Mixed RF Chain Arrays for Spectral Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio frequency transmission chains are costly and inefficient due to the need for linear hardware and high-resolution components, leading to power wastage and non-compliance with spectral efficiency requirements, especially in massive MIMO systems where linear/linearized power amplifiers operate in less efficient regions to maintain signal integrity.
Innovation Solution
The use of mixed arrays with both linear and non-linear radio frequency transmission chains, where non-linear chains produce wider side-band emissions and are more power-efficient within the central band, while linear chains ensure narrower emissions and better spectral efficiency, utilizing non-linear precoding to beamform and reduce out-of-band emissions, thereby optimizing spectral efficiency and meeting 3GPP spectral masks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If linear radio frequency chains are used, then spectral efficiency and compliance with spectral masks are improved, but power efficiency and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into two separate arrays: a first array using non-linear radio frequency chains for power efficiency, and a second array using linear radio frequency chains for spectral efficiency. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system are assigned different operational characteristics: the first array operates with non-linear chains optimized for power efficiency in the central band, while the second array operates with linear chains optimized for spectral efficiency in side bands, creating local quality optimization throughout the system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If non-linear radio frequency chains are used, then power efficiency is improved, but spectral efficiency and compliance with spectral masks deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the transmission function across two arrays: the first array handles central band transmissions with non-linear chains for power efficiency, while the second array handles side band transmissions with linear chains for spectral efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction through functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
The second array acts as an intermediary that compensates for the spectral inefficiency of the first array by suppressing out-of-band emissions and managing spectral masks, allowing the first array to operate efficiently without compromising overall spectral compliance.
3Reliability
If linear hardware is used to maintain signal integrity, then transmission quality is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the reliability requirement across different arrays: the first array uses non-linear chains for cost-effective operation where signal integrity is maintained through advanced signal processing, while the second array uses linear chains where hardware-based reliability is critical, thus distributing complexity appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces hardware-based signal integrity maintenance (linear chains) with software-based signal processing and coordination between arrays, reducing hardware complexity and cost while maintaining overall transmission quality through digital predistortion and array coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises: a first plurality of first radio frequency chains; a second plurality of second radio frequency chains, the first radio frequency chains being configured to produce wider side-band emissions than the second radio frequency chains; at least one antenna array comprising antenna elements, each of a first plurality of the antenna elements being coupled with a corresponding one of the first plurality of first radio frequency chains, the first plurality of first radio frequency chains being configured to cause transmissions predominately in a first band within a channel, each of a second plurality of the antenna elements being coupled with a corresponding one of the second plurality of second radio frequency chains, the second plurality of second radio frequency chains being configured to cause transmissions predominately in at least one second band within the channel.