Multi-AP Beamforming Setup for Station Coordination and Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in coordinating beamforming operations between access points (APs) and stations (STAs) due to varying capabilities, leading to interference issues when multiple APs transmit data, especially in dense networks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for multi-access-point coordinated beamforming (CBF) that involves APs exchanging information about participating stations, selecting candidate stations based on capabilities, and coordinating beamforming operations to minimize interference by adjusting transmission patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple APs transmit data simultaneously to increase network capacity, then productivity is improved, but interference to unintended STAs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different beamforming parameters for different spatial directions. Each AP transmits data with optimized beamforming weights tailored to the specific direction of the intended STA, while creating nulls in directions where unintended STAs are located. This directional differentiation allows simultaneous transmissions from multiple APs without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes transmission parameters dynamically by adjusting beamforming weights, phase shifts, and amplitude levels based on channel state information. The system modifies these parameters in real-time to optimize the transmission pattern, ensuring that intended STAs receive strong signals while unintended STAs experience minimal interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CBF operations are coordinated between APs with varying capabilities, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CBF setup process into distinct phases: capability exchange phase, parameter negotiation phase, and execution phase. Each AP independently exchanges its capability set with other APs, then the system selects a common subset of capabilities that all participating APs support. This segmentation allows APs with different capabilities to cooperate without requiring complete capability uniformity across all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by defining a standardized capability exchange mechanism that works across APs with varying features. The system uses universal parameter structures and negotiation protocols that can accommodate different AP capabilities, allowing the same CBF framework to function whether APs have basic or advanced features.
3Measurement precision
If beamforming parameters are optimized for each transmission, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing capability exchange and parameter negotiation before actual data transmissions begin. During the initial setup phase, APs exchange their beamforming capabilities and agree on common parameters. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for repeated negotiations during subsequent transmissions, reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by establishing a persistent CBF configuration that remains valid across multiple transmission opportunities. Once beamforming parameters are optimized based on channel state information, the system maintains these settings for a series of transmissions rather than re-optimizing each time, thus preserving measurement accuracy benefits while minimizing coordination overhead time.
Data Source
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AI summary
Technical solutions providing setup sequences for multi-access point, AP, (205) coordinated beamforming, CBF. A system can include a first access point, AP, (205) configured to transmit, to a second AP (205) that is capable of participating in coordinated beamforming, CBF, a first notification frame comprising a first set of stations (230) of the first AP (205) to participate in a CBF transmission. The first AP (205) can be configured to receive, from the second AP (205), responsive to the first notification frame, a first response frame comprising a second set of stations (230) of the second AP (205) to participate in the CBF transmission. The first AP (205) can be configured to transmit data in the CBF transmission to at least one station of the first set of stations (230) or the second set of stations (230), responsive to the first response frame.