Multi-User Beam Probing and Scheduling in mmWave Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-user wireless communication systems, especially in mmWave frequency bands, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently aligning narrow beams with the Angle of Departure (AoD) of channel clusters due to high path loss and severe shadowing, leading to suboptimal beamforming gains and increased BA overhead.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed that involves a one-shot scan of the angular domain by the base station to simultaneously localize multiple users, minimizing the average expected width of remaining uncertainty regions (URs) on AoDs through a beam design optimization problem, using a practical beam alignment (BA) scheme that outperforms the 5G standard's beam sweeping approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If narrow beams are used for directional transmission in mmWave frequency bands, then beamforming gain is improved, but beam alignment complexity and overhead increase due to the need to align beams with AoD of channel clusters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam alignment process into two distinct phases: a probing phase where multiple probing beams are transmitted to elicit feedback, and a scheduling phase where data transmission beams are selected and scheduled based on the feedback. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently align beams with channel clusters by first gathering channel information through probing beams and then making informed scheduling decisions, thereby reducing overall alignment complexity while maintaining high beamforming gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by transmitting multiple probing beams before actual data transmission to collect feedback information about channel conditions and AoD. This preliminary probing allows the system to pre-determine the optimal beam scheduling strategy, reducing the complexity of real-time beam alignment and enabling more efficient directional transmission in mmWave frequency bands.
2Measurement precision
If multiple probing beams are transmitted to align with AoD, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but transmission time and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beam probing to collect channel feedback information before actual data transmission begins. By conducting this probing action in advance, the system can determine optimal beam scheduling decisions ahead of time, reducing the time required for real-time beam alignment and minimizing overhead during the actual communication period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by using feedback packets transmitted at regular intervals during the probing phase to convey channel information. This periodic feedback mechanism allows the system to efficiently gather alignment information without requiring continuous transmission, thereby reducing the overall time and overhead associated with beam alignment while maintaining high accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated probing beams are used for each probing packet, then feedback accuracy is improved, but system complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the probing beams to serve multiple functions: they not only transmit data but also carry feedback information about channel conditions and AoD. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high feedback accuracy while reducing overall system complexity, as the same probing infrastructure is used for both data transmission and channel characterization without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the receiving end transmit feedback packets containing channel information back to the transmitting end. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt beam scheduling decisions based on actual channel conditions, improving feedback accuracy while managing system complexity through efficient use of existing communication infrastructure for bidirectional information exchange.
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.