Multi-Head NR Receiver Switching for Gap-Based Signal Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current receiver architectures for wireless communication systems face challenges in simultaneously monitoring and switching between multiple signal paths during scheduled gaps in communication sessions, especially in millimeter wave bands, due to increased signal attenuation and variable path loss, which affects signal quality and data transfer rates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a receiver system with multiple antenna sub-arrays and a switching network that can quickly reconfigure to connect any input from the antenna sub-arrays to output paths, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of signal quality from all receiver heads during scheduled gaps, using high-speed transistors and amplifiers to maintain high-quality communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antenna sub-arrays are used to monitor multiple signal paths, then signal quality selection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver architecture is segmented into multiple independent receive paths, each handling a specific antenna sub-array. This allows parallel processing of multiple signal paths while maintaining modular complexity management. Each receive path includes dedicated amplifiers and mixers that can be independently controlled and activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic switching between different receive paths using a switching network that can rapidly reconfigure connections between antenna sub-arrays and receive paths. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the receiver to adapt to changing signal conditions by selecting the optimal receive path in real-time during scheduled gaps.
2Reliability
If signal monitoring is performed during scheduled gaps, then signal path selection is improved, but communication session continuity is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Signal quality monitoring is performed periodically during scheduled gaps in the communication session rather than continuously. These scheduled gaps provide structured opportunities to evaluate multiple signal paths without causing continuous disruption to the ongoing communication, balancing monitoring needs with session continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs signal quality evaluation during scheduled gaps before the next communication phase begins. This preliminary monitoring allows the receiver to pre-select optimal signal paths and prepare switching actions in advance, ensuring smooth transitions without disrupting the active communication session.
3Speed
If fast switching between receive paths is implemented, then signal quality maintenance is improved, but switching network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A switching network acts as an intermediary layer between the antenna sub-arrays and the receive paths. This intermediate switching structure enables fast reconfiguration by providing a dedicated routing mechanism that decouples the antenna array configuration from the receive path processing, allowing rapid signal path selection without directly complicating the receive path architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless receiver systems and methods for user equipment are described that employ multiple receiver heads. The multiple heads can receive wireless communication signals over different receive paths from different transmission sources. The systems can scan and monitor signal quality from all receiver heads during a scheduled gap in a communication link without interfering with an ongoing communication session.