N-plexer Cable Consolidation for Wireless Signal Diversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems require multiple cables to transmit and receive signals, increasing costs and complexity, particularly in split mount microwave radio systems where multiple ODUs and IDUs need to communicate efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an N-plexer and frequency converters to combine and separate orthogonally polarized signals across a single coaxial cable, allowing for simultaneous propagation of multiple diversity receive and transmit signals using frequency division, reducing the need for multiple cables and enhancing signal diversity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cables are used to connect ODUs and IDUs for transmitting and receiving signals, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal paths (first and second diversity receive signals, first and second diversity transmit signals) onto a single cable using an N-plexer. This merging of previously separate cable connections into one unified cable reduces system complexity and the number of physical connections while maintaining signal transmission reliability through the use of frequency division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cable serving as a universal transmission medium carries multiple different signals (first diversity receive signal, second diversity receive signal, first diversity transmit signal, second diversity transmit signal) simultaneously. This multi-functional use of one cable replaces the need for multiple dedicated cables, reducing system complexity while preserving reliability.
2Productivity
If multiple cables are used to connect ODUs and IDUs, then signal capacity is increased, but installation cost and parts requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple signal paths are merged into a single cable connection through the N-plexer, reducing the number of cables, connectors, and installation materials required. This combining approach maintains high signal capacity by transmitting multiple diversity signals simultaneously over the unified cable infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses frequency division multiplexing to assign different frequency ranges to different signals (first diversity receive signal, second diversity receive signal, first diversity transmit signal, second diversity transmit signal). By changing the frequency parameter of each signal, multiple signals can coexist on the same cable without interference, achieving high capacity with reduced installation complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple cables are used for signal transmission, then signal diversity is maintained, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The N-plexer merges four separate signal paths (first diversity receive, second diversity receive, first diversity transmit, second diversity transmit) onto a single cable. This consolidation reduces the quantity of cables from multiple separate connections to one unified cable while preserving signal diversity through frequency separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Frequency division multiplexing assigns distinct frequency ranges to each signal type, allowing first and second diversity signals to be transmitted simultaneously over the same cable without interference. This parameter-based separation maintains signal diversity characteristics while eliminating the need for multiple physical cables.
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
This approach reduces signal interconnections, lowers costs, and increases capacity by enabling the transmission of multiple signals over a single cable, supporting high-capacity wireless communication with improved signal diversity and redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for simultaneous propagation of multiple diversity receive and transmit signals using frequency division
Implementation Method 2
a first frequency converter configured to downconvert the first diversity receive signal from the receive radio frequency to a first receive intermediate frequency and to upconvert the first diversity transmit signal from a first transmit intermediate frequency to the transmit radio frequency
Implementation Method 3
The first diversity receive signal and the first diversity transmit signal may be orthogonally polarized to the second diversity receive signal and the second diversity transmit signal
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary system comprises at least one antenna, first and second signal paths, and an N-plexer. The first antenna may be configured to receive first and second diversity received signals. The first signal path may have a first converter configured to convert the first diversity received signal to first carrier group. The second signal path may have a second converter configured to convert the second diversity received signal to a second carrier group. The N-plexer may be configured to provide the first and second diversity received signals to a first cable in communication with a first modem.