Relay Antenna Beam Search for Fast Indoor Mobile Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The demand for stable and high-quality communication in indoor areas with distributed antenna systems (DAS) has increased with the spread of 5G, necessitating improved beam forming and mobile station detection in distributed antenna systems.
Innovation Solution
A communication relay apparatus with a master unit and remote units that utilize beam forming and signal intensity detection to dynamically adjust antenna directions for precise mobile station location and communication, incorporating massive MIMO for efficient signal processing and handover control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam forming is used to increase cover area and cell capacity, then communication quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to massive MIMO requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple distributed remote units (RUs) instead of using a single massive MIMO array. Each RU contains a subset of antenna elements and can independently perform beam forming, thereby distributing the complexity across multiple simpler units while maintaining the overall beam forming capability for improved communication quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional antenna array (massive MIMO) to a three-dimensional distributed antenna system where remote units are spatially distributed throughout the coverage area. This dimensional expansion allows beam forming to be performed from multiple locations, improving communication quality without requiring each individual unit to have high complexity
2Area of stationary object
If distributed antenna system is deployed to improve indoor cover area, then communication coverage is enhanced, but system complexity increases due to master unit and remote unit coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The master unit is designed to perform multiple functions including signal distribution to remote units, reception of uplink signals from remote units, and centralized control of beam forming operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving enhanced indoor coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam forming where the direction and characteristics of beams are continuously adjusted based on mobile station positions and channel conditions. The master unit dynamically coordinates beam forming parameters across multiple remote units, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through centralized control
3Measurement precision
If beam direction is changed to detect mobile station location, then detection accuracy is improved, but search time increases when scanning wide areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the spatial search area into multiple sectors or regions, with different remote units responsible for different directional ranges. Each remote unit performs beam sweeping within its assigned sector, thereby segmenting the overall search task. This allows parallel search across multiple sectors, reducing total search time while maintaining detection accuracy within each sector
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary beam direction adjustments based on rough location estimates or historical data before conducting precise location detection. Remote units can pre-position beams in likely directions or widen beam patterns initially, then refine the search once the mobile station's approximate location is known, thereby reducing the time required for accurate detection
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
Enables efficient and stable communication with mobile stations by accurately detecting and tracking their positions, ensuring high-quality communication in indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna that forms a beam of radio waves in an arbitrary direction
Implementation Method 2
a signal intensity detector that detects an intensity of a signal received by the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A communication relay apparatus of an embodiment includes an antenna, a signal intensity detector, a first search unit, and a second search unit. The antenna forms a beam of radio waves in an arbitrary direction. The signal intensity detector detects an intensity of a signal received by the antenna. The first search unit changes a direction of the beam formed by the antenna within a first range, and detects a direction in which the mobile station is located based on the intensity of the signal detected by the signal intensity detector. The second search unit changes a direction of the beam formed by the antenna within a second range narrower than the first range, and detects a direction in which the mobile station is located based on the intensity of the signal detected by the signal intensity detector.