Beam Selection for Beamformed Diversity Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band face challenges in achieving effective beam selection and diversity due to high propagation loss and quasi-optical propagation properties, which affect signal strength and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that utilizes multi-element phased antenna arrays with multiple RF chains and phase shifters to form and steer directional beams, allowing for the selection of optimal directional links based on channel capacity metrics and SINR values, enabling MIMO beamformed communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-gain directional antennas are used to compensate for large path loss, then signal strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple antenna elements arranged in arrays, with each element contributing to forming directional beams through phase control. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high gain through coherent combining while maintaining flexibility in beam steering without requiring a single complex high-gain antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic beam steering capability where the direction of directional beams can be electronically adjusted in real-time based on channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize signal strength for different spatial directions without physical antenna movement, resolving the contradiction between achieving high gain and maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If beam-steering techniques are employed to improve communication reliability, then signal reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where channel state information is obtained and used to adjust beam steering directions and phases. This feedback-driven approach enables the system to adapt to changing channel conditions, improving communication reliability while automating the complexity management through closed-loop control rather than requiring complex open-loop processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as phase shifts and beam directions dynamically based on channel conditions. By adjusting these parameters in response to measured channel characteristics, the system achieves improved reliability through adaptation without requiring permanently complex processing structures, as the complexity is activated only when needed based on channel state.
3Productivity
If multiple RF chains and phase shifters are used to form directional beams, then channel capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is segmented into multiple controllable elements, each associated with RF chains and phase shifters. This segmentation enables independent control of each element to form multiple simultaneous directional beams, increasing channel capacity through spatial multiplexing while organizing the complexity into manageable modular units rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF chains and phase shifters are designed to serve multiple functions: they control both the formation of directional beams and the steering of beam directions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby increasing channel capacity through versatile beam control while limiting the growth of overall device complexity through component consolidation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances signal power and reliability by forming multiple directional beams that maximize channel capacity and SINR, improving overall wireless communication performance in mmWave environments.
Implementation Method 1
A phased antenna array may form a directive antenna pattern or a beam, which may be steered by setting appropriate signal phases at the antenna elements
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of beam selection for beamformed communication. For example, an apparatus may include a controller to control a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over a plurality of selected directional links, which are selected based on at least one predefined selection metric.