Dynamic Transducer Selection for 60 GHz Wireless Links

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High data transmission at 60 GHz frequencies faces challenges due to increased propagation attenuation and multi-path delay spread, requiring complex systems and high power consumption, especially in consumer electronics where low complexity and low power consumption are desired.

Innovation Solution

Adapting the number of transducers, such as antennas, based on measured or estimated delay spread to achieve a single path channel, thereby reducing the need for channel equalization and minimizing power consumption and system complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of transducers is increased to reduce delay spread and achieve single path channel, then the signal quality is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the number of transducers based on real-time channel conditions. The system continuously measures delay spread and adjusts the number of active transducers accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic configuration. This allows the system to use more transducers only when channel conditions require them, reducing average complexity while maintaining signal quality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of transducer count based on measured delay spread values. By establishing a relationship between delay spread thresholds and optimal transducer numbers, the system dynamically adjusts this critical parameter to balance signal quality and complexity, rather than using a fixed number of transducers regardless of channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the number of transducers is increased to reduce delay spread, then the need for channel equalization is reduced, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequalization complexityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transducer count based on delay spread measurements, creating a dynamic trade-off between equalization complexity and power consumption. When delay spread is high, more transducers are activated to simplify the channel, accepting higher power consumption. When delay spread is low, fewer transducers are used, reducing power consumption while maintaining acceptable equalization complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary number of transducers required to achieve acceptable delay spread reduction. Rather than always using the maximum number of transducers, the system uses just enough transducers to push delay spread below the threshold where equalization becomes problematic, thereby avoiding excessive power consumption while still achieving the goal of reducing equalization complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If beam-forming is used to suppress multi-path components and reduce delay spread, then the signal quality is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidbeam-forming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam-forming where the complexity of beam-forming operations is adjusted based on measured delay spread. When delay spread exceeds thresholds, beam-forming is activated with appropriate numbers of transducers to suppress multi-path components. When delay spread is already acceptable, beam-forming is reduced or deactivated, lowering system complexity while maintaining signal quality only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures high-quality signal processing without the need for an equalizer, reducing power consumption and system complexity while maintaining high data rates, even in consumer products.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of transducers for transforming a signal between an electrical signal and a wireless signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation:

Data Source

PatentEP2445120B1Wireless communications system and method
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2445120B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2445120B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2445120B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a method of communicating a digital signal via a wireless communications channel between a transmitter and a receiver, at least one of the transmitter and the receiver comprising a plurality of transducers for transforming a signal between an electrical signal and a wireless signal. Embodiments of the method comprises determining (S302; S602) a property of the communications channel; based on at least the determined property, selecting (S303, S305) a number of transducers from the plurality of transducers; and communicating (S304) a digital signal from the transmitter to the receiver using the selected number of transducers.