60 GHz Beam Pair Selection for Blockage-Resilient Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems at 60 GHz face challenges in adapting to changing channel conditions, such as link blockage and deterioration, due to the need for complex and resource-intensive adaptive beamforming techniques, which require accurate phase and amplitude estimation and additional hardware for signal feedback.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for the transmission and reception of signals on multiple beams, prioritizing them based on signal quality and direction of departure/arrival, enabling the selection of optimal beam pairs to establish and maintain communication links, even in the presence of blockages or deteriorations, by using a combination of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and angular information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adaptive beamforming techniques are used to track the best pair of beams, then the ability to adapt to changing channel conditions is improved, but hardware complexity and estimation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the feedback mechanism from the beamforming system. Instead of using adaptive beamforming that requires feedback loops for phase and amplitude estimation, the system uses a simplified approach where the transmitter sends beamformed signals and the receiver selects the best beam based on signal quality measurements, eliminating the need for complex hardware feedback paths
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver performs self-service by autonomously selecting the optimal beam pair based on signal quality measurements without requiring complex feedback mechanisms. The system uses the received signal itself to determine beam quality through metrics like SNR or RSSI, allowing the receiver to adapt to channel conditions using existing signal energy rather than additional hardware
2Reliability
If multiple distributed receiver antennas are used to address link blockage, then the ability to maintain communication during blockage is improved, but network coordination requirements and transceiver complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the transmitter pre-send beamformed probe signals across multiple candidate beams before data transmission. The receiver measures signal quality on these pre-transmitted beams and selects the optimal beam pair in advance, allowing the system to quickly switch to an alternative beam when blockage occurs without requiring complex real-time coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beamforming approach by evaluating multiple discrete beam pairs independently. Instead of using a single complex coordinated system with multiple antennas, the method divides the problem into separate beam trials, each with its own signal quality measurement, allowing simple selection of the best segment (beam pair) without complex integration
Data Source
AI summary
A method implemented in a wireless communications system is disclosed. The method includes: transmitting, from a wireless transmitter having a transmit antenna array, a first signal on each of a plurality of different transmit beams in transmitter (TX) sector level sweep (SLS), receiving, at a wireless receiver having a receive antenna array, the first signal, and determining, at the wireless receiver, quality of the first signal. Other methods, systems, and apparatuses also are disclosed.