Single Baseband Carrier Aggregation for Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies due to the complex architecture of User Equipment (UE) basebands, which require separate production for intra-band and inter-band carrier aggregation, leading to inefficiencies in using multiple antennas for data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for carrier aggregation in a wireless communication system using a single baseband and RF chains for both intra-band and inter-band operations, employing oversampling and Inverse High Fourier Transform blocks to process and transmit signals across multiple antenna ports, allowing for efficient data processing regardless of frequency band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate UE basebands are produced for intra-band and inter-band carrier aggregation, then each baseband can be optimized for its specific frequency band operation, but the device complexity increases and UE usage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal baseband architecture that can handle both intra-band and inter-band carrier aggregation through a single unified structure. The baseband includes a resource element mapping unit that can map to different physical resource blocks, an IFFT unit that processes signals for multiple frequency bands, and an RF chain switching mechanism that adapts to different band configurations, allowing one baseband to perform multiple functions previously requiring separate dedicated basebands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching mechanisms including RF chain switching and resource block mapping adjustments that allow the baseband architecture to adapt its configuration based on whether intra-band or inter-band carrier aggregation is being used. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the same hardware structure to optimize its operation for different frequency band scenarios without requiring separate fixed architectures
2Productivity
If a single UE baseband architecture is used for both intra-band and inter-band carrier aggregation, then UE usage efficiency improves and device complexity reduces, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to need to support multiple frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the baseband processing into distinct functional units including resource element mapping, IFFT processing, and RF chain stages. This segmentation allows the system to handle different frequency bands through modular processing stages, where each unit can be independently configured and controlled, making the overall complex task of supporting multiple bands manageable through structured decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as the resource element mapping unit and RF chain switching mechanism that act as mediators between the baseband processor and the RF front-end. These intermediaries translate and adapt signals for different frequency band requirements, shielding the core processing logic from the complexity of direct frequency band management and simplifying detection and measurement operations
3Productivity
If multiple RF chains are used for carrier aggregation across different frequency bands, then the data transmission capacity increases, but the device complexity increases due to need to manage multiple RF chains and basebands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple RF chains under a single unified baseband architecture. The baseband includes a switching unit that can dynamically connect different RF chains to appropriate frequency bands, consolidating what would otherwise be separate management systems into one integrated structure. This merging maintains the data transmission capacity benefits of multiple RF chains while reducing the complexity of managing them separately
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier aggregation method in a wireless communication system and a corresponding apparatus, the method including using one baseband including two information and two radio frequency (RF) chains for aggregation of two component carriers at first and second frequency bands for each antenna port, switching the one baseband to at least one RF chain corresponding to the component carrier characteristic of the two RF chains upon use of the first frequency band, and transmitting a signal through the switched at least one RF chain.