Optical Fiber GPS Signal Transmission in Distributed Base Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional GPS signal acquisition in distributed base stations is prone to poor lightning protection, interference, and inaccurate RRU positioning due to the use of metal coaxial feeders and restricted antenna installation positions, leading to increased costs and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method where a GPS signal is received by a GPS receiving module on a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) and transmitted to a Building Base Band Unit (BBU) via optical fiber, allowing for centralized analysis and computation to generate an optimal clock and location information, which is then used to improve system synchronization and reduce interference, while eliminating the need for metal feeders and additional lightning protection devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal coaxial feeder is used to transmit GPS signal from antenna to BBU, then the GPS signal can be transmitted, but the lightning protection capacity is poor and additional lightning protection devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metal coaxial feeder (electrical transmission medium) with an optical fiber (optical transmission medium) to transmit GPS signals. This substitution eliminates the lightning protection issues inherent in metal conductors while maintaining signal transmission capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical module as an intermediary device that converts electrical GPS signals to optical signals for transmission through optical fiber. This intermediary transformation allows the GPS signal to be transmitted without direct electrical connection, eliminating lightning protection requirements while preserving signal integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If a single GPS antenna is installed near the BBU, then the installation is simple, but the base station is easily interfered by surrounding environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the GPS signal reception function by distributing multiple GPS antennas at different locations rather than using a single centralized antenna. This segmentation allows each antenna to operate in a relatively independent environment, reducing the impact of localized interference while maintaining overall system functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing GPS antennas at specific locations optimized for their local environmental conditions. Each antenna position is selected to minimize local interference (such as avoiding areas with heavy electromagnetic activity or physical obstructions), allowing the system to adapt to local environmental characteristics and reduce overall interference
3Loss of energy
If the GPS antenna is installed within several decameters from the BBU, then the feeder loss is acceptable, but the RRU cannot be accurately positioned and special installation pieces are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical signal transmission through metal feeders with optical signal transmission through optical fibers. This substitution eliminates the feeder loss constraint that limited antenna placement distance, allowing GPS antennas to be positioned near RRUs without significant signal degradation, thereby enabling accurate RRU positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from electrical domain transmission to optical domain transmission, effectively adding a new dimension to the signal transmission system. This dimensional change allows the system to overcome the distance and loss limitations of electrical feeders, enabling flexible positioning of GPS antennas near RRUs without requiring special installation infrastructure
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 enhances the stability and interference resistance of the GPS signal, simplifies the installation process, reduces material costs, and decreases the number of potential system fault points by using optical fiber transmission and eliminating the need for metal feeders and additional lightning protection devices.
Implementation Method 1
A GPS signal is received by a GPS receiving module on an RRU of a distributed base station, and the RRU transmits the received GPS signal to a BBU of the distributed base station via optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A method for acquiring a Global Positioning System GPS signal and a distributed base station are provided. The method includes that: a GPS signal is received via a GPS receiving module on a Radio Remote Unit RRU of a distributed base station, herein the GPS signal includes a clock signal and location information; the RRU transmits the received clock signal and location information to a Building Base band Unit BBU of the distributed base station; And the BBU computes to obtain an optimal clock provided for all devices of the present base station to use according to the received clock signal, and stores the received location information.