Heterodyne Repeater Management via Frequency Band Mismatch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in providing adequate service to devices near or outside the coverage area of a base station due to limitations in transmit power, interference, and radio wave propagation, especially when using heterodyne repeaters, as the access node is unaware of the communication via these repeaters, leading to service degradation.
Innovation Solution
The system determines whether a wireless device is communicating directly with the access node or via a heterodyne repeater by identifying frequency band mismatches and selects appropriate radio resource control configurations, including air-interface resource scheduling, transmit power adjustments, carrier aggregation, and handover procedures, to optimize communication with both directly connected and repeater-connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a heterodyne repeater is used to relay signals between the base station and wireless devices, then coverage area is extended and service is provided to devices outside direct coverage, but the access node becomes unaware of the communication via the repeater, leading to service degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where wireless devices report their communication status and frequency band information to the access node. The access node receives this feedback and uses it to determine whether devices are communicating directly or via a repeater, enabling it to adjust resource allocation accordingly and maintain service quality despite the presence of repeaters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency band information as an intermediary indicator that reveals the presence of repeaters in the communication path. By analyzing frequency band mismatches between uplink and downlink communications, the access node can indirectly detect repeater usage without direct observation, allowing it to manage resources appropriately for repeater-connected devices
2Device complexity
If the access node uses standard resource allocation procedures without awareness of repeater communication, then device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but resource allocation is suboptimal for repeater-connected devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different resource allocation strategies for different types of wireless devices based on their communication path. The access node identifies repeater-connected devices through frequency band analysis and applies specialized resource allocation procedures specifically to these devices, while maintaining standard procedures for directly-connected devices, thus optimizing resource efficiency without unnecessarily complicating the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of resource allocation configuration based on the detected communication path type. When a device is identified as communicating via a repeater (through frequency band mismatch detection), the access node selects a different radio resource control configuration optimized for repeater connectivity, thereby improving resource allocation efficiency for these devices without affecting the simplicity of standard operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances service quality by optimizing resource allocation and handover processes, ensuring fair resource distribution and reducing interference, thereby improving the overall performance of wireless communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heterodyne repeater (a.k.a. relay node) receives signals on a first carrier frequency. These signals are amplified and then retransmitted on another frequency band or carrier without demodulating, decoding, or otherwise digitally processing the underlying transmitted data. These repeaters may be referred to as heterodyne repeaters since the frequency conversion of the received signal may be translated to the other frequency band using heterodyning.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system where wireless devices communicating with an access node may be communicating either directly with the access node, or via a heterodyne repeater. A heterodyne repeater relays communications transparently such that operation of the access node may not provide the ability to distinguish which wireless devices are communicating directly from those that are communicating via the heterodyne repeater. The system determines whether the wireless device is communicating either directly with the access node, or via a heterodyne repeater. When a wireless device is communicating via a heterodyne repeater, the access node selects a radio resource control configuration adapted for communication via a heterodyne repeater to be used with that wireless device.