Radio Communication Apparatus Using Electro-Optic Conversion for Service Area Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio communication systems for 5G and local 5G face challenges in expanding service areas due to the high cost and large size of radio units, which are easily shielded by obstacles, leading to difficult communication areas and increased facility costs.
Innovation Solution
A radio communication method and device that performs inverse fast Fourier transform on digital signals, converts them to optical signals using electro-optic conversion, and transmits these signals through optical fibers to extension units with photoelectric conversion, allowing for efficient expansion of service areas without the need for multiple large radio units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional radio units are installed to expand service area, then communication coverage is improved, but facility cost increases due to heavy and large equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the radio unit into two separate functional components: a centralized signal processing unit and a distributed antenna unit. The antenna unit is further segmented into multiple lightweight antenna elements that can be deployed independently. This segmentation allows the service area to be expanded by adding only simple antenna elements rather than deploying complete, expensive radio units, directly resolving the contradiction between coverage expansion and facility cost.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional radio units are installed to expand service area, then communication coverage is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple heavy components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex signal processing functions (including D/A conversion, A/D conversion, and signal processing) from the antenna unit and relocates them to a centralized unit. The antenna unit retains only the essential function of radiating and receiving radio waves through simple antenna elements. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple heavy components at each deployment location, reducing device complexity while enabling service area expansion through simple antenna element installation.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional radio units are installed to expand service area, then communication coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-power consumption components (signal processing unit, D/A conversion unit, and A/D conversion unit) from the distributed antenna units and concentrates them in a single centralized unit. The distributed antenna elements become passive or low-power devices that only perform radio wave radiation and reception. This redistribution of functional load dramatically reduces the power consumption at each deployment location, enabling service area expansion without proportional increases in total power consumption.
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 reduces facility costs by enabling the expansion of radio communication service areas with smaller, lighter extension units that can be easily installed, reducing signal loss and power consumption while maintaining effective communication coverage.
Implementation Method 1
an inverse fast Fourier transform unit that performs inverse fast Fourier transform on a digital electric signal associated with a downlink radio signal
Implementation Method 2
a digital-to-analogue conversion unit that converts the digital electric signal subjected to the inverse fast Fourier transform into a first analogue electric signal
Implementation Method 3
an electro-optic conversion unit that converts the first analogue electric signal into an optical signal
Implementation Method 4
an optical fiber that transmits the optical signal
Implementation Method 5
a photoelectric conversion unit that converts the transmitted optical signal into a second analogue electric signal
Implementation Method 6
an antenna element that transmits the downlink radio signal corresponding to the second analogue electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radio communication method performed by a radio communication device includes an inverse fast Fourier transform step of performing inverse fast Fourier transform on a digital electric signal associated with a downlink radio signal, a digital-to-analogue conversion step of converting the digital electric signal subjected to the inverse fast Fourier transform into a first analogue electric signal, an electro-optic conversion step of converting the first analogue electric signal into an optical signal, a step of transmitting the optical signal, a photoelectric conversion step of converting the transmitted optical signal into a second analogue electric signal, and a step of transmitting the downlink radio signal corresponding to the second analogue electric signal.