Remote Radio Head Sensor Data Transport via O&M Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular communication networks face challenges in reliably acquiring and transporting increasing amounts of sensor data from various environmental sensors deployed around cell sites, particularly due to bandwidth limitations in operations and maintenance (O&M) channels, which can interfere with higher priority voice and data communications.
Innovation Solution
Embedding environmental sensors in modules that attach to remote radio heads (RRHs) within cellular communication networks, allowing these sensors to receive power and transmit data over underutilized O&M channels, thereby avoiding data transport latency and enabling scalable, dynamically configurable sensor deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor data is transmitted through dedicated channels, then data transport reliability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The O&M channel is designed to perform dual functions: transmitting operations and maintenance data for RRH management, and simultaneously transporting sensor data from environmental sensors. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated sensor data channels while maintaining reliable data transport through existing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The RRH provides power to sensors and receives sensor data through its existing O&M channel infrastructure, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring external dedicated communication infrastructure. The RRH's power supply line and O&M channel are utilized to support sensor operations autonomously.
2Quantity of substance
If O&M channel bandwidth is increased to accommodate sensor data, then sensor data transport capacity is improved, but voice and data communication quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The O&M channel bandwidth is segmented into different allocation modes: dedicated O&M mode for traditional operations and maintenance communications, and sensor mode for environmental sensor data transport. The system can dynamically switch between these modes or allocate bandwidth proportionally, allowing sensor data capacity to increase while preserving voice and data communication quality through controlled resource sharing.
3Duration of action of moving object
If sensors are deployed with batteries, then sensor operation autonomy is improved, but maintenance complexity and power management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors receive power directly from the RRH through the existing power supply infrastructure, eliminating the need for onboard batteries and associated power management systems. The RRH's power supply line serves dual purposes: powering the RRH itself and providing power to attached sensors, thereby reducing maintenance complexity while ensuring continuous sensor operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sensing an environmental parameter at a cell site of a cellular communication network and transporting corresponding data over an operations and maintenance (“O&M”) channel of the cellular communication network comprises a remote radio head and a sensor operably coupled to the remote radio head to receive electrical power from the remote radio head and transmit sensor data corresponding to the environmental parameter to the remote radio head. The sensor is operable to use at least some of the electrical power to generate the sensor data and is operable to use at least some of the electrical power to transmit the sensor data to the remote radio head. The remote radio head is operable to provide the electrical power to the sensor, is operable to receive the sensor data, and is operable to transmit operations and maintenance data and the sensor data over the O&M channel.