Tower-Mounted Amplifier Filtering for Multi-Band Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tower mounted amplifiers require multiple filters for each frequency band, leading to increased volume and costs, making it inefficient to support a large quantity of frequency bands.

Innovation Solution

A tower mounted amplifier design using only two band-pass filters to process signals in multiple frequency bands, with additional filters for downlink signals, reducing the overall number of filters and hardware needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filters are disposed for each frequency band, then each frequency band can be processed independently, but the volume and costs of the tower mounted amplifier increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band processing capabilityVSAvoidamplifier volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional filter system where a first filter processes both first-frequency-band uplink signals and second-frequency-band downlink signals, and a second filter processes both first-frequency-band downlink signals and second-frequency-band uplink signals. This cross-frequency-band and cross-signal-direction filtering capability reduces the total filter count from what would traditionally be required (4 filters for 2 frequency bands with separate uplink/downlink processing) to just 2 filters, thereby reducing amplifier volume while maintaining full adaptability across multiple frequency bands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the filtering functions for different frequency bands and signal directions into a shared filter structure. Specifically, the same physical filter is used for both uplink and downlink signals across different frequency bands by appropriately configuring the signal routing and filter characteristics. This consolidation of filtering functions into shared resources directly reduces the number of discrete filter components needed, thus reducing the overall amplifier volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple filters are disposed for each frequency band, then signal filtering precision is maintained, but the costs of the tower mounted amplifier increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal filtering precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs filters with multi-functional capabilities where each filter can handle multiple frequency bands and both uplink and downlink signal directions. The first filter processes first-frequency-band uplink signals and second-frequency-band downlink signals, while the second filter handles first-frequency-band downlink signals and second-frequency-band uplink signals. This universal filtering approach maintains signal filtering precision across all bands and directions while reducing the total filter count from 4 to 2, thereby halving the filtering component costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameters of the filters (such as frequency response characteristics, bandwidth, and center frequency) to enable single filters to perform multiple filtering tasks. By carefully designing the filter parameters to cover multiple frequency bands and signal directions, the system achieves precise signal filtering for all required bands using fewer filters, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining filtering precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If more frequency bands are processed, then network coverage and service capability are improved, but the quantity of filters and hardware increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band supportVSAvoidfilter quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal filtering architecture where each filter is designed to handle multiple frequency bands and both uplink and downlink directions. The first filter serves dual purposes by filtering first-frequency-band uplink signals and second-frequency-band downlink signals, while the second filter similarly serves first-frequency-band downlink signals and second-frequency-band uplink signals. This multi-functional design enables the amplifier to support multiple frequency bands with only 2 filters, avoiding the linear increase in filter quantity that would normally accompany increased frequency band support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the filtering operations for different frequency bands and signal directions into a unified filter structure. Instead of having separate filters for each frequency band and signal direction, the system combines these functions into two shared filters with appropriate signal routing. This consolidation reduces hardware complexity by eliminating redundant filter components while maintaining the capability to process multiple frequency bands simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design allows for efficient amplification of uplink and downlink signals in multiple frequency bands with fewer filters, reducing the volume and cost of the amplifier while supporting a larger number of frequency bands with a single unit.

Implementation Method 1

a first band-pass filter, configured to obtain signals in at least two frequency bands through separation from uplink signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBand-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

a first amplifier, configured to amplify the uplink signals that are in the at least two frequency bands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal amplification: Magnetic Amplifier

Implementation Method 3

a second band-pass filter, configured to receive the amplified uplink signals that are in the at least two frequency bands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBand-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentEP3499745B1Tower mounted amplifier
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3499745B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499745B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499745B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tower mounted amplifier is provided and is configured to support a relatively large quantity of frequency bands by using a relatively small quantity of filters. The tower mounted amplifier includes: a first port, connected to an antenna of a base station, and configured to perform signal interaction with the antenna; a first band-pass filter, where an input end of the first band-pass filter is connected to the first port, and the first band-pass filter is configured to obtain signals in at least two frequency bands through separation from uplink signals received by the first port; a first amplifier, where an input end of the first amplifier is connected to an output end of the first band-pass filter, and the first amplifier is configured to amplify the uplink signals that are in the at least two frequency bands and that are output by the first band-pass filter; a second band-pass filter, where an input end of the second band-pass filter is connected to an output end of the first amplifier, and the second band-pass filter is configured to receive the amplified uplink signals that are in the at least two frequency bands and that are output by the first amplifier; and a second port, connected to an output end of the second band-pass filter and the base station, and configured to output, to the base station, the amplified uplink signals that are in the at least two frequency bands and that are output by the second band-pass filter.