Millimeter-Wave Full Duplex Beamforming With Silent-Symbol Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Full duplex communication systems in millimeter wave (mmW) systems face challenges in calibrating beamforming due to the dynamic nature of transmit and receive subarrays, making offline calibration inefficient and impractical, and requiring online calibration methods to manage beam mismatches effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for wireless communication at a base station and UE that determine a set of silent symbols for beam calibration measurements, where the base station transmits an indication of these symbols to the UE, and both refrain from transmitting during these symbols to allow for beam calibration measurements, enabling online calibration of beam candidates for full duplex communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If offline calibration is used for beamforming in full duplex mmW systems, then device complexity is reduced, but beam calibration accuracy deteriorates due to the dynamic nature of transmit and receive subarrays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration complexityVSAvoidbeam calibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements online calibration that adapts to the dynamic characteristics of mmW transmit and receive subarrays. The calibration process continuously adjusts beamforming parameters based on real-time channel conditions, allowing the system to maintain beam calibration accuracy despite the dynamic nature of the subarrays, which offline calibration cannot accommodate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If online calibration is implemented for beamforming in full duplex mmW systems, then beam calibration accuracy is maintained, but loss of time increases due to the need for continuous calibration measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam calibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges calibration measurements with normal data transmission by utilizing silent periods within the transmission frame structure. Instead of separating calibration from data transmission, the system incorporates calibration opportunities within the existing transmission timeline, thereby reducing the time penalty of online calibration while maintaining beam calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic calibration measurements at specific intervals during data transmission. By scheduling calibration during periodic silent symbols rather than continuously, the system maintains beam calibration accuracy while minimizing the time lost to calibration activities, allowing normal transmission to proceed during non-calibration periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If silent periods are introduced for beam calibration measurements, then beam calibration accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to interruption of data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam calibration accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial calibration by selecting only the most critical beamforming parameters for calibration during silent periods, rather than performing complete calibration of all parameters. This partial calibration approach maintains sufficient beam calibration accuracy for full duplex operation while minimizing the duration and impact on data transmission productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3834312B1Methods for full duplex beamforming and online calibration in millimeter wave systems
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3834312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3834312B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3834312B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless device, such as a base station, may be configured to determine a set of silent symbols for beam calibration measurements by a User Equipment (UE) for full duplex communication. The wireless device may transmit, to the UE, an indication of the set of silent symbols for the beam calibration measurements by the UE. The wireless device may refrain from transmitting during the set of silent symbols. A wireless device, such as a UE, may receive an indication of a set of silent symbols for a beam calibration measurement by the UE for full duplex communication with a base station. The wireless device may perform beam calibration measurements for beam candidates.