Switching Apparatus for Wireless MIMO Bandwidth and Board Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in reducing the size and manufacturing cost of RF channel modules while supporting multiple channels and antennas, and in efficiently managing bandwidth and complexity in MIMO transceivers, especially when dealing with multiple communication protocols and varying terminal capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A switching apparatus and method that utilizes a flexible configuration of antenna and transceiver units, allowing for the selective use of antennas and transceivers to support multiple channels and protocols, with a reduced number of RF channel modules and lower complexity, enabling efficient bandwidth management and adaptation to different communication scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of RF communication modules are implemented to support multiple channels and antennas, then the system can support MIMO scheme and increase bandwidth, but the board area increases significantly and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single RF communication module that can be dynamically configured to support multiple channels and antenna combinations through software control. The module can adapt its operation mode based on channel bandwidth requirements (e.g., 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz) and MIMO configurations (e.g., 2x2, 4x4, 8x8 antennas) without requiring separate hardware for each configuration, thereby reducing board area while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the RF communication module can change its operational parameters in real-time. The module can dynamically adjust the number of active antennas, channel bandwidth, and MIMO settings based on current communication requirements, allowing a single module to replace multiple fixed-configuration modules and reduce overall board area.
2Productivity
If the number of RF communication modules is increased to support more channels, then bandwidth capacity increases, but power consumption increases and causes system power supply problems
Solution Approach 1:
A single RF communication module is designed to handle multiple channels and MIMO configurations dynamically. Instead of having multiple modules running simultaneously, one module is configured to serve multiple functions across different channels and antenna combinations, thereby reducing total power consumption while maintaining high bandwidth capacity through time-division and frequency-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous communication capability across multiple channels by dynamically switching the single RF module between different channel configurations rather than having multiple modules operate continuously. This allows the system to achieve high bandwidth capacity through efficient resource utilization while minimizing power consumption by keeping a single module active rather than multiple modules running simultaneously.
3Area of stationary object
If the number of RF channel modules is reduced to decrease board area, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to support multiple protocols and MIMO schemes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The RF communication module incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capabilities that allow it to adapt its operational characteristics based on the required communication protocol and MIMO scheme. Through software-controlled parameter adjustment, the module can switch between different protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) and MIMO configurations (e.g., different antenna counts and bandwidths) without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each protocol, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing board area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-protocol support by dynamically changing operational parameters of the RF module rather than using separate hardware for each protocol. Parameters such as frequency range, modulation schemes, antenna activation patterns, and MIMO settings can be adjusted in real-time to match the requirements of different communication protocols, allowing a single module to replace multiple protocol-specific modules and reduce board area while maintaining adaptability.
4Productivity
If MIMO transceiver complexity is increased to support more streams, then data throughput increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The MIMO transceiver is designed with dynamic complexity adjustment capabilities. Instead of being fixed at high complexity to support maximum streams, the system can dynamically reduce its operational complexity by activating fewer antenna pairs or reducing MIMO order when full throughput is not required. This allows the transceiver to achieve high data throughput when needed while operating at lower complexity for routine communications, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves high data throughput without proportionally increasing device complexity by dynamically adjusting MIMO parameters such as the number of active antenna pairs, modulation order, and coding rates. The transceiver can operate at high MIMO orders (e.g., 8x8) for maximum throughput when channel conditions permit, but can scale down to lower orders (e.g., 2x2, 4x4) when conditions require, allowing the hardware to be designed for peak performance while software control manages actual complexity to optimize manufacturing cost and device performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A switching apparatus in a wireless communication system using multi-channels includes: a first antenna unit configured to transmit and receive data of a first multi-channel among the multi-channels; a second antenna unit configured to transmit and receive data of a second multi-channel among the multi-channels; a first transceiver configured to receive the data from the first antenna unit and transmit the data to the first transceiver; and a selection unit configured to transmit an output of the second antenna unit to the first transceiver.