Autoencoder Beamforming Feedback Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, such as IEEE 802.11 WLAN, face high computational complexity and communication overhead in beamforming feedback, particularly in training information updates, which hinders system throughput and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an autoencoder-based method that compresses and decompresses steering matrices using neural network quantization, reducing the need for extensive communication overhead by transmitting only quantized coefficients and scale factors, and utilizing a decoder to obtain uncompressed steering matrices for beamformed data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional beamforming feedback procedures are used, then beamforming functionality is achieved, but computational complexity and communication overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational complexityVSAvoidsystem throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the essential components (quantized steering matrix coefficients and scale factors) rather than the complete steering matrix. This extraction approach reduces the feedback data size and computational burden while preserving the beamforming functionality, directly addressing the contradiction between complexity and throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the representation parameters of the steering matrix by applying quantization to its coefficients and using scale factors. This parameter transformation reduces the precision requirements and data size, thereby lowering computational complexity and communication overhead while maintaining acceptable beamforming performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If complete steering matrices are transmitted for beamforming feedback, then accurate beamforming is achieved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeamforming accuracyVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the critical elements (quantized coefficients and scale factors) from the complete steering matrix for transmission. This selective extraction maintains the essential information needed for accurate beamforming reconstruction at the receiver while significantly reducing the quantity of data that must be communicated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting the complete steering matrix directly, the patent inverts the approach by transmitting compressed representations (quantized coefficients and scale factors) that can be reconstructed into the full steering matrix at the receiver端. This inversion reduces communication overhead while preserving beamforming accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If frequent training information updates are performed, then beamforming performance is improved, but computational complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeamforming performanceVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the updated quantized coefficients and scale factors that change during training information updates, rather than transmitting complete steering matrices. This extraction approach allows frequent updates to maintain beamforming performance while reducing the computational and communication burden of each update.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4462693A1Method and apparatus for low complexity beamforming feedback in wireless local area networks
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4462693A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4462693A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4462693A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method performed by a first electronic device for reducing a feedback overhead of beamforming in a wireless communication system, includes: transmitting a first data to a second electronic device; transmitting a data packet to the second electronic device, receiving a second data from the second electronic device; extracting a compressed steering matrix from the second data; obtain uncompressed steering matrix by using a décoder part of an autoencoder, based on the extracted compressed steering matrix; and transmitting, to the second electronic device, a third data via a radio signal beamformed based on the obtained uncompressed steering matrix.