Millimeter-Wave Beam Learning via Instruction and Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter-wave communication systems face inefficiencies in learning optimal antenna directionality, leading to increased time and potential throughput degradation due to the need to transmit and receive multiple packets for beam pattern determination.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and method that utilize a first radio communication unit to transmit an instruction signal and a second radio communication unit to transmit a beam reference signal, allowing for high-speed learning of antenna directionality by determining an optimum beam pattern based on the received signal, even before a response is received, using a common circuit for both communication methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the conventional method of transmitting and receiving multiple packets to learn beam directionality is used, then the beam pattern can be determined, but the learning time increases and throughput degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting device transmits a beam reference signal containing multiple beam patterns in advance, before the receiving device needs to determine the optimal beam pattern. This preliminary transmission of reference information eliminates the need for multiple back-and-forth packet exchanges, allowing the receiving device to quickly identify the best beam pattern from the pre-provided options
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of exchanging multiple actual communication packets to learn beam directionality, the system uses a copied or simulated reference signal that contains embedded beam pattern information. The beam reference signal acts as a copy or representation of multiple possible communication scenarios, allowing the receiving device to learn optimal beam patterns without executing multiple real communication packets
2Measurement precision
If multiple packets are transmitted and received to determine beam patterns, then accurate directionality learning is achieved, but communication throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple beam patterns are merged into a single beam reference signal transmission. The beam reference signal combines information from multiple potential beam configurations into one consolidated signal, allowing the receiving device to evaluate multiple options simultaneously rather than through multiple separate packet exchanges
Solution Approach 2:
The beam reference signal with embedded beam pattern information is transmitted in advance, before actual data communication begins. This preliminary action provides all necessary directionality learning information upfront, eliminating subsequent packet exchanges that would otherwise be needed for beam optimization
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a communication device including: a first radio communication unit capable of radio communication in accordance with a first communication method; and a second radio communication unit capable of radio communication in accordance with a second communication method using a higher frequency band than the first communication method, wherein the first radio communication unit transmits an instruction signal instructing to learn a beam directionality to another communication device, and the second radio communication unit transmits a beam reference signal used for learning a beam directionality to said another communication device after completion of transmission of the instruction signal by the first radio communication unit and before reception of a response signal to the instruction signal.