Fronthaul Multiplexer Redundancy for Optical Link Failure Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fronthaul networks lack redundancy and protection for communication between fronthaul multiplexers and baseband units, leading to potential complete loss of communication if the multiplexer fails or the optical fiber is damaged.
Innovation Solution
A redundant system and method are introduced, incorporating first and second fronthaul multiplexers with group, cascade, protect, and active ports, along with summation and copy circuits, to provide redundant protection for signal transmission and reception, ensuring continuity even in the event of failures or abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single fronthaul multiplexer is used for communication between radio units and baseband units, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because complete communication loss occurs if the multiplexer fails or optical fiber is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent fronthaul multiplexers (first FHM and second FHM) that operate in parallel. Each multiplexer handles communication independently, so that if one fails, the other can take over. This segmentation provides redundancy without requiring a completely complex system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements protective measures in advance by establishing backup communication paths before failures occur. The first and second FHM are pre-configured with protective circuits that can immediately switch to alternative communication routes when optical fiber damage or multiplexer failure is detected, cushioning against the impact of failures.
2Reliability
If redundant fronthaul multiplexers and protective circuits are added, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective circuits are merged with the existing fronthaul multiplexer structure. The first protective circuit is integrated into the first FHM, and the second protective circuit is integrated into the second FHM. This merging approach provides redundancy without adding completely separate complex protective systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fronthaul multiplexers are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as primary communication devices and as part of the protective redundancy system. The same hardware structures perform multiple functions: normal signal multiplexing and protective switching, reducing the need for dedicated redundant components.
3Reliability
If protective circuits are implemented to detect and respond to failures, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased monitoring and switching control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The protective circuits are designed to automatically detect failures and switch to backup communication paths without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors its own status and performs self-healing by switching between first and second FHM based on detected failures, making the system easier to operate despite the added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective circuits implement continuous feedback monitoring of the communication status between radio units and baseband units. When failures are detected through feedback signals, the system automatically adjusts by switching to the alternative multiplexer, maintaining reliable operation without complex manual control.
Data Source
AI summary
A redundant system and a redundancy method of a fronthaul network are provided. The redundant system includes a first fronthaul multiplexer. The first fronthaul multiplexer includes a first group port, a second group port, a first cascade port, a first protect port, a first active port, and a first uplink circuit. The first uplink circuit includes a first summation circuit and a second summation circuit. A plurality of input terminals of the first summation circuit are coupled to the first group port and the second group port respectively, and an output terminal of the first summation circuit is coupled to the first protect port. A plurality of input terminals of the second summation circuit are coupled to the first cascade port and the output terminal of the first summation circuit respectively, and an output terminal of the second summation circuit is coupled to the first active port.