Massive MIMO Receive Beam Gain Control During Beam Sweeping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for receiving beam control in massive MIMO systems face performance degradation and high costs due to rapid changes in signal power levels and phases during beam sweeping, leading to glitches and inefficiencies in signal processing.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller for receiving beam control that dynamically adjust beamforming parameters based on measured signal power, allowing for adaptive gain control by determining target gains and converting them into target beamforming parameters to replace initial beams with new ones having the same pointing direction but adjusted gains, thereby reducing the need for traditional automatic gain control hardware and minimizing glitches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional automatic gain control hardware is used to handle rapid signal power changes during beam sweeping, then signal power stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional automatic gain control hardware (analog/digital AGC circuits) with a beam management approach. Instead of using hardware to adjust gain dynamically, the system uses beamforming weights and precoding matrices to control signal power. The base station adjusts beamforming parameters digitally through software control, eliminating complex hardware gain control circuits while maintaining signal power stability during beam sweeping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from gain adjustment (traditional AGC) to beamforming parameter adjustment. By modifying beamforming weights, precoding matrices, and beam directions, the system achieves signal power control without hardware gain adjustment. This parameter transformation allows digital control of analog beamforming signals, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Area of stationary object
If beam sweeping is performed with maximum gain beams to ensure complete coverage, then coverage area is improved, but signal power variations and glitches increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam management where the base station continuously monitors signal quality and adjusts beamforming parameters in real-time. Instead of static maximum gain beams, the system dynamically selects beamforming weights and precoding matrices based on current channel conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain complete coverage while adapting beam gains to prevent excessive power variations and glitches during beam sweeping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the base station receives signal quality information from user equipment and adjusts beamforming parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control allows the system to optimize coverage area while maintaining signal processing stability. The feedback-driven beam management enables the base station to select appropriate beam gains that prevent glitches while ensuring complete coverage, resolving the contradiction between coverage and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beamforming weights are adjusted frequently to adapt to dynamic blocking scenarios, then adaptability is improved, but receiver efficiency decreases due to processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary beam management where the base station pre-calculates and stores multiple beamforming weight sets and precoding matrices for different blocking scenarios. Instead of performing complex real-time calculations when blocking occurs, the system has pre-prepared beamforming parameters that can be quickly selected and applied. This preliminary preparation reduces processing overhead during actual blocking events while maintaining high adaptability to dynamic scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial beamforming adjustments rather than complete re-optimization when blocking scenarios occur. Instead of recalculating all beamforming parameters from scratch, the system makes selective adjustments to specific beamforming weights affected by blocking. This partial action approach reduces processing overhead while maintaining sufficient adaptability to handle dynamic blocking scenarios efficiently.
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 enhances receiver efficiency and throughput by reducing glitches and hardware costs, enabling effective and low-cost beam control in massive MIMO systems while maintaining adaptability to dynamic blocking scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The beamforming combiner may apply phase shifting to the processed signals by a plurality of phase shifters 108, and combine the signals after phase shifting
Implementation Method 2
Beamforming is a signal processing technique usually used in antenna array of MIMO system for directional signal transmission or reception. This may be achieved by combining antenna elements in a phased array in such a way that signals at particular angles experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference
Implementation Method 3
obtaining, from a power meter, a measured power of a signal
Data Source
AI summary
Method and controller are disclosed for receiving beam control in MIMO system. According to an embodiment, a measured power of a signal is obtained from a power meter. The signal is generated by a beamforming combiner by combining multiple inputs from an antenna array, and represents a first receiving beam with a first gain and a first pointing direction. Whether to apply beam gain control is judged based on the obtained power. In response to a positive judgment result, a target gain is determined. The target gain is converted to a target beamforming parameter. The target beamforming parameter is provided to the beamforming combiner, such that the first receiving beam is replaced by a second receiving beam with the target gain and the first pointing direction. A radio unit comprising the controller and a base station comprising the radio unit are also disclosed.