Intelligent Reflecting Surface Beam Initialization for Blocked 5G Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face challenges in efficiently establishing and maintaining connections due to blockages and interference, especially at millimeter-wave frequencies, where traditional active antenna arrays are costly and energy-intensive, and accurate channel state information acquisition is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) that uses a planar surface with controllable amplitude and phase changes to reflect signals, allowing for flexible reconfiguration of wireless channels, and a method for determining optimal beam and angle settings through synchronization signal block measurements to establish reliable connections even without line-of-sight paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional active antenna arrays are used to establish wireless connections, then connection reliability can be maintained, but cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active antenna arrays with intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) that use passive electromagnetic reflection instead of active signal transmission. The IRS manipulates electromagnetic waves through phase shifting and reflection, eliminating the need for power-intensive radio frequency chains while maintaining connection reliability through beamforming capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using passive reflection with controllable phase shifts instead of active signal amplification and transmission. The IRS adjusts reflection coefficients and phase angles to optimize signal direction and strength, achieving reliable connections with minimal energy consumption.
2Reliability
If traditional active antenna arrays are deployed, then connection stability can be achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs intelligent reflecting surfaces that are significantly cheaper to manufacture and deploy compared to traditional active antenna arrays. The IRS uses passive electromagnetic manipulation without requiring expensive radio frequency components, making it an cost-effective solution for maintaining stable wireless connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system substitutes expensive active antenna arrays with passive intelligent reflecting surfaces that achieve the same connection stability through electromagnetic reflection and phase control, dramatically reducing deployment costs while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If line-of-sight paths are required for signal transmission, then signal quality is maximized, but adaptability to blocked environments decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension for signal propagation by using reflecting surfaces to create indirect signal paths. Instead of requiring direct line-of-sight transmission, the IRS reflects signals around obstacles, adding a reflective path dimension that enables communication in blocked environments while maintaining signal quality through controlled phase shifts.
Solution Approach 2:
The intelligent reflecting surface acts as an intermediary between the transmitter and receiver, enabling signal transmission in blocked environments by reflecting electromagnetic waves around obstacles. This intermediary approach maintains signal quality while providing adaptability to non-line-of-sight conditions.
4Measurement precision
If channel state information acquisition is performed using traditional methods, then accurate channel information can be obtained, but measurement overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service channel estimation where the intelligent reflecting surface automatically provides channel state information through its reflection characteristics. The IRS's phase shifting behavior inherently reveals channel information, eliminating the need for separate, overhead-intensive measurement procedures while maintaining accurate channel knowledge.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables sustainable and reliable connections by maximizing signal power and reducing channel estimation overhead, providing competitive advantages in terms of cost, energy efficiency, and interference management, while maintaining transparent operation to user equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) that uses a planar surface with controllable amplitude and phase changes to reflect signals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for initialization and operation of intelligent reflecting surface. The method may include transmitting a synchronization signal block burst to a reflection surface device. The method may also include receiving a first measurement report of the synchronization signal block burst received at the reflection surface device. The method may further include determining a transmit beam for a subsequent synchronization signal block burst based on a highest strength of signals in the synchronization signal block burst. In addition, the method may include receiving a second measurement report of the subsequent synchronization signal block burst. Further, the method may include determining an arrival angle of the subsequent synchronization signal block burst at the reflection surface device. The method may also include establishing a connection with the reflection surface device based on the transmit beam and the arrival angle.