Hierarchical Beam Vector Selection for Sweeping and Beamforming Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beamforming technologies lack flexibility in selecting beam vectors for different types or purposes of signals, leading to suboptimal tradeoffs between beam sweeping efficiency and beamforming gain.
Innovation Solution
A method and network device for beam vector selection that creates a hierarchical set of orthogonal beam vectors, where each subsequent set is formed by linear combinations of previous sets, allowing for flexible selection based on factors like spatial coverage, beamforming gain, and latency, tailored for signals such as SSB, CSI-RS, and payload signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wide beam is used for beam sweeping, then beam sweeping efficiency is improved, but beamforming gain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beamforming process into two distinct stages: beam sweeping stage using wide beams for efficient spatial coverage, and data transmission stage using narrow beams for high beamforming gain. This segmentation allows each stage to use optimized beam characteristics appropriate to its specific function, resolving the contradiction between sweeping efficiency and beamforming gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam vector selection where the beamforming parameters are changed between different operational stages. The system dynamically switches from wide beam vectors during sweeping to narrow beam vectors during data transmission, allowing adaptation to different performance requirements at different times.
2Reliability
If a narrow beam is used for beamforming, then beamforming gain is improved, but beam sweeping efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the beamforming process into distinct functional segments: an initial sweeping phase using wide beams for rapid spatial coverage, followed by a data transmission phase using narrow beams for high gain. This segmentation prevents the need to use narrow beams for sweeping, thus maintaining sweeping efficiency while achieving high beamforming gain when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs beam sweeping using wide beams as a preliminary action before data transmission. This preliminary sweeping establishes spatial coverage and identifies target directions, after which narrow beams are applied for high-gain data transmission. The preliminary wide beam action enables subsequent narrow beam optimization without sacrificing overall system efficiency.
3Device complexity
If fixed beam vectors are used for all signals, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different signal types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal hierarchical beam vector codebook that serves multiple signal types and purposes. The codebook structure with wide beams for sweeping and narrow beams for transmission can be universally applied to different signals (SSB, CSI-RS, data signals) by selecting appropriate beam vectors from the hierarchical structure, providing both simplified management and high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the beam vector codebook design, specifically varying the beam width parameter across different hierarchical levels. The codebook contains beam vectors with different angular resolutions (wide and narrow), allowing the system to adapt to different signal types by selecting appropriate parameter values from the codebook without increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method (100) in a network device. The method (100) includes: determining (110) a number, N, of sets of beam vectors by: creating a first set of beam vectors orthogonal to each other; and determining an n-th set of beam vectors each obtained by linear combination of two or more beam vectors from the (n-1)-th set of beam vectors, where N and n are integers and N≥n＞1. The method (100) further includes: selecting (120), from one or more of the N sets, a plurality of beam vectors for beamforming of a radio signal.