MIMO Beam Refinement Sensing Using CSI Variation Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to combine WLAN sensing technology with MIMO beamforming technology in millimeter-wave communication without affecting normal communication, particularly in scenarios where beamforming is used to align beams at a receive and transmit device.
Innovation Solution
A MIMO beamforming-based sensing method is introduced, where WLAN sensing is integrated into the beam refinement protocol of SU and MU MIMO training, allowing for sensing and training on sending/receiving beams without requiring a separate process, thus maintaining low overheads and good compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If WLAN sensing is integrated into MIMO beamforming training, then sensing capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines WLAN sensing functionality with MIMO beamforming training by integrating sensing measurements into existing BRP frame structures. The initiator device performs both beamforming training and sensing operations simultaneously during the sector sweep procedure, merging two functions into a unified process that avoids separate sensing protocols and reduces overall system complexity despite adding sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The BRP frame structure is designed to serve multiple purposes: it carries both beamforming training information and sensing measurement data. The same sector sweep procedure used for beam alignment is also utilized for environmental sensing, making the system multi-functional without requiring dedicated sensing infrastructure.
2Reliability
If beam sweep process is used for alignment, then beamforming performance is improved, but sensing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sensing operations with the beam sweep process by having the initiator device perform sensing measurements during the same sector sweep procedure used for beamforming alignment. This eliminates the need for separate sensing time slots and reduces sensing overhead while maintaining beamforming performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing measurements are continuously performed during the beam sweep process without interrupting the alignment procedure. The initiator device simultaneously executes beamforming training and environmental sensing, ensuring continuous useful action in both functions without adding time overhead.
3Measurement precision
If separate sensing process is designed, then sensing precision is improved, but compatibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves sensing precision by utilizing the existing beam sweep process which already provides directional information. The same sector sweep procedure that aligns beams also captures sensing measurements, maintaining compatibility with existing MIMO beamforming implementations while enabling accurate environmental sensing through multi-functional operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: A first device sends a first BRP frame, to indicate a second device to evaluate a variation of CSI from the first device to the second device in an initiator beam refinement protocol transmit sector sweep procedure. The first device sends a plurality of first BRP-TX PPDUs, where the plurality of first BRP-TX PPDUs are used to evaluate the variation of the CSI from the first device to the second device. The first device receives a second BRP frame carrying a first sector information list, where the first sector information list is used to feed back one or more sending sectors whose variation of the CSI from the first device to the second device is greater than a CSI variation threshold.