Hybrid RF Digital Beamforming Asymmetric Antenna Array

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beamforming approaches are costly, cumbersome, and inefficient, often introducing asymmetry and complexity in systems.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid radio frequency digital beamforming system that combines analog and digital beamforming techniques, utilizing a system-on-chip with both analog and digital beamforming circuitry, where signals are amplified and phase-shifted in the analog domain and converted to digital signals for further processing, allowing for fewer antennas in one direction and more in another, enabling directional signal transmission and reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional beamforming approaches are used, then beamforming functionality is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beamforming system is segmented into two independent domains: analog beamforming for horizontal direction and digital beamforming for vertical direction. This segmentation allows each domain to use optimized components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full beamforming functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional uniform digital beamforming in all directions to a hybrid approach where analog beamforming handles one dimension (horizontal) and digital beamforming handles another dimension (vertical). This dimensional division reduces complexity by avoiding redundant processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional beamforming approaches are used, then beamforming is achieved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting beamforming operations into analog and digital domains, the system performs time-critical analog processing (amplification, phase shifting) in parallel with digital processing, reducing total processing time compared to sequential digital processing only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely digital signal processing with hybrid analog-digital processing. Analog circuitry handles functions that are computationally intensive in the digital domain, reducing processing time for beamforming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional beamforming approaches are used, then beamforming functionality is provided, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming functionalityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments functionality to use lower-cost analog components for horizontal beamforming and reserved digital processing for vertical beamforming. This segmentation reduces overall system cost by avoiding the need for expensive full-digital processing across all antenna elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of implementing full digital beamforming for all directions (excessive action), the patent applies analog beamforming where sufficient for horizontal direction and reserves digital processing only when needed for vertical direction (partial action), reducing system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If conventional beamforming approaches are used, then beamforming is achieved, but symmetry is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeamforming capabilityVSAvoiddirectional flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in the beamforming architecture by using analog beamforming for horizontal direction and digital beamforming for vertical direction. This asymmetric design provides greater adaptability for automotive applications where horizontal steering is more critical than vertical steering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Different beamforming techniques are applied to different spatial dimensions based on local requirements: analog beamforming is used where horizontal steering is needed, and digital beamforming is used where vertical steering is needed. This local quality assignment optimizes system performance for specific application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10142001B2Method and system for hybrid radio frequency digital beamforming

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 MAXLINEAR INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for hybrid radio frequency digital beamforming may include, in an electronic device comprising an antenna array including antennas arranged along first and second directions, beamforming signals in an analog domain along the first direction of the antenna array and in a digital domain along the second direction of the antenna array. The antenna array may include subsets of antennas, where each subset has a system-on-chip (SOC) with analog and digital beamforming circuitry. Signals may be beamformed in the analog domain by amplifying signals received by the antenna array using a configurable gain and shifting the phase of at least one of the amplified signals. The phase-shifted signals may be summed and converted to a digital signal. A frequency-dependent coefficient may be applied to the digital signal. The antenna array may have a fewer number of antennas along the first direction as compared to along the second direction.