Antenna Selection via Channel Probing in Wideband Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wideband high frequency wireless systems using multiple antennas require complex hardware and high electronic power due to the need for multiple RF chains, which is not suitable for systems requiring low cost and low electronic power, and often fail to guarantee desired signal quality by selecting an alternative antenna only after poor communication occurs.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a transmitting device proactively collects channel status information from multiple antennas by transmitting channel probing messages during non-data transmission periods, calculates data transmission rates, and selects the antenna providing the highest transmission rate to maintain optimal data transmission between the transmitting and receiving devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple RF chains are used to transmit signals via multiple antennas simultaneously, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and electronic power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication function into separate time segments, using only one RF chain at a time for each antenna. Instead of simultaneously activating all antennas with multiple RF chains, the system segments the transmission process so that each antenna is activated sequentially in different time slots, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining communication reliability through diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic antenna selection where the system can switch between different antennas based on real-time channel conditions. The antenna configuration is made dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to adaptively activate the most suitable antenna for current communication requirements, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring all antennas to be permanently active with dedicated RF chains.
2Device complexity
If antenna switching is performed only after poor communication occurs, then device complexity is reduced, but communication quality and transmission rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary channel quality assessment and antenna selection before actual data transmission begins. By evaluating channel conditions in advance and pre-selecting the optimal antenna, the system avoids waiting for communication degradation to occur before switching. This preliminary action ensures that the best antenna is already selected when transmission starts, maintaining high signal quality without requiring complex real-time switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where channel status information is continuously monitored and used to trigger antenna switching proactively. When channel quality metrics indicate potential degradation trends, the system receives feedback and switches to an alternative antenna before actual communication failure occurs, maintaining signal quality through predictive rather than reactive switching.
3Productivity
If proactive channel probing is performed for all antennas, then transmission rate optimization is improved, but use of energy and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial probing by selecting and evaluating only a subset of antennas rather than performing exhaustive channel probing on all available antennas. The system uses channel quality indicators and historical performance data to identify promising candidate antennas for probing, performing channel assessments on only those antennas most likely to provide optimal transmission rates, thereby reducing energy consumption and overhead while still achieving rate optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the probing parameter from comprehensive channel state information collection to selective key metric assessment. Instead of probing all channel parameters for all antennas, the system focuses on critical parameters such as signal strength and basic channel quality indicators for selected candidate antennas, reducing the probing overhead and energy consumption while maintaining sufficient information for optimal antenna selection and transmission rate determination.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a transmitting device and receiving device for selecting a transmit channel in a wideband high frequency wireless system using a plurality of transmit antennas, and a method thereof. According to the method of selecting a transmit channel, data is transmitted to the receiving device via a predetermined first antenna, and a first channel probing response message including first channel status information of the first antenna is received, in response to the transmission of the data. A channel probing request message that request channel status information of a second antenna, is transmitted to the receiving device via the second antenna, and a second channel probing response message including the second channel status information of the second antenna is received in response to the channel probing request message.