Radio Access Network Segmentation for Dense Indoor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for mobile data transmission capacity and consistent RF coverage in densely populated indoor locations, such as buildings, is not adequately met by traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), which lack efficient baseband and RF functionality distribution.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising remote units and a controller, where the controller performs baseband modem functions and is connected via an intermediate Ethernet network, allowing for real-time scheduling and synchronization of RF signals with mobile devices, and includes features like virtual antenna port management and dynamic cell reconfiguration to optimize coverage and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are used for indoor coverage, then RF signal distribution is provided, but mobile data transmission capacity and network performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the base station functionality into a centralized controller handling baseband processing and multiple remote units handling RF functions. This segmentation allows the centralized controller to efficiently manage data transmission capacity while remote units provide distributed RF coverage, resolving the contradiction between transmission capacity and network performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A switched Ethernet network acts as an intermediary between the centralized controller and remote units, enabling high-capacity data transmission while maintaining reliable RF coverage distribution. This intermediary infrastructure supports both the productivity requirement for data capacity and the reliability requirement for consistent coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If baseband and RF functionality are centralized in traditional base stations, then system control is simplified, but coverage flexibility and capacity optimization in dense areas are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting baseband processing (centralized controller) from RF functions (distributed remote units), the system achieves both centralized control simplicity and distributed coverage flexibility. The segmentation allows independent optimization of each function for dense area deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller serves multiple remote units simultaneously, providing universal baseband processing capabilities that can be dynamically allocated to optimize coverage in densely populated areas while maintaining simplified centralized control architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If more remote units are deployed to improve coverage, then RF signal distribution is enhanced, but network complexity and synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller acts as an intermediary that manages and synchronizes multiple remote units through the Ethernet network. This intermediary coordination mechanism enables expanded RF coverage area while keeping synchronization and network management complexity centralized and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes remote units to exchange RF signals with mobile devices, at least some of the RF signals comprising information destined for, or originating from, a mobile device. The communication system also includes at least one controller or controller resource communicatively coupled to an external network and configured to assign airlink resources to the user equipment. The at least one controller or controller resource is separated from the remote units by an intermediate network comprising a switched Ethernet network over which data corresponding to the information is carried between the at least one controller or controller resource and the remote units. Two or more of the remote units are configured to belong to the same communication cell. The at least one controller or controller resource is configured to assign two or more of the user equipment in the same communication cell to simultaneously use a same airlink resource.