Self-Organizing Wireless Backhaul for Cellular Access Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for adjusting the positions of wireless transceivers in cellular access points to establish and maintain wireless backhaul connections are labor-intensive and require substantial manpower, as they rely on manual adjustments by field engineers.

Innovation Solution

A system where cellular access points, including macrocell and small cell systems, can request and receive location data or positioning instructions from a telecommunication network server, allowing them to autonomously adjust their wireless transceivers to establish and maintain wireless backhaul connections using techniques like beamforming and RF sweeps, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual adjustment of wireless transceivers by field engineers is used, then wireless backhaul connections can be established, but substantial manpower investment is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless backhaul connection establishmentVSAvoidmanpower requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless transceivers automatically perform RF sweeps and beamforming operations to establish and maintain wireless backhaul connections without requiring manual intervention by field engineers. The system self-configures by autonomously scanning for available connections and adjusting antenna positions based on signal quality measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary RF sweeps and signal quality assessments before finalizing wireless backhaul connections. By pre-evaluating potential connection targets and preparing beamforming parameters in advance, the system reduces the need for iterative manual adjustments and accelerates deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If field engineers manually adjust wireless transceiver positions, then connections can be established, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless transceivers perform periodic RF sweeps and signal quality measurements to automatically detect and establish optimal backhaul connections. This periodic automated scanning replaces continuous manual adjustment, significantly reducing deployment time while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual adjustment process with an automated electronic control system that uses RF signal measurements and algorithmic decision-making to position and configure wireless transceivers. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual intervention while achieving the same connection establishment goal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If automated systems are implemented, then manpower requirements are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanpower requirementVSAvoidautomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless transceiver system integrates multiple functions including RF sweeping, signal quality measurement, beamforming, and automatic position adjustment into a single unified platform. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the advanced automation capabilities.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized controller or management system that coordinates the automated operations of multiple wireless transceivers. This intermediary manages the complexity by providing high-level coordination and abstraction, allowing individual transceivers to operate autonomously while maintaining system-wide optimization through centralized oversight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 automates the process of adjusting wireless transceivers, reducing the need for extensive manpower and enabling more efficient and scalable deployment of wireless backhaul connections among cellular access points, improving network connectivity and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

wireless transceiver (1320, 1404) to initiate wireless communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

beamforming mechanism, particularly in establishing and maintaining a mmWave communication link

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeamforming: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

RF equipment for communication with users of cellular devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3149990B1Self-organizing wireless backhaul among cellular access points
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 T MOBILE US INC
  • EP3149990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3149990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3149990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described herein are techniques preparing a wireless backhaul among cellular access points. The cellular access points may obtain either (i) locations of themselves and other devices or (ii) instructions for adjusting position of wireless transceivers of the cellular access points. Based at least in part on the locations or instructions, the cellular access points may adjust positions of the wireless transceivers and initiate wireless connections via the wireless transceivers. The cellular access points may receive the locations or instructions from a server of the telecommunication network, which may determine pairs of the cellular access points based at least in part on the locations of the cellular access points.