Hybrid mmWave MIMO Relay Switching for RF Chain Power Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high hardware costs and power consumption of traditional fully-digital precoding in mmWave MIMO systems, particularly in UAV-assisted scenarios, make it impractical due to the large number of required RF chains, which is prohibitive from both cost and energy consumption perspectives.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid precoding technique using a combination of phase-shifters and energy-efficient switches allows the MIMO transmitter to dynamically switch between fully-connected and sub-connected architectures based on energy availability and power demand measures, optimizing connectivity and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If full digital precoding is implemented in mmWave MIMO systems, then high data rates and low interference between data streams are achieved, but hardware costs and power consumption become prohibitively high due to the large number of required RF chains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the precoding function into two parts: digital precoding performed by a digital signal processor and analog precoding performed by phase shifters connected to antenna elements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high data rates through digital processing while reducing power consumption by using energy-efficient phase shifters for the analog portion, avoiding the need for numerous power-hungry RF chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching unit as an intermediary component that dynamically connects RF chains to subsets of antenna elements based on channel conditions and power availability. This switching mechanism enables the system to adapt between fully-connected and sub-connected architectures, optimizing the trade-off between data rate performance and power consumption in real-time.
2Productivity
If a large number of RF chains are used to support large antenna arrays in mmWave MIMO, then high data rates are achieved, but hardware costs become prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the precoding architecture into digital and analog domains, using a digital signal processor for complex signal processing and phase shifters for beamforming. This segmentation reduces the need for multiple expensive RF chains while maintaining the ability to support large antenna arrays and achieve high data rates through efficient resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the connectivity parameter of the system by switching between fully-connected and sub-connected architectures based on channel conditions and power availability. This parameter change allows the system to adapt the number of active RF chain to antenna element connections, reducing hardware complexity when full connectivity is not required while maintaining high data rate capability when conditions permit.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the MIMO system operates in sub-connected architecture to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but connectivity and data transmission capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching unit that can reconfigure the connectivity between RF chains and antenna elements in real-time based on channel conditions, power availability, and traffic requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch between sub-connected and fully-connected architectures, ensuring that connectivity is optimized for current conditions while maintaining energy efficiency when full connectivity is not necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from channel state information and power availability measurements to dynamically adjust the connectivity configuration. This feedback mechanism ensures that the switching unit makes informed decisions about when to use sub-connected architecture for energy efficiency and when to activate full connectivity to maintain optimal data transmission capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) transmitters, receivers and transceivers are disclosed, as well as other associated devices, systems and methods. In particular, aspects and embodiments of the invention relate to MIMO transmitters, receivers and transceivers implemented as modules of relay devices for signals transmitted to and/or from base-stations (10) and/or mobile-stations (15), in particular when such devices are implemented on mobile and/or aerial vehicles (13), and in particular for transmitting, receiving and/or forwarding wireless communication signals at frequencies in what is termed the "millimetre-wave band". In such devices, a power control unit is configured to determine an energy availability measure and/or a power demand measure and, in response, cause a switching unit to connect a plurality of RF chains to a plurality of antenna elements in different states.