RF Line Delay Compensation for MIMO Signal Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In indoor distributed communication systems, different radio frequency lines experience varying signal delays due to differing cable lengths, leading to misaligned time of air interface signals and poor data transmission performance in MIMO mode.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for delay compensation that involves a network device obtaining timing information from multiple radio frequency lines, determining a target timing reference, calculating compensation differences, and buffering signals based on these differences to align delays across lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If independent radio frequency cables of different lengths are used to transmit signals from the signal source to the local network device, then the physical connection flexibility is improved, but the signal delay alignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidsignal delay alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary delay measurement and compensation before MIMO signal transmission. The network device measures the delay difference between different radio frequency lines and pre-compensates for these differences, ensuring that signals arrive at the local network device aligned in time despite varying cable lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the timing parameter of signals transmitted through different radio frequency lines. By adjusting the transmission timing of signals on each line based on measured delay differences, the system compensates for path length variations and achieves signal alignment at the receiving end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If signals from different radio frequency lines are transmitted without delay compensation, then the system complexity is reduced, but the data transmission performance in MIMO mode deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiddata transmission performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network device measures the actual delay difference between radio frequency lines and uses this measurement to adjust signal transmission timing. This closed-loop approach ensures optimal MIMO performance without requiring complex pre-configured cable length matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If delay compensation is performed using satellite time service information, then the signal delay alignment is improved, but the time consumption for synchronization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal delay alignmentVSAvoidsynchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs delay measurement and compensation in advance before MIMO transmission begins. By pre-aligning signals using satellite time service information, the system eliminates the need for continuous real-time synchronization during data transmission, reducing overall time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4243518B1Time-delay compensation method and device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4243518B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP4243518B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4243518B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A delay compensation method is for performing delay compensation on signals of different radio frequency lines. The method in embodiments of this application includes: A first network device obtains at least one piece of first timing information of at least one radio frequency line of a second network device. The first network device determines target timing information based on the first timing information and second timing information. The target timing information indicates a reference value for performing compensation on a signal of the at least one radio frequency line. The first network device determines a compensation difference between the first timing information and the target timing information. The first network device performs, based on the at least one compensation difference, delay compensation on a signal of a radio frequency line that corresponds to the compensation difference and that is in the at least one radio frequency line.