Dynamic Beam Pattern Selection for Wireless Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems employ static beam configurations at cell sites, leading to suboptimal network coverage due to temporal fluctuations in user traffic and demand, as they fail to dynamically adjust beam patterns based on real-time metrics such as active user count, traffic volume, and signal quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves calculating a time-averaged beam quality for each beam in a default beam pattern using metrics like active user count, traffic volume, and signal quality, selecting the top 'k' beams with the highest quality, and dynamically switching to a smaller beam pattern that includes these beams, while monitoring uplink noise and reverting to the default pattern after a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static beam configurations are employed at cell sites, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but network coverage and signal quality deteriorate due to inability to adapt to temporal fluctuations in user traffic and demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam pattern selection by transitioning from static configurations to time-varying beam patterns that adapt to changing network conditions. The base station continuously monitors metrics such as uplink noise, active user count, and traffic volume, then dynamically selects from multiple pre-configured beam patterns to optimize network coverage and signal quality in response to temporal fluctuations in user traffic and demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes beam pattern parameters based on monitored network conditions. Multiple beam patterns with different characteristics (beam widths, directions, coverage areas) are pre-configured, and the system selects appropriate patterns by changing these parameters in response to measured metrics such as uplink noise levels and active user counts, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring complex real-time beam formation calculations.
2Reliability
If dynamic beam pattern switching is implemented based on real-time metrics, then network coverage and signal quality are improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple beam patterns are pre-configured and stored in the base station before runtime. These beam patterns are prepared in advance with different characteristics to handle various network conditions. When dynamic adaptation is needed, the system simply selects from these pre-prepared patterns rather than calculating optimal beam patterns in real-time, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the base station continuously monitors network metrics such as uplink noise, active user count, and traffic volume. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically selects appropriate beam patterns from the pre-configured set. This feedback-driven approach ensures reliable network coverage by continuously adapting to changing conditions while keeping device complexity manageable through the use of predetermined beam patterns.
3Area of stationary object
If more beams are transmitted to cover all areas, then network coverage is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary resource allocation in low-demand areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different beam patterns to different time periods and network conditions. Instead of uniformly transmitting across all areas continuously, the system selects beam patterns that concentrate resources in areas with high user density or high traffic demand. By matching beam characteristics to local conditions, the system maintains adequate coverage area while improving resource allocation efficiency by avoiding unnecessary transmissions in low-demand areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits beam patterns selectively rather than continuously across all coverage areas. Based on monitored metrics such as active user count and traffic volume, the system applies partial action by activating only the necessary beam patterns that serve current demand. This approach maintains sufficient coverage area while reducing resource waste by avoiding excessive transmission in areas with low or no user activity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media herein dynamically modify the beam patterns used by an antenna array to communicate with user devices in a sector. A set of metrics are monitored and used to generate time-averaged beam quality values for a default beam pattern and then compared to a time-averaged beam quality of a subset of beams within the default beam pattern. If the time-averaged beam quality for the subset of beams exceeds a percentage of the time-averaged beam quality of the default beam pattern, the antenna array is re-assigned to communicate via a second beam pattern.