Narrowband AAS Receiver Replay Interface for Parallel Direction Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beamforming techniques in 5G mmW cellular systems face challenges such as limited flexibility in beam patterns, high computational complexity, and resource overhead due to beam sweeping, especially in scenarios requiring simultaneous data transmission to multiple users or direction finding for user equipment.
Innovation Solution
A digital block is added to each antenna path to filter out narrowband receiver data, allowing access to each antenna element with minimal hardware overhead, enabling parallel reception of signals in any direction without causing capacity loss or delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If analog transmit beamforming is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because only one beam pattern can be transmitted per OFDM symbol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming functionality by separating narrowband direction finding from wideband data transmission. Different beam patterns are formed for different purposes (direction finding vs. data transmission) and can be independently optimized, allowing multiple beam patterns to coexist without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beam pattern selection where the beamforming configuration can change based on operational requirements. The system can switch between different beam patterns (e.g., omnidirectional for direction finding, directional for data transmission) within the same OFDM symbol, providing adaptability without requiring full digital beamforming complexity
2Measurement precision
If beam sweeping is performed for direction finding, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to resource overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges direction finding and data transmission into the same time-frequency resources. By using different spatial layers and beam patterns simultaneously, the system performs direction finding without requiring separate beam sweeping time slots, thereby eliminating the time loss while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous direction finding and data transmission to occur simultaneously rather than alternating between them. The narrowband receiver continuously monitors for direction information while wideband data transmission continues uninterrupted, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous useful action
3Adaptability or versatility
If digital transmit beamforming is used, then adaptability improves for frequency selective beam forming, but device complexity increases due to IFFT processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functionality needed for frequency selective beam forming (narrowband filtering and direction finding) while leaving out the computationally intensive IFFT processing. By taking out only what is necessary (narrowband data access) and leaving the rest (full digital beamforming), the system achieves adaptability without the full complexity burden
Data Source
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AI summary
An Advanced Antenna System (AAS) receiver and related methods are provided. According to one aspect an AAS receiver comprises a digital processing block of a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC). The digital processing block comprises an interface for communicating with a Central Unit (CU), and a plurality of Antenna Signal Processing Blocks (ASPBs), each receiving a digitized receive signal from a respective antenna element of an antenna array. Each ASPB comprises one or more receivers, each of which receives and processes the signal from the respective antenna element. Some receivers within the ASPB beamform the respective processed signal to produce one or more data streams to be sent to the CU. Other receivers within the ASPB provide the respective processed signal to a processing block that buffers the processed signal and sends it to the CU at a later time, e.g., when traffic to the CU is relatively lower.