to optimize throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated RF chains and antennas are allocated to each RAT, then reliability of each RAT is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal RF chains that can be dynamically allocated to different RATs (LTE, NR, 6G) based on operational needs. The base station includes a pool of RF chains that can serve multiple RATs simultaneously or individually, eliminating the need for dedicated RF chains for each RAT while maintaining full operational reliability across all supported technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic RF chain allocation where the configuration of RF chains can be changed in real-time based on traffic demands, channel conditions, and service requirements. The system can dynamically switch between different transmission modes (carrier aggregation, MIMO, single-point transmission) and reconfigure RF chain assignments without manual intervention, optimizing both reliability and resource utilization.
2Device complexity
If flexible RF chain allocation is implemented, then device cost is reduced, but adaptability among different RATs and transmission modes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station continuously monitors channel conditions, traffic loads, and performance metrics across different RATs and transmission modes. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts RF chain allocations and switches between transmission modes (carrier aggregation, MIMO, single-point) to optimize adaptability while using a reduced set of RF chains, thereby maintaining versatility without requiring dedicated hardware for each configuration.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated antennas are assigned to each frequency range, then transmission precision is improved, but loss of substance (number of antennas) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic antenna configuration where the same physical antennas can be dynamically assigned to different frequency ranges and transmission modes based on operational requirements. The system can switch antenna assignments in real-time, allowing a smaller set of antennas to serve multiple frequency ranges (FR1, FR2, FR3) and different transmission modes (carrier aggregation, MIMO, single-point transmission), thereby reducing the total number of antennas needed while maintaining transmission precision through optimized assignments.
Data Source
AI summary
Current signaling structures in Long-Term Evolution and New Radio are not designed to accommodate flexible allocation of RF chains and/or antennas among radio access technologies (RATs) and/or between different transmission modes that support multiple transmissions/receptions/component carriers such as carrier aggregation, multiple-input multiple-output and/or multiple-transmit-receive point transmission/reception. Embodiments are disclosed in which an apparatus reports radio frequency (RF) capability information. In some embodiments, the RF capability information includes RF chain information indicating a number of RF chains operable in a first frequency range, and antenna information indicating, for each of a plurality of second frequency ranges within the first frequency range, a number of physical antennas operable within the corresponding second frequency range.