Antenna Array Partitioning for Beamforming and Diversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to simultaneously achieve both beamforming and transmit diversity gains in antenna arrays due to contradictory requirements of antenna correlation, and they do not account for dynamic antenna correlations in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The antenna array is virtually partitioned into sub-arrays based on calculated correlation matrices, with high correlations within each sub-array for beamforming and low correlations between them for diversity, allowing for optimized application of beamforming weights and MIMO mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna array is used for beamforming to improve signal-to-noise ratio and eliminate interference, then beamforming gain is achieved, but antenna correlation requirements conflict with diversity gain requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple sub-arrays, where each sub-array independently performs beamforming operations. This segmentation allows different sub-arrays to have different correlation characteristics, enabling simultaneous beamforming gain within sub-arrays and diversity gain between sub-arrays with low correlation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts beamforming weights and sub-array configurations based on real-time channel conditions and correlation matrices. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize beamforming performance while maintaining diversity through reconfigurable sub-array structures
2Reliability
If narrow beamforming is used to concentrate signal energy and improve SIR, then beamforming performance is enhanced, but more antenna elements are required
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the antenna array into multiple sub-arrays, each sub-array can independently form narrow beams with high gain. The segmentation allows the system to achieve the required SIR performance with fewer total antenna elements by distributing the beamforming function across multiple smaller sub-arrays rather than requiring one large array
3Device complexity
If fixed sub-array partition is used to simplify system complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but dynamic antenna correlations are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sub-array partitioning where the partitioning configuration is continuously adjusted based on real-time correlation matrix calculations. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing antenna correlations while maintaining manageable complexity through algorithmic optimization
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A system and method are provided for configuring an antenna array having a predetermined number of antennas. After providing an antenna correlation matrix for all antennas with regard to a mobile terminal, the antenna array is virtually partitioned into two or more sub-arrays based on the antenna correlation matrix such that correlations among antennas within each sub-array are higher than correlations among antennas belonging to different sub-arrays. One or more beamf orming weights are generated corresponding to each antenna within the sub-arrays for applying to one or more signals transmitted therefrom, and at least one predetermined multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mechanism is further applied among the sub-arrays by treating each sub-array as a virtual antenna.