Network-Controlled Repeater Self-Interference Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio repeaters face challenges in reducing self-interference due to limited digital processing resources, which complicates their design and increases complexity and cost, especially in scenarios like frequency range 2 (FR2) of new radio (NR) where providing coverage can be challenging.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater design that reuses existing transmission pathways for feedback to enable self-interference cancellation, utilizing phase and amplitude control of signals to minimize self-interference without requiring additional dedicated components, thus reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital processing is used to cancel self-interference, then self-interference cancellation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex digital signal processing with an analog feedback mechanism. A feedback pathway generates an analog self-interference cancelling signal that directly counteracts the self-interference signal in the analog domain, eliminating the need for resource-intensive digital processing while achieving effective self-interference cancellation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback pathway as an intermediary mechanism between the transmission pathway and the received signal. This feedback pathway generates a cancelling signal that mediates the interaction between the original signal and self-interference, providing a simple and effective cancellation mechanism without requiring complex digital processing.
2Reliability
If additional components are added for self-interference cancellation, then self-interference reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the second transmission pathway serve dual purposes: it transmits signals in the normal communication path and simultaneously serves as the feedback pathway for generating self-interference cancelling signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective self-interference cancellation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the feedback pathway with the existing transmission pathways, specifically reusing the second transmission pathway for feedback purposes. This consolidation combines multiple functions into existing structural elements, reducing the total number of components needed while achieving the self-interference cancellation function.
3Reliability
If dedicated feedback pathway is added, then self-interference cancellation is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the second transmission pathway to perform multiple functions: carrying communication signals during normal operation and serving as the feedback pathway for self-interference cancellation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated feedback components, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining cancellation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own transmission pathway to generate the feedback signal for self-interference cancellation. The second transmission pathway serves itself by routing a portion of the transmitted signal back through the feedback pathway, creating a self-contained cancellation mechanism that requires no external dedicated components and reduces overall system cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A network-controlled repeater including a first transmission pathway for amplifying a first signal received from at least a first antenna port and transmitted by at least a second antenna port; a second transmission pathway for amplifying a second signal received from at least the second antenna port and transmitted by at least the first antenna port; means for self-interference cancelling including a feedback pathway to modify the first signal associated with the first transmission pathway; and a controller. The controller includes means for causing the first signal to be propagated and amplified along the first transmission pathway; means for causing the second signal to be propagated and amplified along the second transmission pathway; and means for causing a self-interference cancelling signal to be propagated along the feedback pathway to modify the first signal associated with the first transmission pathway. The second transmission pathway is reused for the feedback pathway.