Multi-Carrier mmWave Sensing for Accurate Location Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing millimeter wave (mmW) RF signals for location detection and environment sensing due to high path loss and short range, particularly in 5G networks, which require enhanced spectral efficiency and reduced latency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing beamforming techniques and multi-carrier systems, including quasi-co-location (QCL) relations, to enhance mmW RF signal transmission and reception, allowing for improved location detection and environment sensing across different carrier frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mmW RF signals are used for wireless communication and sensing, then data transfer speeds and spectral efficiency are improved, but path loss increases and transmission range decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines communication and sensing functions into a unified system that uses the same mmW RF signals and hardware infrastructure for both purposes, thereby improving spectral efficiency and productivity while managing path loss through joint optimization of both functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters such as power levels, beamforming configurations, and frequency selections based on channel conditions and sensing requirements, allowing adaptation to high path loss environments while maintaining high data transfer speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If mmW RF signals are used for location detection, then measurement precision is improved, but transmission range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation detection accuracyVSAvoidtransmission range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends location detection from two-dimensional GPS coordinates to three-dimensional spatial positioning by utilizing angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) measurements, enabling precise location detection within a limited range through vertical and angular dimension additions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses reference signals and synchronization packets as intermediaries that carry positioning information between transmitter and receiver, enabling accurate location detection through these mediating signals that encode spatial and temporal relationship data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If beamforming techniques are implemented to compensate for path loss, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidbeamforming system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beamforming system is divided into separate functional modules including channel estimation units, beamforming weight calculation units, and signal processing units, allowing independent optimization and management of each component's complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic channel estimation and beamforming parameter optimization without requiring manual configuration, using self-service algorithms that adapt to changing channel conditions and automatically adjust transmission parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If multi-carrier systems are used to enhance spectral efficiency, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidmulti-carrier system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal signal processing framework that handles multiple carrier frequencies and waveforms through common hardware and software modules, allowing the system to support both communication and sensing functions across multiple carriers without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4165434B1Wireless communications-based sensing for location detection across carriers
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4165434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4165434B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4165434B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Disclosed are techniques for environment sensing. In an aspect, a first network node measures one or more first reference signals on a first carrier frequency, the one or more first reference signals received from a second network node to enable determination of one or more first characteristics associated with one or more target objects, and measures one or more second reference signals on a second carrier frequency, the one or more second reference signals received from the second network node to enable determination of one or more second characteristics associated with the one or more target objects, wherein an accuracy of the one or more second characteristics is higher than an accuracy of the one or more first characteristics based on the one or more first reference signals being measured on the first carrier frequency and the one or more second reference signals being measured on the second carrier frequency.