Massive MIMO Transmitter Mode Switching for Low-Load Energy Savings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Massive MIMO antenna arrays face challenges in maintaining energy efficiency, especially in low-load situations due to overhead energy consumption from low power transceivers, and require additional signaling cells for efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter method and apparatus that operate massive MIMO antenna arrays in multiple modes, adjusting the number of active antenna elements and transmit power to optimize energy efficiency and maintain radio cell coverage, allowing for efficient operation in varying load conditions and enabling stable cell behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all antenna elements operate with dedicated low power transceivers to maintain cell coverage and transmission pattern, then radio coverage is maintained, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into multiple groups (first group and second group of antenna elements) that can be independently controlled. This allows selective activation of only necessary antenna groups based on load conditions, reducing energy consumption while maintaining coverage through coordinated transmission from active groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operation modes (first and second operation modes) based on load conditions. In low-load situations, fewer antenna elements are activated with higher power; in high-load situations, more antenna elements are activated with lower power per element, optimizing the balance between coverage and energy consumption.
2Productivity
If all antenna elements are activated to handle high data traffic, then capacity increases, but overhead energy consumption from transceiver components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of antenna elements based on current load requirements. Instead of keeping all antenna elements and their associated transceiver components (DAC, modulator, LO, drivers, pre-amplifier, power amplifier) continuously operational, the system activates only the required subset, significantly reducing overhead energy consumption while maintaining adequate data throughput capacity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If fewer antenna elements are used with higher transmit power, then energy efficiency improves in low-load situations, but maintaining transmission pattern becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different transmission characteristics to different groups of antenna elements. The first group of antenna elements transmits with a first transmit power while the second group transmits with a second transmit power, allowing each group to be optimized for its specific function and load condition, thereby maintaining the overall transmission pattern through coordinated local adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor load conditions and dynamically adjust which antenna groups are active and at what power levels. This feedback control ensures that the transmission pattern is maintained by detecting when pattern degradation occurs and activating additional antenna groups or adjusting power levels accordingly.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the invention relate to a transmitter method for multiple antenna systems. The transmitter method contains the step of operating at least one antenna array in a first operation mode by transmitting first transmit signals (TS1-1, TS1-a, TS1-A) from a first number of antenna elements (AEG1) with a first transmit power and the step of operating the at least one antenna array in at least one second operation mode by transmitting at least second transmit signals (TS2-1, TS2-b, TS2-B, TS3-1, TS3-C, TS3-C) from at least one second number of antenna elements (AEG2, AEG3) smaller than the first number of antenna elements with at least one second transmit power larger than the first transmit power. The embodiments of the invention further relate to a transmitter apparatus for multiple antenna systems. The transmitter apparatus contains means for operating at least one antenna array in a first operation mode by transmitting first transmit signals (TS1-1, TS1-a, TS1-A) from a first number of antenna elements (SUB-G1) with a first transmit power and for operating the at least one antenna array in at least one second operation mode by transmitting second transmit signals (TS2-1, TS2-b, TS2-B, TS3-1, TS3-c, TS3-C) from at least one second number of antenna elements (SUB-G2, SUB-G3) smaller than the first number of antenna elements with at least one second transmit power larger than the first transmit power. The embodiments of the invention even further relate to a network node, which contains the transmitter apparatus.