Hybrid Beamforming Time Delay Elements for THz Beam Squint
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Solution Overview
Problem
The beam squint effect, where beams of different carriers become misaligned, causes significant gain loss in THz wideband communication systems, limiting their performance and communication distance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a plurality of time delay elements, each configured to apply the same time delay across multiple frequencies, coupled with an antenna array, allows for dynamic connection configurations that adjust phases and alleviate the beam squint problem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hybrid beamforming is used in THz wideband communication systems, then hardware complexity is reduced and spectral efficiency is improved, but beam squint effect causes significant gain loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the connection configuration between antenna array and time delay elements adjustable and reconfigurable. The system dynamically determines target configuration based on channel information and time delay information, allowing the beamforming structure to adapt to different frequency carriers and mitigate beam squint effect while maintaining low hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of time delay applied to different frequency carriers. By determining target precoding information based on channel information and adjusting the connection configuration according to frequency-specific requirements, the system compensates for beam squint caused by parameter variations across the wide bandwidth
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional digital beamforming is used, then beam alignment is maintained across frequencies, but hardware complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming function into digital baseband domain and analog RF domain with time delay elements. By dividing the signal processing into different domains and using separate components for different functions, the system achieves beam alignment without requiring full digital beamforming hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces time delay elements as intermediary components between the digital baseband and analog RF domains. These intermediate elements provide frequency-specific phase compensation, acting as a mediator that enables beam alignment across frequencies while avoiding the hardware complexity of complete digital beamforming
3Productivity
If wideband communication with multiple carriers is implemented, then spectral efficiency is improved, but beam squint effect becomes severe causing tens of dB gain loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining target configuration in advance based on channel information and time delay information before actual signal transmission. The system pre-calculates the optimal connection configuration to compensate for beam squint, preventing gain loss before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by determining target precoding information based on channel information. The system continuously monitors channel conditions and adjusts the connection configuration accordingly, creating a feedback loop that maintains beam alignment and prevents gain loss across the wide bandwidth
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to hybrid beamforming. A plurality of time delay elements is used to perform analog beamforming. Each time delay element is configured to apply the same time delay at different frequencies. The plurality of time delay elements is coupled to at least one RF chain to receive signals. Each antenna in an antenna array is configured to be selectively connected to one of the plurality of time delay elements based on a target configuration of a connection between the plurality of time delay elements and the antenna array. In operation, the target configuration is determined based on time delay information concerning the plurality of time delay elements and channel information concerning a physical channel over which the signals are to be transmitted.