Antenna Array Beam Partitioning for Concurrent Scanning and Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless networks, especially at higher frequencies like mmW, UEs experience frequent beam transitions due to smaller beams, leading to increased scanning overhead and potential beam failures, which disrupt ongoing data reception.
Innovation Solution
A method for a communication node with an antenna array to concurrently perform data reception and beam scanning by selectively updating portions of the antenna elements, allowing simultaneous data transmission/reception and reference signal scanning without dedicated overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beam scanning is performed using dedicated overhead resources, then reference signal detection accuracy is improved, but data reception throughput deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines reference signal scanning and data reception into a single unified process by using the same antenna elements and receiver chain concurrently for both functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated overhead resources for scanning
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements and receiver chain are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - they serve both for receiving data transmissions and for scanning reference signals in different beam orientations, maximizing resource utilization
2Reliability
If beam scanning is performed frequently to detect reference signals in changing beam orientations, then beam failure likelihood is reduced, but scanning overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous reference signal scanning to be performed concurrently with data reception without interruption, allowing the system to continuously monitor beam orientations and detect reference signals as they appear, eliminating the need for periodic dedicated scanning intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own data reception resources (antenna elements and receiver chain) to perform self-scanning for reference signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated scanning resources and overhead
3Device complexity
If a single antenna array is used for both data reception and beam scanning, then device complexity is reduced, but concurrent operation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming where the antenna elements can dynamically adjust their beam orientations and patterns to simultaneously serve data reception and reference signal scanning functions, allowing flexible resource allocation in the time-frequency domain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the conflict by operating in the time-frequency domain dimension - data reception and reference signal scanning are performed concurrently by allocating different time-frequency resources to each function, allowing both operations to coexist without interference
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for a communication node configured with an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. Such methods include determining a link metric for a data transmission received or transmitted using a first portion of the antenna elements, and determining a first value for a first function of the link metric and of a performance target for the link metric. Such methods include, based on the first value, selectively updating the first portion and a second portion of the antenna elements by a first number. The second portion is disjoint from the first portion. Such methods include concurrently performing the following when the updated second portion includes at least one antenna element: receiving or transmitting one or more data transmissions using a first beam formed by the updated first portion; and scanning for reference signal transmissions using a second beam formed by the updated second portion.