Serial Communication Units for Space Diversity Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space diversity reception systems face challenges in achieving effective communication quality due to the need for high-speed wired interfaces and complex hardware configurations, as well as the limitations imposed by long communication cables and cable management issues, which restrict extensibility and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where multiple communication units with antennas are connected in series, with a control unit receiving signals based on the quality of the radio signal received by each unit, and selecting either the radio signal or a wired signal for transmission to ensure that the control unit receives data with predetermined quality, thereby simplifying the apparatus configuration and reducing the need for high-speed interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control function unit is wiredly connected to multiple antennas via cables, then space diversity reception can be achieved, but the number of high-speed wired interfaces required increases hardware complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the diversity reception function into separate communication units, each equipped with its own antenna and processing capabilities. These units are connected in series rather than all connecting to a central control unit, segmenting the interface requirements and reducing the complexity burden on any single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Communication units serve as intermediaries between the antennas and the control function unit. Each communication unit processes signals locally and forwards them along the series connection, acting as a mediator that reduces the direct interface requirements between the control unit and multiple antennas.
2Reliability
If more antennas are added to enhance space diversity effects, then communication quality improves, but the number of wired interfaces required increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Each additional antenna is assigned to a separate communication unit in the series connection. This segmentation allows the system to scale the number of antennas without proportionally increasing the interface complexity at any single location, as each unit handles its own antenna independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a parallel architecture where multiple antennas would require multiple simultaneous interfaces at the control unit, to a series architecture where antennas are distributed along a temporal/spatial sequence. This dimensional change allows N antennas to be managed through a single interface by processing them in sequence.
3Reliability
If diversity branches are spatially distributed over a wide area, then diversity effects are enhanced, but cable length increases and wiring becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the diversity reception function into distributed communication units, each located near its antenna. This segmentation allows each unit to process signals locally, reducing the amount of cable required for signal transmission compared to all signals needing to reach a central unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The series connection architecture transforms the wiring problem from a spatial distribution problem to a sequential processing problem. Instead of requiring physical proximity for all connections, the series topology allows distributed units to communicate through time-sequential signal transmission along the chain.
Data Source
AI summary
In a communication system, communication apparatuses provided with their respective antennas are wiredly connected in serial, and a control apparatus receives a signal based on a radio signal received by one of the communication apparatuses. In the system, one of the communication apparatuses determines whether reception quality of a radio signal received via the antenna thereof satisfies predetermined quality, and transmits, to a second communication apparatus or the control apparatus that is wiredly connected thereto, a signal based on the received radio signal if the reception quality satisfies the predetermined quality, and a signal based on a wired signal received from a first communication apparatus wiredly connected thereto if the reception quality does not satisfy the predetermined quality.