Millimeter Wave Access Point Coordination for Wide Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems using millimeter wave frequency bands face challenges in achieving wide cell range and accommodating multiple terminals for both multicast and unicast communications.

Innovation Solution

The proposed wireless communication system employs a transmission method that utilizes a frequency bandwidth of millimeter waves, with a system architecture that includes a parent station and multiple access points (APs). This system allows for both multicast and unicast transmissions, and incorporates phase change techniques to optimize signal reception and reduce interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If millimeter wave frequency band is used for wireless communication, then transmission capacity is improved, but cell range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidcell range
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the coverage area into multiple cells with different frequency allocations. A first cell uses a first frequency band while a second cell uses a second frequency band, allowing each cell to optimize for local conditions while the overall system achieves both high capacity and wide coverage through coordinated multi-cell operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces frequency dimension as an additional resource dimension beyond spatial and temporal dimensions. By allocating different frequency bands to different cells and users, the system achieves frequency division multiplexing that simultaneously increases transmission capacity and extends effective coverage range through frequency-selective resource allocation

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

2Productivity

If millimeter wave frequency band is used for wireless communication, then transmission capacity is improved, but number of accommodated terminals is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidnumber of terminals
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multicast and unicast transmissions in the same time-frequency resources by using different spatial directions or beams. Multiple access points simultaneously transmit multicast signals to one group of terminals and unicast signals to individual terminals, achieving high transmission capacity while accommodating multiple terminals through spatial multiplexing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between multicast and unicast transmission modes based on terminal distribution and channel conditions. Access points can flexibly adjust transmission schemes in real-time, assigning terminals to appropriate transmission types and dynamically allocating resources to maintain high capacity while supporting varying numbers of terminals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multicast transmission is performed using same frequency by multiple access points, then transmission efficiency is improved, but signal interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each access point transmits multicast signals using the same frequency band but applies location-specific beamforming and spatial filtering tailored to its local environment and terminal distribution. This allows simultaneous same-frequency transmissions from multiple access points without interference by making each transmission locally optimized for its specific coverage area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3316622B1Transmission method, transmission device, and communication system
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3316622B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3316622B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3316622B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An indicator in a master AP from among a plurality of APs obtains communication quality of communication with an AP which is a communication partner. In the case where the obtained communication quality is less than a threshold, the indicator causes the plurality of APs including the master AP to perform cooperative operation to transmit data. In the case where the obtained communication quality is not less than the threshold, the indicator causes the plurality of APs including the master AP to stop the cooperative operation.