Project Title:
Active Antenna System Development Platform
Project Reference:
ART/164CP
Project Period:
20131010 - 20150409
Funds Approved (HK$’000):
13316
Project Coordinator:
Dr Justin Che-i Chuang
Deputy Project Coordinator:
/
Deliverable:
Active Antenna System (AAS) Hardware Platform: An integrated unit with Digital module, RF Transceiver, Antenna, and Power Amplifier with the following specifications including CPE as data tester: 1. EIRP = 1.5~6.0 Watts 2. RF Transceiver: 2570~2620 MHz (hardware configurable), Signal Bandwidth = 20 MHz 3. Power Amplifier: 0.5~2.0 Watts, >20% power efficiency 4. Digital module: One 2.5Gbps optical interface 5. Antenna Gain: 6~8 dBi Firmware Development: 1. For FPGA (consisted in digital module) to perform signal processing, CFR/DPD, buffering, synchronization, and CPRI (fiber-optic backhaul) with option for customers to load their own proprietary code into the system. 2. For NPU (consisted in CPE) to perform 4G data processing and to provide QoS and network security. Algorithm Development: 1. Diversity and MIMO algorithms design for 2 units AAS array. 2. MRC algorithm design to improve uplink SNR of AAS unit Reports: The design documents of AAS covering hardware, firmware and algorithm development. Note: EIPR: Effective Isotropic Radiated Power CPE: Customer Premises Equipment MIMO: Multiple-Input Multiple-Output NPU: Network Processor Unit CPRI: Common Public Radio Interface MRC: Maximum Ratio Combining SNR: Signal-to-Noise Ratio CFR: Crest Factor Reduction DPD: Digital Pre-Distortion
Research Group:
Dr Che-I, Justin CHUANG
Mr Ray HO
Dr Angus MAK
Dr Irene CHEUNG
Mr Wilfredo DALUZ
Mr Jianbiao LONG
Mr Yuliang CHAI
Mr Xu GAO
Dr Yun HOU
Mr Lejin XIONG
Ms Jia JIANG
Ms Dongmei ZHANG
Dr Wen QIN
Ms Rebecca CHOI
Mr Calvin LEE
Ms Angel CHEUNG
Dr Xin yi LIU
Mr Angus SAM
Miss Du Yuanyuan, Yvonne
Dr Man Wai Kwan
Mr Xuefeng Guo
Mr Ching Hong Leung
Dr Honglei Zhang
Dr Feng Liu
Sponsor:
Agilent Technologies (China) Co Ltd. [Sponsor]
Altera International Limited [Sponsor]
Chang Chun Great Dragon Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited [Sponsor]
China Mobile Research Institute
Fujian Sunnada Communication Co. Ltd. [Sponsor]
Description:
This project focuses on developing a new technology platform taking the advantages of advanced RF and antenna technologies to address the mobile operators’ demands in delivering broadband wireless communications services. The project will focus on two areas: 1) Active Antenna System (AAS); and 2) Advanced Algorithms for Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) to create a low-cost and compact antenna system for 3G, and 4G networks. The AAS is a system of individual antenna elements integrated together with active components, including FPGA, RF Transceiver, etc., to enable the antenna system with capability of reconfiguration for MIMO, beamforming, and diversity. The AAS units will be deployed as part of the Cloud-Radio platform promoted by China Mobile that can result in a savings of 70% in power consumption (Green RF). By utilizing advanced digital RF and antenna designs, the power amplifier and heat-sink size can be reduced such that a low-profile system can be manufactured. The platform project builds on prior experience, IPs and know-how in active antennas technology for mobile handsets, beam-forming, and isolation developed from previous ITF projects to create the advanced AAS platform by combining the digital and RF designs into a single integrated unit. The platform technologies of this project will find immediate applications in the infrastructure market of communication industries of many companies such as Centron Communications, Sunnda Communication, Altai Technologies, Altera, Agilent, Magnolia already expressing strong interest to support this project. China Mobile also signed a letter of support to demonstrate its interest in collaborating with this project. The new platform technology will also enable collaborations or joint R&D with both the industry and other domains within ASTRI to upgrade the technical capability and competiveness of the communications industry in Hong Kong and the region.
