Beam Scanning for Interference Mitigation in Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beamforming techniques in wireless communications are inadequate for avoiding interference between mobile and fixed services networks, particularly at millimeter wave frequencies, leading to inefficient use of spectral resources due to overlapping signal allocations.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network to detect the presence of a fixed services network using beamforming codebooks, scan for transmission activity, and opportunistically communicate by adjusting beams and frequency bands to avoid interference, allowing for efficient use of overlapping frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beamforming techniques are used to focus signals directionally, then signal transmission efficiency is improved, but interference between mobile and fixed services networks increases due to overlapping signal allocations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission efficiencyVSAvoidinterference between networks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary detection of fixed services network transmissions by scanning beams before initiating its own transmission. The UE scans a set of beams generated from a codebook to detect presence of fixed services network, allowing it to avoid interfering with ongoing transmissions before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts beam selection and transmission timing based on real-time detection of fixed services network activity. The UE modifies its transmission parameters including beam direction and timing based on detected transmissions, enabling adaptive interference avoidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequency bands are allocated for both mobile and fixed services, then spectral resource utilization is improved, but interference occurs due to overlapping allocations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral resource utilizationVSAvoidinterference from overlapping allocations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The UE scans beams to detect fixed services network transmissions before initiating its own transmission in overlapping frequency bands. This preliminary detection enables the UE to identify when fixed services are active and adjust its transmission accordingly, allowing efficient use of shared spectrum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses detection feedback from scanning beams to adjust UE transmission behavior. Based on the detection results, the UE modifies its transmission timing and beam selection to avoid interfering with fixed services networks while still utilizing available spectral resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the UE scans multiple beams to detect fixed services network, then interference mitigation is improved, but scanning time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference mitigationVSAvoidscanning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE divides the scanning process into discrete beam segments from a codebook, systematically evaluating each beam's transmission activity. This segmented approach allows efficient detection across multiple directions while managing processing complexity through structured beam evaluation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11716126B2Beam-based detection for interference mitigation

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. The method includes receiving a transmission parameter of a second wireless network, scanning, based on the transmission parameter, for transmission activity of the second wireless network using a set of beams generated in accordance with a beamforming codebook, and opportunistically communicating with a second wireless device of the first wireless network using the beamforming codebook based on the scanning.