Communication devices and methods

Abstract

A first communication device that simultaneously transmits to a group of two or more second communication devices using multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) communication; performs beamforming training with a selected second communication device of the group of second communication devices by transmitting one or more transmit packets including one or more training units, wherein an analog beamforming training matrix and / or a digital beamforming training matrix adapted for beamforming training with the selected second communication device are applied on the one or more training units, receiving from the selected second communication device feedback in response to the transmitted transmit packets, the feedback including beamforming information determined by the selected second communication device based on the reception of the transmit packets, and determining, for use in the simultaneous transmission of data to a group of two or more second communication devices including the selected second communication device, an updated analog beamforming matrix based on the analog beamforming training matrix and the received feedback and / or an updated digital beamforming matrix based on the digital beamforming training matrix and / or the received feedback.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to communication apparatus and methods, particularly for performing multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) communication. Background technique [0002] In order to compensate for large path loss and reduce crosstalk between multiple antennas and / or between multiple stations (also referred to herein as communication devices), two technologies are employed in mmWave communications (i.e., communications around and / or above 30 GHz). A beamforming. First, analog beamforming (ABF) is performed, which consists of steering beams whose characteristics are given by the settings of the phase shifters within the phased antenna array (PAA). This ensures that each user has enough link budget as the main target. Second, digital beamforming (DBF) is performed, which applies amplification and phase to all transmit streams on the RF link connected to the antenna to limit the interference between the various user devices (als...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] However, there are several obstacles to achieving MU MIMO transmission

First, finding suitable analog beams for users in the group is a time-consuming search problem

Additionally, digital beamforming introduces additional complexity due to the need for channel information at the transmitter side, which typically involves obtaining feedback from peer-to-peer communication devices

It is well known that the determination and assembly of feedback reports can lead to significant computational complexity even for simple channel estimation

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