Self-Configuring Antenna Node for Modular Base Station Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modular base station configurations using antenna units as building blocks, accurately determining the relative positions and orientations of antenna elements is challenging, especially for legacy systems with traditional feeder cables, which can lead to errors in site deployment and inefficient beam-forming.
Innovation Solution
A communication node arrangement that includes sensor units to sense orientations relative to a reference extension, and a control unit that uses test signals to determine the relative positions and orientations of antenna units by forming and analyzing scattering and positioning matrices, enabling correct mapping of antenna units to baseband ports and optimizing cooling and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular antenna units are used as building blocks for base station configuration, then the system becomes more flexible and scalable for different coverage scenarios, but the difficulty of determining correct relative positions and orientations of antenna elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring sensor units in each antenna unit to automatically detect and report the relative positions and orientations of antenna elements during installation. This preliminary measurement action eliminates the need for manual surveying and configuration, resolving the contradiction between modular flexibility and measurement difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic self-configuration where antenna units autonomously determine their own positions and orientations using integrated sensor units. The base station receives this self-reported data and automatically configures the antenna array, eliminating manual intervention and solving the measurement difficulty while preserving modular adaptability.
2Productivity
If manual configuration and surveying is used for antenna units, then the system setup is time-consuming and error-prone, but automated detection systems add complexity to the antenna unit structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by integrating compact sensor units within the antenna unit structure itself. The sensors are nested inside the existing antenna housing, adding minimal external complexity while enabling automatic position and orientation detection, thus improving deployment speed without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor units serve multiple functions: they detect position, detect orientation, and provide data for both installation verification and operational beamforming configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement devices, improving productivity while keeping the added complexity minimal.
3Reliability
If incorrect mapping of antenna units to baseband ports occurs, then beam-forming performance deteriorates, but reconfiguration and error correction increase deployment time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having sensor units continuously monitor and report the actual positions and orientations of antenna elements. The base station receives this feedback data and automatically adjusts the antenna-to-port mapping to match the actual physical configuration, ensuring accurate beamforming while preventing errors before they affect deployment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration by automatically determining the correct antenna-to-port mapping during the initial installation phase using sensor data. This preliminary correct mapping prevents errors that would otherwise require time-consuming reconfiguration, thus improving reliability without increasing deployment time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces site deployment time, minimizes errors, and enables efficient beam-forming by accurately configuring antenna arrays, improving cooling and energy efficiency in cellular networks.
Implementation Method 1
Each antenna unit comprises a corresponding sensor unit, where the sensor unit is arranged to sense an orientation of the antenna unit relative to a predetermined reference extension, in this example a vertical extension
Implementation Method 2
The communication node arrangement is arranged to transmit a test signal through at least one antenna element, and to determine the relative positions of the antenna units based on the transmitted test signal
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a communication node arrangement (1, 1') comprising at least two antenna units (2, 3, 4, 5; 6, 7). Each antenna unit (2, 3, 4, 5; 6, 7) comprises at least one signal port (8, 9, 10, 11; 12, 13) and at least one antenna element (14, 15, 16, 17; 18, 19, 20; 21, 22, 23, 24; 25, 26, 27, 28), where each signal port is connected to at least one corresponding antenna element (14, 15, 16, 17; 18, 19, 20; 21, 22, 23, 24; 25, 26, 27, 28). Each antenna unit (2, 3, 4, 5; 6, 7) comprises at least one sensor unit (29, 30, 31, 32; 33, 34) arranged to sense its orientation relative a predetermined reference extension (35, 36). The communication node arrangement (1, 1') comprises at least one control unit (63, 74) and is arranged to feed a respective test signal into each of at least two different signal ports (8, 9, 10, 11; 12, 13). For each such test signal, the communication node arrangement (1, 1') is arranged to receive the test signal via at least one other signal port. The communication node arrangement (1, 1') being arranged to determine relative positions of said antenna units (2, 3, 4, 5; 6, 7) based on the received test signals, and to determine relative orientations of said antenna units (2, 3, 4, 5; 6, 7) based on data received from the sensor units (29, 30, 31, 32; 33, 34).