Modular Multi-Beam Forming Apparatus for Base Station Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale MIMO systems face issues with low energy utilization efficiency due to cable-caused losses and high construction costs, particularly in scenarios requiring flexible antenna deployment and repairability, with complex algorithms needed for precoding processes.

Innovation Solution

A modular multi-beam forming apparatus is introduced, comprising phased array submodules, radio frequency channel submodules, and interface modules for beam forming and synchronization, allowing flexible configuration and expansion, reducing the need for complex integrated designs and enabling rapid module combination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large quantity of antennas are deployed in large-scale MIMO, then spectral efficiency is improved, but cable-caused loss increases significantly and energy utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcable-caused loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into multiple independent multi-beam forming apparatuses, each handling a subset of antennas and radio frequency channels. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently, reducing the cumulative cable loss that would occur in a monolithic large-scale MIMO system while maintaining the spectral efficiency benefits of having many antennas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A baseband pooling module is introduced as an intermediary that consolidates baseband processing for multiple multi-beam forming apparatuses. This allows multiple radio frequency units to share a common baseband processing resource, reducing the number of expensive radio frequency channels needed while maintaining the ability to handle large numbers of antennas through efficient resource sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If antenna units are made with small granularity for flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but construction cost per unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of antenna deploymentVSAvoidconstruction cost per unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses modular multi-beam forming apparatuses that can be independently deployed and configured. Each apparatus is a self-contained unit that can be manufactured at an economical scale while maintaining flexibility through the ability to combine multiple units in different configurations to meet various deployment requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-beam forming apparatus is designed as a universal module that can serve multiple functions and be deployed in various configurations. The standardized interface and modular design allow the same unit to be used in different scenarios, reducing the need for custom-designed expensive small-granularity units while maintaining deployment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a one-to-one correspondence between antennas and radio frequency channels is maintained, then reliability is improved, but baseband algorithm complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance under antenna damageVSAvoidbaseband algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baseband pooling module acts as an intermediary that manages the mapping between antennas and radio frequency channels. It implements a many-to-many mapping relationship that maintains reliability by allowing redundant paths and graceful degradation when antennas are damaged, while simplifying baseband algorithms by consolidating processing and enabling efficient resource sharing across multiple radio frequency units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If many radio frequency modules are deployed simultaneously with each antenna, then reliability is improved, but cost increases significantly since radio frequency module cost far exceeds antenna module cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcost of radio frequency modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The baseband pooling module serves as a cost-effective intermediary that allows multiple antenna units to share common baseband processing resources. This architecture maintains system reliability through redundant paths and fault tolerance while dramatically reducing the number of expensive radio frequency modules needed, as multiple antennas can be served by fewer shared radio frequency channels through efficient baseband processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows radio frequency resources to be dynamically allocated and shared among multiple antenna units. When certain radio frequency channels are not actively used by one antenna unit, they can be recovered and allocated to other units, reducing the total number of radio frequency modules needed while maintaining reliability through dynamic resource sharing and redundancy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3136508B1Multi-beam forming device and base station
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3136508B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3136508B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3136508B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-beam forming apparatus, where the multi-beam forming apparatus includes at least one radio frequency channel submodule, a phased array submodule, and an interface module; the radio frequency channel submodule converts a baseband signal received by the interface module from the outside into a radio frequency signal and sends the radio frequency signal to the phased array submodule, and converts the radio frequency signal received by the phased array submodule into a baseband signal, where the baseband signal is output to the outside by using the interface module; the phased array submodule performs beam forming on the radio frequency signal sent by the radio frequency channel submodule and then sends, by using an antenna, the radio frequency signal obtained after the beam forming, and sends data received from the antenna to the radio frequency channel submodule; the interface module transmits the baseband signal between the radio frequency channel submodule and an external baseband data unit, and is configured for multi-module expansion connection to another apparatus. According to the present invention, joining of multi-beam forming apparatuses in a base station can be implemented by providing a modular multi-beam forming apparatus.