Multi-Stage Antenna Training for Beamforming Vector Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Antenna training in wireless communication systems, such as WPANs, is a time-consuming process that introduces significant overhead, and existing methods are inefficient in maintaining reliable transmission and reception amidst device movement and environmental changes without increasing overhead.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for acquiring a beamforming pattern that involves receiving and measuring signals with different sector and beam patterns, selecting optimal patterns based on link quality indicators, and using a multi-level codebook structure to reduce training overhead through a two-stage or multi-stage approach, allowing for efficient beamforming vector selection and adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna training is performed using traditional exhaustive search methods, then reliable beamforming patterns can be acquired, but training overhead and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beamforming training process into two distinct stages: sector-level training and beam-level training. Sector training first identifies coarse directional sectors using sector patterns, then beam training refines the selection within identified sectors using beam patterns. This segmentation reduces the total search space from exhaustive beam-by-beam scanning to a structured two-phase approach, significantly reducing training overhead while maintaining reliable pattern acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the training process by organizing beam patterns within sector patterns. Instead of a flat exhaustive search across all beams, the system adds a sector dimension that groups beams hierarchically. This dimensional organization allows the system to first resolve coarse sector directions and then refine to specific beams, reducing the effective search complexity from O(N) to O(S + B/S) where S is sectors and B is total beams.
2Reliability
If antenna training is performed frequently to adapt to channel changes, then communication reliability is maintained, but overhead increases unsatisfactorily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by allowing the system to transition between sector training and beam training modes based on channel conditions. When channel changes are detected, the system can perform selective retraining at the appropriate level (sector or beam) rather than always performing full exhaustive training. This dynamic approach maintains communication reliability while adapting training frequency and depth to actual channel variability, preventing unnecessary overhead.
3Measurement precision
If exhaustive beam search is performed to ensure optimal beam selection, then link quality is maximized, but training complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam search process into sector identification followed by beam refinement. This segmentation allows the system to first coarse-grain the search space into sectors, then fine-grain within each sector. The measurement precision is maintained because beam-level evaluation still occurs, but the complexity is reduced by eliminating the need to evaluate all beams against all sectors, transforming O(N×M) complexity to O(S + B) where S is sectors and B is beams.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for multi-stage antenna training of beamforming vectors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises a method of acquiring a beamforming pattern in a wireless communication system, the method comprising receiving a first plurality of signals having different transceiver sector patterns, measuring first indicators of link quality corresponding to the first plurality of signals, selecting at least one transceiver sector pattern based on the first indicators of link quality, receiving a second plurality of signals having different transceiver beam patterns, each transceiver beam pattern associated with the selected at least one transceiver sector pattern, measuring second indicators of link quality corresponding to the second plurality of signals, and selecting at least one transceiver beam pattern based on the second measures of link quality.