mmWave Transmit Sector Sweep for Assisted Beam Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to support discovery and beamforming training over millimeterWave (mmWave) wireless communication channels effectively.

Innovation Solution

A Transmit Sector Sweep (TXSS) procedure is implemented over mmWave wireless communication channels, assisted by sub-10 GHz wireless communication channels, to facilitate efficient beam training and discovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beamforming training is performed over mmWave wireless communication channels, then data transmission rates and reliability are improved, but the complexity of the training procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidbeamforming training complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a trigger frame as an intermediary mechanism that initiates and coordinates the TXSS procedure. The trigger frame contains control information that manages the beamforming training process, allowing the system to achieve reliable mmWave communication while reducing procedural complexity through structured control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The beamforming training procedure is segmented into discrete steps: transmitting trigger frames, receiving feedback frames, and executing sector sweeps. This segmentation allows the complex training process to be broken down into manageable operations, improving reliability while maintaining clarity in the training procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a Transmit Sector Sweep (TXSS) procedure is implemented over mmWave channels, then beam training efficiency is improved, but the overhead of the communication system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam training efficiencyVSAvoidtraining procedure overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The TXSS procedure employs periodic sector sweeps where the transmitter systematically varies beam directions in periodic intervals. This periodic action enables efficient beam training by methodically exploring different sectors, achieving high productivity while managing overhead through structured time allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback frames that provide information about received signal quality during the sector sweep. This feedback mechanism allows the system to efficiently identify optimal beams and reduce training overhead by stopping the sweep early once sufficient information is gathered, rather than exhaustively searching all possible directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If discovery and beamforming training are supported over mmWave channels, then communication reliability is improved, but the complexity of coordinating training procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidtraining coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger frame transmits preliminary control information before the actual beamforming training begins. This preliminary action includes configuration parameters and coordination instructions that simplify the subsequent training procedure, allowing devices to execute the training process with reduced complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger frame and feedback frame structures serve multiple functions: they initiate training, convey control information, provide feedback, and coordinate between devices. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate protocol elements needed, thereby reducing coordination complexity while improving communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12463761B2Apparatus, system, and method of a transmit sector sweep (TXSS) procedure over a millimeterwave (mmWave) wireless communication channel

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 INTEL CORP

AI summary

For example, an Access Point (AP) device may be configured to transmit a trigger frame from a sub 10 Gigahertz (GHz) (sub-10 GHz) AP of the AP device over a sub-10 GHz wireless communication channel, the trigger frame configured to trigger a Transmit Sector Sweep (TXSS) procedure over a millimeterWave (mmWave) wireless communication channel; based on the trigger frame, transmit a sequence of sector sweep packets of the TXSS procedure from a mmWave AP of the AP device over the mmWave wireless communication channel; and process a feedback frame from a non-AP device to identify feedback information based on the sequence of sector sweep packets, the feedback frame received at the sub-10 GHz AP over the sub-10 GHz wireless communication channel after the TXSS procedure.