Hierarchical Beam Training for Millimeter-Wave Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam training methods for millimeter-wave devices are resource-consuming and inefficient, especially when both transmitter and receiver beam training are required, due to the need for exhaustive search among a large candidate set of beams, increasing complexity and latency.
Innovation Solution
A network control device and method for efficient 1-to-many hierarchical beam training, where communications apparatuses with the same preferred transmitting beam in a first level are selected to undergo simultaneous training of beams in a second level, using a multi-level codebook and decision metrics to determine optimal beams, reducing resource consumption and training time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exhaustive search beam training is performed among all candidate beams, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam training process into two distinct stages: 1-to-1 beam training for individual user equipment (UE) to determine their preferred beams, and 1-to-many beam training for group-based simultaneous training. This segmentation allows the system to first identify candidate beams individually, then efficiently train multiple UEs sharing the same preferred beam together, significantly reducing overall training time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary 1-to-1 beam training before conducting 1-to-many beam training. By first determining each UE's preferred beam individually, the system prepares grouping information that enables subsequent efficient group-based training. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary exhaustive search in the second stage, as UEs with identical preferred beams are already identified for simultaneous training.
2Measurement precision
If 1-to-1 beam training is performed for each user equipment individually, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to repeated training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the training process for multiple UEs by implementing 1-to-many beam training, where UEs with identical preferred beams are grouped and trained simultaneously. Instead of performing separate 1-to-1 training for each UE, the system combines them into group-based training sessions, maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving productivity by eliminating redundant training operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processing chains with multiple ADCs are used for digital beamforming, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal beam training framework that handles both 1-to-1 and 1-to-many training scenarios using the same system architecture and signal processing methods. The base station can dynamically switch between training modes based on UE distribution and channel conditions, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated processing chains for different training types, thus maintaining adaptability while controlling complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network control device. A wireless communications module receives a plurality of first signals each including information regarding a preferred transmitting beam in a first beam level determined by a communications apparatus. A controller selects a group of communications apparatuses to join a 1-to-many beam training according to the received first signals and selects one or more transmitting beams in a second beam level to be trained. The communications apparatuses in the group have the same preferred transmitting beam in the first beam level and the transmitting beam(s) in the second beam level associates with the preferred transmitting beam in the first beam level. The wireless communications module further uses the transmitting beam(s) in turn to transmit signals to perform the 1-to-many beam training for training the transmitting beam(s) in the second beam level among the group of communications apparatuses at the same time.