Instantaneous Beam Alignment Using Differential Signal Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beam alignment procedures in wireless communication systems, particularly for 5G NR and mmWave frequencies, are time-consuming and inefficient, especially in environments where antenna arrays have reduced radiation beam width, leading to limited coverage and potential link loss due to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of instantaneous beam alignment (IBA) and management (IBM) based on differential signal reception (DSR), which uses stored radiation patterns to quickly determine the direction of arrival of reference signals and align antenna beams, independent of antenna array calibration and type, allowing for fast and accurate beam alignment and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If standard beam alignment procedures are used, then beam alignment can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration to store radiation patterns and differential phase information in lookup tables before actual beam alignment is needed. This pre-computation of spatial characteristics allows the beam alignment process to quickly query and apply pre-determined parameters rather than performing complex real-time calculations, significantly reducing alignment time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates simplified copies of the complex antenna array radiation characteristics by storing differential phase information and radiation patterns in lookup tables. These tabulated representations capture the essential spatial behavior of the antenna system without requiring full physical models, enabling fast beam direction determination through simple table queries and differential calculations
2Measurement precision
If antenna arrays have reduced radiation beam width, then directionality is improved, but coverage is limited and link loss occurs due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors received signal strength and quality metrics, using this feedback to detect when the current beam alignment is suboptimal. Based on this feedback, the system queries the lookup tables to determine updated beam directions and adjusts the antenna phase shifters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains reliable links despite mobility or environmental changes
Solution Approach 2:
The beam alignment system transitions from static pre-alignment to dynamic continuous adjustment. The system periodically re-evaluates beam directions using the stored radiation patterns and differential phase information, adapting beam orientations in real-time to track mobile users and compensate for environmental variations, thereby maintaining link reliability while preserving the directionality benefits of narrow beams
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; determining, based on the at least one parameter, which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, each of the plurality of stored radiation patterns associated with a direction of arrival; and aligning an antenna beam to the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.