Beamformer Signal Detector for Phase Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless transmitting and receiving devices using multiple antennas face challenges in aligning phases of signals due to differences in transmission paths, affecting communication quality and directivity.

Innovation Solution

A beamformer with a signal detector that internally adjusts weights to align phases of signals, using weight adjusters and phase and gain detectors to compensate for phase and amplitude differences across antennas, allowing for adaptive realignment of signal phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple antennas are used to improve communication quality and directivity, then signal transmission capability is improved, but phase alignment becomes difficult due to different transmission paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidphase alignment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the phase and gain detector measures the actual phase and amplitude of signals from each antenna, and the weight adjuster uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the weights and compensate for phase differences. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the phase alignment problem without requiring complex manual calibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting and compensating for its own phase and amplitude variations. The weight adjuster internally adjusts the weights based on detected signal characteristics, enabling the system to self-correct phase misalignment without external intervention or complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual phase alignment methods are used, then phase differences can be compensated, but the process is complex and requires external calibration equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase alignment precisionVSAvoidcalibration process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary phase and gain detector that automatically measures signal characteristics and a weight adjuster that acts as a mediator to translate these measurements into appropriate weight adjustments. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for complex external calibration equipment and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration processes with an automated electronic detection and adjustment system. The phase and gain detector and weight adjuster use electronic signals and algorithms to perform phase alignment, substituting complex mechanical calibration procedures with simpler electronic automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If external calibration equipment is used for phase alignment, then accurate compensation can be achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses its own transmitted signals as the calibration source, eliminating the need for expensive external calibration equipment. The phase and gain detector measures the signals already being transmitted by the antennas, and the weight adjuster uses this information to perform self-calibration, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The phase and gain detector and weight adjuster serve multiple functions: they are used both for normal signal processing and for calibration/compensation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated calibration equipment, reducing overall system cost while maintaining accurate phase detection and adjustment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10784937B2Beamformer including signal detector for compensating weights, wireless transmitting and receiving device including beamformer, and operating method of wireless transmitting and receiving device including beamformer

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 RFCORE

AI summary

A wireless transmitting and receiving device includes antennas, weight adjusters connected to antennas, respectively, and configured to apply weights to an amplitude and a phase of a signal communicating through the antennas, signal transmitting and detecting units connected to the weight adjusters, respectively, a transmitter and a receiver connected to a first switch, a power distributor configured to connect the first switch to the respective signal transmitting and detecting units through internal wirings, and a compensator configured to the weights of the weight adjusters according to output signals of the signal transmitting and detecting units. Each of the signal transmitting and detecting units is configured to connect a corresponding weight adjuster and a corresponding wiring of the power distributor to each other in a first mode and to output a ratio of a signal, transmitted from the corresponding weight adjuster, and a signal, transmitted from the corresponding wiring of the power distributor, as one of the output signals in a second mode.