Beam Administration for Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beam administration in Millimeter Wave (mmWave) beamforming systems faces challenges in maintaining antenna pointing and tracking accuracy, especially in dynamic cellular networks, due to the complexity and cost associated with existing beamforming methods, which are not efficient in achieving simultaneous alignment and tracking of base station and user equipment beams.
Innovation Solution
The method combines uplink pilot signals with switched beamforming at the user equipment and adaptive beamforming at the base station to achieve effective beam alignment and tracking, reducing overhead, complexity, and cost, while maintaining antenna pointing and tracking accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive beamforming is used at both base station and user equipment, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming implementation into two parts: the base station uses complex adaptive beamforming with multiple antenna elements to achieve high measurement precision, while the user equipment uses simpler switched beamforming with a fewer number of antenna elements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve accurate beam alignment without requiring both devices to have high complexity beamforming capabilities.
2Device complexity
If switched beamforming is used at user equipment, then device complexity is reduced, but beam alignment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary beamforming operations by transmitting reference signals using adaptive beamforming across multiple beams before the user equipment needs to select its beam. This preliminary action allows the user equipment to measure and identify the best beam more quickly, reducing the overall beam alignment time despite using simpler switched beamforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reference signals as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates beam alignment between the base station and user equipment. These reference signals enable the user equipment to efficiently measure and select the optimal beam without requiring complex real-time beamforming capabilities, thus reducing both device complexity and alignment time.
3Power
If large number of antenna elements are used, then array gain is increased, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the majority of antenna elements at the base station where adaptive beamforming is implemented, achieving high array gain where it is most needed for system performance. The user equipment uses a smaller number of antenna elements with switched beamforming, reducing manufacturing cost and complexity at the mobile device while maintaining overall system effectiveness through the base station's superior beamforming capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of beam administration in a cellular or wireless network is proposed. Cellular/wireless networks operating at Ka or higher frequency band require the use of directional antenna (or through array-based beamforming) to compensate for sever pathloss. Maintaining antenna pointing and tracking accuracy is essential in many phases of the communication process. By using uplink pilot signals for beam alignment/tracking, combined with switched beamforming at the UE and adaptive beamforming at the BS, an effective beam administration is achieved with reduced overhead, complexity, and cost.