Antenna Array Beamforming With Preserved Surveying Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications systems face challenges in processing large amounts of data generated by a large number of antenna elements, as the bandwidth of communication interfaces is often insufficient to support real-time processing, and distributed beamforming techniques result in information loss during surveying operations.
Innovation Solution
A distributed beamforming and surveying architecture is implemented, where subsets of digital sample streams are preserved and processed using a daisy-chain or corporate-feed configuration, allowing for simultaneous beamforming and surveying modes by reducing data transmission and managing larger data amounts effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed beamforming techniques are used to process signals from multiple antenna elements, then beamforming capability is improved, but information loss occurs during surveying operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into multiple distributed subarrays, each with its own beamforming capabilities. This segmentation allows parallel processing of signals from different spatial regions, preserving spatial information that would otherwise be lost in centralized beamforming while maintaining overall beamforming versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of processing by implementing both beamforming and surveying modes simultaneously across multiple distributed subarrays. This dimensional expansion allows the system to maintain spatial information through surveying operations while performing beamforming, resolving the information loss problem.
2Productivity
If a large number of antenna elements are used to increase signal processing capability, then beamforming performance is improved, but the bandwidth of communication interfaces becomes insufficient to support real-time processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large antenna array into multiple smaller distributed subarrays that process signals locally and independently. This segmentation reduces the data transmission burden on communication interfaces, as each subarray processes a portion of the total signal load, enabling real-time processing of large numbers of antenna elements without overwhelming the interface bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local processing units as intermediaries between the antenna elements and the central processing system. These intermediaries perform preliminary signal processing and filtering, reducing the volume of data that needs to be transmitted over communication interfaces while maintaining the ability to process signals from a large number of antenna elements in real-time.
3Loss of information
If all digital sample streams are transmitted for processing, then complete information is available for surveying, but data transmission bandwidth requirements become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and preserves only the essential spatial information from the digital sample streams through surveying operations, rather than transmitting all raw data. By taking out the critical spatial characteristics needed for surveying and beamforming, the system maintains information completeness while dramatically reducing the volume of data that needs to be transmitted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary surveying and spatial analysis actions before final signal processing. By conducting surveying operations in advance to identify and preserve essential spatial information, the system reduces the subsequent data transmission requirements while ensuring that all necessary information for beamforming and surveying is already captured and stored.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus as described herein may include an antenna array that receives radio frequency signals and outputs analog signals. The apparatus may also include analog-to-digital signal converters that convert the analog signals into digital sample streams. Also, the apparatus may include a sample buffer that buffers subsets of the digital sample streams and a beamformer that uses the digital sample streams to generate one or more beam signals. Additionally, the apparatus may include a processor that determines a spatial characteristic or a spectral characteristic for the radio frequency signals based on the subsets of the digital sample streams.