MU-MIMO Interference Cancellation Capability Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-user wireless communication systems face challenges in managing inter-stream interference due to the dynamic nature of the wireless channel, making it difficult to maintain a high signal-to-interference ratio in multi-user downlink transmissions.

Innovation Solution

A wireless access point determines the interference cancellation capabilities of client devices by transmitting test packets with varying levels of interference and grouping clients based on their interference cancellation capabilities to optimize MU-MIMO transmissions, using transmit precoding to allocate power effectively and adjust channel sounding schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If beamforming gain is increased for each individual client device, then signal strength to individual clients is improved, but interference suppression between client devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment for individual clients within the MU group. Each client's interference cancellation capability is measured and used to determine their specific precoding matrix, allowing each client to receive optimized signal processing tailored to their individual capabilities rather than applying uniform beamforming to all clients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of precoding matrix selection based on interference cancellation capability measurements. The AP measures each client's interference cancellation capability and uses this measurement to select or generate appropriate precoding matrices, dynamically adjusting the transmission parameters to match client capabilities and channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multi-user transmissions are implemented to improve throughput, then airtime efficiency is improved, but inter-stream interference management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidinterference management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having clients report their interference cancellation capability measurements back to the AP. The AP uses this feedback information to make informed decisions about MU group formation and precoding matrix selection, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual client capabilities and channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and characterizing each client's interference cancellation capability before forming MU groups and initiating transmissions. This advance measurement allows the AP to pre-determine appropriate precoding strategies and group configurations, avoiding the need for complex real-time interference management during actual data transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3014784B1Estimating and utilizing client receive interference cancellation capability in multi-user transmissions
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3014784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3014784B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3014784B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first device having a plurality of antennas wirelessly transmits multiple series of test packets to a second device having one or more antennas, each series of test packets being transmitted with a different level of interference imposed on the test packets. The first device determines a packet error rate for each series of test packets transmitted by the first device. The first device derives an estimate of an interference cancellation capability of the second device based on the packet error rate for different levels of interference.