RF Power Measurement via CPRI Spectrum Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current test instruments that analyze CPRI signals often fail to accurately measure RF power, and reliance on separate devices for measurement is cumbersome, inefficient, and unreliable, posing challenges in telecommunications network testing due to the distributed architecture of cell sites.
Innovation Solution
A test instrument that performs CPRI spectrum analysis, utilizing RFoCPRI technology to measure RF power by connecting to test points via optical fibers, allowing for accurate and reliable power measurements without the need for dangerous tower climbs, by processing IQ data and applying offsets to generate a power spectrum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF power measurements are performed using separate test devices at the top of the cell tower, then measurement capability is provided, but safety risks and operational complexity increase due to dangerous tower climbs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses CPRI digital signal transmission as an intermediary to transfer RF signal information from the remote radio head to the baseband unit. Instead of physically accessing the RF signal at the tower top, the measurement is performed on the digital CPRI signal that carries the same information, eliminating the need for dangerous tower climbs while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically climbing the tower to access RF signals with an electronic/digital approach. By substituting the physical measurement location with digital signal processing at the baseband unit, the system eliminates the mechanical hazard of tower climbs while preserving the essential measurement function
2Reliability
If multiple separate test devices are used for CPRI analysis and RF power measurement, then comprehensive testing is achieved, but device complexity and testing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple test functions (CPRI signal analysis and RF power measurement) into a single integrated test device at the baseband unit. By merging these previously separate functions into one device that processes the CPRI digital signal, the system reduces the number of devices needed while maintaining comprehensive testing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the baseband unit a multi-functional device that can perform both CPRI signal analysis and RF power measurement through digital signal processing. This universal approach allows a single device to execute multiple testing functions that previously required separate specialized devices, improving efficiency without sacrificing comprehensiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A test device for testing a power of a signal at a cell site using RFoCPRI™ is disclosed. The test device may comprise a receiver to receive a signal from a test point near a baseband unit (BBU) of a cell site. The test device may also comprise a processor to determine power of the signal. The processor may identify IQ data from the signal, determine an offset based on a noise floor determined from at least one specification of a remote radio head (RRH) of the cell site, and generate a power spectrum based on the IQ data and the offset. The processor may transmit the power spectrum to an output (e.g., display), to where the power spectrum may be representative of the power of the signal between the RRH and antennas of the cell site.