Method and apparatus for radio communications

US12255701B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ) · SE

Inventors

• Magnus Nilsson · Lund, SE
• Peter Jakobsson · Lund, SE
• Per Ingelhag · Alingsås, SE
• Sten A. Wallin · Midland, US
• Joakim Plahn · Bissenkamp, SE
• Martin Isberg · Lund, SE
• Torsten Carlsson · Lund, SE
• Peter Svensson · carrer de Sertori, SE
• Agneta Ljungbro · Bjärred, SE
• Örjan Renström · Spånga, SE
• Dandan Hao · Beijing, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 9, 2021
• Grant date: Mar 18, 2025
• Expiry date: Feb 28, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B7/15
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

In an example embodiment, a system comprises a chain of serially coupled nodes, including a central processing node (CPN) and one or more radio communications nodes (RCNs). The CPN couples to a first RCN in the chain via a dielectric waveguide (DWG) link and any further RCNs in the chain are successively connected in serial fashion from the first RCN via further (DWG) links. The CPN generates outbound radio carrier signals that are waveguide-propagated in a downstream direction of the chain, for over-the-air (OTA) by targeted ones of the RCNs, while radio carrier signals received via OTA reception by respective ones of the RCNs are waveguide propagated as inbound radio signals in an upstream direction of the chain, for processing by the CPN. Advantages from he contemplated system include greatly simplified implementation of the RCNs, with lower cost and power consumption. Further, strategic placement of failover CPNs and DWG links provide for continued operation in the face of CPN or DWG link failures.