Multi-frequency Receiver Signal Division for Baseband Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing broadband antenna capabilities to support multiple frequency bands, leading to high costs and complex configurations when upgrading from xT2R to xT4R or higher networks, as existing solutions require multiple antennas and additional combiner units.

Innovation Solution

A multi-frequency receiver divides RF signals from an antenna into different frequency bands, sending them to an RF unit for conversion into baseband digital signals using a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI), allowing for increased channel reception without adding antennas, thereby simplifying the configuration and improving network reception performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple antennas and combiner units are used to support dual-frequency 4R, then the number of received channels is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of received channelsVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple frequency band processing capabilities into a single antenna interface. The baseband processing unit integrates processing for multiple frequency bands (e.g., Band 1 and Band 2) that would traditionally require separate antenna paths and combiner units, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-channel reception capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The baseband processing unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple frequency bands simultaneously. A single antenna connection provides access to multiple frequency bands through the universal baseband processing unit, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware paths for each frequency band and reducing overall system complexity

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If four single-frequency xT2R modules and four combiner units are used to form dual-frequency xT4R, then multi-frequency 4R capability is achieved, but the device complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-frequency 4R capabilityVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges four separate single-frequency xT2R module functions into a single dual-frequency xT4R module. The baseband processing unit consolidates the processing capabilities of multiple modules, and the antenna interface combines multiple frequency band connections into one unified interface, significantly reducing implementation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the signal processing function from the antenna interface. Instead of having separate hardware paths for each frequency band at the antenna level, the segmentation occurs at the baseband processing level where digital signal processing handles multiple frequency bands independently within a unified analog front-end, simplifying the overall architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple antennas are used to support multiple frequency bands, then signal reception capability is improved, but the cost and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception capabilityVSAvoidantenna configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna interface is designed with universality to support multiple frequency bands through a single connection. The baseband processing unit provides universal processing capability for different frequency bands, allowing one antenna to serve multiple functions and frequency ranges without requiring separate antenna configurations for each band

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

Data Source

PatentEP2640028B1Method, apparatus and system for transmitting communication signals
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2640028B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2640028B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2640028B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method, device, and system for communication signal transmission are provided, which relate to the field of communications, so as to improve reception performance of the network. The method includes: dividing, by a multi-frequency receiver, Radio Frequency (RF) signals by frequency bands received from an antenna to obtain RF signals of different frequency bands; sending a first group of RF signals of a predetermined frequency band to an RF unit so that the RF unit converts the received first group of the RF signals of the predetermined frequency band into first baseband digital signals and sends the first baseband digital signals to a baseband processing unit; and converting a second group of the RF signals of the predetermined frequency band into second baseband digital signals and sending the second baseband digital signals to the baseband processing unit by using a digital baseband interface; or sending the second baseband digital signals to a first RF module by using a digital baseband interface, so that the first RF module sends the second baseband digital signals to the baseband processing unit. The method, device, and system are mainly used in a multi-frequency reception process.