Passive Relay Antenna Layout for Reliable In-Building 5G Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed antenna systems face challenges in providing reliable and cost-effective 5G wireless coverage within buildings due to signal attenuation and reflection from building structures, leading to inconsistent and limited connectivity, especially in areas with dense tree cover or high-rise buildings.
Innovation Solution
A distributed antenna system utilizing existing home wiring to distribute 5G RF signals without active components, employing a donor antenna device and passive relay antennas to rebroadcast signals throughout buildings, minimizing signal loss and reducing dependency on outdoor radio access nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional distributed antenna systems use active components and fiber optic cables to provide 5G coverage, then signal reliability is improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase due to infrastructure modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes active components (amplifiers, signal processors) and fiber optic cables from the distributed antenna system, retaining only passive components (antennas, coaxial cables). This simplification eliminates the need for infrastructure modifications while maintaining signal distribution capability through passive signal splitting and routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex active components and fiber optic infrastructure with inexpensive passive components (antennas, coaxial cables, splitters) that can be deployed without permanent modifications. These passive components are easier to install, remove, and replace, reducing deployment complexity and cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional passive DAS systems use coax cable to distribute signal, then deployment cost is reduced, but signal loss increases leading to lower downlink output power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal distribution network into multiple zones with strategically placed passive antennas and splitters. This segmentation allows signals to be distributed over shorter distances from each passive node, reducing cumulative signal loss while maintaining cost-effective deployment using existing coaxial infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes signal distribution by changing parameters such as antenna placement locations, splitter ratios, and coaxial cable routing to minimize signal loss. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves better downlink output power while maintaining the cost advantages of passive deployment.
3Area of stationary object
If outdoor DAS systems use weatherproof enclosures and Remote Radio Heads on rooftops, then outdoor carrier coverage is improved, but in-building coverage remains limited due to signal attenuation from building structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from outdoor-only coverage to multi-dimensional coverage by placing passive antennas at multiple locations within the building interior. This three-dimensional distribution of passive nodes ensures comprehensive in-building coverage while maintaining connection to outdoor macro base stations through the existing wireless backhaul.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces passive antennas and coaxial cable distribution systems as intermediary components between outdoor macro base stations and indoor users. These intermediaries receive signals from outdoor base stations and redistribute them throughout the building, overcoming signal attenuation caused by building structures.
4Device complexity
If 5G signals are transmitted directly from outdoor macro base stations, then network simplicity is maintained, but signal attenuation and reflection cause inconsistent connectivity inside buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The passive distributed antenna system operates autonomously without requiring active control or coordination between multiple nodes. Each passive antenna independently receives and redistributes signals from outdoor base stations, providing consistent connectivity throughout the building while maintaining overall network simplicity through passive operation.
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
Provides ultra-reliable and cost-effective 5G wireless coverage with reduced latency and improved bandwidth, enhancing connectivity in areas where traditional cellular networks are inadequate, without the need for costly infrastructure modifications.
Implementation Method 1
capturing 5G radio frequency (RF) signals from an outdoor base station and transferring the captured 5G RF signals as analog RF signals over one or more wired mediums to a plurality of passive relay antenna devices
Implementation Method 2
receiving the analog RF signals from the donor antenna device and wirelessly re-broadcasting the 5G RF signals to provide 5G coverage within the building
Implementation Method 3
signal attenuation and reflection caused by building structures
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed antenna system includes a donor antenna device and a plurality of passive relay antenna devices. The donor antenna device includes a donor antenna to capture 5G RF signals from an outdoor 5G RAN node and transfer the captured 5G RF signals to a radio transceiver circuitry of the donor antenna device to maximize received signal power. The radio transceiver circuitry transmits the captured 5G RF signals as analog RF signals to the plurality of passive relay antenna devices, which receives and wirelessly re-broadcast the 5G RF signals to provide 5G coverage within a building. The donor antenna device and the plurality of passive relay antenna devices executes network time synchronization to the outdoor 5G RAN node based on publicly broadcast synchronization signals in the captured 5G RF signals without explicit coordination from the outdoor 5G RAN node.