Fragmented Beamforming Training for Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in reducing latency during beamforming training, particularly in high-frequency mmWave communication systems, where the Sector Level Sweep process is lengthy and affects throughput and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of fragmented beamforming training, where beamforming training fields are divided across multiple frames, allowing for optimized beam refinement protocols and reduced latency by using different transmit beamforming sectors for preamble and data fields versus beamforming training fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional Sector Level Sweep beamforming training is used, then beamforming training can be performed, but latency is excessive and throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beamforming training process into separate frames: data frames containing payload information and dedicated training frames containing only beamforming training fields. This segmentation allows the receiver to process training information independently without waiting for complete data frames, significantly reducing beamforming training latency while maintaining throughput efficiency
2Reliability
If beamforming training fields are included in every frame, then training can occur continuously, but frame overhead increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beamforming training by including training fields in specific frames at regular intervals rather than in every frame. This periodic approach maintains sufficient training accuracy for reliable beamforming while significantly reducing the frequency of training operations, thereby lowering power consumption and frame overhead
3Productivity
If different transmit beamforming sectors are used for preamble/data versus training fields, then training efficiency improves, but frame structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different transmit beamforming sectors to different parts of the frame structure: one sector for preamble and data fields, and a different sector for training fields. This local differentiation optimizes training efficiency by using specialized beamforming for training purposes while maintaining standard beamforming for data transmission, with the complexity managed through clear frame structure definitions
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for a fragmented beamforming training procedure. For example, an apparatus for wireless communications may include a processing system configured to generate a plurality of first frames, each first frame comprising a preamble, a data field, and one or more beamforming training fields. The apparatus may also include a first interface configured to output the plurality of first frames for transmission using a first transmit beamforming sector for the preamble and data field of each the plurality of first frames and a different second transmit beamforming sector for each of the one or more beamforming training fields of the plurality of first frames, and a second interface configured to obtain a second frame comprising feedback generated based on the one or more beamforming training fields of the plurality of first frames.