MIMO Beamformed Communication with Space Block Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication systems face high propagation loss and require high-gain directional antennas and beam-steering techniques, but existing closed-loop MIMO systems suffer from channel state information feedback overhead and latency issues, especially in non-stationary environments like human blockage scenarios, which affect throughput.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Coarse-Beamforming Space-Block-Coding (CB-SBC) scheme, which performs coarse beamforming in RF chains using phase-shifters and fine beamforming with space-block coding in baseband, allowing for robust communication and high throughput without the need for frequent channel state information updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If closed-loop MIMO systems use frequent channel state information feedback to maintain performance in non-stationary environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming process into two distinct stages: coarse beamforming that establishes initial directional beams, and fine beamforming that refines beam directions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through fine beamforming adjustments without requiring complete re-establishment of channel state information, thereby reducing overhead while preserving communication reliability in non-stationary environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary coarse beamforming to establish initial beam directions before fine beamforming refinement. This preliminary action creates a stable foundation that reduces the need for frequent complete channel state information updates, as the coarse beams provide a persistent reference framework that maintains reliability while reducing feedback overhead.
2Productivity
If beam-steering techniques are used to select highest quality links, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beamforming functionality into separate coarse and fine beamforming stages, each handling specific aspects of beam direction control. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high throughput through coordinated beam steering without requiring a single complex beamforming unit, as each stage can be independently optimized and controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional beamforming approach where coarse beamforming operates in one dimension (establishing broad directional coverage) and fine beamforming operates in another dimension (refining precise beam directions). This dimensional separation enables effective beam steering for high throughput while distributing complexity across multiple simpler processing stages.
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
The CB-SBC scheme enhances robustness against blockages and maintains high throughput by reducing overhead and adapting to changing environments, outperforming conventional WiGig systems and closed-loop MIMO systems in terms of SNR and throughput distribution.
Implementation Method 1
performs coarse beamforming in RF chains using phase-shifters
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of beamformed communication with space block coding. For example, an apparatus may include a controller to control a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams directed in a plurality of different directions for communicating a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission, which is encoded according to a space-block coding scheme.