Millimeter Wave Beamforming Overhead Reduction via Short Training Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mmWave communication systems, the existing beamforming techniques lead to increased network overhead and reduced network throughput due to longer intervals for transmitting beacon and sector sweep signals, resulting in mismatched uplink and downlink coverage and decreased antenna reception performance.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves transmitting an omni-directional reference signal followed by a shorter training signal in specific intervals based on supported beamforming patterns, allowing for optimized beam selection and reduced network overhead by varying the beamforming scheme per link coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beamforming operation is performed using existing techniques with longer intervals for transmitting beacon and sector sweep signals, then beam selection can be optimized, but network overhead increases and network throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beamforming operations where the access point transmits beacon signals and sector sweep signals at optimized intervals. By establishing a regular periodic structure for beam training phases, the system achieves consistent beam selection optimization while controlling the frequency of overhead transmissions to maintain network throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs beamforming training operations in advance during dedicated beacon intervals before actual data transmission. By completing beam selection and optimization preliminarily through structured beacon and sector sweep signal transmissions, the system establishes optimal beam paths beforehand, enabling efficient data transmission without repeated beam training overhead.
2Measurement precision
If beamforming operation is performed with longer transmission intervals for beacon and sector sweep signals, then beamforming accuracy can be improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beacon signal transmission and sector sweep signal transmission into a coordinated beamforming training sequence. By combining these operations into a unified periodic process where sector sweep signals are transmitted during beacon intervals, the system achieves accurate beamforming measurement while consolidating overhead transmissions to minimize total time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing beamforming techniques are used, then beam selection can be performed, but mismatched uplink and downlink coverage occurs and antenna reception performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment reports received signal strength and beam quality information back to the access point. This feedback enables the access point to adjust beamforming parameters and select optimal beams based on actual reception conditions, ensuring matched uplink and downlink coverage while maintaining high antenna reception performance through continuous adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for performing a beamforming operation in an access point (AP) in a millimeter Wave (mmWave) communication system are provided. The method includes transmitting a directional reference signal (RS) in an RS transmission (Tx) interval, and transmitting a training signal in an interval different from an interval during which the directional RS is transmitted in the RS Tx interval based on beamforming patterns supported in the AP, wherein a length of the training signal is shorter than a length of the directional RS. The apparatus and the method relate to a pre-5th-generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th-generation (4G) communication system such as a long term evolution (LTE).