RF Antenna Aggregator for Low-Cost Multi-Beam Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF transceiver systems face challenges in increasing channel capacity and beamforming capabilities while maintaining cost and power efficiency, as analog systems are limited to single-beam processing and digital systems require multiple digitizers, leading to high costs.
Innovation Solution
An RF antenna aggregator system that combines analog and digital architectures, using an analog processor for preprocessing and a single digitizer for signal capture, with a digital processor for post-digitization signal separation, enabling simultaneous multi-beam processing and supporting various communication standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fully digital architecture is used to process multiple beams simultaneously, then beamforming capability and flexibility are improved, but system cost increases due to requiring one digitizer per antenna
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function into two parts: analog preprocessing (combining signals) performed before digitization, and digital post-processing (separation and beamforming) performed after digitization. This segmentation allows multiple antenna signals to be combined into fewer channels, reducing the number of digitizers required while still enabling multiple beam operations through digital signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a purely digital domain to a hybrid analog-digital domain by performing analog signal combination in the RF domain before digitization. This dimensional change allows signals from multiple antennas to be aggregated in the analog domain, reducing the data volume that needs to be digitized and processed, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining beamforming capability.
2Device complexity
If an analog architecture is used to reduce the number of digitizers, then system cost is reduced, but the ability to process multiple beams simultaneously is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analog signal combination and filtering before digitization. By pre-combining the antenna signals in the analog domain, the system reduces the number of channels that need to be digitized, thereby reducing the number of digitizers required. The preliminary action preserves the essential signal information while reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an analog preprocessing stage as an intermediary between the antenna array and the digital processor. This intermediary performs signal combination and filtering in the analog domain, bridging the gap between the physical antenna signals and the digital processing requirements, enabling cost-effective multi-beam operation.
3Quantity of substance
If more antennas are deployed to increase channel capacity, then RF channel capacity is improved, but system cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna signals into fewer channels through analog combining before digitization. By combining the RF signals from multiple antennas in the analog domain, the system can support more antennas than the number of digitizers, thereby increasing channel capacity without proportionally increasing the number of expensive digital processing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating domain from purely digital to hybrid analog-digital, allowing signal processing to occur at different stages of the signal chain. This parameter change enables more efficient utilization of the digitizers by processing signals in the analog domain first, thereby supporting higher channel capacity with fewer digital processing resources.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) antenna aggregator system and method designed to enhance the efficiency and performance of signal transmission and reception in arrayed antennas. The system may comprise a digital processor, an analog processor, and a converter that work in concert to manipulate RF signals for various applications, including beamforming and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) operations. The digital processor may be adept at separating and combining RF signals using frequency division multiplexing, while the analog processor may perform similar functions in the analog domain. The converter may facilitate a transition between digital and analog signals, ensuring seamless signal processing. This innovative approach allows for the reduction of hardware costs and power consumption while maintaining high performance, supporting multiple beams, and enabling software-defined radio capabilities. The disclosure may be particularly beneficial for large antenna arrays, offering a low-power, cost-effective solution for complex RF signal management.