Multi-ALD Antenna Control System for Base Station Flexibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current antenna control systems in base stations lack flexibility, requiring fixed interconnections between base stations, antenna line devices (ALDs), and antennas, which limits their ability to adapt to changing communication environments and increases the risk of signal interference due to inflexible antenna management.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a multi-ALD system that allows for flexible reconfiguration of interconnections between ports and ALDs or between ALDs and antennas using AISG-standardized RS-485 signals, enabling each base station to control antennas across different frequency bands and reducing signal interference by optimizing antenna alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed interconnection structure between base stations, ALDs, and antennas is used, then the system structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability to changing communication environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing communication environmentsVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of antenna control relationships by allowing base stations to change which ALDs control which antennas through standardized AISG protocols. This enables the system to adapt to different communication environments and frequency bands without physical reconnection, resolving the contradiction between fixed structure stability and environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes ALDs universally controllable by multiple base stations through standardized interfaces and protocols. An ALD can serve different antennas and frequency bands under different base station control, enabling one system configuration to handle multiple communication scenarios, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If manual mechanical adjustment of antenna tilt and azimuth is performed, then the adjustment precision can be achieved, but the operational safety deteriorates and emergency response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna alignment precisionVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with electrical control through ALDs that use phase shifters and signal processing to achieve antenna beam steering. This substitution eliminates the need for technicians to physically climb towers, improving safety while maintaining precision through electronic control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automated antenna adjustment through base station-controlled ALDs that can autonomously modify tilt and azimuth parameters based on network conditions. This self-service capability eliminates manual intervention entirely, improving both safety and emergency response time while maintaining alignment precision through automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple base stations are consolidated to reduce operational costs, then the operational cost decreases, but the coordination complexity between antennas increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidantenna coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces standardized AISG protocols as an intermediary layer between base stations and ALDs, enabling seamless coordination when antennas are shared across multiple base stations. This standardization simplifies the coordination process by providing uniform communication rules, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from multiple base stations managing shared antenna resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If antennas are fixed to specific base stations, then the system configuration is simple, but the network capacity and coverage optimization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidantenna control configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic assignment of antennas to different base stations based on network conditions, frequency bands, and coverage requirements. This dynamic control allows the same antenna to serve different base stations at different times, increasing network capacity and coverage optimization while the standardized protocol keeps configuration complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3226519B1Antenna control system in base station system and configuration method therefor
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 KMW INC
  • EP3226519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3226519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3226519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An antenna control system in a base station system, and a configuration method of the antenna control system are disclosed. A method of controlling antennas in a multi-ALD (Antenna Line Device) system including ALDs and ports linked with multiple base stations is provided including receiving configuration command by one of ALDs from one of base stations, transferring configuration command by the ALD that received configuration command to each of remaining ALDs, and setting an antenna for controlling or port for linking by each ALD according to the configuration command. In accordance with some embodiments, a multi-ALD system for controlling a plurality of antennas includes ports for linking with multiple base stations, respectively, and ALDs for controlling the antennas, wherein the ALDs are linked for intercommunications with each other, to set an antenna to control or a port to link according to configuration command received from one of the base stations.