Multi-Stage Distributed Beamforming Against Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional beamforming techniques are limited by antenna spacing, which restricts spatial resolution and require a large number of antennas, and they are vulnerable to interference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-stage distributed beamforming in distributed mosaic wireless networks, where signals are relayed through multiple cooperative radio transceivers (mosaics) to enhance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) using predistortion filters and coherent combining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antenna elements are spaced far apart to increase effective aperture and improve spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but spatial ambiguities are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a large antenna array into multiple distributed sub-arrays (mosaics), where each sub-array is spaced within half-wavelength to avoid spatial ambiguities. Multiple such sub-arrays are distributed over a large area to achieve high spatial resolution without the ambiguities of traditional large-spaced arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single planar array to a multi-dimensional distributed network of sub-arrays. By distributing sub-arrays in multiple locations and using multi-stage beamforming across different spatial dimensions, the system achieves large effective aperture while maintaining unambiguous direction finding.
2Reliability
If traditional beamforming is used to deliver RF energy in specific directions, then directional energy delivery is achieved, but the system is vulnerable to interference and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signals from multiple distributed sub-arrays through multi-stage beamforming. By coherently combining signals from N sub-arrays in the first stage and M radios in the second stage, the system achieves a received SNR improvement factor of M*N², providing robustness against interference and jamming through diversity gain.
3Measurement precision
If a large number of antennas are used to improve spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a large antenna array into multiple smaller distributed sub-arrays. Each sub-array uses a manageable number of antennas (N and M radios respectively), but the distributed configuration across multiple locations provides the equivalent spatial resolution of a much larger single array, reducing the complexity of any individual node.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases SNR and SINR, improving range, data rate, and robustness to interference, achieving near-theoretical performance in over-the-air experiments.
Implementation Method 1
applying a first predistortion filter at each node of the first plurality of mosaic nodes, and retransmitting the signal from the first plurality of mosaic nodes toward a first receiving target. The first predistortion filter causes a resulting first retransmitted signal to coherently combine at the first receiving target.
Implementation Method 2
a multi-antenna transmitter carefully tunes the transmit phase of each antenna element to create constructive interference between the signals in a direction of interest
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-stage distributed beamforming for distributed mosaic wireless networks is provided. Embodiments described herein present systems, devices, and methods that provide increased range, data rate, and robustness to interference and jamming. A distributed mosaic wireless network includes a transmitter, a receiver, and one or more distributed clusters of radios referred to herein as mosaics or relay mosaics. Each mosaic consists of several distributed, cooperative radio transceivers (e.g., mosaic nodes) that relay a signal sent by the transmitter towards the receiver. In some embodiments, a single-stage beamforming technique is implemented whereby the transmitter sends a signal to a first mosaic, which then relays this signal by beamforming to the receiver. In some embodiments, a multi-stage beamforming technique is implemented whereby the transmitter sends a signal to a first mosaic, which then relays this signal by beamforming to a second mosaic, which then relays this signal by beamforming to the receiver.