Multi-user Beam Alignment in Multi-path mmWave Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems in millimeter wave frequencies face challenges in aligning narrow beams due to high path loss and severe shadowing, particularly in multi-path environments where multiple resolvable paths exist, which affects beamforming gain and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and base station system that selects and sends probing beams to User Equipment (UE) to compute an optimal data transmission beam based on received feedback, utilizing a composite beam that covers disjoint angular intervals with minimal overlap and adaptive design for dynamic channel tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If narrow beams are used for directional transmission in mmWave frequencies, then path loss and shadowing are reduced, but beam alignment becomes more difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam alignment process into multiple probing packets sent over different spatial paths. Each probing packet carries a probe signal that traverses a specific spatial path, allowing the system to independently characterize and optimize each path segment. This segmentation enables manageable complexity by breaking down the overall beam alignment into discrete, probeable units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiver processes probe signals from multiple spatial paths and provides feedback information to the transmitter. This feedback includes channel state information and beam quality metrics that enable the transmitter to adjust and optimize beamforming weights for each spatial path, resolving the alignment complexity through iterative refinement.
2Measurement precision
If multiple probing packets are sent over different spatial paths, then beam alignment accuracy improves, but transmission time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic transmission of probing packets over different spatial paths in a systematic sequence. Each probing packet is transmitted at regular intervals through predetermined spatial paths, allowing the system to efficiently collect channel information without continuous probing. This periodic approach balances measurement precision with time efficiency by sampling paths systematically rather than continuously.
3Power
If beamforming weights are optimized for each spatial path, then beamforming gain increases, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of spatial paths using probing packets before actual data transmission. During this preliminary phase, the system measures and stores channel state information for each spatial path, including optimal beamforming weights. This preliminary action enables the system to have beamforming parameters ready in advance, reducing real-time computational complexity while maintaining high beamforming gain during data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method is provided for finding a data transmission beam from an Access Point (AP) to a User Equipment (UE) in a communication system. The method includes selecting a probing beam from a set of probing beams. The method further includes sending a plurality of probing packets from the AP to the UE using a dedicated probing beam selected for each probing packet from among the set of probing beams. The method also includes receiving feedback from the UE regarding the plurality of probing packets. The method additionally includes computing the data transmission beam based on the received feedback and the set of probing beams.