Antenna Array DAC Resolution Switching for Low-Power Signal Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-antenna systems in wireless communication face challenges in maintaining high data throughput and signal quality due to limitations in digital to analog conversion (DAC) resolution, which affects the over-the-air signal quality and power consumption, especially in 5G and future 6G networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that dynamically adjusts the resolution of digital to analog converters (DACs) in multi-antenna systems by applying individual DC offsets to each transmitter path, allowing for lower resolution DACs while maintaining high signal quality through constructive superposition of signals, thereby reducing power consumption and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high resolution DACs are used in multi-antenna systems, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing task by separating the quantization operation from the final signal combination. Each antenna path uses low-resolution DACs for segmentation, but the segmentation is designed so that quantization noise does not accumulate destructively when signals are combined over-the-air, achieving high effective resolution without high-resolution DACs in each path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of DAC resolution from high to low, but compensates by optimizing the signal combination process. The key parameter change is using fewer bits per DAC while maintaining overall system performance through constructive signal superposition and controlled quantization noise distribution across multiple antenna paths
2Measurement precision
If high resolution DACs are used in multi-antenna systems, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complexity by using simple low-resolution DACs in each antenna path rather than requiring complex high-resolution DACs. The overall high-resolution effect is achieved through the coordinated operation of multiple simple segments (antenna paths) with optimized signal combining
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses low-resolution DACs that are simpler, cheaper, and easier to implement compared to high-resolution DACs. These lower-cost components are deployed in multiple antenna paths, and their combined output achieves the equivalent performance of fewer high-resolution DACs, reducing overall system complexity and cost
3Use of energy by moving object
If low resolution DACs are used, then power consumption is reduced, but signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outputs of multiple low-resolution DAC paths over-the-air, and through careful design of the signal combination process, the quantization noises from different paths do not add up destructively. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high effective signal quality by combining multiple low-resolution signals rather than using a single high-resolution signal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful quantization noise from low-resolution DACs into a beneficial distributed noise pattern. Instead of having concentrated high-level quantization noise from a single high-resolution DAC, the noise is distributed across multiple low-resolution paths where it can be managed more effectively through statistical averaging and constructive signal superposition, turning the limitation into an advantage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method which includes determining a traffic load situation and determine a category for the traffic load situation. The method also includes determining, based on the traffic load situation, one or more groups of digital to analog converters to be used, wherein the one or more groups have different resolutions for digital to analog conversions. The method may further include activating the determined one or more groups of digital to analog converters for transmitting signals. Additionally, the method may include transmitting the signals using multiple antennas.