KR20150107176A - Repeater including digital interface module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital signal processing unit and one or more repeaters for one cell. The repeaters of the present invention comprises a digital interface module and a wireless frequency module. The digital interface module receives a digital signal of a baseband from the digital signal processing unit, converts the digital signal to be fitted into a communications protocol, and also, outputs a signal, which controls an output level of the wireless frequency signal, to the wireless frequency module. Accordingly, the output level of the wireless frequency signal can be controlled with only a change in the digital interface module of the repeaters according to changes in a cell environment and a mobile communications network. Furthermore, each repeater can output wireless frequency signals different from each other, thereby increasing data quantity.

Description

[0001] REPEATER INCLUDING DIGITAL INTERFACE MODULE [0002]

The present invention relates to a relay apparatus, and more particularly, to a relay apparatus including a replaceable digital interface module.

One cell includes a base station and at least one relay device. The base station includes a modem for processing digital communication signals and a radio frequency generator for processing analog communication signals. The relay apparatus includes a radio frequency unit. The radio frequency unit of the relay apparatus receives the radio frequency signal from the base station and retransmits the signal to the shadow area, thereby improving the reception state. The relay device extends the area of the signal, but it is impossible to increase the amount of data that can be processed. Further, the radio frequency unit of the relay apparatus is replaced if the output level of the radio frequency signal and the cell environment are changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a relay apparatus that does not need to replace an entire radio frequency unit with a change in an output level and a cell environment of a radio frequency signal.

The relay device includes a digital interface module for generating a baseband electric signal according to a communication protocol, and a radio frequency module for converting the generated baseband electric signal into a radio frequency signal and outputting the converted radio frequency signal. The digital interface module includes a baseband A photoelectric signal converter for converting an optical signal into a baseband electric signal, and a circuit for converting the baseband electric signal into a communication protocol and generating a control signal, wherein the control signal is a radio frequency signal output level Lt; / RTI >

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the relay apparatus includes a replaceable digital interface module and a radio frequency module. Depending on the changes of the cell environment and the mobile communication network, the relay device can be reconfigured by replacing the digital interface module and reusing the radio frequency module.

1 is a block diagram showing a mobile communication network including a digital signal processing unit and a relay device.
2 is a block diagram showing a relay device including a digital interface module and a radio frequency module.
3 is a block diagram showing a digital interface module.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a radio frequency module;
5 is a block diagram showing a multi-band MIMO relay apparatus.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a digital signal connection module of a multi-band MIMO relay apparatus.

The present invention is capable of various modifications and various forms, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structures are shown enlarged from the actual for the sake of clarity of the present invention. The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present application, the terms "comprises" or "having" and the like are used to specify that there is a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combination thereof described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

1 is a block diagram showing a mobile communication network including a digital signal processing unit and a relay device. Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile communication network 1000 includes a digital signal processing unit 1100 and at least one relay device. The digital signal processing unit 1100 includes a first BBU unit 1110 to an nth BBU unit 1112 and an OCU unit 1120.

 The first BBU unit 1110 to the nth BBU unit 1112 output a baseband electric signal having different frequency bands to the OCU unit 1120. The number of the first BBU unit 1110 to the nth BBU unit 1112 is variable. The OCU unit 1120 converts the baseband electrical signal into a baseband optical signal and outputs the baseband optical signal to the first optical switch / WDM unit 1130. The first optical switch / WDM unit 1130 outputs the received baseband optical signal to at least one optical cable. Specifically, the first optical switch / WDM unit 1130 bundles the optical signals of different baseband into one, transmits the optical signals to at least one or more optical cables, and controls transmission and reception of optical signals of the baseband. The baseband electrical signal and the baseband optical signal are digital signals.

The first to sixth relay apparatuses 1200 to 1201 receive the baseband optical signal from the second optical switch / WDM unit 1301. Or the first to sixth relay devices 1200 to 1201 output a baseband optical signal to the second optical switch / WDM unit 1301. The first to sixth relay apparatuses 1200 to 1201 convert the received baseband optical signal into an analog signal of a carrier frequency band and output it. The functions of the second optical switch / WDM unit 1301 to the p-th optical switch / WDM unit 1302 are similar to those of the first optical switch / WDM unit 1130, so a detailed description will be omitted. The functions of the (m + 1) -th relay device 1202 to the p-th relay device 1205 are similar to those of the first relay device 1200 to the m-th relay device 1201, . If necessary, the number of repeaters and optical switches / WDMs can be adjusted.

2 is a block diagram showing a relay device including a digital interface module and a radio frequency module. Referring to FIG. 2, the relay apparatus 100 includes a digital interface module 110, a radio frequency module 120, a first antenna ANT1, and a second antenna ANT2. The number of antennas ANT is not limited to two. If necessary, the number of antennas ANT can be adjusted. The relay apparatus 100 is similar to the first relay apparatus 1200 to the p-th relay apparatus 1205 in Fig. The digital interface module 110 and the radio frequency module 120 of the relay apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a digital interface module. 3, the digital interface module 110 includes a photoelectric signal conversion unit 111, a CPRI processing circuit 112, a CDR (Clock Data Recovery) unit 113, a phase lock circuit 114, a data processing unit 115 ), A serial peripheral interface (SPI) control unit 116, and a serial input output (SIO) unit 117. The photoelectric signal conversion unit 111 receives an electric signal and converts it into an optical signal, or receives an optical signal and converts the optical signal into an electric signal.

The photoelectric signal converter 111 receives the baseband optical signal through the optical cable. The photoelectric signal converter 111 converts the baseband optical signal into a baseband electric signal and outputs it to the CPRI processing circuit 112. Alternatively, the baseband electric signal is received from the CPRI processing circuit 112, converted into a baseband optical signal, and output to the optical cable. The CPRI processing circuit 112 converts the baseband electric signal into an IQ signal conforming to the CPRI standard. The electrical signals and IQ signals of the base band are digital serial signals. The CPRI processing circuit 112 also generates a signal (e.g., a signal that controls the output level of the radio frequency signal) that controls the radio frequency module 120 (see FIG. 2).

 The CPRI processing circuit 112 outputs the IQ signal containing the information of the communication signal and the control signal of the radio frequency module 120 to the data processing section 115 in a mixed form. The CPRI processing unit 112 receives the signal from the data processing unit 115 and outputs it to the photoelectric signal conversion unit 111. [ The CDR unit 113 extracts a reference clock from the received serial signal. The CDR 113 is a circuit for accurately reconstructing a serial signal received with the sampled reference clock. Specifically, the CDR 113 extracts the reference clock from the IQ signal generated by the CPRI processing circuit 112, and accurately reproduces and restores the original signal (baseband electrical signal). Thus, the CDR 113 is a circuit that accurately keeps the clock synchronized.

The phase lock circuit 114 eliminates the noise of the clock to help the CDR 113 extract a more accurate reference clock. The data processing unit 115 is a circuit for extracting valid information from the received data signal. Specifically, the data processing unit 115 extracts the IQ signal and the control signal of the wireless signal processing module 120 from the signal received by the CPRI processing circuit 112. The SPI control unit 116 converts the control signal of the RF module 120 extracted by the data processing unit 115 into an SPI control signal. The data processing unit 115 outputs the IQ signal and the SPI control signal to the SIO unit 117. The SIO unit 117 is a circuit for sequentially outputting and receiving serial signals. Specifically, the SIO unit 117 sequentially outputs the IQ signal and the SPI control signal to the radio frequency module 120. Alternatively, the SIO unit 117 receives the IQ signal from the radio frequency module 120 and outputs it to the data processing unit 115.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a radio frequency module; 4, the radio frequency module 120 includes a transceiver 121, a phase lock circuit 122, a first PA (Power Amplifier) 123, a second PA 124, a first LNA Amplifier 125, a second LNA 126, a transceiver 127, a first antenna ANT1, and a second antenna ANT2. PA, LNA and antenna ANT are not limited to two. If necessary, the number of PA, LNA and antenna ANT can be adjusted.

The transceiver 121 of the radio frequency module 120 receives the IQ signal and the SPI control signal from the SIO unit 117 (see FIG. 3) of the digital interface module 110 (see FIG. 3). The transceiver unit 121 converts an IQ signal, which is a baseband digital signal, into a radio frequency signal. The radio frequency signal is an analog signal in the carrier frequency band. For frequency conversion of the received signal, the phase lock circuit 122 serves to remove noise. The radio frequency signal is output to the first PA 123 and the second PA 124. In order to output the radio frequency signal at a desired signal level, the SPI control signal controls the amplification intensity of the first PA 123 and the second PA 124. The first PA 123 and the second PA 124 amplify the radio frequency signal and output the amplified radio frequency signal to the transmission / reception switching unit 127 according to a command of the control signal.

The transmission / reception switching unit 127 is a circuit for separating a signal output through the antenna and a signal received via the antenna. Specifically, the transmission / reception switching unit 127 outputs the radio frequency signals received from the first PA 123 and the second PA 124 through the first antenna ANT1 and the second antenna ANT2. The transmitting and receiving unit 127 outputs the external signals received from the first antenna ANT1 and the second antenna ANT2 to the first LNA 126 and the second LNA 126. [ The external signal is an analog signal in the carrier frequency band. The first LNA 126 and the second LNA 126 amplify and amplify noise of an external signal input through the antenna. Therefore, the first LNA 126 and the second LNA 126 amplify the external signal and output the amplified signal to the transceiver 121. The transmission / reception unit 121 converts an external signal into an IQ signal, which is a baseband digital signal, and outputs the signal to the SIO 117. The relay apparatus 100 can change the output level of a radio frequency signal at a level at which the digital signal connection module 110 is replaced and the radio signal processing module 120 is recycled according to the change of the cell environment and the mobile communication network.

5 is a block diagram showing a multi-band MIMO relay apparatus. 5, the multi-band MIMO relay apparatus 200 includes an optical interface module 210, a first digital interface module 220 to an n-th digital interface module 222, Frequency modules 230 to m. 3) of the digital interface module 110 (see FIG. 3) and the CPRI processing circuit 112 (see FIG. 3) are separated from the optical interface module 110 (210). The functions of the photoelectric signal converting section 211 and the CPRI processing section 212 of the optical interface module are similar to those of the photoelectric signal converting section 111 and the CPRI processing circuit 112 of FIG. In addition, the optical interface module 210 separates a part of the components of the digital interface module 110. Therefore, the optical interface module 210 can be regarded as the digital interface module 110.

The SIO unit 213 sequentially outputs the serial signals to the first to n < th > digital interface modules 220 to 222. The first digital interface module 220 to the nth digital interface module 222 output the IQ signal and the SPI control signal to the first to eighth radio frequency modules 230 to 232. The first RF module 230 to the mth RF module 232 output the RF signals through the first antenna ANT1 to the p antenna ANTp through the process described with reference to FIG.

The first to n-th digital interface modules 220 to 222 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The first to eighth radio frequency modules 230 to 232 are similar to the radio frequency module 120 of FIG. 4, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. By using the first to n-th radio frequency modules 232 to 232 for generating radio frequency signals having different frequencies, it is possible to realize the multi-band MIMO relay device 200. In the mobile communication network, a plurality of multi-band MIMO relay apparatuses 200 exist. Each of the multi-band MIMO relay apparatuses 200 can transmit signals of different base band. Therefore, the amount of data that the user can use increases.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a digital interface module of a multi-band MIMO relay apparatus. Referring to FIG. 6, the digital interface module 300 is similar to the first to n-th digital interface modules 220 to 222 of FIG. The digital interface module 300 includes an SIO unit 310, a CDR 320, a phase lock circuit 330, a data processing unit 340, and an SPI control unit 350. The SIO unit 310 receives the IQ signal processed by the optical signal connection module 210 according to the CPRI standard.

The functions of the CDR 320, the phase lock circuit 330, the data processing unit 340 and the SPI control unit 350 are the same as those of the CDR 113, the phase lock circuit 114, the data processing unit 115, and the SPI control unit 350 116). The data processing unit 340 outputs the IQ signal and the SPI control signal to the first radio frequency module 230 (see FIG. 5) to the mth radio frequency module 232 (see FIG. 5). An SIO unit may be added to the lower end of the digital interface module 300.

The embodiments have been disclosed in the drawings and specification as described above. Although specific terms have been employed herein, they are used for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims or the claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

Claims (1)

A digital interface module for generating a baseband electrical signal according to a communication protocol; And
And a radio frequency module for converting the generated baseband electric signal into a radio frequency signal and outputting the radio frequency signal,
The digital interface module includes: a photoelectric signal converter for converting an optical signal of a base band into an electric signal of the base band; And
A circuit for converting the baseband electric signal into a communication protocol and generating a control signal,
Wherein the control signal includes control information for determining a radio frequency signal output level of the radio frequency module.

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