Flexible RF Chain Allocation for Multi-RAT Antenna Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capability and control signaling structures in LTE and NR do not accommodate flexible allocation of radio frequency (RF) chains and/or antennas among radio access technologies (RATs) and/or between different transmission modes, leading to inefficiencies in network resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that support multiple RATs by transmitting RF capability information indicating the number of operable RF chains and antennas, allowing dynamic switching between transmission modes such as carrier aggregation, multiple-input multiple-output, and multiple-transmit-receive point transmission, to balance perceived throughput and overall system throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated RF chains and antennas are allocated to each RAT and transmission mode, then reliability and performance of each RAT are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal RF chains that can be dynamically allocated to serve multiple RATs (LTE, NR, 6G) and different transmission modes (carrier aggregation, MIMO, multi-point transmission). The network device receives RF capability information indicating the total number of RF chains and dynamically configures their allocation, allowing the same physical RF chains to be reused across different RATs and transmission modes, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic RF chain allocation where the network device can flexibly switch RF chains between different RATs and transmission modes based on current network conditions and service requirements. The RF capability information enables dynamic configuration of carrier aggregation, MIMO layers, and multi-point transmission parameters, allowing the system to adapt RF resource allocation in real-time rather than using static dedicated assignments
2Reliability
If dedicated RF chains are allocated to each RAT, then RF chain performance is improved, but apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal RF chains that can be dynamically allocated to serve multiple RATs (LTE, NR, 6G) and different transmission modes (carrier aggregation, MIMO, multi-point transmission). The network device receives RF capability information indicating the total number of RF chains and dynamically configures their allocation, allowing the same physical RF chains to be reused across different RATs and transmission modes, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the RF chain resources across multiple RATs by implementing shared RF chains that can be dynamically assigned. Instead of having separate dedicated RF chains for LTE, NR, and 6G, the system combines them into a pooled resource that the network device can allocate flexibly, reducing the total number of RF chains needed while maintaining the ability to support all RATs simultaneously when required
3Device complexity
If fixed RF chain configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability among different RATs and transmission modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic RF chain allocation where the network device can flexibly switch RF chains between different RATs and transmission modes based on current network conditions and service requirements. The RF capability information enables dynamic configuration of carrier aggregation, MIMO layers, and multi-point transmission parameters, allowing the system to adapt RF resource allocation in real-time rather than using static dedicated assignments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the configuration parameters of RF chains dynamically based on the required RAT and transmission mode. The network device adjusts parameters such as the number of component carriers, MIMO layers, and transmitting/receiving points according to the selected transmission mode, enabling the same physical RF chains to adapt their operational characteristics to different service requirements without increasing hardware complexity
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 that supports such a flexible allocation of RF chains and/or antennas. 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. A control signaling structure that supports flexible allocation of RF chains and/or antennas for a multi-RAT capable apparatus is also disclosed.