Beamforming Access Point Steering Matrix for Legacy Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beamforming benefits in 802.11ac access points are not accessible to legacy devices operating under 802.11ac Wave1, 802.11n, and 802.11a specifications, as these devices lack beamforming functionality, limiting their ability to utilize enhanced data transmission gains.
Innovation Solution
A system where a beamforming access point determines a beamforming steering matrix from feedback received from a beamforming device and uses it to communicate with non-beamforming devices, enabling beamforming communications even with devices that do not support beamforming, by leveraging feedback matrices and location sensors to adjust communication modes based on device proximity and signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beamforming functionality is enabled in 802.11ac access points, then data transmission gain and throughput are improved for beamforming devices, but legacy non-beamforming devices cannot access these beamforming benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The access point introduces a beamforming steering matrix as an intermediary mathematical transformation that converts feedback from beamforming devices into directional beamforming signals. This steering matrix acts as a mediator that enables the access point to perform beamforming operations while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices that do not natively support beamforming functionality, thereby allowing legacy devices to indirectly benefit from beamforming gains through the access point's signal processing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The access point dynamically changes its transmission parameters by computing and applying a beamforming steering matrix based on feedback received from beamforming devices. This parameter transformation allows the access point to adjust the phase and amplitude of signals across multiple antennas, creating directional beams that enhance throughput for beamforming devices while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy devices through appropriate signal formatting and modulation schemes
2Productivity
If the access point uses beamforming steering matrix to communicate with non-beamforming devices, then beamforming benefits are extended to legacy devices, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point performs preliminary computations by pre-calculating the beamforming steering matrix based on feedback received from beamforming devices during calibration phases. This preliminary action allows the access point to store and reuse steering matrices for multiple legacy devices located at similar positions, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining beamforming benefits for enhanced data transmission efficiency with legacy devices
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods for providing communications between a beamforming access point and a non-beamforming device are provided. The access point determines a beamforming steering matrix from a feedback matrix received from a beamforming device located at a given position, and controls the communication interface to beam form using the beamforming steering matrix to communicate with a non-beamforming device located at the given position. A beamforming device may receive an identifier and characteristics of a non-beamforming device in wireless communication therewith, determine, from the characteristics, a feedback matrix of the non-beamforming device, and transmit the feedback matrix to an access point.