MU-MIMO Feedback Scheme Using Time-Slot Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems, existing beamforming techniques face challenges in efficiently managing feedback from multiple mobile stations to an access point, leading to interference and suboptimal data transmission quality.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an explicit beamforming feedback scheme where the access point allocates uplink time slots to each mobile station, determining the length of feedback based on the number of downlink streams and specifying modulation and coding schemes, allowing mobile stations to calculate and send feedback matrices that account for interference from other streams, enabling the access point to adjust precoding algorithms for improved beamforming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple mobile stations transmit feedback simultaneously in MU-MIMO systems, then feedback efficiency is improved, but interference between feedback signals increases and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback efficiencyVSAvoidfeedback signal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback transmission process is segmented into multiple time slots, with each mobile station assigned a specific time slot for feedback transmission. This time-division approach allows multiple stations to provide feedback without simultaneous transmission, eliminating interference while maintaining overall feedback efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic feedback transmission where mobile stations send feedback at scheduled intervals rather than continuously or simultaneously. The access point coordinates these periodic transmissions to ensure proper timing and avoid interference between different stations' feedback signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If feedback length is increased to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to longer feedback transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback accuracyVSAvoidfeedback transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines the appropriate feedback length dynamically based on channel conditions and requirements. Rather than always using maximum length feedback, the access point calculates the sufficient feedback length needed for accurate beamforming, reducing unnecessary transmission time while maintaining required precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If beamforming parameters are adjusted dynamically to reduce interference, then data transmission quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to real-time calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access point performs preliminary calculations of beamforming parameters based on received feedback before actual data transmission. By pre-calculating the precoding matrices and beamforming weights in advance, the system reduces the complexity of real-time processing during data transmission while maintaining high transmission quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3046270B1Feedback scheme for MU-mimo
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 INTEL CORP
  • EP3046270B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3046270B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3046270B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of a system and method for managing feedback in a MU-MIMO system. An access point can announce one or more of mobile stations that are to receive downlink information in a first frame. The access point can also send a sounding package to the one or more mobile stations and receive feedback from the one or more mobile stations according to the feedback schedule. The feedback may be based on the reception of the sounding package.