Base Station User Scheduling via Digital-Analog Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antenna systems face challenges in efficiently determining the angular direction of user equipment (UEs) and managing beamforming to optimize communication, particularly in scenarios where multiple UEs need to be communicated with simultaneously, as existing systems often require sequential beamforming and lack precision in identifying UE locations.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a digital beamformer with a massive MIMO antenna system to rapidly determine angular direction information of UEs, which is then used to control an analog beamformer to generate precise antenna beams for communication, allowing for simultaneous communication with multiple UEs and grouping them into common beams based on their angular proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential beamforming is used to determine angular direction of UEs, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to slower determination speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the beamforming process into two distinct parts: a digital beamforming stage that rapidly determines angular direction information for multiple UEs, and an analog beamforming stage that uses this information to form precise beams. This segmentation allows the digital beamformer to handle the computationally intensive angle determination quickly, while the analog beamformer focuses on precise signal transmission, thereby resolving the contradiction between complexity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular direction information as an intermediary element that bridges the digital and analog beamforming stages. The digital beamformer first determines angular direction information for multiple UEs, which then serves as input for the analog beamformer to generate precise beams. This intermediary approach enables rapid multi-UE angle determination without requiring complex sequential analog beamforming, thus improving productivity while managing device complexity.
2Device complexity
If analog beamforming alone is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of UE locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the beamforming functionality into digital and analog components, where the digital beamformer performs the precise angular direction estimation for multiple UEs simultaneously, and the analog beamformer executes precise beam formation based on this information. This segmentation enables high measurement precision in UE location determination while keeping the analog portion relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between complexity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Angular direction information acts as an intermediary that carries precise spatial information from the digital beamforming stage to the analog beamforming stage. The digital beamformer extracts precise angular directions for multiple UEs, which are then used by the analog beamformer to form accurate beams. This intermediary mechanism enables precise UE location measurement without requiring the analog system to perform complex sequential scanning, thus maintaining low complexity while achieving high precision.
3Device complexity
If sequential communication with multiple UEs is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to slower connection establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of angular direction information for multiple UEs using the digital beamformer before initiating analog beamforming and communication. By pre-calculating the angular directions for all target UEs, the system can then quickly switch between pre-configured analog beams to communicate with multiple UEs simultaneously or in rapid succession, significantly reducing connection establishment time while avoiding complex real-time scheduling decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Angular direction information serves as an intermediary that enables the system to prepare communication parameters in advance. The digital beamformer determines angular directions for multiple UEs ahead of time, creating a lookup table of spatial information that the analog beamformer can use to quickly establish connections. This preliminary action through the intermediary angular information eliminates the need for time-consuming sequential beam scanning and connection setup, reducing time loss while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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
This approach enables faster and more precise determination of UE locations, allowing for efficient beamforming that can communicate with multiple UEs simultaneously, improving communication efficiency and reducing the time required to establish connections.
Implementation Method 1
Phased array antenna systems typically include many antenna elements coupled individually to separate phase shifters that control the phase of radio frequency (RF) signals presented to (or received from) the antenna elements
Implementation Method 2
Beam management systems typically control the gain, beamwidth, and directionality of various antenna beams by controlling the amount phase shift provided by each phase shifter
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a base station that includes a phased array antenna system and a MIMO antenna system. The MIMO antenna system may receive sounding signals sent by user equipment (UE) and determine angular location information for each UE. The angular location information may be used by the phased array antenna system to create antenna beams. The angular location information may also be used to schedule communications with multiple UEs in common beams. Other embodiments are disclosed.