MU-MIMO Beamforming Channel Estimation via Spatial Stream Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in performing accurate channel estimation between beamformers and beamformees, especially when the beamformee has a lower number of supported spatial streams than the beamformer, limiting the ability to achieve full array gain and efficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining subsets of transmit spatial streams from the beamformer, sending sounding frames to the beamformee for channel estimation, and combining responses to generate full channel estimation information, allowing the beamformer to steer its antennas effectively even when communicating with devices of lower dimensionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the beamformer uses all its transmit spatial streams for channel estimation, then the channel estimation accuracy is improved, but the beamformee cannot process the estimation due to its limited spatial stream capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the full set of transmit spatial streams into multiple subsets, each containing a number of streams that the beamformee can process. Instead of transmitting all streams simultaneously, the beamformer segments them and transmits in separate sounding frames, allowing the beamformee to handle each subset independently while still enabling full channel estimation when results are combined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only a subset of the total spatial streams in each sounding frame rather than all streams at once. This allows the beamformee to process manageable portions while the beamformer ultimately achieves complete channel estimation information by aggregating results from multiple partial transmissions.
2Measurement precision
If the beamformer transmits multiple sounding frames with different antenna patterns, then full channel estimation information is achieved, but the transmission time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by transmitting multiple sounding frames in a structured sequence, each containing a different subset of spatial streams. The beamformer systematically cycles through different antenna patterns in separate transmissions, allowing the beamformee to process each frame independently while the beamformer aggregates the periodic results to achieve complete channel estimation.
3Power
If the beamformer configures subsets with overlapping antennas, then full array gain is achieved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining results from multiple sounding frames that use overlapping antenna subsets. The beamformer aggregates channel estimation information from each subset transmission, merging the partial results to construct complete channel state information for all transmit antennas, thereby achieving full array gain through combination of partial measurements.
Data Source
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AI summary
In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for performing channel estimation between a beamformer and a beamformee. A beamformer can determine that a beamformee is configured to perform channel estimation for up to a pre-configured number of transmit spatial streams from the beamformer. The pre-configured number of transmit spatial streams can be less than a plurality of transmit spatial streams of the beamformer. The beamformer can determine a plurality of subsets of transmit spatial streams from the plurality of transmit spatial streams. The beamformer can send a plurality of sounding frames to the beamformee for channel estimation based at least on the determined plurality of subsets of transmit spatial streams.