MIMO Precoder Polarization Control for Legacy Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy user equipment in MIMO capable communication systems experience interference from secondary antenna port transmissions, which degrades communication quality due to non-orthogonal channel conditions, even with advanced receivers like MMSE.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling the polarization state of signals transmitted from a MIMO capable radio base station, using a precoder unit to adjust the relative phase between virtual antenna ports and interchanging polarization states to provide either vertical or horizontal polarization, thereby reducing interference for legacy user equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a second transmit antenna port is introduced for MIMO capability, then spectral efficiency and bitrates are improved, but interference for legacy user equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidinterference for legacy user equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polarization parameter of the transmitted signals by controlling the relative phase between signals on the first and second antenna ports. By setting specific phase relationships (0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°), the system creates orthogonal polarization states that allow legacy user equipment to suppress interference from the second antenna port, thus resolving the contradiction between improved spectral efficiency and reduced interference for legacy devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If orthogonal channelization codes are used for second antenna port signals, then interference orthogonality is improved, but interference suppression fails in dispersive channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode orthogonalityVSAvoidinterference in dispersive channels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from relying solely on code-domain orthogonality to utilizing polarization-domain orthogonality. By controlling the relative phase between antenna ports to create orthogonal polarization states, the system adds a spatial dimension to interference suppression that remains effective even in dispersive channels where code orthogonality degrades

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If MMSE receiver is used for legacy user equipment, then signal processing capability is improved, but complete interference suppression is still not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiver processing capabilityVSAvoidresidual interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the transmit system to create orthogonal polarization states before the signal reaches the receiver. This proactive measure ensures that interference from the second antenna port is inherently orthogonal to the desired signal, allowing legacy user equipment with MMSE receivers to achieve complete or near-complete interference suppression without requiring complex post-processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 suppresses interference by up to 1-2 dB, facilitating the introduction of MIMO capability in HSPA networks and improving signal-to-interference ratio, while allowing coordination of transmit polarization between cells to further reduce inter-cell interference.

Implementation Method 1

controlling, for legacy signals transmitted on the first and the second virtual antenna ports, a relative phase between legacy signals to be transmitted from the first transmit antenna port and the second transmit antenna port to provide one polarization state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase control:

Implementation Method 2

interchanging the polarization state of the legacy signals transmitted from the first transmit antenna port and the second transmit antenna port, for the legacy signals transmitted on the first and second virtual antenna ports, to provide transmitted legacy signals from the first transmit antenna port and the second antenna port with alternating polarization states

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP2625795B1Method and arrangement for polarization control in a communication system
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2625795B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2625795B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2625795B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Controlling the polarization state of signals to be transmitted from a MIMO capable radio base station node to a plurality of user equipment, which radio base station node comprises a precoder unit connecting a first and a second virtual antenna port to a respective first and second transmit antenna port, by the steps of controlling (S10) a relative phase between transmitted signals from the first and second transmit antenna port to provide a predetermined pair of orthogonal polarization states for signals transmitted on the first and second virtual antenna ports, and interchanging (S20) the polarization states of the first and second virtual antenna ports, to provide transmitted polarized signals with alternating polarization states.