Adaptive Antenna Array Selection for Wireless Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems operating at higher frequency bands, such as 30 GHz, face challenges in optimizing antenna configurations to enhance transmission efficiency and reliability, particularly in environments with multiple users and varying channel conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize multiple antenna array configurations with different radio transmission characteristics to select the optimal configuration based on current channel conditions, enabling adaptive antenna selection to improve data transmission rates and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple antenna array configurations are used to improve transmission efficiency at higher frequencies, then spectral efficiency and power efficiency are enhanced, but device complexity increases due to the need to manage and select among multiple configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidantenna configuration management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic antenna configuration selection where the terminal adapts between different antenna array configurations based on real-time channel conditions. The system transitions from static to dynamic operation by continuously evaluating figures of merit for different configurations and selecting the optimal one, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved spectral efficiency and increased device complexity through adaptive behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the antenna system by defining multiple antenna array configurations with different radio transmission characteristics (such as different antenna subsets, different beamforming weights, or different spatial arrangements). This allows the system to optimize spectral efficiency by selecting appropriate parameter sets based on channel conditions while managing complexity through structured parameter variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antenna array configurations with different radio transmission characteristics are implemented, then adaptability to varying channel conditions is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring optimal configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel condition adaptationVSAvoidoptimal configuration selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal measures the figure of merit for each antenna array configuration based on received pilot signals and channel state information. The system uses this feedback to determine the optimal configuration and switch accordingly, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved adaptability and increased measurement difficulty through systematic evaluation and feedback-driven selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation of multiple antenna array configurations by calculating their respective figures of merit before making the final selection. This preliminary action allows the system to compare different configurations and identify the optimal one in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making while maintaining high adaptability to channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If antenna configurations are optimized for higher frequency bands (e.g., 30 GHz), then transmission performance is improved, but energy consumption increases due to the complexity of managing multiple configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by not continuously evaluating all possible antenna configurations, but rather selecting and evaluating only the most promising configurations based on current channel conditions and predefined criteria. This reduces the energy consumption associated with configuration management while maintaining transmission reliability through targeted optimization of the most relevant antenna arrays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3394990B1Operating a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3394990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3394990B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for operating a wireless communication system (10). The wireless communication system (10) comprises a base station (20) and a terminal (13). The terminal (30) comprises a plurality of antenna elements (34) and provides at least two antenna array configurations comprising a first antenna array configuration (32) comprising at least two antenna elements having same radio transmission characteristics and a second antenna array configuration (33) comprising at least two antenna elements having different radio transmission characteristics. According to the method, a selection process for selecting and an antenna array configuration of the at least two antenna array configurations is triggered and for each of the at least two antenna array configurations a corresponding figure of merit is determined. The corresponding figure of merit is determined based on corresponding pilot signals received from the base station (20) via the corresponding antenna array configuration. Depending on the figures of merit, an antenna array configuration is activated.