Base Station Beamforming for Joint Sensing and Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems face inefficiencies in combining wireless communication and sensing, such as reduced bandwidth, excessive latency, and power consumption, particularly at mm Wave frequencies, due to the need for broad field of view scanning and system optimization challenges.
Innovation Solution
Dynamically controlling the beamformer of a base station based on sensed environmental information to alter beam characteristics, such as direction, width, and strength, using a modifiable lookup table to optimize wireless sensing and communication operations concurrently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If time-division multiplex or frequency-division multiplex is used to add wireless sensing to communication systems, then sensing functionality is achieved, but bandwidth for communication is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges wireless sensing and communication functions into a unified system that operates simultaneously using the same hardware infrastructure. By integrating radar sensing capabilities with 5G/6G base stations and utilizing the same antenna arrays for both communication and sensing operations, the system eliminates the need for separate multiplexing schemes, thereby preserving full communication bandwidth while enabling sensing functionality.
2Measurement precision
If a large field of view is scanned to achieve accurate wireless sensing, then sensing accuracy is improved, but latency increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming that adapts beam directions and widths based on real-time environmental conditions and target locations. Instead of performing static comprehensive scans, the system dynamically adjusts beam characteristics to focus on relevant areas, enabling accurate sensing of specific targets while maintaining low latency for time-critical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different beam characteristics to different spatial regions based on local requirements. By concentrating sensing resources on areas with active targets or high-priority monitoring needs rather than uniformly scanning the entire field of view, the system achieves high measurement precision for critical targets while minimizing overall latency.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple beams are used to scan many directions simultaneously for broad field of view, then field of view coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the base station antenna array universally capable of performing both communication and sensing functions. The same hardware infrastructure supports multiple operational modes including wide-area scanning, directional tracking, and focused sensing, thereby achieving broad field of view coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity or cost.
4Use of energy by moving object
If base station power consumption is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but system performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic environmental scanning and target detection rather than continuous full-power operation. By alternating between active sensing periods and lower-power states, and by adjusting beamforming power levels based on detected target presence, the system achieves significant power consumption reduction while maintaining reliable performance for time-critical sensing and communication functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances bandwidth utilization, reduces latency, and optimizes power consumption by adapting beamforming to environmental conditions, enabling efficient simultaneous wireless communication and sensing.
Implementation Method 1
dynamically controlling the beamformer of a base station according to the information of the immediate environment obtained by the radar processing
Implementation Method 2
wireless sensing such as, for example, radar sensing
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for performing both wireless communications and wireless sensing in combination. The systems include at least a first base station having at least one antenna device where the antenna device includes a beamformer control unit that uses a modifiable lookup table to control beam characteristics. The system may send a first set of electromagnetic sensing beams to a first environmental area within a field of view of the at least one antenna device to detect environmental objects within the environmental area. Based on data received by the antenna device, the system may generate a modified lookup table.