Indoor Cellular mmWave Repeater With Autonomous 5G Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional repeater systems face challenges in extending cellular mmWave signal coverage indoors due to path loss and building penetration, requiring extensive coordination with gNodeB and user equipment, leading to increased complexity and cost, and are unable to support a large number of wireless sensors and IoT devices effectively.
Innovation Solution
A repeater system that autonomously synchronizes with outdoor 5G RAN nodes using publicly broadcast synchronization signals, eliminating the need for additional signaling and coordination, and distributes synchronized 5G signals to indoor user equipment through a mesh network of relay devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional repeater systems are used to extend cellular mmWave signal coverage indoors, then signal coverage is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure cost increase due to extensive coordination with gNodeB and user equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater system performs autonomous synchronization by capturing and decoding publicly broadcast synchronization signals from outdoor 5G RAN nodes without requiring manual coordination or configuration from the network operator. The system self-configures its operation parameters based on the captured signals, eliminating the need for complex coordination procedures while maintaining signal coverage extension capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater acts as an intermediary device that bridges outdoor 5G RAN nodes and indoor user equipment. It captures synchronization signals from the outdoor network, processes them locally, and distributes the synchronized signals indoors through relay devices, thereby mediating between the outdoor network and indoor users without requiring direct coordination with the outdoor network infrastructure
2Area of stationary object
If conventional repeater systems are deployed indoors, then signal distribution is improved, but additional losses occur due to absorption, reflection, and scattering in windows and building structures
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the indoor coverage area into multiple zones served by distributed relay devices. Each relay device operates independently to forward signals to its local user equipment, segmenting the signal transmission path. This segmentation allows each relay to optimize its operation for its specific location, compensating for the energy losses introduced by building structures through localized signal reinforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless mesh network dimension to signal distribution, where relay devices communicate with each other wirelessly in three-dimensional space. This wireless backhaul dimension allows the system to bypass physical barriers such as windows and walls that cause signal attenuation, enabling signal distribution through alternative pathways that avoid direct line-of-sight losses
3Area of stationary object
If standard 5G IAB systems are used for indoor distribution, then signal coverage is improved, but deployment flexibility is reduced and coordination delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater system autonomously performs synchronization and beam management without requiring coordination with outdoor gNodeB or user equipment. It captures publicly broadcast synchronization signals, decodes them locally, and configures its own operation parameters, eliminating coordination delays while maintaining comprehensive indoor coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs all necessary synchronization and configuration actions locally in advance before actual signal distribution begins. By pre-processing the publicly broadcast synchronization signals and configuring its operation parameters beforehand, the system eliminates real-time coordination delays with outdoor network infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A repeater device having a donor radio antenna that captures publicly broadcast synchronization signals from an outdoor 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) node, and a controller that decodes the captured publicly broadcast synchronization signals from the outdoor 5G RAN node. The controller further synchronizes with the decoded publicly broadcast synchronization signals, to align a frame structure of the donor radio antenna to a frame structure of the outdoor 5G RAN node, independent of additional signaling and explicit coordination from the outdoor 5G RAN node. The repeater device further includes a relay radio antenna that communicates the synchronized publicly broadcast synchronization signals to a first set of indoor relay devices. The controller further re-configures access beams, from the relay radio antenna to match UE directions of one or more indoor user equipment (UEs), independent of the additional signaling and the explicit coordination from the outdoor 5G RAN node.