Millimeter Wave Modem Assembly for High Bit Rate Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of fiber optic cables for high bit rate communication in densely populated or terrain-challenged areas is costly and time-consuming, making it impractical for implementing Cloud RAN concepts that require strict timing and high bit rate standards.
Innovation Solution
A millimeter wave modem assembly and outdoor signal conversion module enable wireless communication over a wCPRI link, allowing for high rate digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions, thus facilitating the deployment of Remote Radio Heads (RRHs) without the need for fiber optic cables, while meeting the CPRI standard requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber optic cables are deployed for high bit rate communication, then communication reliability and bit rate are improved, but deployment cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber optic cable deployment system with a wireless millimeter wave communication system. The modem assembly transmits digitized RF data wirelessly over CPRI links at bit rates up to 9 Gbps, eliminating the need for physical cable installation while maintaining communication reliability through error correction coding and modulation schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication medium from optical (fiber) to electromagnetic (millimeter wave). By operating in the 28 GHz band and using advanced modulation techniques with error correction, the system achieves comparable reliability to fiber optic links while enabling rapid deployment without civil engineering work.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optic cables are deployed in densely populated or terrain-challenged areas, then communication infrastructure is established, but cost and complexity of deployment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless modem assembly eliminates the mechanical cable laying process entirely. The system uses directional antennas with beamforming capability to establish point-to-point links across challenging terrain and densely populated areas without requiring rights-of-way, trenching, or coordination with utility companies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional ground-based cable routing to three-dimensional wireless propagation. Millimeter wave signals can traverse obstacles and navigate around structures that would block or complicate fiber optic cable routes, providing deployment flexibility in urban canyons and over irregular terrain.
3Productivity
If wireless communication is used instead of fiber optic cables, then deployment cost and time are reduced, but maintaining strict timing requirements becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The modem assembly incorporates timing synchronization mechanisms that monitor and adjust for wireless propagation delays. By measuring round-trip time and using feedback loops to compensate for variations in signal travel time, the system maintains the precise timing requirements of CPRI protocols despite the wireless medium's variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary timing calibration and synchronization before normal operation begins. Clock synchronization protocols are established in advance, and buffer management strategies are pre-configured to absorb timing variations, ensuring that strict timing requirements are met during actual data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A millimeter wave modem assembly, which includes an input/output interface module configured to receive and transmit standardized data streams in accordance with dedicated interface specifications, and includes an encoder module configured to encode the standardized data streams to form coded digital bits, and also includes a physical layer module configured to convert the coded digital bits into digital symbols and into digital samples, and to convert the digital samples into the digital symbols and then into the coded digital bits; and further includes a data conversion module configured to perform a high rate conversion of the digital samples to form an analog signal suitable for wireless transmission over a link in accordance with the dedicated interface specifications.