Multi-Antenna Sector Sweeps for Faster Beamforming Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beamforming training in wireless communications systems with multiple antennas is time-consuming, particularly in high-frequency bands like 60 GHz, leading to significant overhead and reduced data throughput due to lengthy sector sweeps, especially when links are lost.
Innovation Solution
Devices exchange information about the number of transmit sectors for partial and full sector sweeps, along with timing information to synchronize sector sweep procedures, allowing for efficient transitions between partial and full sector sweeps, reducing unnecessary repetitions and maintaining synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming training is performed with multiple antennas to establish and maintain quality links, then link reliability is improved, but training time increases significantly reducing data throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The sector sweep procedure is divided into two distinct types: partial sector sweeps that evaluate only a subset of transmit sectors, and full sector sweeps that evaluate all transmit sectors. This segmentation allows the system to perform quick partial sweeps for routine link maintenance, reserving comprehensive full sweeps for when actually needed, thereby reducing overall training time while maintaining link reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing partial sector sweeps that evaluate only a portion of the total transmit sectors rather than all sectors. This partial evaluation is sufficient for maintaining quality links under normal conditions, reducing training time without completely sacrificing the ability to perform full sector sweeps when link quality deteriorates or during initial link establishment
2Reliability
If the number of transmit and receive antennas is increased to compensate for high free space loss at 60 GHz, then communication reliability is improved, but the amount of training time increases
Solution Approach 1:
With multiple antennas requiring evaluation of many transmit sectors, the patent segments the sector sweep into partial and full versions. Partial sector sweeps evaluate only a subset of sectors from each antenna, enabling quick assessment that maintains links with multi-antenna configurations without requiring exhaustive evaluation of all antenna sectors at every training opportunity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic beamforming training where partial sector sweeps are performed regularly to maintain links with multiple antennas. This periodic partial evaluation sustains communication reliability with multi-antenna systems while avoiding the continuous time cost of evaluating all sectors of all antennas at every interval
3Productivity
If partial sector sweeps are used to reduce training time, then throughput is improved, but devices may lose synchronization requiring full sector sweeps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where devices exchange information about the number of transmit sectors used in partial sector sweeps and timing information for when sweeps occur. This feedback allows receiving devices to anticipate and synchronize with partial sector sweep patterns, maintaining synchronization without requiring full sector sweeps, thereby preserving throughput improvements
Solution Approach 2:
Devices perform preliminary exchange of sector sweep configuration information and timing details before executing partial sector sweeps. This preliminary action establishes synchronization expectations, allowing devices to stay synchronized during partial sweeps without needing to revert to full sector sweeps, maintaining both throughput and synchronization stability
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for enhancing a beamforming training procedure. For example, according to certain aspects, devices may exchange information regarding the number of beamforming transmit sectors each device plans to use for both partial and full sector sweeps, as well as the number of receive antennas. The devices may also exchange timing information used to synchronize when the devices start to perform the partial and full sector sweeps, after detecting a lost link.