Millimeter Wave Beam Nulling for Interference Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Millimeter wave communication systems face interference challenges due to the need to avoid projecting energy towards unintended devices, which existing technologies do not effectively address, especially in scenarios where maximum permissible exposure (MPE) constraints and beam nulling are critical.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of methods and systems that determine unintended beam direction information and allowable power levels based on MPE constraints, allowing communication devices to limit radiation in specific directions and power levels, thereby avoiding interference with unintended devices and adhering to exposure limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beamforming is used to increase signal strength in millimeter wave systems, then communication reliability is improved, but interference to unintended devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterference to unintended devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating beam nulls in specific spatial directions where unintended devices are located, while maintaining high signal strength in the intended communication direction. This spatially differentiated beamforming approach allows the system to have different radiation characteristics in different directions, thus improving communication reliability without causing interference to unintended devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of beam energy projection into unintended directions by deliberately creating beam nulls in those directions. Instead of allowing random or uncontrolled energy radiation that causes interference, the system actively shapes the radiation pattern to direct energy away from unintended devices, thus converting potential harm into beneficial interference avoidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If maximum permissible exposure constraints are enforced to protect devices, then safety is improved, but communication beam flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice exposure safetyVSAvoidbeam direction flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beamforming where the radiation pattern is continuously adapted based on real-time detection of unintended devices and their locations. The beam nulls are dynamically positioned to match the spatial distribution of unintended devices, allowing the system to maintain MPE compliance while maximizing communication flexibility through adaptive rather than static beam control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system detects the presence and location of unintended devices, determines the required beam null directions, and adjusts the beamforming weights accordingly. This closed-loop feedback approach ensures MPE constraints are continuously satisfied while maintaining optimal communication performance and beam flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10644732B2Systems and methods for signaling incorporating interference avoidance or beam nulling constraints for millimeter wave communication systems

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method for communication includes determining unintended beam direction information based on at least one of a location of a device that may be affected by energy emitted from a communication device, or an output power level allowed to radiate from the communication device, and limiting radiation of a communication beam from the communication device in a direction based on the unintended beam direction information.