IRS Phase Configuration for Beam Squint Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face challenges with beam squint, which leads to energy loss and frequency domain distortion due to the surface phase of intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) being set based on a specific wavelength, resulting in unintended reflections across the transmission bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that identifies and configures surface phase configurations for IRS to minimize beam squint by adjusting the size and angle of incidence and reflection, using techniques such as bandwidth-based mitigation, IRS size optimization, and angular difference reduction, ensuring that the difference between the angle of incidence and reflection is minimized, thereby reducing beam squint and maintaining energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the surface phase of IRS is set based on a specific wavelength, then the beamforming performance at that wavelength is improved, but beam squint occurs across the transmission bandwidth causing energy loss and frequency domain distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the surface phase configuration of the IRS based on the center frequency of the bandwidth rather than a fixed wavelength. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to different frequency components across the transmission bandwidth, reducing beam squint and the associated energy loss while maintaining beamforming precision at the center frequency.
2Measurement precision
If the surface phase of IRS is set based on a specific wavelength, then the beamforming performance at that wavelength is improved, but frequency domain distortion occurs due to beam squint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter configuration from being wavelength-specific to being bandwidth-centered. By configuring the surface phase based on the center frequency of the transmission bandwidth, the system maintains accurate beamforming at the center frequency while minimizing frequency domain distortion across the entire bandwidth, thus preserving signal information integrity.
3Area of stationary object
If the IRS size is increased to improve coverage, then the coverage area is expanded, but beam squint is exacerbated due to larger angle differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the beam squint issue in large IRS systems by changing the phase configuration parameter from wavelength-based to bandwidth-center-based. This parameter change allows larger IRS systems to maintain better beam accuracy across the transmission bandwidth by compensating for the increased angle differences that occur with larger physical dimensions, thus preserving reliability while maintaining expanded coverage.
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 approach effectively reduces beam squint, minimizing energy loss and frequency domain distortion, allowing for more reliable and efficient wireless communication by ensuring that wireless signals have a beam squint less than a specified threshold.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus may communicate with a UE via the node based on one or more wireless signals reflected from the node
Data Source
AI summary
A node may identify a node configuration including one or more surface phase configurations associated with the node. In one configuration, the node may receive, from the base station, an indication of the node configuration. In another configuration, the node may select, at a controller associated with the node, the node configuration. The one or more surface phase configurations may be based on a wavelength corresponding to a center of a BWP associated with the one or more wireless signals or a wavelength corresponding to a center of a resource allocation associated with the one or more wireless signals. The node may forward, from a base station to a UE, or from the UE to the base station, one or more wireless signals. The forwarded one or more wireless signals may be associated with a beam squint less than a first threshold.