Cooperative MIMO Arrangement Using Traffic Light Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current approaches fail to effectively satisfy high data demand at locations with high user density, such as traffic lights and traffic jams, leading to temporary bottlenecks and interference issues, especially in 5G networks, without efficiently integrating existing infrastructure and mobility services.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a predictive cooperative Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) arrangement using existing infrastructure like traffic lights and lamp posts, which groups vehicular antennas with traffic light antennas to form a virtual MIMO configuration based on data traffic, mobility prediction, and traffic conditions, optimizing power consumption and enhancing connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional infrastructure is used without integration of existing infrastructure, then network capacity is limited, but deployment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoiddeployment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines vehicular user equipment antennas with traffic light infrastructure antennas to form a cooperative MIMO arrangement. This merging of mobile and fixed infrastructure resources enables the system to achieve higher network capacity without deploying additional standalone infrastructure, thereby resolving the contradiction between increasing network capacity and controlling deployment costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The traffic light infrastructure is given dual functionality: it continues to serve its primary traffic control function while simultaneously acting as a network node for MIMO operations. This multi-functionality allows existing infrastructure to contribute to network capacity without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure deployments, addressing the cost-capacity tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If MIMO arrangement is formed without predictive triggering, then response time is slow, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses predictive triggering based on anticipated traffic conditions (such as predicted vehicle arrivals at intersections) to proactively form MIMO arrangements before users actually need high-capacity communication. This preliminary action enables the system to respond faster to user needs without requiring complex real-time decision-making mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooperative MIMO system automatically forms and dissolves arrangements based on predictive triggers without requiring manual configuration or complex centralized control. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the MIMO configuration based on pre-defined triggering conditions, reducing operational complexity while maintaining fast response times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If existing infrastructure is integrated without predictive formation, then resource utilization is inefficient, but coordination overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcoordination overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The predictive formation mechanism uses pre-computed arrival predictions and traffic patterns to determine when MIMO arrangements should be formed, allowing the system to proactively allocate resources before they are needed. This eliminates the need for complex real-time coordination and negotiation, as the formation decisions are made in advance based on predictable patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the actual performance and traffic conditions are monitored and used to refine future predictive triggering decisions. This feedback loop enables continuous improvement of resource utilization without requiring increasing coordination overhead, as the system learns from past performance to optimize future arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3335326B1Method and apparatus for implementing a cooperative multiple-input-multiple-output operation
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3335326B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3335326B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3335326B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus may include determining that a triggering has occurred. The triggering corresponds to a triggering of a formation of a multiple-input and multiple-output arrangement. The multiple-input and multiple-output arrangement comprises a grouping of user antennas and an antenna of the apparatus, and the apparatus is located at an existing infrastructure. The method may also include receiving data traffic information. The data traffic information comprises information that indicates an amount of data traffic that is requested by users of the user antennas. The method may also include forming the multiple-input and multiple-output arrangement based on the received data traffic information.