Mobile Transceiver Beamforming Measurement Using Frequency Layer Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring the performance of sectorization schemes in mobile communication networks are inefficient, requiring separate measurements for each sectorization realization and hardware changes, especially for hard sectorization, and struggle to accurately analyze soft sectorization implementations.

Innovation Solution

A mobile transceiver apparatus and method that enable the simultaneous measurement of multiple beamforming configurations using different radio resources, such as frequency bands, time slots, or symbols, allowing for continuous storage and reconstruction of radio channel data to evaluate and optimize sectorization schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate measurements are conducted for each sectorization realization, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sectorization scheme measurements into a single measurement campaign by having different sectors transmit their reference signals simultaneously on different frequency layers. This merging approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating the need for separate measurement campaigns for each sectorization scheme.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a frequency dimension by assigning different frequency layers to different sectors for simultaneous transmission. This dimensional expansion allows multiple sectorization schemes to be measured concurrently without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If hardware changes are made for hard sectorization measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the base station capable of measuring multiple sectorization schemes without hardware changes by using software-configurable reference signal assignments. The same hardware infrastructure can now serve multiple measurement purposes through flexible resource allocation, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the configurable parameters of the system (reference signal frequency layers, time slots) to accommodate different sectorization schemes without physical hardware modifications. This parameter-based flexibility allows the system to adapt to different measurement requirements while maintaining the same hardware setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple sectors transmit reference signals simultaneously on the same frequency, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the interference problem by moving transmissions to different frequency layers, effectively using the frequency dimension to separate simultaneous transmissions. This allows multiple sectors to transmit reference signals at the same time without mutual interference, maintaining both productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2648342B1Apparatuses, methods and computer programs for a mobile transceiver and for a base station transceiver
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2648342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2648342B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2648342B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments provide apparatuses, methods and computer programs for a mobile transceiver and/or a base station transceiver. The mobile transceiver apparatus 10 is operable to measure data of at least two beamforming configurations of the base station transceiver. The mobile transceiver apparatus 10 comprises a receiver 12 for receiving a first radio signal using a first beamforming configuration on a first radio resource and for receiving a second radio signal using a second beamforming configuration on a second radio resource. The mobile transceiver apparatus 10 further comprises a determiner 14 for determining a representation of the first radio signal and for determining a representation of the second radio signal and a storage unit 16 for storing a history of the representations of the first radio signal and the second radio signal. The base station transceiver apparatus 20 comprises a transmitter 22 for transmitting a first radio signal using a first beamforming configuration on a first radio resource and for transmitting a second radio signal using a second beamforming configuration on a second radio resource, wherein the first and second beamforming configurations correspond to different soft sectorization schemes.