Adaptive Beam-Steering Using Iterative Training for MIMO Link Budget

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current MIMO systems face complexity and limitations in achieving maximum link budget and capacity due to the need for replicating significant portions of the data-path for each antenna, especially in consumer and mobile wireless applications, and require knowledge of the channel transfer function for optimal performance.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive beam-steering method using multiple transmit and receive antennas that iteratively performs training sequences to estimate antenna-array weight vectors, avoiding the complexity of Singular-Value Decomposition and allowing for reduced complexity and increased gain, while obtaining the optimum channel eigenvector or subspace.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If beam-forming approach is used to maximize link budget, then link budget increases significantly, but system complexity increases dramatically due to need for accurate channel transfer function knowledge and complex implementations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink budgetVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs iterative training sequences where the receiver estimates channel transfer functions and feeds back weight vectors to the transmitter. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adaptively optimize beam-forming weights based on actual channel conditions, achieving maximum link budget while reducing the need for complex pre-computed channel knowledge and direct SVD implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from using fixed, pre-computed channel state information to dynamically adjusting weight vectors through iterative training. By modifying the parameters of the beam-forming weights based on feedback from training sequences, the system achieves optimal performance without requiring complex implementations of traditional beam-forming methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple antennas are used to increase link budget, then link capacity increases, but device complexity increases dramatically due to need to replicate data-path for each antenna

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink capacityVSAvoiddata-path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the data-path components universal by using a single set of transmit and receive weight vectors that can be applied across multiple antennas. Instead of replicating the entire data-path for each antenna, the system uses a unified approach where the same processing components handle multiple antennas through the iterative optimization of weight vectors, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high link capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simplified copies of training sequences rather than full data-path replicas. By using a small set of training sequences that can be processed through a single data-path, the system achieves the functionality of multiple parallel data-paths without the complexity of replicating the entire processing chain for each antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If direct SVD implementation is used for beam-forming, then maximum capacity is achieved, but implementation complexity becomes prohibitive for consumer and mobile applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaximum capacityVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical/mathematical system of direct SVD decomposition with a simpler iterative process using training sequences and weight vector optimization. Instead of performing complex matrix factorization, the system uses a more straightforward iterative approach where training sequences are transmitted, channel responses are measured, and weight vectors are adjusted accordingly, achieving the same capacity goals with much simpler implementation suitable for consumer devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2840720B1Adaptive beam-steering methods to maximize wireless link budget and reduce delay-spread using multiple transmit and receive antennas
Publication Date: 2017.04.05 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2840720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2840720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2840720B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method and apparatus for adaptive beam-steering are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing adaptive beam steering using multiple transmit and receive antennas, including iteratively performing a pair of training sequences, wherein the pair of training sequences includes estimating a transmitter antenna-array weight vector and a receiver antenna-array weight vector.