Multi-Operator Repeater Amplitude Equalization for Balanced Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wideband repeaters create uneven coverage footprints for different mobile network operators due to imbalances in input signal levels, resulting in smaller coverage for weaker signals.
Innovation Solution
A repeater system with an amplitude equalizer and control system that adjusts signal amplitudes to equalize output power, using an adaptive algorithm to balance signal strengths from multiple operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wideband repeater amplifies composite signals from multiple operators, then signal coverage is extended, but output power becomes uneven across different operators due to input signal imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The amplitude equalizer performs preliminary adjustment on the composite signal before the final power amplification stage. By equalizing the amplitude of individual operator signals in advance, the system ensures that all operators achieve balanced output power after amplification, resolving the coverage imbalance issue without requiring post-amplification adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplitude equalizer applies different gain adjustments to different operator signals within the composite signal. Each operator's signal receives a customized amplitude adjustment based on its input level, allowing selective correction of imbalances while maintaining the wideband nature of the overall signal processing.
2Device complexity
If the repeater amplifies all operator signals uniformly, then the system complexity is reduced, but operators with weaker input signals receive insufficient output power
Solution Approach 1:
The amplitude equalizer dynamically adjusts the gain parameter for different operator signals based on their input amplitude levels. This parameter adjustment is achieved through relatively simple circuitry that measures input signal strength and applies corresponding compensation, maintaining low system complexity while achieving differentiated power output for different operators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the repeater uses a wide passband to support multiple operators, then versatility is improved, but the ability to equalize output power deteriorates due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The amplitude equalizer acts as an intermediary device between the composite signal reception and final amplification stages. It separates the composite signal into individual operator components, applies amplitude adjustment to each, and recombines them before amplification. This intermediary processing enables precise equalization despite the wide passband and multiple overlapping signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A repeater, and method of operating the same, for receiving and boosting signals from a plurality of mobile network operators. The repeater includes a donor antenna for receiving a composite signal that comprises separate signals from two or more of the plurality of mobile network operators, each of the separate signals having an amplitude. The repeater further includes an amplitude equalizer configured to equalize the amplitude of each of the separate signals of the composite signal, and an amplifier configured to boost the composite signal. The repeater further includes a server antenna for transmitting the boosted composite signal with the equalized separate signals.