Remote Electrically-Regulated Antenna Management via OMC Proxy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing electrically-regulated antennas require maintenance personnel to be on-site, leading to low operation efficiency and high costs, as they need to physically access and control multiple Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) separately, which is cumbersome and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that integrates a controller in an Operation Maintenance Center (OMC) server to receive instructions and issue control commands via the Antenna Interface Standard Group (AISG) protocol, using a proxy module and link module to remotely manage electrically-regulated antennas, allowing for centralized control and reduced on-site operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the controller is installed onto the antenna and directly connected to the driver, then the regulation precision is improved, but the operation complexity and cost increase due to on-site operation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulation precisionVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that receives regulation commands from the OMC and converts them into AISG protocol commands to control the antenna driver. This intermediary architecture allows remote operation while maintaining precise control, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to be physically present at the antenna site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical on-site operation system with an electronic remote control system. Instead of requiring physical presence at the antenna for manual adjustment, the system uses electronic communication through the OMC to send control commands remotely, substituting mechanical field operations with electronic automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the controller is used as a module of a base station sub-system with LMT manner, then the operation safety is improved, but the operation efficiency decreases due to multiple visits to different BTS locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation safetyVSAvoidoperation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the OMC a universal management platform that can control multiple antennas across different BTS locations and even different BSCs through a single interface. This multi-functional capability allows maintenance personnel to manage numerous antennas from one centralized location, eliminating the need to visit multiple sites sequentially.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple scattered BTS locations into a single centralized OMC system. By combining the control capabilities of individual BTS controllers into one unified management platform, the system enables simultaneous or sequential management of multiple antennas without requiring separate physical visits to each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If multiple BTSs are operated one by one through LMT manner, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to repeated travel between locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the control architecture from a distributed one-dimensional model (controlling each BTS independently at its location) to a centralized three-dimensional model where the OMC provides hierarchical management across multiple levels (multiple BSCs, multiple BTSs, multiple antennas) from a single point, adding spatial and organizational dimensions to the control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2521394B1Management system and method for electrically-regulated antenna
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 ZTE CORP
  • EP2521394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2521394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2521394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a system for managing an electrically-regulated antenna, including: a controller provided in OMC server and configured for receiving operation instruction from input device and/or report from driver and issuing control command according to the operation instruction and/or the report; a proxy module, provided in RFS and configured for forwarding the control command; a link module, provided in RFS and configured for establishing active link between the driver and the proxy module; and the driver, provided in electrically-regulated antenna and configured for executing the control command on the electrically-regulated antenna and reporting the operation result of executing the control command and/or a failure reason code. A method for managing an electrically-regulated antenna is also provided. The present invention solves the problem that maintenance personnel need to manage the electrically-regulated antenna on site, causing low operating efficiency and high costs.