Directive Antenna Beamforming via Geographic Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, especially for 5G, achieving accurate channel state information (CSI) is challenging due to high propagation losses at higher frequencies, leading to poor beamforming performance and increased connection times, as existing technologies rely on broad beams and limited transmit power.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system utilizing a network node with a directive antenna that determines an antenna configuration based on the geographic location of a wireless device, allowing for efficient beamforming by receiving geographic location information and configuring the antenna to use narrow, high-gain beams, thereby improving link budget and reducing processor workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If broad beams are used to receive SRS when UE location is unknown, then coverage area is increased, but beam gain and CSI quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary actions by requesting and obtaining geographic location information from the UE before conducting beamforming operations. This preliminary acquisition of location data enables the subsequent use of narrow, high-gain beams targeted at the specific UE location, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and beam gain by eliminating the need for broad beams.
2Reliability
If narrow high-gain beams are used for beamforming, then link budget is improved, but processor workload and connection time increase due to extensive beam sweeping
Solution Approach 1:
The base station requests geographic location information from the UE as a preliminary action before beamforming. This location information is used to directly determine the antenna configuration and form narrow high-gain beams without extensive beam sweeping, thereby maintaining improved link budget while significantly reducing processor workload and connection time.
Solution Approach 2:
Geographic location information serves as an intermediary that bridges the base station and the UE, enabling the base station to determine the optimal antenna configuration without performing exhaustive beam sweeping. This intermediary data allows direct calculation of beam parameters, reducing both connection time and processor workload while maintaining high link budget.
3Power
If transmit power is increased to compensate for propagation losses at higher frequencies, then signal strength is improved, but physical constraints and EMF limitations prevent further power increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the power parameter to compensate for propagation losses, the invention changes the antenna configuration parameter - specifically using directive antennas with focused beam patterns. This parameter change directs existing power more effectively toward the UE, improving signal strength without increasing transmit power and thus avoiding EMF constraint violations.
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 enhances link budget, reduces connection time, and conserves power by using directive antennas to focus beams accurately, improving CSI and overall network performance.
Implementation Method 1
Beamforming is in this context used to configure the base station's antennas towards a specific UE in a narrow beam for reception and transmission, i.e. a beam with high antenna gain.
Implementation Method 2
it is envisaged that base station transmissions will take place within higher bands in the microwave and millimeter-wave region
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system comprising a first network node and a wireless device is provided. The system is adapted to establish communication between the first network node and the wireless device. The device is adapted to obtain information related to a geographic location of the device, to transmit the information related to the geographic location to the network node, and to transmit a Sounding Reference Signal to the node. The node is adapted to receive information related to a geographic location of the device, and to determine an antenna configuration of the network node for communicating with the device via a directive antenna, based on the geographic location of the device. A network node is adapted to communicate with the device by the first network node, via the directive antenna, by means of the determined antenna configuration.