Massive MIMO Transceiver Board With Cable-Less RF Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Massive MIMO radio units are costly, power-hungry, thermally inefficient, bulky, and require complex cable connections, complicating design and construction.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed transceiver board (HSTB) integrates transceivers, a digital front end section, and an antenna filter unit, with cable-less design, using DC-DC converters and RF Front End Module to process RF signals efficiently, and includes a clock synchronization unit for synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If Massive MIMO radio units use traditional separate component design with cable connections, then interoperability and coupling between components is achieved, but device complexity and construction complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the antenna filter unit (AFU) and RF front end board into a single unified module with blind mating connectors. This merging eliminates the need for separate cable connections between components, reducing design complexity while maintaining reliable electrical and RF connections through precision-machined blind mate interfaces that ensure consistent coupling.
2Ease of operation
If Massive MIMO radio units use integrated antenna filter unit (AFU) with blind mate design, then ease of installation and cable-less operation is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blind mate connectors are pre-configured with precise mechanical features and alignment guides during manufacturing. The RF front end board and AFU are designed with complementary mechanical structures that automatically align when brought together, eliminating the need for field alignment adjustments and ensuring consistent connection quality through preliminary precision engineering.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional separate component architecture is used, then component independence and modularity is maintained, but power consumption and thermal inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the AFU and RF front end board into a single thermally managed unit, the patent reduces the number of separate power conversion paths and interconnections. This consolidation allows for more efficient power distribution and thermal management within a unified structure, reducing overall power consumption while simplifying the architectural complexity of multiple independent components.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and compact Massive MIMO radio unit with reduced latency and improved reliability, enabling higher spectral efficiency, data rates, and user tracking accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The HSTB may be configured to receive an external predefined input direct current (DC) voltage and down convert the received external predefined input DC voltage to a plurality of lower voltages based on requirements from different devices on board
Implementation Method 2
process said received RF control signals through one or more gain blocks and power amplifiers to amplify the received RF control signals across one or more of a plurality of transmit and receive chains
Implementation Method 3
an antenna filter unit (AFU) may be operatively coupled with the HSTB to facilitate beam forming to multiple users
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to network devices, and more particularly to design and architecture of a high speed transceiver board (HSTB) of a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radio unit.