TDD Radio Node Branch Timing Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In TDD radio nodes with multiple parallel branches and antennas, timing misalignment between branches can lead to communication disturbances and equipment damage due to the inability to accurately synchronize transmit and receive modes, resulting in performance degradation and potential equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a signal propagating through each branch's transmit chain, tap the signal to determine timing alignment, and adjust transmission delays or shut down misaligned branches to maintain synchronization within preset limits, using existing hardware like VSWR supervision equipment or antenna calibration tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple parallel branches and antennas are used for radio transmission, then data bit rate and signal reception quality are improved, but timing misalignment between branches occurs causing communication disturbances and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing timing alignment calibration of multiple branches before actual TDD operation. The system pre-determines timing offsets between branches and configures appropriate delay values, ensuring that when transmit/receive mode switching occurs, all branches are already synchronized and ready to operate without causing mutual interference or equipment damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the timing alignment status of multiple branches using reference signals. The system measures actual timing offsets, compares them against predetermined thresholds, and triggers realignment procedures when misalignment is detected, thereby maintaining reliable operation under varying conditions.
2Area of stationary object
If branches are closely spaced to reduce size, then device compactness is improved, but signal interference between adjacent branches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing branch-specific timing delay configurations tailored to each branch's physical location and signal characteristics. Instead of uniform treatment, the system individually adjusts delay parameters for each branch based on its specific timing offset measurements, thereby compensating for spatial proximity effects and minimizing interference between closely spaced branches.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring of timing alignment is implemented, then communication quality is maintained, but system complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing monitoring only during critical TDD switching transitions rather than continuous monitoring. The system periodically measures timing alignment using reference signals at predetermined intervals and triggers realignment only when misalignment exceeds thresholds, thereby maintaining communication quality while avoiding the computational burden of continuous real-time monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for controlling performance in a TDD radio node (600) having multiple parallel branches (604, 606) and antennas (604a, 606a) for radio transmission of signals propagating through a transmit chain in each of the branches before emission from the antennas. A signal generator (602a) generates a signal that propagates through each branch, and tapping means (608) taps the signal from each of the branches after the transmit chain. A control unit (610) then determines a timing of the tapped signal from each of the branches, and monitors timing alignment of the branches based on the determined timing of tapped signals. If it is discovered that there is a timing misalignment between the branches which exceeds a preset acceptable limit, a transmission delay can be adjusted for at least one of the branches to reduce the misalignment.