Frequency-Domain Beamforming for Precise Delays and Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beamforming systems face challenges in forming beams with precise delays and channel equalization due to the complexity of interpolating fractional delays and non-continuous gain corrections, especially in broadband and multimode operations, leading to high computational and memory resource demands.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for beamforming using a frequency-domain FIR architecture that implements operations in the spectral domain, including channel equalization, decimation, and multiplexing, reducing resource requirements through multiplicative filtering and inverse Fourier transforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If real delays are produced for broadband signals, then beamforming quality is improved, but computational complexity and resource requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming qualityVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-domain FIR filtering operations with frequency-domain complex multiplications. Instead of using long temporal response filters to achieve precise delays, the invention transforms signals to the frequency domain where delay operations become simple complex multiplications, dramatically reducing computational complexity while maintaining beamforming quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational domain from time domain to frequency domain. By applying Fourier transforms, the system converts convolution operations in the time domain into multiplication operations in the frequency domain, changing the fundamental parameter space where computations are performed and thereby reducing resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If channel equalization is performed with long temporal response filters, then channel response differences are corrected, but the duration of filter response increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel equalization qualityVSAvoidfilter response duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes time-domain filtering with frequency-domain multiplication for channel equalization. Instead of using long-duration FIR filters to correct channel response differences, the invention applies complex multiplicative corrections in the frequency domain, achieving the same equalization effect with dramatically reduced temporal response duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If decimation is performed for narrowband modes, then resource usage is reduced, but filtering operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidfiltering complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-domain decimation filtering with frequency-domain operations. Instead of using complex long-duration filters to decimate narrowband signals, the invention performs frequency-domain multiplication and selective frequency component extraction, achieving decimation with reduced filtering complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple beams are formed simultaneously, then system versatility is improved, but computational resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultimode capabilityVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple beamforming operations into a unified frequency-domain processing framework. Instead of independently processing each beam through separate time-domain filters, the invention computes a single set of frequency-domain corrections that simultaneously handle multiple beams, reducing overall computational resources while maintaining multimode capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4239904B1Method for forming parameterizable beams and associated devices

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 THALES SA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for forming Q multiplexed beams on Q' beam groups indexed by q', and the multiplexing ratio being 2Kq', the method comprising: - passing signals from each antenna into the spectral domain, - implementing a set of operations in the spectral domain comprising: - for each receiving channel, a generation operation by duplication of a contribution to each of the Q' beam groups to be generated, - for each contribution, a decimation operation by 2Kq', and a holding over 2Kq' periods, - implementing for each group of contributions a multiplexed introduction operation by 2Kq' of a set of 2Kq' delays, and - an operation of summing the contributions to a beam to be generated.