Multi-Operator Carrier Tracking for Distributed Antenna Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed antenna systems, abnormal base station signals from some in-network operators affect network stability and user experience, necessitating a method to automatically switch users to other normal operators for uninterrupted signal coverage.
Innovation Solution
A multi-operator carrier tracking method for distributed antenna systems that includes setting a carrier tracking mode, detecting the inability to lock onto a current carrier, obtaining information of a next candidate carrier, and re-configuring the user terminal to this carrier, with modes including automatic, intelligent, and manual settings to ensure continuous signal coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system uses a single carrier configuration for user terminals, then the system operation is simple, but the network coverage is affected when base station signals are abnormal
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple candidate carriers in advance before any signal abnormality occurs. When the current carrier signal becomes abnormal, the user terminal can immediately switch to a pre-prepared candidate carrier without needing to search or configure new parameters, thus maintaining network coverage stability while keeping the switching mechanism relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The user terminal is equipped with autonomous carrier switching capability that automatically detects signal abnormalities and switches to candidate carriers without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized control. The terminal itself manages the carrier tracking process using locally stored candidate carrier information, reducing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If the system implements automatic carrier switching, then the user experience is maintained during signal abnormalities, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user terminal autonomously performs carrier signal detection, abnormality determination, and switching to candidate carriers without requiring complex centralized control or manual user intervention. The terminal itself manages the entire carrier tracking process using locally stored candidate carrier information, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining seamless user experience
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the user terminal continuously monitors the current carrier signal quality, automatically determines when switching is needed based on signal abnormalities, and switches to candidate carriers accordingly. This closed-loop automatic control maintains ease of operation by eliminating manual intervention requirements
3Reliability
If multiple candidate carriers are pre-configured for switching, then the system robustness is improved, but the resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple candidate carriers are pre-configured and stored in the user terminal before any signal abnormality occurs. This preliminary preparation allows the terminal to perform simple lookups and switches when needed, rather than performing complex searches or configurations in real-time, thereby reducing energy consumption during actual switching events while maintaining system robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures a limited set of candidate carriers (e.g., top N carriers) rather than maintaining an exhaustive list of all possible carriers. This partial preparation provides sufficient robustness for most scenarios while minimizing the resources required for storage and processing, balancing reliability with energy efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a multi-operator carrier tracking method and apparatus for a distributed antenna system. The method includes obtaining a carrier tracking mode of a user terminal, in response to detecting the user terminal being unable to lock onto a currently configured carrier signal, obtaining information of a next candidate carrier according to the carrier tracking mode, and re-configuring the user terminal from a current carrier to a carrier corresponding to the information of the next candidate carrier, and in response to the user terminal being unable to lock onto the configured candidate carrier signal, repeating the above process until a lockable candidate carrier is found. In the present disclosure, when the currently configured operator base station signals are detected to be abnormal, the user terminal can automatically switch to the carrier of another normal operator to ensure the continuous signal coverage and improve the user experience.