Beamforming Control Apparatus for Millimeter Wave Signal Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication systems face significant signal energy attenuation due to high frequency signals with shorter wavelengths, leading to challenges in antenna aperture and communication quality, necessitating advanced beamforming technologies that are precise and efficient.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method for beamforming that utilize a first and second baseband amplitude control circuit, a frequency mixer, and a controller to adjust amplitude magnifications and insert phase differences between signals, generating a beamformed signal to control antennas without the need for phase shifters or a large number of digital-analog converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase shifter is used for beamforming, then beamforming function is achieved, but signal loss increases and phase adjustment precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase adjustment function from the traditional phase shifter and implements it through digital signal processing in the baseband domain. By removing the analog phase shifter from the signal path, signal loss is eliminated while phase control is achieved through digital algorithms, resolving the contradiction between achieving beamforming function and minimizing signal loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/analog phase shifter system with a digital signal processing system. The physical phase adjustment mechanism is substituted with digital complex number multiplication and algorithmic phase control, eliminating signal loss associated with analog components while maintaining precise phase adjustment capability through software.
2Measurement precision
If digital beamforming synthesizing technology is applied, then beamforming precision is improved, but the number of digital-analog converters increases and apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the digital signal processing functions into a unified baseband processing unit that handles multiple antenna signals simultaneously. By combining the digital beamforming synthesis and phase adjustment operations into integrated algorithms rather than separate hardware components, high precision is achieved without proportionally increasing apparatus size or component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal baseband processing architecture that can perform beamforming, phase adjustment, and signal synthesis through software algorithms. This multi-functional digital processing unit replaces multiple specialized analog components, achieving high precision beamforming while reducing overall device complexity and size.
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 precise beamforming with improved signal transmission and reception in mmWave communication systems, reducing signal energy attenuation and enhancing communication quality without increasing apparatus size or cost.
Implementation Method 1
The frequency mixer receives the first signal and the second signal and inserts a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal
Implementation Method 2
The frequency mixer converts the first signal and the second signal having the phase difference therebetween into a beamformed signal
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method for beamforming and a control apparatus using the same. An embodiment of the method includes: adjusting a first amplitude magnification of a first baseband signal, and adjusting a second amplitude magnification of the first baseband signal; generating a first signal according to the first baseband signal and the first amplitude magnification, and generating a second signal according to the first baseband signal and the second amplitude magnification; inserting a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal; and converting the first signal and the second signal having the phase difference therebetween into a beamformed signal to control an antenna.