Intermediate Frequency Data Transmission for Base Station Bandwidth Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for data transmission between micro and macro base stations, primarily using the CPRI protocol, face challenges with high bandwidth requirements and high transmission costs due to limited microwave bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method and apparatus that convert data into intermediate frequency signals for transmission, utilizing a high frequency radio unit and a shift frequency radio unit, which includes high frequency radio unit indoor and outdoor devices, and wireless cellular band transceivers to reduce bandwidth requirements and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If microwave transmission method is used for data communication between micro base station and baseband processing unit, then wireless transmission flexibility is improved, but transmission bandwidth is insufficient to meet CPRI protocol requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless transmission flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate frequency signal as a mediator between the baseband processing unit and the microwave transmission system. The baseband data is first modulated to intermediate frequency, then transmitted via microwave, and finally demodulated at the receiver. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve both wireless flexibility and sufficient bandwidth by separating the data processing function from the transmission medium constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If CPRI protocol is used for data transmission, then communication standardization is improved, but transmission cost increases due to high bandwidth requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication standardizationVSAvoidtransmission cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the transmission signal from baseband to intermediate frequency. This parameter transformation allows the same CPRI protocol data to be transmitted over microwave links with much lower bandwidth requirements, thereby reducing transmission costs while maintaining standardization. The intermediate frequency modulation efficiently packs the data stream into a narrower spectral footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If optical fiber transmission method is used, then transmission bandwidth is sufficient for CPRI protocol, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission bandwidthVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical medium (optical fiber) with an electromagnetic wave transmission system (microwave). Instead of laying physical cables between the baseband processing unit and the remote radio unit, the system uses wireless microwave transmission of intermediate frequency signals. This substitution eliminates the need for complex fiber optic infrastructure deployment while achieving comparable bandwidth performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly reduces data transmission bandwidth and costs while improving signal transmission quality by using intermediate frequency signals, allowing for efficient data transfer between micro and macro base stations.

Implementation Method 1

the HFRU-IDU is configured to convert data sent by the site into a downstream intermediate frequency analog signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency conversion:

Implementation Method 2

the SFRU is configured to convert the downstream intermediate frequency analog signal sent by the HFRU-IDU into a downstream high frequency signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency transformation:

Data Source

PatentEP3079394B1Method and apparatus for transmitting data
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3079394B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3079394B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3079394B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for transmitting data. The apparatus for transmitting data includes a high frequency radio unit HFRU that is in a communication connection with a site, and a shift frequency radio unit SFRU that is in a communication connection with the HFRU and with a user equipment, where the HFRU includes a high frequency radio unit - indoor device unit HFRU-IDU and a high frequency radio unit - outdoor device unit HFRU-ODU that connects to the HFRU-IDU, and the SFRU includes a high frequency band transceiver and a wireless cellular band transceiver. By converting to-be-transmitted data into intermediate frequency signals for transmission, the method and apparatus for transmitting data according to the embodiments of the present invention can remarkably reduce a data transmission bandwidth, thereby saving bandwidth resources, reducing a data transmission cost, and reducing a device deployment cost.