One-Dimensional Sector Sweep Scan for Wireless Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sector sweeps in wireless communication systems, particularly at high frequencies like 60 GHz, are lengthy due to the need for multiple narrow pencil beams, leading to increased scanning time, latency, and power consumption, which affects throughput and compatibility with older devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a one-dimensional sector sweep method that uses wider beams in one dimension for transmission and reception, reducing the number of sectors needed by performing sector sweeps along rows and columns of an antenna array, thereby decreasing scanning time and improving beamforming training and positioning applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sector sweeps use multiple narrow pencil beams, then beamforming precision is improved, but scanning time and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional two-dimensional sector sweep into two independent one-dimensional sweeps. The first sweep varies beam angles in the first dimension while fixing the second dimension, and the second sweep varies angles in the second dimension while fixing the first. This segmentation allows each sweep to use fewer, wider beams, reducing the total number of beam transitions and scanning time while maintaining the precision needed for beamforming training.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from a two-dimensional grid of narrow pencil beams to two separate one-dimensional sweeps with wider beams. By reducing the dimensionality of each individual sweep, the system achieves faster scanning while the combination of both sweeps provides comprehensive coverage for accurate beamforming training and positioning.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sector sweeps use multiple narrow pencil beams, then beamforming training accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the comprehensive beam sweep into two segmented one-dimensional sweeps. Each sweep operates independently with fewer beam transitions, reducing the cumulative power consumption associated with repeatedly switching between numerous narrow pencil beams while maintaining training accuracy through the systematic coverage of both dimensional sweeps.
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning from a two-dimensional narrow-beam approach to two one-dimensional wider-beam sweeps, the system reduces the total number of beam switching operations. This dimensional simplification directly reduces power consumption while the combined effect of both sweeps ensures sufficient training data for accurate beamforming.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sector sweeps use multiple narrow pencil beams, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex two-dimensional beam angle space into two simpler one-dimensional sweeps. Each sweep only needs to manage beam angle changes in one dimension, simplifying the control logic and reducing the complexity of beam switching operations while maintaining positioning precision through the systematic combination of both sweeps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reduces the complexity by changing from managing two dimensions of narrow beam angles simultaneously to managing two separate one-dimensional sweeps with wider beams. This dimensional reduction simplifies the sector sweep implementation while the joint analysis of both sweeps provides the necessary precision for positioning applications.
4Reliability
If conventional sector sweeps use multiple narrow pencil beams, then communication reliability is improved, but throughput decreases due to increased scanning time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sector sweep into two one-dimensional sweeps that can be executed more quickly. By reducing the number of beam transitions and using wider beams in each dimension, the total scanning time is reduced, allowing more time for actual data communication and thus improving throughput while maintaining reliability through the systematic coverage provided by both sweeps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent improves throughput by reducing scanning time through dimensional simplification. The two one-dimensional sweeps with wider beams complete faster than a traditional two-dimensional narrow-beam sweep, freeing up time for data transmission and improving overall system throughput while the combined sweep provides sufficient coverage for reliable communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for enhancing a sector sweep. The apparatus generally includes a processing system configured to generate a first set of frames and a second set of frames. The apparatus also includes a first interface configured to output the first set of frames for transmission to a wireless node via a first set of beams, wherein each beam of the first set is wider in a first dimension than a second dimension, and output the second set of frames for transmission to the wireless node via a second set of beams, wherein each beam of the second set is wider in the second dimension than the first dimension.