Relay Radio Front-End Duplexer Switching Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current relay node architectures in cellular telecommunications systems face challenges in efficiently managing the transmission and reception of signals on different frequency links, leading to complexity and increased costs due to the need for multiple transceivers and duplexers with varying power handling capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A relay node design that incorporates a single duplexer with switching mechanisms to alternate between uplink and downlink transceiver ports, allowing for efficient power handling and reduced complexity by using a single duplexer for both access and backhaul links, and optionally employing two duplexers with separate switching networks for each link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple transceivers and duplexers are used to manage different frequency links, then transmission and reception capabilities are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transceiver functions into a single transceiver unit that can operate on different frequency links (Uu and Un interfaces) by dynamically configuring the duplexer. Instead of using separate transceivers for access link and backhaul link, a single transceiver is shared between both interfaces through switching mechanisms controlled by the controller, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining full transmission and reception capabilities on both links
Solution Approach 2:
The duplexer is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple frequency links and interfaces. The controller dynamically configures the duplexer to operate in different modes (FDD or TDD) and switch between Uu and Un interfaces, making the same hardware component serve multiple purposes across different frequency ranges and communication directions, thus eliminating the need for dedicated transceivers for each interface
2Power
If multiple duplexers with varying power handling capabilities are used, then power handling for different links is optimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple duplexers into a single duplexer that is dynamically configured to handle different frequency links. The controller switches the duplexer between different operational states to manage power handling requirements for both Uu and Un interfaces, eliminating the need for separate duplexers with different power ratings while maintaining appropriate power handling capabilities for each link
3Device complexity
If a single transceiver is used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously transmit and receive on different frequency links is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching mechanisms where the controller can reconfigure the duplexer and transceiver in real-time based on communication requirements. The system can dynamically switch between FDD and TDD modes, and between different interfaces (Uu and Un), allowing the single transceiver to effectively perform simultaneous transmission and reception operations on different frequency links by rapidly alternating its operation mode according to traffic needs
Data Source
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AI summary
A relay node (34) which wirelessly communicates on a backhaul link over a first interface with a base station node (28) of a radio access technology network and which wirelessly communicates on an access link over a second interface with a wireless terminal (30). The relay node (34) comprises a transceiver (36) and a duplexer section (40). The transceiver (36) comprises a transmitter (42) and a receiver (44). The duplexer section (40) comprises plural transceiver ports (50, 52) and at least one antenna port (48). The relay node (34) is configured to provide a transmit signal from the transmitter (42) in a manner whereby a backhaul link portion of the transmit signal is conveyed through a different transceiver port (50) of the duplexer section than is an access link portion of the transmit signal.