M-MIMO Wireless Backhaul for HetNets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wired backhaul networks for Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (M-MIMO) radio access technologies require significant infrastructure and additional transceiver equipment, limiting scalability and efficiency in setting up or extending wireless communication networks.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a wireless backhaul network using M-MIMO enabled links between Access Points (APs) on the same time and frequency resources, utilizing the same radio access technology (RAT) as user communication, and employing large M-MIMO antenna arrays to reduce the need for additional transceivers and infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired backhaul networks are used for M-MIMO radio access technologies, then network infrastructure is established, but significant infrastructure and additional transceiver equipment are required, limiting scalability and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines user data communication and backhaul communication into a single wireless interface between the AP and other network nodes. The same M-MIMO antenna array and radio frequency resources are used for both user access and backhaul transport, eliminating the need for separate wired backhaul infrastructure and additional dedicated transceivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless interface is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both user data access to end devices and backhaul connectivity to the core network. The M-MIMO system performs dual roles as both an access point for users and a router for backhaul traffic, reducing infrastructure requirements.
2Productivity
If wired backhaul networks with additional transceiver equipment are deployed, then backhaul communication is enabled, but scalability and efficiency in setting up or extending networks are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By merging backhaul and access functions into a single wireless interface, the system eliminates the need for separate infrastructure deployments. New nodes can be added to the network by simply establishing wireless connections using the same M-MIMO resources already available, enabling rapid scaling without additional wired infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If the same radio access technology is used for both user communication and backhaul communication, then infrastructure is reduced, but resource allocation and interference management become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the M-MIMO antenna array into different functional groups that can be independently controlled. Specific antenna subsets are allocated for user data transmission while other subsets handle backhaul communication, allowing simultaneous operation with reduced interference and simplified resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates M-MIMO resources between user access and backhaul functions based on real-time network conditions and traffic demands. The antenna configurations and signal processing parameters are adaptively adjusted to optimize performance for the current operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for enabling a wireless backhaul network between access points (APs) in a wireless network are provided. In an embodiment, the wireless backhaul network is enabled using a Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) radio access technology (RAT). In another embodiment, the wireless backhaul network is established using the same RAT as used by the APs to serve user devices, and can utilize the same time and frequency resources used for user communication.