Master-Slave BBIC Synchronization for SU-MIMO Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems with multiple antennas face challenges in efficiently processing and transmitting Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) signals across a large number of antennas, particularly in synchronizing and coordinating the baseband integrated circuits (BBICs) to achieve coherent signal transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless device with a master and slave BBIC, synchronized to a common clock reference, which jointly process and transmit MIMO signals across multiple antennas using beamforming or spatial expansion matrices, allowing for efficient communication and decoding of frames even when processed by different subsets of antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of antennas are used for MIMO communication, then the communication capacity and spectral efficiency are improved, but the complexity of synchronizing and coordinating multiple baseband integrated circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the MIMO signal processing into multiple independent baseband integrated circuits, each handling a subset of antennas. This segmentation allows parallel processing of MIMO signals while maintaining manageable complexity for each individual circuit, resolving the contradiction between communication capacity and synchronization complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple baseband integrated circuits to work together as a unified MIMO system. By merging the capabilities of multiple circuits through coordinated signal processing and beamforming, the system achieves high communication capacity while each individual circuit maintains relatively simple synchronization requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple baseband integrated circuits are used to process MIMO signals, then the processing capability is improved, but the coordination and synchronization between circuits becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where baseband integrated circuits exchange synchronization information and signal components with each other. This feedback enables automatic coordination and timing alignment, improving signal processing capability while reducing the manual coordination effort required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary synchronization signals and control mechanisms that mediate between multiple baseband integrated circuits. These intermediaries facilitate automatic timing alignment and coordination, making the system easier to operate while maintaining high processing capability.
3Measurement precision
If synchronized baseband integrated circuits are used for beamforming, then the transmission precision and signal quality are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming computation into multiple baseband integrated circuits, with each circuit handling a portion of the beamforming matrix application. This segmentation maintains high transmission precision through synchronized operation while distributing system complexity across multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of multiple baseband integrated circuits to operate in a synchronized manner with unified timing and frequency references. This parameter coordination enables precise beamforming transmission while managing system complexity through standardized operational modes.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for wireless communication includes a plurality of antennas, a master baseband integrated circuit (BBIC) and a slave BBIC. The antennas are configured to communicate a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) signal. The master BBIC is configured to process a first component of the MIMO signal that is communicated via a first subset of the antennas. The slave BBIC is configured to process a second component of the MIMO signal that is communicated via a second subset of the antennas. The master BBIC is further configured to control the slave BBIC so as to jointly communicate the MIMO signal, based on the first and second components, via the entire plurality of the antennas.