Beamforming Weight Compression for Fronthaul Bandwidth Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The bandwidth consumption associated with beamforming operations in fronthaul networks is excessive, particularly in wireless communication systems like 5G NR, due to the transmission of beamforming weights, which can strain the available bandwidth and affect network efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multi-dimensional, multi-domain compression techniques on beamforming coefficients, including inverse fast Fourier transform processing, to reduce the data volume of beamforming weights transmitted over fronthaul links, and selectively transmitting only active coefficients above a predetermined threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beamforming weights are transmitted over fronthaul links, then beamforming operations can be performed, but bandwidth consumption becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming operation capabilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information from beamforming weights by identifying and transmitting only active coefficients above a predetermined threshold, while discarding inactive coefficients. This extraction approach significantly reduces the data volume transmitted over fronthaul links while maintaining the functionality required for beamforming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming beamforming weights through multi-dimensional compression techniques including inverse fast Fourier transform processing. This transformation converts the data into a compressed representation that requires significantly less bandwidth while preserving the essential beamforming characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If all beamforming coefficients are transmitted, then complete beamforming functionality is maintained, but network efficiency decreases due to unnecessary data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming functionalityVSAvoidnetwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portion of beamforming coefficients (those above the threshold) rather than all coefficients. This partial transmission approach maintains sufficient beamforming functionality while eliminating unnecessary data transmission that would reduce network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12483309B2Beamforming weights compression on a fronthaul link in wireless communications systems

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 ALTIOSTAR NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A method, a system, and a computer program for performing beam space compression. At least one signal is received at a first communication device. The first communication device is communicatively coupled to a second communication device using at least one communication interface. One or more beamforming coefficients are generated for transmission of the received at least one signal to the second communication device using one or more first antenna ports of the first communication device. One or more multi-dimensional, multi-domain compression is applied to the generated one or more beamforming coefficients. The received signal is transmitted using one or more first antenna ports associated with the one or more compressed beamforming coefficients to the second communication device.