mmWave CPE Coverage Extension via Smart Repeater Relaying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional millimeter wave (mmWave) Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) systems face limitations in coverage due to strong propagation directivity, large propagation loss, and high sensitivity to blockage, making it difficult to serve users outside the Line-of-Sight (LoS) coverage area without increasing network deployment costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of Enhanced mmWave CPEs (EmmCPEs) using Distributed Wireless Smart Antennas (DWSAs) with beam-steering capabilities, repeaters, and multi-user MIMO beamforming to extend coverage beyond LoS areas by relaying signals through smart repeaters and small cells, enabling effective communication in non-line-of-sight scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mmWave BS uses conventional wireless backhaul in sub 6-GHz bands, then network deployment cost is reduced, but data rate capacity is insufficient to meet growing demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rate capacityVSAvoidnetwork deployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from sub 6-GHz frequency bands to millimeter wave bands (28 GHz, 60 GHz, or higher), fundamentally changing the operating frequency parameter to access broader spectrum and achieve higher data rate capacity while maintaining wireless backhaul architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mmWave BS deploys link antenna array outdoor for stronger backhaul link, then backhaul link strength is improved, but working location is limited to LoS coverage area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackhaul link strengthVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless repeater as an intermediary device that receives millimeter wave signals from the base station and retransmits them to CPEs in non-LoS areas, enabling signal propagation through obstacles without requiring direct Line-of-Sight between BS and CPE

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the coverage area into LoS and non-LoS zones, using different transmission methods for each segment - direct millimeter wave transmission for LoS areas and repeater-assisted transmission for non-LoS areas, optimizing performance for each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If another BS is deployed to provide LoS coverage to blocked CPE, then coverage is improved, but network deployment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidnetwork deployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the wireless repeater with multi-functionality, enabling it to serve both as a coverage extension device for non-LoS CPEs and as a potential base station for future network expansion, reducing the need for separate infrastructure deployments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances mmWave BS coverage by allowing it to serve CPEs outside its LoS area, reducing the need for additional BS deployments or optical fiber connections, thereby lowering network deployment costs and improving data service accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

smart repeaters and small cells, enabling effective communication in non-line-of-sight scenarios

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal relaying and amplification:

Implementation Method 2

Distributed Wireless Smart Antennas (DWSAs) with beam-steering capabilities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam steering:

Implementation Method 3

multi-user MIMO beamforming to extend coverage beyond LoS areas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultiple-input multiple-output (MIMO):

Data Source

PatentUS10693550B2Enhanced customer premise equipment

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 RF DSP INC

AI summary

This invention presents a millimeter wave (mmWave) Customer Premise Equipments (CPEs) employing a forward processing equipment, such as a small cell, a decode-and-forward repeater, an amplify-and-forward repeater, etc., that is able to simultaneously serving its local customer premise and another or other mmWave CPEs; and a method for a Base-Station (BS) to provide mmWave backhaul links to multiple mmWave CPEs where a mmWave CPE within the Line-of-Sight (LoS) coverage of the BS is directly served by the BS in one set of time-frequency-spatial resources, while a mmWave CPE out of the LoS coverage of the BS is served by another a mmWave CPE within or out of the LoS coverage of the BS in another set of time-frequency-spatial resources.