Asymmetric Beamforming Training in Millimeter-Wave Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beamforming training methods in millimeter-wave wireless communication networks are inefficient, particularly in asymmetric scenarios where a quasi-omni antenna configuration is used, leading to prolonged time and power consumption during sector sweeping and acknowledgement processes.

Innovation Solution

The proposed asymmetric beamforming training method schedules beamforming training allocations during a Data Transfer Interval, allowing for variable space-time slots and skipping unnecessary sectors, with the EDMG initiator STA transmitting a beacon with allocation information and TRN-R subfields, and the EDMG responder STA transmitting Sector Sweep frames and receiving acknowledgments within specific slots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional beamforming training methods are used with quasi-omni antenna configuration, then all sectors must be trained sequentially, but this leads to prolonged time consumption and increased power consumption during sector sweeping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming training efficiencyVSAvoidsector sweeping time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary sectors from the beamforming training process. By identifying sectors that do not require training (e.g., sectors with no spatial relationships or already trained sectors), the system eliminates redundant training operations, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining training completeness for necessary sectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by training only the necessary subset of sectors rather than all sectors. The system determines which sectors require training based on spatial relationships and communication requirements, performing beamforming training only on those specific sectors, thus avoiding excessive training operations and reducing overall time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If traditional beamforming training methods are used with quasi-omni antenna configuration, then all sectors must be trained sequentially, but this leads to increased power consumption during acknowledgement processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming training efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption during sector sweeping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates redundant acknowledgement operations. By identifying sectors that do not require training, the system removes the corresponding acknowledgement steps, thereby reducing power consumption during the sector sweeping and acknowledgement processes while maintaining necessary communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing acknowledgements only for necessary sectors. The system sends acknowledgement frames only for sectors that require beamforming training, avoiding excessive acknowledgement operations in unnecessary sectors, thus reducing overall power consumption during the training process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If all sectors are trained in traditional beamforming training, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but this increases the complexity of the training process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming training completenessVSAvoidtraining process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary sectors from the training process while maintaining completeness for required sectors. By identifying and eliminating redundant sectors, the system reduces training process complexity without compromising the reliability of beamforming training for sectors that actually require it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by training only the necessary sectors rather than all sectors. This selective approach reduces the complexity of the training process by minimizing the number of sectors that need to be processed, while still achieving comprehensive coverage for all sectors that require beamforming training based on spatial relationships and communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11552685B2Apparatus, system and method of asymmetric beamforming training

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 INTEL CORP

AI summary

For example, an EDMG initiator STA of an asymmetric beamforming training may be configured to, during a Beacon Transmission Interval (BTI) in a Beacon Interval (BI), transmit a beacon via a sector of the EDMG initiator STA, the beacon including allocation information to allocate a beamforming training allocation for asymmetric beamforming training of the sector during a Data Transfer Interval (DTI) in the BI after the BTI, the beacon including one or more Receive Training (TRN-R) subfields for the asymmetric beamforming training of the sector; during the beamforming training allocation, to listen on the sector for one or more Sector Sweep (SSW) frames from one or more EDMG responder STAs; and, during the beamforming training allocation, to transmit via the sector a sector acknowledgement (ACK) frame including information based on the one or more SSW frames.