Interleaved Antenna Array Layout for Full-Duplex Self-Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, on-frequency full-duplex systems face significant self-interference challenges due to simultaneous transmission and reception by multiple antennas, leading to reduced receiver sensitivity and increased complexity in manufacturing, especially with large antenna arrays requiring separate transceiver ICs for each function.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves interleaving transmit and receive antenna elements in a joint antenna array structure, allowing for on-chip analog self-interference cancellation while using a single radio IC across the panel, and rotating adjacent transceiver ICs to enhance isolation and reduce interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If separate transceiver ICs are used for TX and RX functions in large antenna arrays, then self-interference suppression is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-interference suppressionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines TX and RX antenna elements into a unified antenna array structure where both functions share the same physical platform and control system, eliminating the need for completely separate transceiver ICs while maintaining interference suppression through coordinated signal processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna elements are designed to serve dual purposes - functioning as both transmit and receive antennas depending on operational mode. The same antenna array infrastructure supports both TX and RX operations, reducing hardware complexity while managing self-interference through software-defined radio techniques and intelligent signal processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If completely separated antenna panels are used for TX and RX, then self-interference is reduced, but the total footprint and device size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-interferenceVSAvoidtotal footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges TX and RX antenna panels into a single integrated antenna array structure, allowing both functions to coexist in the same physical space. This consolidation reduces the overall footprint while managing self-interference through spatial processing and beamforming techniques that differentiate between desired and interfering signals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple transmitters operate simultaneously in MIMO systems, then communication capacity is improved, but self-interference complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidself-cancellation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antenna array into distinct functional groups or subarrays that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows for simplified interference management within each segment while maintaining overall MIMO capacity, as each segment can be processed separately through digital signal processing techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as beamforming weights, phase shifts, and signal routing configurations to optimize both communication capacity and interference suppression. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains high MIMO performance while managing self-interference through coordinated parameter optimization across multiple transmitters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4128548B1Antenna array grouping
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4128548B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4128548B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4128548B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method and array of grouped antenna elements are provided. According to one aspect, a method includes arranging a row of transmit integrated circuits (IC), and a row of receive ICs on an IC chip, and arranging a plurality of IC chips on a panel so that a row of receive circuits on one IC chip is adjacent to a row of receive circuits on an adjacent IC chip.