Signal Combining Apparatus for Wireless Base Station Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combining apparatus for wireless communication networks face challenges in sharing infrastructure between different frequency bands and technologies, requiring high-performance filters that are large and expensive, and struggle with transmitter noise leakage due to limited isolation between sub-bands.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus uses filters with 3dB return and insertion loss values in the received signal paths to allow all signals within a known frequency band to pass through, simplifying the design and reducing size and cost, while ensuring sufficient power distribution to both base transceiver stations, and employs signal splitting/combining networks to isolate transmit signals by phase differences, eliminating the need for separate transmit band filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-performance filters are used to achieve sufficient isolation between frequency sub-bands, then transmitter noise leakage is reduced and receiver sensitivity is improved, but the filter size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency band into multiple sub-bands and uses a network of directional couplers and simpler filters to route signals between BTS units operating in different sub-bands. This segmentation approach allows each filter to handle a narrower frequency range, reducing the complexity and size required compared to a single high-performance filter handling the entire band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces directional couplers as intermediary components between the antenna system and BTS units. These couplers facilitate signal routing and isolation without requiring high-performance filters, thereby reducing filter complexity while maintaining adequate isolation between sub-bands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BTS units operate in different frequency sub-bands sharing a common antenna system, then infrastructure sharing is achieved and cost is reduced, but isolation between sub-bands becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal combining apparatus that can accommodate multiple BTS units operating in different frequency sub-bands through a single common antenna system. The network of directional couplers and filters provides a multi-functional solution that handles signal combining, splitting, and isolation simultaneously, enabling infrastructure sharing while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If filters with high selectivity are used to differentiate between frequency sub-bands, then signal isolation is improved, but the filter complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex high-selectivity filter, the patent segments the frequency differentiation function across multiple simpler filters, each handling a specific sub-band. This is achieved through a network of directional couplers that route signals through appropriate filter combinations, reducing individual filter complexity while maintaining overall system selectivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to combining apparatus for apparatus which is used for the transmission and/or receiving of data signals in, for example, a wireless communication network. The combining apparatus ensures the required isolation and separation of the frequency sub bands used for the transmission of signals from a plurality of base transceiver stations and ensures that all received signals in a predetermined frequency band within which the sub bands are located are made available for use as required by the said base transceiver stations while, at the same time, allowing the required performance, size and/or expense of the filters used in the combining apparatus to be reduced.