Smart ODU Remodulation for Microwave Backhaul Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave backhaul architectures, particularly split ODU configurations, face limitations in capacity due to legacy IDUs and ODUs, which are unable to effectively handle increasing demands for higher bandwidth and data services, leading to inefficiencies and the need for costly replacements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'smart ODU' with digital processing capabilities that remodulates signals to higher-order modulation, allowing for increased capacity without replacing legacy IDUs, and using a dual channel communication pathway to effectively double the capacity while overcoming transmission limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional split ODU configurations with legacy IDUs and ODUs are used, then compatibility with existing infrastructure is maintained, but capacity is limited and cannot meet increasing demands
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the microwave backhaul unit into two separate functional components: an IDU (Indoor Unit) and an ODU (Outdoor Unit). The IDU handles digital signal processing and modulation, while the ODU performs remodulation to higher-order modulation. This segmentation allows the ODU to be upgraded independently to increase capacity without replacing the entire system or compromising IDU compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The ODU is designed with universal compatibility to work with both legacy and upgraded IDUs. It can receive signals from any IDU type and perform remodulation to achieve higher capacity transmissions. This multi-functionality enables the system to maintain backward compatibility while supporting enhanced capacity requirements.
2Productivity
If both IDU and ODU are replaced with upgraded devices to meet higher capacity demands, then capacity increases, but replacement costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the remodulation functionality from the IDU and places it in a separate ODU component. This extraction allows the ODU to be upgraded independently to provide higher transmission capacity while the existing IDU remains in place, eliminating the need to replace both components simultaneously and reducing deployment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The ODU is pre-configured with digital processing capabilities and remodulation functionality that can be activated immediately upon deployment. This preliminary preparation allows the system to achieve higher capacity without requiring complex on-site upgrades or reconfiguration of existing IDUs, thereby reducing installation time.
3Reliability
If conventional ODUs without digital capabilities are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but error correction capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ODU acts as an intermediary component between the IDU and the wireless transmission medium. It receives digital signals from the IDU, performs error correction processing, and then remodulates the corrected signals for transmission. This intermediary position allows the ODU to provide enhanced error correction capabilities without requiring the IDU to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional analog signal processing in the ODU with digital processing capabilities. This substitution enables sophisticated error correction algorithms and remodulation functions to be implemented in software/firmware, improving reliability while keeping the hardware architecture relatively simple and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave backhaul architecture for remodulating data to increase a capacity of a corresponding wireless link is provided. The microwave backhaul architecture includes an indoor communication unit (IDU) configured to perform modulation and/or demodulation of the data and to perform a conversion of the data. The data is configured to have a modulation and baud rate dictated by performance capabilities of the IDU. The microwave backhaul architecture also includes an outdoor communication unit (ODU) configured to adjust at least one of the modulation and baud rate of the data in accordance with communication constraints to produce remodulated data. The ODU is configured to adjust the modulation and baud rate of the data such that the remodulated data has a higher-order modulation and lower baud rate when communicated over the wireless link than the modulation and baud rate of the data when communicated between the IDU and the ODU.