Base Station Antenna Array Adaptation for Beamforming Power Trade-Offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G communications technologies face challenges in optimizing antenna array size for efficient beamforming, leading to suboptimal power consumption and data rate performance, particularly in scenarios where reduced antenna usage is necessary without degrading transmission quality.
Innovation Solution
A method for antenna-array size adaptation at a base station (BS) involving an enhanced beam training procedure that includes transmitting multiple beams with different antenna configurations, receiving feedback, and iteratively selecting an optimal subset of antennas based on feedback quality metrics to achieve efficient power usage and transmission quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a plurality of antenna arrays are used for beamforming transmission, then transmission gain and data rate are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic antenna array size adaptation where the base station adjusts the number of antenna arrays used for beamforming based on feedback from user equipment. The system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where the antenna array size is optimized in real-time according to channel conditions, allowing the system to achieve high data rates when needed while reducing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of antenna array size dynamically. By adjusting the number of active antenna arrays based on feedback quality metrics (such as SINR or RSRP thresholds), the system can optimize the trade-off between transmission gain and power consumption. When feedback quality is sufficient, fewer antenna arrays are used to save power; when quality degrades, more antenna arrays are activated to maintain data rate performance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If antenna array size is reduced to decrease power consumption, then power usage is improved, but transmission quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback-driven mechanism where user equipment reports channel quality metrics (such as SINR or RSRP) to the base station. The base station uses this feedback to determine the appropriate antenna array size. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that transmission quality is maintained by only reducing antenna array size when feedback quality is sufficient, preventing degradation below acceptable thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary beam refinement procedures and enhanced beam training before settling on the final antenna array configuration. These preliminary actions ensure that the system has already optimized beam directions and quality metrics, allowing subsequent antenna array size reduction to occur without compromising transmission quality. The preliminary actions prepare the system state to enable power-saving mode safely.
3Measurement precision
If enhanced beam training procedure is implemented with multiple antenna configurations, then optimal antenna selection is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam training process into distinct phases: initial beam refinement procedure followed by an enhanced beam training procedure. Each phase has specific objectives and uses appropriate levels of complexity. The initial phase establishes basic beam directions, while the enhanced phase optimizes antenna configuration selection. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by breaking down the overall beam training task into manageable stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial beam training by not exhaustively testing all possible antenna configurations. Instead, it uses feedback quality metrics to determine when sufficient beam training has been achieved and can transition to antenna array size adaptation. This partial action approach avoids the excessive complexity of complete exhaustive search while still achieving optimal or near-optimal antenna configuration selection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for antenna-array size adaptation at a BS include performing an initial beam refinement procedure using a plurality of antenna arrays with one or more devices, transmitting a plurality of beams using a plurality of antenna configurations to the one or more devices as part of an enhanced beam training procedure, wherein each antenna configuration includes a different subset of the plurality of antenna arrays used to transmit a different beam of the plurality of beams, receiving a plurality of feedback messages from the one or more devices associated with the plurality of beams transmitted using the plurality of antenna configurations, selecting an antenna configuration including a subset of the plurality of antenna arrays based on the plurality of feedback messages from the one or more devices, and communicating with the one or more devices using the selected subset of the plurality of antenna arrays.