Millimeter-Wave Repeater With Fixed UE Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing millimeter wave repeaters face challenges in efficiently managing beamforming configurations for both base station and user equipment communications, leading to resource wastage and increased production costs due to frequent beam training and management, especially in environments with limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
A millimeter wave repeater employs a fixed beamforming configuration for user equipment communications and selects from a codebook for base station communications, reducing the need for frequent beam training and management, thereby conserving resources and lowering production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic beamforming configurations are used for both base station and user equipment communications, then communication adaptability is improved, but resource consumption and system complexity increase due to frequent beam training and management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming configuration into two distinct parts: a first set of antennas with dynamic beamforming for base station communication (requiring adaptability), and a second set of antennas with fixed beamforming for user equipment communication (reducing complexity). This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different beamforming strategies to different antenna sets based on their specific communication requirements. The first antenna set uses dynamic beamforming configurations selected from a codebook to match local conditions with the base station, while the second antenna set uses a fixed configuration optimized for user equipment coverage, allowing each local system to have the appropriate quality characteristics.
2Reliability
If dynamic beamforming configurations are used for both base station and user equipment communications, then communication quality is improved, but resource wastage increases due to frequent beam training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into two segments with different beamforming approaches: dynamic beamforming for base station links where quality is critical, and fixed beamforming for user equipment links where resource conservation is prioritized. This segmentation reduces overall resource wastage while maintaining necessary communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic beamforming only partially - specifically only to the first set of antennas communicating with the base station - rather than to the entire system. This partial application of dynamic beamforming maintains communication quality where needed while avoiding resource wastage in scenarios where fixed configurations suffice.
3Productivity
If fixed beamforming configuration is used for user equipment communications, then resource efficiency is improved, but coverage flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into two functional groups: the first set with dynamic beamforming capabilities for base station communication requiring flexibility, and the second set with fixed beamforming for user equipment communication prioritizing resource efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both resource efficiency and coverage flexibility in their respective domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The millimeter wave repeater system performs multiple functions through its two antenna sets: the first set handles dynamic beamforming for base station connectivity, while the second set provides fixed beamforming for user equipment coverage. Together, these multi-functional antenna sets enable the system to achieve both resource efficiency and coverage flexibility through different operational modes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a millimeter wave repeater may communicate with a base station using a first set of antennas and a first beamforming configuration for the first set of antennas, the first beamforming configuration being selected from a beamforming codebook that includes multiple beamforming configurations; and communicate with one or more user equipments (UEs) using a second set of antennas and a second beamforming configuration for the second set of antennas, the second beamforming configuration being a fixed configuration that does not change for different communications between the second set of antennas and the one or more UEs. Numerous other aspects are provided.