3D Beam Path Search for Accurate Wireless Propagation Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ray tracing models for wireless communication face accuracy issues due to sampling density problems, leading to incomplete path detection and increased path loss at greater distances, which affects the precision of radio signal propagation predictions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transforming rays into beams for initial modeling, allowing for a full space path search by defining a target three-dimensional object and tracking beams to determine effective propagation paths, thereby improving computational efficiency and ensuring all paths are found, even at increased distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ray sampling is performed at every 1 degree, then the initial sampling coverage is comprehensive, but the gap between rays increases to 8.7m at 500m distance causing path loss and reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath detection accuracyVSAvoidsignal path loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple adjacent rays into a single beam structure. Instead of treating each ray independently, the beam merges the spatial correlation between adjacent rays, allowing the system to cover the same angular space with fewer beam elements. This merging approach maintains comprehensive path detection coverage while reducing the effective gap between propagation paths, thereby preventing path loss at long distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional ray sampling (single angular parameter) to two-dimensional beam modeling (angular distribution across a plane). By defining beams with angular width and spatial extent rather than treating rays as infinitesimal lines, the system adds a dimensional aspect that naturally fills the gaps between discrete sampling points, ensuring continuous coverage without increasing sampling density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If ray sampling density is increased to maintain accuracy at long distances, then path detection accuracy improves, but computational complexity and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepropagation path detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging adjacent rays into beams, the patent reduces the total number of propagation paths that need to be tracked independently. Instead of computing 64800 separate rays at 1-degree intervals, the system computes a much smaller number of beams that collectively cover the same angular space. This merging dramatically reduces computational time while maintaining the same detection accuracy through the spatial correlation inherent in the beam structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The beam structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines a propagation direction, establishes an angular coverage range, and represents a bundle of correlated rays. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive path detection with fewer computational elements, as each beam element performs the work of multiple independent rays while exploiting the spatial correlation between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional ray sampling method is used, then the implementation is simple, but not all propagation paths are found and full space coverage is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidpath detection completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces angular width as an additional dimension to the traditional ray model. Instead of zero-width rays sampled at discrete angles, beams have finite angular extent that naturally overlaps with adjacent beams. This dimensional change ensures that the union of all beam directions covers the entire spherical space around the transmitter, guaranteeing that all possible propagation paths are captured without requiring overly dense sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3706334B1Propagation path search method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3706334B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3706334B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3706334B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a propagation path search method and apparatus, used for solving a problem in the prior art of path loss due to increased distance, and improving accuracy of a propagation model. The embodiments of the present invention includes: defining a target three-dimensional object, where the target three-dimensional object is configured to describe full space; setting a signal transmission point in internal space of the target three-dimensional object to perform initial beam modeling of a signal point source, where the signal transmission point is used to transmit an initial beam; tracking each initial beam to determine a propagation manner generated by each initial beam in the three-dimensional object; and determining that a path corresponding to a target beam is an effective path when the target beam reaches a signal receiving point, where the target beam is included in each initial beam, or is obtained after the initial beam is split or changed.