Beam Transmission Switching Between Low- and High-Resolution Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The utilization of low-resolution (LR) digital-to-analog converters (DACs) in wireless communications systems leads to additional Tx quantization distortion, degraded channel estimation, and equalization due to non-linear quantization effects, particularly in high-resolution (HR) scenarios, affecting signal quality and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implement techniques to determine and select transmission occasions or beams for LR and HR radio nodes, associating HR beams with LR beams, and provide distinct parameter configurations for channel estimation and Rx beam determination, minimizing signal quality degradation while conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If low-resolution DACs are used in wireless communications, then energy consumption is reduced and cost is lowered, but signal quality deteriorates due to quantization distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam transmission process into two distinct phases: initial access phase using LR beams for energy efficiency, and data transmission phase using HR beams for signal quality. This temporal and functional segmentation allows the system to optimize for different priorities at different stages of communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between LR and HR beam modes based on communication stage and requirements. The base station can adaptively select which beams to use for different purposes (initial access vs. data transmission), creating a dynamic optimization strategy that balances energy consumption and signal quality.
2Device complexity
If low-resolution DACs are used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but channel estimation and equalization performance degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating channel estimation functions between LR and HR beams. LR beams provide coarse channel information for initial access, while HR beams provide precise channel information for data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to use simpler LR DACs for initial access while maintaining high precision for actual data communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces HR beams as an intermediary mechanism to compensate for the limitations of LR DACs. The HR beams serve as a mediator that provides the necessary high-precision channel estimation and equalization capabilities that LR DACs cannot provide alone, thereby enabling the system to use lower-cost LR DACs while maintaining overall system performance.
3Loss of energy
If LR beams are used for transmission, then energy efficiency is improved, but signal quality and data transmission reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication process into initial access (using LR beams for energy efficiency) and data transmission (using HR beams for reliability). This segmentation ensures that energy-efficient LR beams are used only when high precision is not critical, while HR beams are deployed when data transmission reliability is paramount.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beam selection based on communication stage and quality requirements. During initial access, LR beams are used to minimize energy consumption. During data transmission, the system dynamically switches to HR beams to ensure reliable communication, creating a flexible adaptive strategy.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to transmitting a first signal via a first beam and a second signal via a second beam, the first bean associated with the LR transmit condition and the second beam associated with an HR transmit condition. The transmission of the second signal may be after the transmission of the first signal, where the second beam is associated with the HR transmit condition based on a first response associated with the transmitted first signal. The transmission of the first signal may be after the transmission of the second signal, where the first beam is associated with the LR transmit condition based on a second response associated with the transmitted second signal. The first beam may be associated with the LR transmit condition irrespective of whether the second beam is associated with the HR transmit condition.