Frequency-Translation Repeater Cooperation for Uplink Coverage and Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in improving coverage and capacity, especially in high-frequency bands like millimeter waves, due to limited range and high path loss, necessitating innovative solutions for efficient signal transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first wireless device that receives and transmits signals across different frequency bands using multiple antennas and subcarrier spacings, employing repeaters to transform signals from a high-frequency band to a low-frequency band for wider coverage, leveraging distributed MIMO techniques to enhance spatial multiplexing and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-frequency bands are used for wireless communication, then data rate and spectral efficiency are improved, but coverage range and penetration ability deteriorate due to high path loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces frequency translators (repeaters) as intermediary devices that receive high-frequency signals from UEs and retransmit them as low-frequency signals to the base station. These intermediaries enable the system to leverage both high-frequency spectral efficiency and low-frequency coverage advantages, resolving the contradiction between data rate and coverage range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the frequency parameter of transmitted signals based on the operational context. When a UE is in coverage, high-frequency signals are used for high data rates; when out of coverage, frequency translators convert signals to low-frequency bands for extended coverage. This dynamic parameter change allows optimization of both productivity and coverage range.
2Length of moving object
If frequency translators are deployed to extend coverage, then coverage range is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency translator is designed as a multi-functional device that can operate in multiple modes: as a traditional repeater for coverage extension, as a digital signal processor for frequency conversion, or as part of a distributed MIMO system. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving extended coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency translator incorporates multiple functional modules within a nested architecture, where signal processing functions are integrated within the frequency conversion functionality, and both are contained within a compact device form factor. This nesting approach reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into unified components.
3Productivity
If multiple antennas and subcarrier spacings are used for signal transmission, then spatial multiplexing and capacity are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing tasks across multiple independent processing chains, each handling a specific antenna or subcarrier spacing. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple signals simultaneously, improving spatial multiplexing capacity while managing complexity through modular, independent processing units that can be implemented efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active antennas and subcarrier spacings based on channel conditions and coverage requirements. When coverage extension is the priority, fewer antennas with larger subcarrier spacings are activated; when high capacity is needed, more antennas with smaller subcarrier spacings are utilized. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the trade-off between productivity and processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a first wireless device of a group of M wireless devices. The first wireless device receives a first time domain signal from a user equipment (UE) on a first frequency band through each receiving antenna. This first time domain signal occupies a first transmission time interval (TTI1) and includes K first OFDM symbols corresponding to a first subcarrier spacing. Each first OFDM symbol represents a set of N1 modulation symbols on N1 subcarriers using the first subcarrier spacing. The first wireless device generates a second time domain signal that occupies a second transmission time interval (TTI2) and corresponds to the first time domain signal. The first wireless device transmits each second time domain signal to a base station on a second frequency band through a transmitting antenna, respectively.