Antenna Beam Selection for 5G Power and Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G communication systems face challenges in accurately and reliably selecting beams, leading to reduced throughput and data reception rates due to excessive heat and power consumption issues.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an antenna module and a processor configures a method to form reception beams using a first number of antenna elements, receives signals, and then selects a second number of antenna elements for transmission, identifying beam set information to select an optimal transmission beam based on signal quality and beam correspondence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the number of driven antennas is decreased to reduce heat and power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but beam correspondence deteriorates and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna elements into two distinct groups: a first set of antenna elements used for receiving signals and a second set of antenna elements used for transmitting signals. This segmentation allows the device to optimize power consumption by using fewer antennas for transmission while maintaining sufficient antennas for reception, thereby reducing heat generation without completely sacrificing beam correspondence capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to transmission and reception functions. Reception antennas are maintained in higher numbers with higher performance requirements to ensure reliable signal capture and beam correspondence evaluation. Transmission antennas are reduced in number and optimized for power efficiency, as the actual transmission can be performed using the selected beam direction identified through reception-based beam correspondence.
2Reliability
If the number of transmission antennas is reduced to satisfy beam correspondence, then beam correspondence is maintained, but downlink throughput deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna functions into reception-oriented antenna elements and transmission-oriented antenna elements. The reception antenna elements (first set) are optimized for detecting incoming signals and determining optimal beam directions, while the transmission antenna elements (second set) are optimized for sending data. This functional segmentation allows the system to maintain beam correspondence through reception while using a reduced number of transmission antennas, thereby preserving downlink throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary beam direction identification using the reception antenna elements before actual data transmission. By using the first set of antenna elements to receive reference signals and determine the optimal beam direction in advance, the system prepares the beam correspondence information beforehand. This preliminary action allows the second set of antenna elements to focus solely on efficient data transmission without needing to perform beam searching, thus maintaining both beam correspondence and throughput.
3Length of stationary object
If beamforming is performed using a plurality of antennas, then transmission distance increases, but excessive heat is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into two functional groups with different operational roles. The first set of antenna elements is dedicated to reception and beam direction identification, operating continuously to maintain awareness of optimal transmission directions. The second set of antenna elements is dedicated to transmission, activated only when data needs to be sent. This segmentation reduces the number of antennas that need to be actively driven for transmission purposes, thereby reducing heat generation while maintaining the ability to achieve long transmission distances through focused beamforming in the identified optimal directions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device including an antenna module comprising a plurality of antenna elements, and a processor operatively connected to the antenna module, wherein the processor is configured to form a plurality of reception beams by selecting a first number of antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements, receive a first signal from an external device using the plurality of reception beams, select a second number of antenna elements that are used to transmit a signal to an external device, the second number being less than the first number, identify beam set information related to a plurality of transmission beam sets capable of being formed using the second number of antenna elements, select, based on quality information of the first signal and the beam set information, at least one transmission beam from the transmission beam sets, and transmit a second signal to the external device using the selected transmission beam.