Antenna Array Offset Calibration in Wireless Heterogeneous Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially in space division multiplexed systems, antenna array parameter mismatches between base stations lead to performance degradation in multi-point coordinated transmission due to uncompensated offset errors, affecting the accuracy of channel state information and pre-coding in downlink data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method is proposed to calibrate the offset between antenna arrays of different base stations by dividing the parameter offset range into segments, assigning feature values, and compensating uplink channel state information in a predetermined order, allowing for the design of pre-coding vectors or matrices that improve downlink data transmission performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antenna array parameter offsets between base stations are not compensated, then the system operation is simple, but the multi-point coordinated transmission performance is significantly degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-point coordinated transmission performanceVSAvoidcalibration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parameter offset range is divided into multiple segments with different feature values (e.g., different amplitude and phase offset levels). The calibration process tests each segment sequentially to identify the optimal compensation parameters, transforming a complex continuous optimization problem into a manageable discrete search problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is performed in advance before normal data transmission begins. The base station pre-determines the optimal parameter offset compensation through systematic testing of different feature values, so that when actual coordinated transmission occurs, the calibration is already complete and no real-time adjustment is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the parameter offset range is divided into more segments for higher calibration precision, then the calibration accuracy is improved, but the calibration time and system load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration precisionVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than testing every possible parameter value, the method tests a representative subset of feature values that cover the entire parameter offset range. This partial sampling approach achieves sufficient calibration precision without requiring exhaustive testing of all possible parameters, thus balancing accuracy with time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the calibration is performed frequently to maintain high precision, then the parameter offset compensation accuracy is maintained, but the system load and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter offset compensation accuracyVSAvoidsystem throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process is executed periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously or before every transmission. This periodic execution maintains parameter offset compensation accuracy over time while minimizing the frequency of calibration operations, thus reducing system load and preserving throughput during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2885881B1Method of optimizing radio link monitor window parameter in wireless heterogeneous communication network
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2885881B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2885881B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2885881B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, in a first base station (110) of a wireless communication network, of calibrating an offset of an antenna array of the first base station relative to an antenna array of a second base station (120) in the wireless communication network, the method including the steps of: dividing a whole parameter offset range into a plurality of segments (S211) according to the requirement of calibration precision and assigning a feature value for each segment; compensating uplink channel state information according to the feature value assigned to one of the plurality of segments in a predetermined order in a first cycle (S411); designing a pre-coding vector or matrix for downlink data transmission according to a compensation result (S413), pre-coding downlink data and subsequently transmitting the downlink data to a user equipment cooperatively with the second base station (S414, S423); and judging whether all the segments of the parameter offset range have been traversed (S415), and if a judgment result is negative, then repeating the foregoing steps; or if the judgment result is positive, then ending the first cycle (S415).