Millimeter-Wave Repeater Chain with Satellite Clock Phase Coherency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in efficiently scaling to large numbers of nodes without increasing latency or reducing effective traffic payload speed, particularly in millimeter-wave frequency ranges, due to issues with signal interference, phase uncertainty, and complex equalization processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a digital Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter in the digital domain after analog-to-digital conversion, combined with a direct conversion architecture and phase synchronization mechanisms, to achieve coherent signal transmission and reduce interference in a millimeter-wave frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional communication networks are scaled to large numbers of nodes, then network coverage is improved, but latency increases and effective traffic payload speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electronic signal processing systems with photonic systems. Optical transceivers convert electrical signals to optical signals for transmission through optical fibers, enabling faster data transmission speeds and reduced latency while scaling network coverage to thousands of nodes. The photonic switching fabric uses optical signals instead of electrical signals for core network routing, further reducing transmission delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as intermediary transmission media between network nodes. Optical fibers serve as high-speed communication channels that carry optical signals across the network, enabling efficient data transmission over long distances without significant latency increase. The optical layer acts as an intermediary that decouples the electrical processing domains from the transmission domain, allowing simultaneous scaling of coverage and maintenance of low latency.
2Speed
If millimeter-wave frequency ranges are used for communication, then data transmission speed is improved, but signal interference and phase uncertainty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes millimeter-wave electromagnetic wave transmission with optical frequency transmission. Optical signals have frequencies in the hundreds of THz range, vastly exceeding millimeter-wave frequencies, enabling ultra-high data transmission speeds. Optical signals are also less susceptible to atmospheric interference and phase uncertainty compared to millimeter waves, providing more reliable transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from electromagnetic frequency (millimeter-wave range) to optical frequency. This parameter change enables both higher transmission speeds and improved signal stability, as optical signals experience less attenuation, interference, and phase variation in typical communication environments compared to millimeter waves.
3Reliability
If complex equalization processes are implemented, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical signal equalization circuits with optical signal processing techniques. Optical amplifiers and optical regenerators directly amplify and reshape optical signals without converting to electrical domain, eliminating the need for complex electrical equalization hardware. Photonic switching fabrics use optical cross-connects that simplify the routing and switching architecture compared to traditional electrical switching systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system comprises repeater nodes that serve as a wireless repeater network, where the wireless repeater network comprises a chain of repeater nodes that wirelessly repeat a data signal within the repeater network as millimeter wave wireless signals based on equalizations of time-shifted representations of the data signal. A first repeater node in the chain uses a satellite clock signal as a master clock for maintaining phase coherency among the repeater nodes of the chain.