Beam Switching Controller for Millimeter Wave Signal Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam switching and beamforming technologies in millimeter wave communication systems face challenges in maintaining high signal quality, especially in weak communication environments, leading to signal loss and increased power consumption when switching between beams.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with multiple antenna arrays and a controller that dynamically manages beam states by maintaining current beams in sectors, turning on new beams in different sectors based on signal quality, and adjusting beam widths to optimize signal quality without unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam switching is performed in weak communication environments, then signal quality may be improved, but signal loss occurs during the switching process
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by maintaining the current beam in an on state and turning on a new beam in advance before switching is needed. This allows the new beam to be prepared and tested for signal quality before actually switching, preventing signal loss during the transition process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beam states based on real-time signal quality measurements. The controller can maintain multiple beams in different states (on, off, or intermediate) and transitions between them based on measured signal conditions, making the beam management adaptive and dynamic rather than static.
2Speed
If multiple beams are maintained in on state for beam switching, then beam switching can be performed quickly, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining all beams in the on state uniformly, the controller applies different states to different beams based on their specific needs. The current beam is maintained in on state, while new beams are turned on only when needed for switching, and other beams are kept off. This local differentiation reduces overall power consumption while maintaining switching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller periodically measures signal quality and performs beam switching only when necessary, rather than continuously maintaining multiple beams in on state. This periodic evaluation and selective switching reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to switch beams quickly when signal quality degrades.
3Reliability
If beam width is increased to improve signal coverage, then signal quality improves, but the beam becomes less directional and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller forms a wide beam only partially or temporarily when signal quality improvement is needed, rather than maintaining a permanently wide beam. By adjusting the beam width selectively and temporarily, the system achieves signal quality improvement without the continuous power consumption penalty of a permanently wide beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam width is dynamically adjusted based on signal quality requirements. The controller can widen the beam temporarily to improve signal quality, then reduce it back to normal width when the quality is sufficient, making the power consumption adaptive to actual needs rather than fixed.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes one or more antenna arrays; and a controller configured to control the one or more antenna arrays. The controller is configured to maintain a current beam formed in a first sector by the one or more antenna arrays in an on state and turn on a new beam in a second sector that is different from the first sector, and turn off either the current beam or the new beam based on whether a signal quality of the new beam is greater than a signal quality of the current beam.