Distributed Antenna Beamforming via Dirty-Paper Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current distributed antenna systems in coordinated cellular networks face challenges in maximizing data rates while maintaining power constraints, as existing methods for choosing beamforming vectors do not effectively maximize data rates while ensuring no interference is deposited on other users.

Innovation Solution

A method is proposed where a controller in a distributed antenna system performs dirty-paper coding and calculates optimal beamforming vectors to maximize data rates for each user, ensuring that the transmitted signal does not interfere with other users, and power is distributed efficiently across streams to meet total and per-antenna power constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional beamforming vector selection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but data rate maximization is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidcomplexity of beamforming vector calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of beamforming vectors before actual data transmission. The controller pre-computes the beamforming vectors based on channel state information and user requirements, storing them for subsequent use. This preliminary action enables the system to achieve maximum data rates without computing complexity during real-time transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex iterative optimization algorithms with a closed-form mathematical solution for beamforming vector calculation. By substituting the mechanical/iterative computation process with a direct mathematical formula involving matrix operations, the system achieves both data rate maximization and computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If beamforming vectors are optimized to maximize data rates, then interference to other users may increase, but if interference suppression is prioritized, data rate maximization is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidinterference to other users
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful interference effect into a beneficial constraint by incorporating interference suppression directly into the beamforming vector optimization criterion. The beamforming vectors are designed to maximize data rates while simultaneously suppressing interference to other users, transforming the interference problem into part of the optimization objective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts beamforming vector parameters based on channel state information and user distribution. By changing the beamforming parameters adaptively, the system maximizes data rates for current users while maintaining interference suppression levels within acceptable thresholds for other users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If total power constraint is enforced, then energy efficiency is improved, but per-antenna power distribution flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal power consumptionVSAvoidper-antenna power distribution flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total power constraint into per-antenna power constraints, allowing independent control and optimization of power distribution across individual antennas. This segmentation enables the system to enforce overall power limits while maintaining flexibility in distributing power adaptively to different antennas based on channel conditions and user requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2229740B1Zero-forcing linear beamforming for coordinated cellular networks with distributed antennas
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2229740B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2229740B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2229740B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a distributed antenna system (100) that includes a plurality of transmitters (115) and a controller (110), a method, performed by the controller (110), may be characterized by performing dirty-paper coding on downlink transmissions to users based on an order of the users, calculating beamforming vectors to provide that each of the downlink transmissions associated with each of the users does not interfere with other users, and maximizing, based on the calculated beamforming vectors, a data rate subject to a power constraint of the distributed antenna system (100).