Beamformer Lookup Control for Joint Sensing and mmWave Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems combining wireless communication and sensing face inefficiencies due to reduced bandwidth, excessive latency, and complex setup requirements, especially at high frequencies like mmWave, where adding sensing functionality compromises communication capabilities and requires extensive simulation with limited environmental data.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically controls the beamformer of base stations based on sensed environmental information, adjusting beam characteristics such as direction, width, and strength to optimize wireless sensing and communication operations concurrently, using phase-coded microwave waveform technology and a modifiable lookup table to adapt sensing beams in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If time-division multiplex or frequency-division multiplex is used to add sensing functionality, then sensing capability is provided, but bandwidth for communication is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensing and communication functions into a unified system that operates simultaneously using the same hardware infrastructure. Base stations perform both communication and sensing operations without requiring separate dedicated resources, thereby avoiding the bandwidth reduction that would result from time-division or frequency-division multiplexing approaches.
2Measurement precision
If a large field of view is scanned to achieve accurate sensing, then sensing accuracy is improved, but latency increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming that adapts beam directions and widths based on real-time environmental information and detected targets. Instead of performing exhaustive static scanning of the entire field of view, the system dynamically concentrates sensing resources on relevant areas, achieving accurate sensing with significantly reduced scanning time and latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary environmental mapping and target detection to identify regions of interest before conducting detailed sensing measurements. By pre-processing the field of view and focusing subsequent measurements on areas containing targets or environmental features, the system reduces the overall time required to achieve accurate sensing results.
3Ease of manufacture
If extensive simulation is performed for system setup considering three dimensional landscape, then system optimization is achieved, but setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically characterize the three-dimensional environment using its own sensing capabilities rather than requiring external manual surveys or complex pre-simulation processes. The base station performs environmental mapping and landscape characterization autonomously through radar sensing, converting the setup process into a self-service operation that reduces both complexity and time requirements.
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 enables efficient concurrent wireless communication and sensing, reducing latency and power consumption, optimizing system setup, and providing detailed environmental mapping for improved network planning, while leveraging sensing information to enhance communication link identification and coverage optimization.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one antenna device sends electromagnetic sensing beams to an environmental area within a field of view of the at least one antenna device to detect environmental objects within the environmental area
Implementation Method 2
using phase-coded microwave waveform technology and a modifiable lookup table to adapt sensing beams in real-time
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for performing both wireless communications and wireless sensing in combination. The systems include at least a first base station having at least one antenna device where the antenna device includes a beamformer control unit that uses a modifiable lookup table to control beam characteristics. The system may send a first set of electromagnetic sensing beams to a first environmental area within a field of view of the at least one antenna device to detect environmental objects within the environmental area. Based on data received by the antenna device, the system may generate a modified lookup table.