Hybrid Beamforming Transmitter Weights via Receiver Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital beam-forming solutions in multi-antenna technologies are complex, leading to high chip area and power consumption due to the large number of analog/digital converters and IFFTs/FFTs, while analog beam-forming lacks flexibility and accuracy in receiving signals from unknown directions, especially in uplink reception.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid approach where digital beam-forming is used for reception and analog beam-forming for transmission, with transmitter weights derived from receiver channel estimation, eliminating the need for beam sweeping and reducing transmitter complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital beam-forming is used for reception, then receiving performance and flexibility are improved, but transmitter complexity and power consumption increase due to large number of analog/digital converters and IFFTs/FFTs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam-forming function into two separate domains: digital beam-forming for reception and analog beam-forming for transmission. This segmentation allows each domain to use the most appropriate processing method, avoiding the need for complex digital beam-forming in both directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses channel estimation information obtained from digital reception to derive analog transmission weights. Instead of implementing complex digital beam-forming for transmission, the system copies the channel state information and uses it to calculate simplified analog weights, reducing transmitter complexity while maintaining performance.
2Device complexity
If analog beam-forming is used for transmission, then transmitter complexity is reduced, but flexibility and accuracy in signal processing deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs channel estimation and digital signal processing in advance during the reception phase. The obtained channel state information is then used to pre-calculate the appropriate analog transmission weights, enabling the simple analog transmitter to adapt to different channel conditions without requiring complex real-time digital processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where channel estimation information from the receiver is used to determine the transmission beam weights. This feedback loop allows the analog beam-forming system to adapt to channel variations while maintaining low transmitter complexity.
3Reliability
If beam sweeping is implemented to receive signals from unknown directions, then reception coverage is improved, but transmission time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional beam sweeping approach by using uplink channel estimation information to determine downlink transmission beams. Instead of the transmitter sweeping through multiple beams to find the best direction, the system uses the receiver's channel knowledge to directly calculate the optimal transmission beam weights, eliminating the need for time-consuming beam sweeping.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for transmitting information. The method for transmitting information includes: a digital beam-forming of a receiver is implemented on a received signal; weights of an analog beam-forming of a transmitter are calculated based on weights of the digital beam-forming or channel estimation information of the receiver; and the analog beam-forming of the transmitter is implemented on a signal to be transmitted.