WO2014161580A1 - Identification de ports d'antenne - Google Patents

Identification de ports d'antenne Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014161580A1
WO2014161580A1 PCT/EP2013/057119 EP2013057119W WO2014161580A1 WO 2014161580 A1 WO2014161580 A1 WO 2014161580A1 EP 2013057119 W EP2013057119 W EP 2013057119W WO 2014161580 A1 WO2014161580 A1 WO 2014161580A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
radio
signal
identification
antenna
plural
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2013/057119
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christian Mahr
Original Assignee
Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy filed Critical Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy
Priority to PCT/EP2013/057119 priority Critical patent/WO2014161580A1/fr
Publication of WO2014161580A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014161580A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/40—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems characterised by components specially adapted for near-field transmission
    • H04B5/48—Transceivers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/20—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems characterised by the transmission technique; characterised by the transmission medium
    • H04B5/22—Capacitive coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/20—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems characterised by the transmission technique; characterised by the transmission medium
    • H04B5/24—Inductive coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/70—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
    • H04Q1/02—Constructional details
    • H04Q1/13—Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules
    • H04Q1/135—Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules characterized by patch cord details
    • H04Q1/136—Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules characterized by patch cord details having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements
    • H04Q1/138—Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules characterized by patch cord details having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements using RFID
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/70—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes
    • H04B5/77—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes for interrogation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, a system, and a computer program product related to antenna port identification. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, a system, and a computer program product for antenna port identification by near-field communication.
  • E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
  • Base stations may have multiple antennae, even multiple antennae elements per sector.
  • a beamforming antenna may have up to 8 antenna elements which need 8 dedicated cables between antenna and the base station. Such connections need to be exact; for proper operation, all antenna elements have to be connected to the correct receivers/transmitters in the right order. If cables are incorrectly connected, antenna ports may be falsely connected, while still transmitting/receiving "somehow".
  • Such a configuration has negative impact to cell performance based on the algorithms used by the base station and/or its controller. As the whole system may still stay operable (with reduced performance), such cabling errors typically can persist unnoticed for quite some time.
  • a base station may be one of an arbitrary radio system such as GSM, UMTS (UTRAN), LTE, CDMA, WiFi, a microwave system, etc.
  • the base station may be named BTS, NodeB, eNodeB, access point or similarly.
  • Some of these base stations may have there controller integrated such as an eNodeB, others may have a separate controller such as a GSM BTS with a BSC.
  • an apparatus comprising a first antenna connector for electrically connecting a first antenna element to one side thereof and for electrically connecting a first feeder cable to the other side thereof such that the first antenna element is electrically connected to the first feeder cable, and a first near field communication device adapted to generate a first near field signal, wherein the first near field communication device is arranged such that the first near field signal generates a first electrical signal in the first antenna connector.
  • the first near field communication device may comprise a radio frequency identification tag wherein the near field signal is in a radio frequency range.
  • the first near field communication device may be adapted to generate the first electrical signal through at least one of an inductive coupling, a capacitive coupling, and a direct coupling between the first near field communication device and the first antenna connector.
  • the apparatus may further comprise the first antenna element.
  • the apparatus may further comprise plural antenna connectors including the first antenna connector, wherein each of the plural antenna connectors is for electrically connecting a respective one of plural antenna elements including the first antenna element to one side thereof and for electrically connecting a respective one of plural feeder cables including the first feeder cable to the other side thereof such that the plural antenna elements are electrically connected to the plural feeder cables in a bijective relation, and plural near field communication devices including the first near field communication device, wherein each of the plural near field communication devices is adapted to generate a respective near field signal and the respective near field signals are different from each other, wherein each of the plural near field communication devices is arranged such that the respective near field signal generates a respective electrical signal in one of the plural antenna connectors.
  • each of the plural near field communication devices may be arranged such that it generates the respective electric signal in only one of the plural antenna connectors with a level higher than a predetermined threshold.
  • the first near field communication device may be adapted to generate the first near field signal in response to an interrogating signal transmitted on the first antenna connector; the first near field communication device and the first antenna connector may be arranged such that the first electric signal is generated at a first level higher by a predefined level distance than a second level, and the first near field communication device and the antenna connectors different from the first antenna connector may be arranged such that the respective electric signal generated in each of the plural antenna connectors different from the first antenna connector has a respective level not higher than the second level.
  • the apparatus may be comprised in an antenna unit.
  • an apparatus comprising a first radio unit comprising a first radio port and a single one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the first radio port in a communication frequency range; a first detecting means adapted to detect a first identification signal received on the first radio port, wherein the first identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • At least one of the communication frequency range may be a frequency range specified for use by a mobile communication system, and the identification frequency range may be specified for use by radio frequency identification tags.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a first inner cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first inner cable is arranged within the first radio unit, wherein the detecting means may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first inner cable.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a first outer cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first outer cable is arranged outside the first radio unit, wherein the detecting means may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first outer cable.
  • the apparatus may further comprise interrogating means adapted to generate an interrogating signal and arranged such that the interrogating signal is coupled into the radio port, wherein the interrogating signal is suitable to interrogate a radio frequency identification tag.
  • the apparatus may further comprise control means adapted to control the detecting of the plural detecting means based on a command received from a control device.
  • the apparatus may be comprised in a remote radio head, and the apparatus may further comprise interfacing means adapted to interface the remote radio head to a system unit adapted to operatively connect system unit and to receive the command from the control device via the system unit.
  • the interfacing means may be adapted to receive the command by in-band signaling .
  • the interfacing means may be adapted to receive the command by out-of-band signaling.
  • the apparatus may comprise plural radio units including the first radio unit, wherein each of the plural radio units comprises a respective radio port and a respective one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the respective radio port in the communication frequency range; plural detecting means including the first detecting means, wherein each of the plural detecting means is adapted to detect a respective identification signal received on the respective radio port, wherein the identification signals are received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • each of the plural detecting means may comprise a detecting head adapted to receive the respective identification signal, and the apparatus may further comprise an evaluation means adapted to evaluate the received identification signal, and a connecting means adapted to operationally connect, one at a time, each one of the plural detecting heads to the evaluation means.
  • the first detecting means and the first radio port may be arranged such the first detecting means receives the first identification signal with a first level that is higher by a predefined level distance than a second level, wherein the first detecting means and the plural radio ports different from the first radio port may be arranged such that the first detecting means receives each of the respective identification signals of the radio ports different from the first radio port at a respective level not higher than the second level.
  • an apparatus comprising a first radio unit comprising a first radio port and a single one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the first radio port in a communication frequency range; a first detecting processor adapted to detect a first identification signal received on the first radio port, wherein the first identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • At least one of the communication frequency range may be a frequency range specified for use by a mobile communication system, and the identification frequency range may be specified for use by radio frequency identification tags.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a first inner cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first inner cable is arranged within the first radio unit, wherein the detecting processor may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first inner cable.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a first outer cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first outer cable is arranged outside the first radio unit, wherein the detecting processor may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first outer cable.
  • the apparatus may further comprise interrogating processor adapted to generate an interrogating signal and arranged such that the interrogating signal is coupled into the radio port, wherein the interrogating signal is suitable to interrogate a radio frequency identification tag.
  • interrogating processor adapted to generate an interrogating signal and arranged such that the interrogating signal is coupled into the radio port, wherein the interrogating signal is suitable to interrogate a radio frequency identification tag.
  • the apparatus may further comprise control processor adapted to control the detecting of the plural detecting processor based on a command received from a control device.
  • the apparatus may be comprised in a remote radio head, and the apparatus may further comprise interfacing processor adapted to interface the remote radio head to a system unit adapted to operatively connect system unit and to receive the command from the control device via the system unit.
  • the interfacing processor may be adapted to receive the command by in-band signaling .
  • the interfacing processor may be adapted to receive the command by out-of-band signaling.
  • the apparatus may comprise plural radio units including the first radio unit, wherein each of the plural radio units comprises a respective radio port and a respective one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the respective radio port in the communication frequency range; plural detecting processor including the first detecting processor, wherein each of the plural detecting processor is adapted to detect a respective identification signal received on the respective radio port, wherein the identification signals are received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • each of the plural detecting processor may comprise a detecting head adapted to receive the respective identification signal, and the apparatus may further comprise an evaluation processor adapted to evaluate the received identification signal, and a connecting processor adapted to operationally connect, one at a time, each one of the plural detecting heads to the evaluation processor.
  • the first detecting processor and the first radio port may be arranged such the first detecting processor receives the first identification signal with a first level that is higher by a predefined level distance than a second level, wherein the first detecting processor and the plural radio ports different from the first radio port may be arranged such that the first detecting processor receives each of the respective identification signals of the radio ports different from the first radio port at a respective level not higher than the second level .
  • the apparatus according to any of the second and third aspects may be comprised in a base station.
  • an apparatus comprising control means adapted to control a detection means to detect a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver; comparing means adapted to compare the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver; and alarming means adapted to generate an alarm if the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal .
  • an apparatus comprising control processor adapted to control a detection processor to detect a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver; comparing processor adapted to compare the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver; and alarming processor adapted to generate an alarm if the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal .
  • an apparatus comprising control means adapted to control each of plural detection means corresponding bijectively to plural radio units to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port, wherein each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver; instruction means adapted to instruct a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection means has detected the corresponding identification signal based on a stored one-to-one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units.
  • the apparatus may further comprise comparing means adapted to compare each of the detected identification signals with a respective stored identification signal for the radio unit; and alarming means adapted to generate an alarm if at least one of the detected identification signals does not match the respective stored identification signal.
  • an apparatus comprising control processor adapted to control each of plural detection processor corresponding bijectively to plural radio units to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port, wherein each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver; instruction processor adapted to instruct a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection processor has detected the corresponding identification signal based on a stored one-to-one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units.
  • the apparatus may further comprise comparing processor adapted to compare each of the detected identification signals with a respective stored identification signal for the radio unit; and alarming processor adapted to generate an alarm if at least one of the detected identification signals does not match the respective stored identification signal.
  • Each of the apparatuses of the fourth to seventh aspects may be comprised in an operation and management system.
  • an apparatus comprising base band means adapted to provide a base band unit function of a base station to a remote radio head operating in a communication frequency range; interface means adapted to operatively connect the base band means with the remote radio head, wherein the interface means is further adapted to provide a command to the remote radio head, and the command is suitable to control the detecting of an identification signal of an antenna port connected to the remote radio head by a detecting means in the remote radio head .
  • the interface means may be further adapted to receive an identification information based on the detected identification signal.
  • the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by in-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by in-band signaling .
  • the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by out-of-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by out-of-band signaling .
  • an apparatus comprising base band processor adapted to provide a base band unit function of a base station to a remote radio head operating in a communication frequency range; interface processor adapted to operatively connect the base band processor with the remote radio head, wherein the interface processor is further adapted to provide a command to the remote radio head, and the command is suitable to control the detecting of an identification signal of an antenna port connected to the remote radio head by a detecting processor in the remote radio head .
  • the interface processor may be further adapted to receive an identification information based on the detected identification signal.
  • the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by in-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by in-band signaling .
  • the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by out-of-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by out-of-band signaling .
  • Each of the apparatuses of the eighth and ninth aspects may be comprised in a system unit related to a remote radio head.
  • an apparatus comprising associating means adapted to associate a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter different from the first transmitter based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing means adapted to provide the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and the second transmitter adapted to transmit the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting means adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • an apparatus comprising associating processor adapted to associate a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter different from the first transmitter based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing processor adapted to provide the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission .
  • the apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and the second transmitter adapted to transmit the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting processor adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • a radio unit comprising a radio port and the second transmitter adapted to transmit the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting processor adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and a receiver adapted to receive the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting means adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • an apparatus comprising associating processor adapted to associate a first signal received for evaluation by a first evaluating processor to a second evaluating processor different from the first evaluating processor based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing processor adapted to provide the first signal, instead of to the first evaluating processor, to the second evaluating processor for evaluation.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and a receiver adapted to receive the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting processor adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • a radio unit comprising a radio port and a receiver adapted to receive the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range
  • a detecting processor adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • a fourteenth aspect of the invention there is provided a system, comprising an antenna port apparatus according to the first aspect; a transponder apparatus according to the second aspect; and a feeder cable; wherein the first radio port of the transponder apparatus is connected to the other side of the first antenna connector of the antenna port apparatus through the feeder cable; the first detecting means of the transponder apparatus is adapted to detect the first electrical signal generated in the first antenna port of the antenna port apparatus and transmitted through the feeder cable.
  • a system comprising an antenna port apparatus according to the first aspect; a transponder apparatus according to the third aspect; and a feeder cable; wherein the first radio port of the transponder apparatus is connected to the other side of the first antenna connector of the antenna port apparatus through the feeder cable; the first detecting processor of the transponder apparatus is adapted to detect the first electrical signal generated in the first antenna port of the antenna port apparatus and transmitted through the feeder cable.
  • a method comprising controlling a detection of a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver; comparing the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver; and generating an alarm if the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal.
  • a method comprising controlling each of plural detection means corresponding bijectively to plural radio units to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port, wherein each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver; instructing a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection means has detected the corresponding identification signal based on a stored one-to- one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units.
  • the method may further comprise comparing each of the detected identification signals with a respective stored identification signal for the radio unit; and generating an alarm if at least one of the detected identification signals does not match the respective stored identification signal.
  • a method comprising associating a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter different from the first transmitter based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission.
  • a method comprising associating a first signal received for evaluation by a first evaluating means to a second evaluating means different from the first evaluating means based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing the first signal, instead of to the first evaluating means, to the second evaluating means for evaluation.
  • Each of the methods of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects may be a method of antenna port identification.
  • a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects.
  • the computer program product may be embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into the computer.
  • Fig . 1 shows a multi-port antenna according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a system comprising base station and antenna for remote identification of cables according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a system comprising base station with system module and remote radio head and antenna for remote identification of cables according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 6 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 7 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 8 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 9 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 11 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 12 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 13 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 14 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 15 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of certain embodiments
  • the apparatus is configured to perform the corresponding method, although in some cases only the apparatus or only the method are described.
  • the antenna port to which an antenna cable (feeder cable) is connected may be identified from remote by a built-in RFID tag .
  • the RFID tag may return a sufficiently unique identification number. "Sufficiently unique" means that the identification number is at least unique for the antenna ports of the respective antenna system such as a beam forming antenna. In addition, it may be unique for all antenna elements connected to a base station, e.g. plural beam forming antennas, or plural single antennas, or a combination thereof.
  • RFID tags are in common use in daily life and are rather cheap. Many types of commonly used RFID tags are suitable to provide a "sufficiently unique" identification number. RFID tags typically operate in a radio frequency range of e.g . 120-150 kHz (named “LF”), 13.56 MHz (named “HF”), 433 MHz (named “UHF”), 865-868 MHz, 902-928 MHz, 2450-5800 MHz, and 3.1-10 GHz. However, the invention is not limited to these frequency ranges. For the present purpose, RFID tags with short ranges corresponding to the higher radio frequencies are preferable.
  • the RFID tag may permanently emit the identification signal or only if triggered by an interrogation signal . Such an interrogation signal may be transmitted on the feeder cable.
  • the RFID tag If the RFID tag emits the identification signal permanently, it must be ensured that it does not interfere with the reception process of the antenna/BTS.
  • the frequency range of the RFID may be very different from that of the antenna/BTS, and/or the power of the identification signal may be low compared to that of the received signal .
  • each antenna port (or at least some particularly important antenna ports) is coupled to a specific RFID-tag (see Fig. l).
  • An antenna port provides a connector to connect an antenna cable thereto.
  • the connector is connected to an antenna element, e.g . via a cable.
  • Plural antenna elements may be placed in an antenna enclosure, and the ports comprising the connectors penetrate the antenna enclosure.
  • Each tag responds only to the signal applied through the antenna port where it is connected, thus the RF-ID tag identifies each antenna connector individually.
  • the coupling may be inductive, capacitive or direct.
  • the operational frequencies of the RFID-tag are preferably selected in a way that they do not interfere with the normal base station operation.
  • the tag is insensitive to the transmit RF power levels during normal base station operation, at least such that it withstands the transmit power without being destroyed.
  • the RFID-tag devices are selected such that only near field operation is used.
  • the coupling is designed such that only the tag connected to the specific line may generate an electrical signal at a specific antenna port with a sufficient strength.
  • the RFID tag may respond to an interrogating signal transmitted on the antenna cable connected to the respective port and may remain silent if an interrogating signal is transmitted on another one of the antenna cables.
  • the response may be designed such that a sufficient signal level for detection is reached on the antenna cable connected to the respective antenna port, whereas the signal strength on the other antenna cables has a certain level distance (e.g. measured in dB) from that signal strength.
  • the RFID-tag represents a unique identification ("sufficiently unique” as described hereinabove).
  • the 96-bit EPC (electronic product code) or a similar identification may be used .
  • the RFID tag identification numbers shall be noted also on the antenna (and the delivery documents) so that they are readable from the outside of the antenna enclosure.
  • a set of codes with some numerical relationship e.g . consecutive numbers is be used to identify the antenna elements of a multielement antenna.
  • This identification method may be agreed between antenna vendor and the base station manufacturer or may become standardized, e.g. as part of 3GPP or similar.
  • the base station comprises a detector to detect the identification signal for each TRX.
  • the detector may comprise a central unit, a selector, and detecting heads arranged to detect a signal on the TRX or the antenna cable connected to the TRX.
  • the detecting heads are arranged such that they detect only a signal on their respective TRX/antenna cable and not a signal on another TRX/antenna cable.
  • the central unit may comprise an RFID transponder, as shown in Fig. 2, wherein the multi-port antenna is the same as that of Fig. 1.
  • Antenna cables (feeder cables) connect the TRXs of the base station with the antenna ports of the multi-port antenna.
  • the RFID transponder transmits an interrogating signal to the antenna cable selected by the selector, typically the interrogation signal will also provide the electrical power for the tag to respond hen it detects the signal provided by the RFID tag in response to the interrogating signal.
  • the response signal comprises the sufficiently unique identification number.
  • a detecting unit may be provided to each TRX.
  • the identification process may be controlled by a control device, which may be integrated e.g. in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) centre of the base station.
  • Control commands may comprise e.g . "detect signal on antenna cable x", and "provide the identification of the RFID tag coupled to the antenna port to which antenna cable x is connected"
  • remote radio modules are used .
  • the base station splits up into a system module and a remote radio head .
  • a base station e.g . BTS
  • the radio frequency block may receive signals from terminals (e.g . UEs or portable devices) via the radio interface and convert them to digital data.
  • the baseband block processes the encoded signal and brings it back to baseband before relaying it to e.g . a terrestrial network via the transport block. Coordination between these three functions is maintained by a control block.
  • the RRH comprises the radio frequency block
  • the system module comprises the baseband block and may comprise the transport block and/or the control and clocking block, too.
  • the RRH and the system module may be connected by optical fibers, e.g . following CPRI or OBSAI standard.
  • the detecting unit may be located in the system unit (see Fig . 3), operating in a same way as described for a base station which is not split into RRH and system unit, such as the one of Fig . 2. That is, the two blocks on the left side of Fig. 3 correspond functionally to the left block of Fig. 2.
  • the multiple-port antenna on the right side is the same as that of Fig. 1.
  • the identification process may be controlled by a control device integrated in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the system module.
  • O&M Operation and Maintenance
  • the current interfaces in use e.g . OBSAI or CPRI
  • the current interfaces in use e.g . OBSAI or CPRI
  • the current interfaces in use e.g . OBSAI or CPRI
  • the current interfaces in use e.g . OBSAI or CPRI
  • Such commands may comprise e.g . "detect signal on antenna cable x", and "provide the identification of the RFID tag coupled to the antenna port to which antenna cable x is connected”. By doing so, also cabling issues between System module and remote radio head may be detected .
  • the signalling to the RFID transponder in the remote radio head can be performed out-of-band (via control channel) or in-band (via specially marked data blocks). If the signalling method should work between different vendors of system module and remote radio head, the control method should be standardized, e.g. as part of the CPRI or OBSAI standard.
  • the control device may comprise a table, wherein the TRXs are associated bijectively to the antenna ports. If the control device receives the detected identification signals for each TRX, it compares them with the stored identification signal for this TRX. If there is a mismatch, an alarm may be generated. Thus, the operator is informed early that correction of the cabling is required .
  • the control device may instruct the controller of the base station (e.g . BSC, or that integrated in an eNodeB) or the base station itself to differently assign the physical TRX to the logical TRX.
  • the control device may instruct the BSC to provide a signal intended for TRX1 ("logical TRX") to TRX2 ("physical TRX") and vice versa.
  • TRX1 logical TRX
  • TRX2 physical TRX
  • the TRXs may be arbitrarily connected to the antenna ports. After physical installations of the cables, the control device identifies which physical TRX is connected to which antenna port. Then, the control device instructs the controller (e.g . BSC) or the base station itself to assign the logical TRX to the correct physical TRX. Thus, cabling errors (apart from not connecting a cable) cannot occur.
  • the controller e.g . BSC
  • the base station itself to assign the logical TRX to the correct physical TRX.
  • association of logical TRX and physical association may be based on identification information as obtained by a method described hereinabove. However, the association is not restricted to this method. E.g ., such associating may be based on a report of an installer which describes which antenna port was associated to which TRX. The installer may have determined the connections of TRXs to antennas e.g. based on conventional means such as colored tapes.
  • Fig. 4 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus may be an antenna, a multiport antenna, or an antenna port thereof.
  • the apparatus comprises an antenna connector 10 and a near field communication device 20.
  • the antenna connector 10 is suitable for electrically connecting an antenna element to one side thereof and for electrically connecting a feeder cable to the other side thereof such that the antenna element is electrically connected to the feeder cable.
  • the near field communication device 20 such as an RFID tag is adapted to generate a near field signal.
  • the near field communication device is arranged such that the near field signal generates an electrical signal in the antenna connector.
  • the near field communication device 20 is arranged that it generates an electrical signal with a sufficient level for detection only in the antenna connector 10 and not in other corresponding antenna connectors which may be comprised by the apparatus.
  • Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus may be a base station or may comprise a remote radio head of a base station.
  • the apparatus comprises a radio unit 110 and a detecting means 120.
  • the radio unit 110 comprises a radio port and a single one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the radio port in a communication frequency range, e.g. a GSM band, a UMTS band, an LTE band, or a WiFi band .
  • a communication frequency range e.g. a GSM band, a UMTS band, an LTE band, or a WiFi band.
  • the detecting means 120 is adapted to detect an identification signal transmitted on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is transmitted on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.
  • Fig. 6 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus may be a an O&M center or a component thereof such a a controller for antenna port identification.
  • Fig. 7 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention .
  • the apparatus according to Fig . 6 may perform the method of Fig. 6 but is not limited to this method.
  • the method of Fig. 7 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 6 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprises control means 210, comparing means 220, and alarming means 230.
  • the control means 210 controls a detection means to detect a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver (S210).
  • the comparing means 220 compares the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal which is stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver (S220). If the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal, the alarming means 230 generates an alarm (S230).
  • Fig. 8 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus may be an O&M center or a component thereof such a a controller for antenna port identification.
  • Fig . 9 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus according to Fig. 8 may perform the method of Fig. 9 but is not limited to this method.
  • the method of Fig. 9 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 8 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprises control means 310 and instruction means 320.
  • the control means 310 controls each of plural detection means to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port (S310).
  • the plural detection means correspond bijectively (in a one-to-one relationship) to plural radio units.
  • Each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver.
  • the instruction means 320 instructs a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection means has detected the corresponding identification signal (S320). The association is based on a stored one-to-one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units.
  • the apparatus may generate an alarm if the relationship of detected identification signals to radio units does not match a stored relationship between identification signals and radio units.
  • Fig. 10 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus may be a system unit or a component thereof such as a base band unit, to which a remote radio head may be connected .
  • the apparatus comprises base band means 410 and interface means 420.
  • the base band means 410 provides a base band unit function of a base station to a remote radio head operating in a communication frequency range (S410).
  • the base band unit function is provided through the interface means 420 which is adapted to operatively connect the base band means 410 with the remote radio head .
  • the interface means 420 is further adapted to provide a command to the remote radio head (S420).
  • the command is suitable to control the detecting of an identification signal of an antenna port connected to the remote radio head by a detecting means in the remote radio head.
  • Fig. 11 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus may be a base station or a controller thereof, or an element of one of these entities.
  • Fig . 12 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus according to Fig. 11 may perform the method of Fig . 12 but is not limited to this method.
  • the method of Fig. 12 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig . 11 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprises associating means 510 and providing means 520.
  • the associating means 510 Based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device, the associating means 510 associates a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter (S510).
  • the second transmitter is different from the first transmitter.
  • the antenna identification device may be an apparatus such as that shown in Fig . 8 or similar.
  • the providing means 520 Based on the association by the associating means 510, the providing means 520 provides the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission (S520).
  • Fig. 13 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus may be a base station or a controller thereof, or an element of one of these entities.
  • Fig . 14 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus according to Fig. 13 may perform the method of Fig. 14 but is not limited to this method.
  • the method of Fig. 14 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig . 13 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprises associating means 610 and providing means 620.
  • the associating means 610 associates a first signal received for evaluation by a first evaluating means to a second evaluating means different from the first evaluating means (S610).
  • the association is based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device.
  • the antenna identification device may be an apparatus such as that shown in Fig . 8 or similar.
  • the first and second evaluation means are for evaluating the signals received by first and second receivers, respectively. That is, they are back-end circuitry from the receivers' perspective.
  • the providing means 620 Based on the association by the associating means 610, provides the first signal, instead of to the first evaluating means, to the second evaluating means for evaluation (S620).
  • Fig. 15 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the system comprises an antenna port apparatus 710 such as the one shown in Fig. 4, a transponder apparatus 720 such as the one shown in Fig. 5, and a feeder cable 730.
  • the first radio port of the transponder apparatus 720 is connected to the other side of the first antenna connector of the antenna port apparatus 710 through the feeder cable 730.
  • the first detecting means of the transponder apparatus 720 detects the first electrical signal generated in the first antenna port of the antenna port apparatus 710 which is transmitted through the feeder cable 730.
  • TRX transceivers
  • TRX transceivers
  • each antenna port may be to an electrical signal generating circuit generating a predefined signal.
  • the predefined signal may be fed into the connector and reach the detecting system in the base station (RRH) via the feeder cable.
  • Names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and/or protocols and/or methods may be different, as long as they provide a corresponding functionality.
  • Implementations of any of the above described blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques or methods include, as non limiting examples, implementations as hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil, comprenant un premier connecteur d'antenne pour relier électriquement un premier élément d'antenne à un côté de celui-ci et pour relier électriquement un premier câble d'alimentation à l'autre côté de celui-ci, de telle sorte que le premier élément d'antenne est relié électriquement au premier câble d'alimentation, et un premier dispositif de communication en champ proche conçu pour générer un premier signal de champ proche, le premier dispositif de communication en champ proche étant agencé de telle sorte que le premier signal de champ proche génère un premier signal électrique dans le premier connecteur d'antenne.
PCT/EP2013/057119 2013-04-04 2013-04-04 Identification de ports d'antenne WO2014161580A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/057119 WO2014161580A1 (fr) 2013-04-04 2013-04-04 Identification de ports d'antenne

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/057119 WO2014161580A1 (fr) 2013-04-04 2013-04-04 Identification de ports d'antenne

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WO2014161580A1 true WO2014161580A1 (fr) 2014-10-09

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016170398A1 (fr) * 2015-04-23 2016-10-27 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Dispositif pour guider l'installation de câbles d'équipement entre des ports radio d'une station de base et des antennes multiples
WO2023284541A1 (fr) * 2021-07-12 2023-01-19 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Dispositif d'antenne et station de base

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100210135A1 (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-19 Michael German Patch Panel Cable Information Detection Systems and Methods
US20130078848A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2013-03-28 Andrew Llc Intelligent Patching Systems and Methods Using Radio Frequency Identification Tags that are Interrogated Over Network Cabling and Related Communications Connectors

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100210135A1 (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-19 Michael German Patch Panel Cable Information Detection Systems and Methods
US20130078848A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2013-03-28 Andrew Llc Intelligent Patching Systems and Methods Using Radio Frequency Identification Tags that are Interrogated Over Network Cabling and Related Communications Connectors

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016170398A1 (fr) * 2015-04-23 2016-10-27 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Dispositif pour guider l'installation de câbles d'équipement entre des ports radio d'une station de base et des antennes multiples
US10841813B2 (en) 2015-04-23 2020-11-17 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Device to guide equipment cable installation between radio ports of a base station and multiple antennas
WO2023284541A1 (fr) * 2021-07-12 2023-01-19 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Dispositif d'antenne et station de base

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