Modular Radio Module with Layer Device for Active Antenna Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and inefficiency in designing and deploying active antennas for high bitrate communication systems, particularly in managing bandwidth and frequency aggregation, necessitate a simplified approach to enhance spectrum efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A radio module comprising a baseband device for digital modulation, a layer device, and multi-radio antennas with analogue and digital signal processing capabilities, allowing for modular configuration and connection without a central control unit, enabling flexible capacity adjustment and reduced assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If distributed active antenna elements are implemented to support high bitrate communication and frequency aggregation, then data capacity and spectrum efficiency are improved, but system complexity and design difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent radio modules, each handling specific frequency bands or antenna elements. These modular units can be independently designed, tested, and deployed, then combined to form the complete active antenna system. This segmentation reduces the complexity of designing a monolithic system while enabling high data capacity through frequency aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized protocols that allow them to perform multiple functions - handling different frequency bands, supporting various antenna configurations, and providing both transmission and reception capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by using identical modular units for diverse requirements.
2Reliability
If traditional centralized control architecture is used for active antenna systems, then system coordination is achieved, but ease of deployment and flexibility in capacity adjustment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control function is segmented and distributed to individual radio modules. Each module contains its own control logic and can operate semi-independently, allowing systems to be deployed by simply connecting modular units without complex centralized configuration. This distributed control maintains system coordination while dramatically improving ease of deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each radio module is designed to be self-configuring and self-managing, with automatic detection and negotiation capabilities that allow modules to integrate into the system autonomously. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual configuration during deployment while maintaining reliable system coordination through standardized peer-to-peer communication protocols.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed capacity active antenna systems are deployed, then initial deployment is simplified, but adaptability to changing communication demands and frequency aggregation requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The active antenna system is designed with dynamic, reconfigurable architecture where radio modules can be added, removed, or reconfigured based on changing communication demands. The system automatically adapts its capacity and frequency aggregation levels by dynamically allocating resources among modules, providing both deployment simplicity and future flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Universal modular radio units can be configured for different functions and capacities as needed. The same basic module type can serve multiple purposes - handling single or multiple frequency bands, providing different antenna element counts, and supporting various communication standards - enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements without requiring new hardware designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio module is disclosed that includes a baseband device, a layer device, and a multi radio antenna. The baseband device is arranged to perform digital modulation and/or demodulation. The baseband device provides a data connection available to a digital system using the radio module for radio communication. The multi radio antenna includes an analog radio device arranged to perform analog signal processing, and an antenna array connected to the analog radio device. The layer device is arranged to map each baseband device to one or more of the at least one multi radio antennas, and the radio module is connectable to a second equivalent radio module. A corresponding radio assembly and method are also disclosed.