Digital Domain Antenna Array Decoupling for 5G MIMO Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless systems, the limited physical size of antenna arrays leads to mutual coupling and interference between antenna elements, degrading performance by increasing sidelobe levels, degrading signal-to-noise ratio, and reducing effective radiation, which existing hardware decoupling methods cannot efficiently address without adding complexity and hardware.
Innovation Solution
A digital domain antenna array decoupling method that measures and processes decoupling factors based on in-array pattern information to decouple signals without requiring additional hardware, using a decoupling matrix constructed from measured and ideal array patterns to improve system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hardware decoupling methods (defected ground structure, partition board, decoupling network) are arranged around antenna elements, then decoupling effect is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based mechanical decoupling structures with a digital signal processing approach. A decoupling matrix is constructed based on measured in-array pattern information, and digital domain processing is applied to received signals to eliminate coupling effects. This substitutes physical hardware modifications with software-based signal processing, reducing device complexity while maintaining decoupling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from physical hardware configuration to digital domain processing parameters. By measuring in-array pattern information and constructing a decoupling matrix with adjustable parameters, the system can adaptively compensate for coupling effects through parameter optimization rather than fixed hardware structures, thereby reducing design complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hardware decoupling structures are added around antenna elements, then decoupling effect is achieved, but additional hardware requirements increase design pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for additional hardware decoupling structures by implementing decoupling entirely in the digital domain. The received signals are processed using a pre-calculated decoupling matrix, which removes coupling effects through mathematical operations rather than physical barriers. This substitution dramatically simplifies manufacturing as no additional hardware components need to be designed, procured, or assembled.
3Volume of moving object
If antenna array volume is limited, then space utilization is improved, but mutual coupling and interference between antenna elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coupling effects from the physical antenna array configuration and represents them mathematically in a decoupling matrix. By measuring the in-array pattern information and constructing this matrix, the coupling effects are separated and can be compensated for digitally, allowing compact antenna arrays to achieve performance equivalent to larger spaced-apart arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter optimization in the digital domain to compensate for the physical constraints of compact antenna spacing. By adjusting the decoupling matrix parameters based on measured pattern information, the system optimizes signal separation despite the limited physical distance between elements, effectively decoupling signals that would otherwise be strongly coupled due to proximity.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna array decoupling method, apparatus and system, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed. The method may include: receiving predetermined digital domain signals of a plurality of channels, each of the plurality of channels being a data channel corresponding to a respective one of array elements in an antenna array 5 (S110); determining decoupling factors of channels involved in decoupling corresponding to each channel, the decoupling factors being factors which have been solved for beforehand according to measured in-array pattern information of each array element in the antenna array (S120); and processing the predetermined digital domain signals of the channels involved in decoupling corresponding to each channel according to the decoupling factors to obtain a 10 decoupled predetermined digital domain signal of each channel (S130).