Base Station RF Chain Sharing Across Multiple Operator Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of communication service operators increases, the size of the frequency bandwidth that RF chains in base stations must operate in increases, leading to increased component costs and power consumption, posing implementation challenges.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method of frequency using a DUC a switch matrix control unit in a base station to manage RF chains, allowing each to operate within the bandwidth of a single operator, reducing component costs and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If RF chains are configured to support multiple operators with different frequency bands, then network sharing capability is improved, but component costs and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork sharing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the RF chain configuration flexible and changeable over time. The base station dynamically configures RF chains to match the frequency band requirements of currently served operators, rather than statically supporting all operators simultaneously. This allows the system to adapt its resource allocation to current needs, reducing power consumption when fewer operators are active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters (frequency bands) of RF chains based on which operators are currently being served. The base station monitors operator presence and adjusts the frequency band parameters of active RF chains accordingly, enabling network sharing while avoiding the continuous operation of all RF chains across all frequency bands, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If RF chains are configured to support multiple operators with different frequency bands, then network sharing capability is improved, but component costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork sharing capabilityVSAvoidcomponent costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing RF chains that can function across multiple frequency bands through dynamic reconfiguration. Instead of requiring separate dedicated RF chains for each operator and frequency band, a single RF chain can serve multiple operators by changing its operating parameters, reducing the total number of components needed and lowering manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic reconfiguration capability allows existing RF chain hardware to serve multiple purposes and frequency bands, eliminating the need to manufacture and deploy separate hardware for each operator. This reduces component costs while maintaining network sharing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If RF chains operate across large frequency bandwidths to support multiple operators, then network sharing is enabled, but implementation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork sharing capabilityVSAvoidimplementation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the overall frequency spectrum into separate bands, each handled by dedicated RF chains. Rather than requiring a single complex RF chain to handle all frequency bands simultaneously, the system segments frequency resources and assigns them to appropriate RF chains, simplifying the implementation of each individual RF chain while enabling network sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station monitors which operators are currently connected and adjusts the frequency band parameters of active RF chains to match only the required bands. This parameter adjustment approach simplifies implementation by ensuring RF chains operate within their optimal frequency ranges rather than attempting to handle the entire spectrum continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4207611B1Network sharing method and apparatus for supporting multiple operators in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4207611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4207611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4207611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to: a communication technique for convergence of IoT technology and a 5th generation (5G) or a pre-5G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate beyond a 4th generation (4G) communication system such as the long term evolution (LTE); and a system therefor. The present disclosure can be applied to intelligent services (for example, smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, healthcare, digital education, retail businesses, security- and safety-related services, and the like) on the basis of 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a network sharing method and apparatus for supporting multiple operators in a wireless communication system may be provided.