Millimeter-Wave MIMO Mode Selection for Reliable High-Rate Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining reliable P-MIMO transmission in unfavorable channel conditions, such as non-line of sight scenarios or high mobility environments, where signal power decreases quickly in millimeter-wave frequencies.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device determines its capabilities and channel conditions to select between polarization-based MIMO (P-MIMO) or beam MIMO (B-MIMO) modes, communicating this selection to the base station to optimize communication based on favorable conditions, reducing signaling and latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If P-MIMO transmission techniques are used to double data rate, then data rate is improved, but reliability deteriorates in unfavorable channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic MIMO mode selection that adapts between P-MIMO and conventional MIMO based on real-time channel conditions. The system transitions from static mode to dynamic adaptation, selecting P-MIMO when channel conditions are favorable (strong line of sight, dominant propagation direction) and switching to conventional MIMO when conditions deteriorate (indoor environments, high mobility, non-line-of-sight), thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high data rates and maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If beamforming techniques are used to provide wider coverage area, then coverage area is improved, but signal power decreases quicker in millimeter-wave frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal power loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of MIMO transmission by selecting between different modes (P-MIMO and conventional MIMO) based on channel conditions. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the balance between coverage area and signal power loss, using P-MIMO for high data rate scenarios with line-of-sight conditions and conventional MIMO for broader coverage scenarios where signal power preservation is critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3776731B1Method and apparatus for millimeter-wave MIMO mode selection
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3776731B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3776731B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3776731B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Systems and methods for selecting a communication mode in a wireless network (10) include a communication mode selection procedure that may be carried out by the respective devices in an automated manner to identify a desired mode for communication between an electronic device (14) and a network node (12). Determining the desired mode for communication is based on the electronic device's (14) capabilities and/or the channel conditions of the communication channel between the electronic device (14) and the network node (12). The procedures described herein may allow for the high data rates associated with polarization based MIMO (P-MIMO) in capably equipped electronic devices (14) while preventing communication interruptions due to unfavorable channel conditions.