Smart Repeater Power Control for 5G Coverage Without Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF repeaters in 5G networks amplify both signal and noise, leading to increased interference and inefficiency, particularly at higher frequencies, and lack the capability for intelligent beamforming and power management.
Innovation Solution
Introduce a smart repeater (SMR) with a dual personality, comprising an SMR-MT, SMR-BS, and SMR-CU components, which utilizes side control information for intelligent amplify-and-forward operations, power control, and dynamic activation/deactivation of component carriers and bandwidth parts to manage interference and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If RF repeaters amplify signals to extend network coverage, then coverage is improved, but interference increases because both signal and noise are amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the repeater to selectively amplify only specific spatial beams containing useful signals while leaving other directions unchanged. The beamforming capability allows the repeater to distinguish between signal directions and amplify only those with useful content, thereby extending coverage in specific areas without amplifying interference uniformly across all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action through the repeater's ability to detect and identify useful signals before amplification. The repeater monitors the received signals, determines which beams contain useful information, and only then amplifies those specific beams. This preliminary detection and selection process prevents the amplification of noise and interference, resolving the contradiction between coverage extension and interference reduction.
2Reliability
If repeaters operate continuously to maintain connectivity, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by enabling the repeater to alternate between active amplification periods and power-down periods. The repeater operates periodically, activating only when and where signal amplification is needed to maintain connectivity, and powering down during inactive periods. This periodic operation pattern maintains connectivity reliability during active periods while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the repeater's operational state flexible and adaptable rather than fixed. The repeater can dynamically adjust its operation by selecting which beams to amplify, when to activate, and when to power down based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain reliability where needed while optimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary continuous operation.
3Device complexity
If repeaters amplify all received signals uniformly, then simplicity is maintained, but efficiency decreases at higher frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the signal amplification process into separate directional beams rather than treating all signals uniformly. The repeater segments the received signals into different spatial beams and processes each beam independently, amplifying only those that contain useful signals. This segmentation approach, while increasing operational complexity, significantly improves amplification efficiency at higher frequencies by preventing the amplification of noise and interference in directions where no useful signals exist.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart repeater (SMR) can be configured to amplify and forward data from a base station based on received control information for managing power efficiency of on-off operations. The SMR can configure a power control mechanism based on the control information to adapt one or more bandwidths associated with the SMR based on the control information to save power and forward the communications to the base station or the UE. The control information can include a component carrier (CC) index or a bandwidth part (BWP) identifier (ID), and a set of parameters to configure on-off operations of the one or more bandwidths according to one or more CCs or BWPs.