Coordinated Beamforming for Wireless Mesh Network Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless mesh networks face performance degradation due to interference between links, as multiple point-to-point links transmit and receive simultaneously, leading to inefficient communication paths and reduced network performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing coordinated beamforming techniques across multiple antenna nodes to identify and mitigate interference by scheduling beam scans, characterizing interference measurements, and selecting optimal beamforming coefficients for both aggressor and victim links, thereby adjusting array responses to suppress interference and enhance network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple point-to-point links transmit and receive simultaneously in a wireless mesh network, then network throughput and communication efficiency are improved, but interference between links increases and degrades network performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each transmit node's beamforming pattern directionally selective, concentrating signal power in specific directions toward intended receive nodes while creating nulls or reduced gain in directions of potential interferers. This directional differentiation allows simultaneous transmissions with reduced mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput and reducing interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of beamforming pattern selection dynamically. Each transmit node selects from multiple pre-computed beamforming patterns based on current network conditions, including the set of simultaneously active links. This parameter change enables adaptive interference management while maintaining high network throughput by selecting patterns that minimize interference to active victim links.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If beamforming patterns are selected to suppress interference in specific directions, then interference between links is reduced, but the complexity of coordinating beam scans and selecting coefficients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing multiple beamforming patterns for each transmit node before actual data transmission. These patterns are calculated based on potential interferer directions and stored for rapid selection. This preliminary computation reduces real-time coordination complexity during beam scans, as nodes only need to select from pre-computed patterns rather than compute new patterns during active transmission coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordination mechanism where a central controller or distributed protocol manages the beam scan coordination and beamforming pattern selection. This intermediary handles the complex scheduling and coordination tasks, abstracting the complexity from individual nodes and enabling interference suppression through coordinated beamforming without requiring complex peer-to-peer negotiation between all node pairs.
3Measurement precision
If coordinated beam scans are performed to characterize interference measurements, then accurate beamforming coefficient selection is achieved, but the time required for network setup and reconfiguration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing beam scans and interference measurements only for the subset of node pairs that are currently active or likely to be active, rather than conducting exhaustive scans between all possible node combinations. This selective measurement approach maintains sufficient accuracy for beamforming coefficient selection while significantly reducing the time required compared to complete network-wide scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic beam scans and interference measurements at scheduled intervals rather than continuously or on-demand for every configuration change. This periodic approach allows the network to maintain accurate interference characterizations while minimizing the time lost to scanning activities, as beamforming patterns remain valid between periodic updates unless network topology changes significantly.
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 or eliminates interference between links, improving overall network performance by selectively directing signal power and suppressing array responses in directions of interference, leading to better communication paths and reduced packet loss.
Implementation Method 1
select beamforming coefficients for the aggressor transmit nodes and the victim receive nodes based at least on the characterizations of the measured interference
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for coordinated beamforming in a wireless mesh network, are disclosed. One system includes a network that includes a plurality of nodes connected through wireless links, and a controller. The wireless links including aggressor links and victim links wherein the aggressor links interfere with the victim links. The controller is operative to identify aggressor links and victim links of a group of nodes of the plurality of nodes, coordinate beam scans of the one or more victim receive nodes associated with the victim links of the group, coordinate transmission of one or more aggressor transmit nodes associated with the aggressor links of the group, characterize or receive characterizations of measured interference at the one or more victim receive nodes during the coordinated beam scans, and select beamforming coefficients for the victim receive nodes based at least on the characterizations of the measured interference.