Radio Base Station Splitting Digital Signal Processing to Reduce Traffic Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The separated structure of radio base stations, where digital signal processing is performed at the REC, leads to increased data redundancy and potential traffic congestion between the REC and RE due to increased user data processing, as channel coding and other processes enhance data volume.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a configuration where the RE performs digital signal processing on the physical layer, including channel coding and decoding, and dynamic scheduling, reducing data redundancy and alleviating traffic congestion by distributing processing functions between the REC and RE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital signal processing including channel coding is performed at the REC, then the REC can control and monitor the entire radio base station, but the data amount increases due to redundancy and traffic congestion occurs between REC and RE

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol and monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddata amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the digital signal processing functions by separating channel coding/decoding from higher-layer processing. The RE performs channel coding/decoding and generates channel-coded data, while the REC performs higher-layer processing. This segmentation reduces the data amount transmitted between REC and RE by processing channel coding at the RE, thus preventing traffic congestion while maintaining control capability at the REC.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the REC performs all digital baseband signal processing, then centralized control is achieved, but the processing capacity becomes a bottleneck for increasing user data traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidprocessing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides digital baseband signal processing into two parts: channel coding/decoding performed at the RE, and higher-layer processing performed at the REC. This segmentation distributes processing capacity to handle increasing user data traffic while the REC maintains centralized control through higher-layer processing and coordination functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-location processing model to a distributed processing model by adding a spatial dimension. Channel coding/decoding is moved to the RE location, while higher-layer processing remains at the REC location. This dimensional change enables parallel processing across multiple locations, increasing overall processing capacity while maintaining centralized control architecture.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3255956B1Radio station and method of processing user data with radio station
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 NEC CORP
  • EP3255956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3255956B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3255956B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radio station (1) includes a first part (1A) and at least one second part (1B). The second part (1B) can be arranged so as to be physically separated from the first part (1A) and is connected to the first part (1A) via a transmission line (40) so as to be able to communicate with the first part (1A). The first part (1A) includes a bearer termination unit (10) capable of terminating at least one bearer between an upper network and the radio station (1). The second part (1B) includes a physical layer signal processing unit (12) that performs physical layer signal processing. The physical layer signal processing includes channel coding and decoding for user data pertaining to a first mobile station connected to the second part (1B) among a plurality of mobile stations.