Dual-Layer Beamforming Relay Node Superposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE systems face limitations in providing high data rate coverage over large geographical areas due to the physical proximity requirement of user agents to base stations, which is costly to address with a large number of traditional base stations, and existing single-layer beamforming techniques do not significantly improve sector and cell edge throughput.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-layer beamforming system where a base station and relay node simultaneously transmit two separate beams with different data streams, allowing the beams to superpose and increase data rate coverage, while the relay node independently forms its own beams based on channel conditions and assists in both initial and re-transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional base stations are deployed to provide high data rate coverage over large geographical areas, then data rate coverage is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay nodes as intermediary devices between base stations and user agents. These relay nodes receive signals from base stations and re-transmit them to extend coverage areas, enabling high data rate service over larger geographical regions without requiring additional base stations. The relay nodes act as mediators that bridge the gap between existing base station coverage and areas requiring enhanced service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs beamforming technology to transmit signals in specific directional dimensions rather than omnidirectional transmission. By focusing signals in particular spatial directions using beamforming, the system can extend coverage to distant user agents more effectively, utilizing spatial dimensionality to overcome the limitation of traditional isotropic base station coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If single-layer beamforming is used to improve data rate coverage, then coverage is enhanced, but sector and cell edge throughput remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-layer to dual-layer beamforming, adding an additional dimension to the signal transmission structure. This dual-layer approach enables the system to transmit multiple data streams simultaneously through different beam layers, thereby increasing the capacity and throughput available to user agents at cell edges and in sectors while maintaining coverage benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beamforming transmission into multiple independent layers, where each layer can be optimized separately for different user agent requirements. This segmentation allows the system to allocate different layers to different users or to different parts of the coverage area, improving overall throughput and spectral efficiency.
3Strength
If relay nodes are used to distribute data evenly in a cell, then signal strength is improved, but additional infrastructure cost is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes relay nodes that operate in a semi-autonomous manner, where they independently form beams based on channel conditions and assist in both initial and re-transmissions without requiring extensive manual configuration or backhaul link infrastructure. The relay nodes self-configure and self-optimize their beamforming operations, reducing the infrastructure complexity and operational overhead associated with deploying additional relay infrastructure.
Data Source
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Figure 2(a)~2(c)
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AI summary
A system and method for use in a communication system that includes at least one base station (12) and at least one relay node (RN) (14) for communicating with a user agent (UA) (10), the system comprising a base station that includes a processor and an antenna assembly capable of simultaneously transmitting at least first and second layer base station beams (18, 20) to the UA and a relay node (RN) that includes a processor and an antenna assembly capable of simultaneously transmitting at least first and second layer RN beams (30,32) to the UA, wherein the first base station beam and first RN beam superpose on each other during transmission and the second base station beam and second RN beam superpose on each other during transmission so that the RN is transparent to the UA.