Antenna Element Switching for RFIC Port Limits and Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to improve wireless communication performance in user equipment (UE) by efficiently mapping multiple antenna elements to a limited number of radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) ports, particularly in scenarios with hand/body blockage.
Innovation Solution
The UE determines a dynamic mapping of more than one antenna element to an RFIC port via switches, allowing selection based on conditions such as power, thermal, and blockage, thereby leveraging more antenna elements than RFIC ports for improved beamforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antenna elements are mapped to a limited number of RFIC ports, then beamforming performance is improved and hand/body blockage is mitigated, but device complexity increases due to the need for dynamic mapping and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mapping between antenna elements and RFIC ports through switching mechanisms that can reconfigure connections based on operational conditions. The system dynamically selects which antenna elements are active and how they are mapped to RFIC ports, allowing adaptation to hand/body blockage scenarios and optimizing beamforming performance in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna array into multiple selectable antenna elements that can be independently controlled and mapped to RFIC ports. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary subset of antenna elements for each transmission scenario, improving beamforming while managing complexity through selective activation rather than requiring all elements to be permanently connected.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more antenna elements are used than RFIC ports available, then coverage and beamforming capability are enhanced, but the number of required RFIC ports increases system cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes antenna elements universally selectable for different RFIC ports through dynamic mapping. Each antenna element can be configured to work with different RFIC ports depending on the operational scenario, allowing a limited number of RFIC ports to serve multiple antenna elements over time. This multi-functionality enables enhanced coverage capability without proportionally increasing the number of RFIC ports required.
3Reliability
If dynamic selection of antenna elements is implemented based on power and thermal conditions, then communication reliability is improved, but control complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor power consumption and thermal conditions of antenna elements and RFIC ports. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the mapping and selection of antenna elements, activating or deactivating elements based on their thermal and power states. This feedback-driven approach improves communication reliability by avoiding overheating and power exhaustion while managing control complexity through automated decision-making based on sensor data.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may determine a mapping of more than one antenna element, associated with an antenna module or panel that is integrated with a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), to an RFIC port via one or more switches. The UE may select antenna elements from the more than one antenna element based at least in part on one or more conditions being satisfied. The UE may perform, via the antenna elements, a communication to a network node. Numerous other aspects are described.