Beamforming Tracking via Analog Phase Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beamforming tracking techniques for antenna arrays are either expensive due to the requirement of separate digital processing channels for each antenna element or suffer from high system overhead and slow response times, especially when dealing with large arrays or low Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of variable phase shifters coupled with a beamforming tracking controller that applies phase shifts corresponding to side angles relative to the current antenna beam direction, allowing for simultaneous delta angle signal processing without separate digital processing channels or time slots, thereby reducing hardware complexity and improving response time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate digital processing channels are used for each antenna element, then beam tracking accuracy is improved, but hardware cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna element processing into a single digital processing channel by using analog phase shifters to pre-process signals from multiple antenna elements before they are combined and processed digitally. This merging approach reduces the number of digital processing channels needed while maintaining beam tracking accuracy through the analog phase shifting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces analog phase shifters as intermediary components between the antenna elements and the digital processing channel. These phase shifters act as mediators that perform preliminary signal conditioning in the analog domain, enabling a single digital channel to effectively process signals that would otherwise require multiple separate digital channels.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional beamforming tracking is used with large antenna arrays, then beam coverage is improved, but system overhead and response time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary phase shifting actions in the analog domain before digital processing. By pre-adjusting the phase of signals from different antenna elements using analog phase shifters, the system prepares the signals in advance, reducing the computational burden and processing time required in the digital domain, thereby improving response time while maintaining large antenna array coverage.
3Reliability
If conventional beamforming tracking is used in low SNR conditions, then signal detection capability is improved, but system overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex digital signal processing mechanisms with simpler analog phase shifting mechanisms to improve signal detection in low SNR conditions. By performing phase alignment in the analog domain before digital conversion, the system enhances signal detection capability while reducing the computational overhead and complexity that would be required if all processing were done digitally.
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 reduces hardware costs and enhances beam tracking speed by enabling adaptive realignment of antenna beams based on phase-shifted signals, improving tracking accuracy and response time while maintaining low system overhead.
Implementation Method 1
Each variable phase shifter includes a pair of phase shift elements to apply respective phase shifts relative to a channel phase shift associated with the antenna element from which the variable phase shifter receives signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Signals are received from antenna elements in an antenna array, and respective phase shifts are applied to the received signals. The respective phase shifts are relative to a channel phase shift associated with each antenna element, and correspond to side angles from a current antenna beam direction of the antenna array. Control signals based on the phase shifted signals are generated to control the channel phase shifts, to provide beamforming tracking.