Multiband Repeater Gain Control for Contiguous Band Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Repeater architectures face challenges in filtering and amplifying contiguous frequency bands, which complicates network protection by not providing adequate information for uplink bands due to incomplete power level detection from downlink bands.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional repeater system with a controller that adjusts gain or noise power based on control information from downlink signals to ensure network protection, using a configuration with low noise amplifiers, variable attenuators, filters, and power amplifiers, and multiplexers to manage multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a repeater amplifies and filters signals for multiple contiguous frequency bands, then the signal quality for wireless communication is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple amplifiers and filters for each band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple amplifiers and filters into a shared architecture where a single amplifier can serve multiple frequency bands, and filters are configured to handle multiple bands. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining the ability to amplify and filter signals across contiguous frequency bands, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater is designed with universal components that can handle multiple frequency bands simultaneously. The amplifier and filter structures are configured to operate across multiple bands, making each component multi-functional. This universality allows the repeater to support multiple contiguous bands without requiring separate dedicated components for each band, thus reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If a repeater uses separate amplifiers and filters for each frequency band, then the signal processing for each band is optimized, but the cost of the repeater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple amplifiers and filters into shared components that serve multiple frequency bands. By combining these components, the bill of materials is reduced, leading to lower manufacturing costs. The shared amplifier and filter structures can be implemented using fewer physical components, directly reducing the cost of the repeater while maintaining optimized signal processing capabilities.
3Reliability
If a repeater detects power levels from downlink bands to provide network protection, then the network protection capability is improved, but the measurement precision is insufficient when bands are contiguous and power levels are not fully detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power detection function into band-specific detection paths, where each downlink band has its own power detector. This segmentation ensures that power levels for each individual band are accurately measured and detected, even when bands are contiguous. The segmented detection approach prevents signal leakage and interference between bands, improving measurement precision for network protection decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtering stage between the received signals and the power detectors. This intermediary filter ensures that only the intended band's signal reaches its corresponding power detector, preventing adjacent band signals from interfering with the measurement. This intermediary mechanism improves the precision of power level detection by isolating each band's power measurement from others.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively simplifies repeater architecture, reduces costs, and provides adequate network protection by adjusting gain or noise power for uplink transmission paths based on combined downlink power levels, preventing network overload.
Implementation Method 1
a first low noise amplifier configured to amplify the first received signal
Implementation Method 2
a first variable attenuator configured to adjust a gain of the first amplification path
Implementation Method 3
a first bandpass filter configured to filter a first uplink signal of a first band and a first uplink signal of a second band
Implementation Method 4
a first power amplifier configured to amplify the first uplink signal of the first band and the first uplink signal of the second band
Implementation Method 5
a first multiplexer configured to direct the first uplink signal of the third band to a second processing path based on a frequency of the first uplink signal of the third band
Data Source
AI summary
A technology is described for a repeater. A repeater can comprise: a server port; a donor port; a first uplink (UL) amplification and filtering path coupled between the server port and the donor port, wherein the UL amplification and filtering path is configured to pass a UL signal of a first band and a UL signal of a second band through a first bandpass filter; a first downlink (DL) amplification and filtering path coupled between the server port and the donor port, wherein the first DL amplification and filtering path is configured to pass a DL signal of the first band and a DL signal of a third band through a second bandpass filter.