Codebook Memory Segmentation for 5G Beam Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing size of codebooks used in wireless communication networks for beam selection, driven by the need to support wider frequency ranges such as 5G communications, exceeds the memory capacity of antenna modules, leading to suboptimal communications due to non-optimized codebooks for user equipment.

Innovation Solution

Storing only a portion of the codebook or an e-field model in an integrated circuit separate from the antenna module, allowing for dynamic determination of codebook values specific to the user equipment's properties, thereby optimizing beam selection and communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the codebook size is increased to support wider frequency ranges for 5G communications, then the frequency coverage and communication capability are improved, but the memory capacity of the antenna module is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The codebook is divided into two parts: a first codebook stored in the antenna module's memory and a second codebook stored in an integrated circuit. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a larger overall codebook for wide frequency coverage while respecting the memory constraints of the antenna module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new spatial dimension for codebook storage by placing the second codebook in a separate integrated circuit rather than expanding the antenna module's memory. This dimensional separation resolves the memory capacity constraint while enabling larger codebook sizes for enhanced frequency adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a larger codebook is stored in the antenna module to improve beam selection accuracy, then the communication performance is improved, but the device complexity and memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam selection accuracyVSAvoidmemory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the second codebook from the antenna module and stores it in a separate integrated circuit. This extraction allows the antenna module to maintain its original memory capacity and complexity while still enabling access to a larger combined codebook for improved beam selection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Speed

If the entire codebook is stored in the antenna module to enable fast access, then the data access speed is improved, but the antenna module's memory capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the integrated circuit stores the second codebook and provides it to the antenna module when needed. This intermediary approach enables the system to maintain fast access speeds by keeping frequently used codebook portions in the antenna module while storing the complete codebook across both components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12237891B2User equipment codebook memory

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 APPLE INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for storing a codebook in an integrated circuit. One of the methods includes storing, for an integrated circuit that comprises a memory, first data for a codebook in the memory; determining second data for the codebook using the first data; and sending, over a bus, the second data for the codebook to an antenna module separate from the integrated circuit.