Multi-Board Architecture for NodeB Resource Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rapid capacity fill-up of NodeB platforms due to faster advancements in wireless technology standards compared to hardware developments leads to shorter equipment life cycles, increased costs, and delayed product delivery times, as well as limitations in adding new 3GPP features in conventional single-board architectures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multi-board architecture (MBA) for L1/L2 processing boards at NodeBs, where multiple boards are interconnected to distribute RF antenna streams and 3GPP feature sets, allowing different boards to handle different antenna sets and feature sets, thereby reducing resource consumption and extending equipment life cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single-board architecture is used where each board performs L2 scheduling and L1 processing for all cells, then all 3GPP standard features are implemented on each board, but the capacity of the NodeB platform fills up quickly, reducing the life cycle of the platform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation of 3GPP standard featuresVSAvoidlife cycle of NodeB platform

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the NodeB platform into multiple L1/L2 processing boards, where each board is responsible for processing only a subset of antenna streams and associated 3GPP features. This segmentation allows the platform to handle the same functionality across multiple boards rather than overloading a single board, thereby extending the platform's life cycle while maintaining full 3GPP feature support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each L1/L2 processing board is designed to be universally applicable across different NodeB platforms, capable of handling various 3GPP feature sets. The boards can be configured to process different subsets of antenna streams and features, making them versatile components that can be deployed in multiple platforms without requiring platform-specific customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single-board architecture is used, then each board is connected to all antennas and performs processing for all cells, but this increases resource consumption and limits the ability to add additional 3GPP features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add 3GPP featuresVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing workload by dividing antenna streams and 3GPP features into distinct subsets that can be handled by different L1/L2 processing boards. Each board processes only its assigned subset, reducing the resource consumption per board while the collective system maintains the ability to support all 3GPP features across the entire NodeB platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by grouping antenna streams and features into subsets that can be distributed across multiple boards. This dimensional reorganization allows the system to scale resources efficiently, adding capacity by deploying additional boards rather than overloading existing ones, thereby extending the platform's life cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If wireless technology standards advance faster than hardware developments, then new features and data rates are added, but the capacity of existing hardware platforms fills up quickly, requiring frequent development of new platforms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rate and feature capacityVSAvoidhardware platform life cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing functionality into separate L1/L2 processing boards that can be independently configured and deployed. This segmentation allows the hardware platform to accommodate new 3GPP features by distributing the processing load across multiple boards rather than requiring complete hardware replacement, thereby extending the platform's life cycle while supporting advancing technology standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic configuration capability where L1/L2 processing boards can be assigned to handle different subsets of antenna streams and 3GPP features based on current operational needs. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the platform to adapt to new technology standards and feature requirements without requiring hardware changes, extending the platform's operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9525966B2Central scheduling multi-board architecture for wireless transceiver station

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

A transceiver station provides wireless resources for cells on a plurality of carriers in a geographical coverage area, where the geographical coverage area is divided into a plurality of sectors. The transceiver station includes a first board and a second board. The first board includes a L1 processing circuit configured to perform L1 processing functions on at least one of radio frequency antenna streams and downlink transmit data for users in the cells on a per-carrier basis. The second board includes a scheduler configured to schedule at least one of uplink and downlink transmissions for the cells on a per-sector basis, the second board being separate from, but interconnected with the first board.