Beamforming Mode Control via Time Advance Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunication networks face inefficiencies in directing beams from cell site antennas, leading to wasted energy and suboptimal performance due to the lack of adaptive beam control based on user device location and time advance information.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine a time advance group for user devices and activate a corresponding beam mode to selectively communicate with them, using the time advance and cell identifier to direct the beam more efficiently, thereby improving performance and reducing energy waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a beam is spread in all directions from the antenna, then all user devices within coverage can be reached, but energy is wasted and performance is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming that adjusts beam direction and width based on real-time user device locations and time advance information. The base station continuously monitors user positions and reconfigures antenna radiation patterns to dynamically track and serve active users, transforming the static omnidirectional broadcast into an adaptive directional system that concentrates energy only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatially differentiated transmission characteristics. Different antenna elements radiate signals with specific phases and amplitudes to form focused beams directed at particular user devices in specific geographic locations. This allows the system to provide high-gain directional transmission to distant users while maintaining lower power in other directions, optimizing energy distribution across different spatial zones.
2Productivity
If beamforming is used to direct beams to specific user devices, then energy efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell coverage area into multiple beam regions, each served by specific antenna element groups. User devices are assigned to particular beam segments based on their location and time advance values. This segmentation allows the base station to independently control each beam segment without managing the entire cell simultaneously, reducing the computational complexity of beamforming calculations while maintaining network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes time advance parameters as a key variable to simplify beamforming control. By grouping users with similar time advance values into the same beam groups, the system reduces the dimensionality of the beam management problem. Instead of continuously adjusting beams for each individual user, the system changes beam parameters discretely based on time advance thresholds, thereby reducing control complexity while preserving network efficiency.
3Reliability
If omnidirectional signal transmission is used, then all directions are covered, but performance and network efficiency are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming that adjusts beam direction and width based on real-time user device locations and time advance information. The base station continuously monitors user positions and reconfigures antenna radiation patterns to dynamically track and serve active users, transforming the static omnidirectional broadcast into an adaptive directional system that concentrates energy only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses uplink signals from user devices to automatically determine downlink beam directions without requiring explicit feedback. User devices transmit uplink signals that the base station uses to infer the optimal downlink beamforming parameters, allowing the system to self-configure beams based on actual user locations and channel conditions, thereby improving reliability while reducing energy waste.
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 enhances user device performance and network efficiency by directing beams precisely to user devices, reducing energy wastage and optimizing communication within the same cell coverage area.
Implementation Method 1
In analog beamforming, analog signals are phase-shifted, summed, and then digitized to produce a directional signal
Implementation Method 2
a beam is emitted from an antenna at a cell site... The controlled beam mode causes an antenna radiation pattern that is directed to the user device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provided for controlling a beam emitted from at least one antenna include a user device and a cell site. The cell site includes a beam management system communicatively coupled to the user device. The beam management system is structured to receive an uplink allocation request corresponding to a user device, store a time advance and an identification of a response to the uplink allocation request, determine a time advance group for the user device based on the stored time advance, store the time advance and a cell identifier based on the time advance group, determine a beam mode structured to selectively communicate with the one or more user devices according to the time advance group, and activate the beam mode for communication with the one or more user devices of the time advance group.