Partial Antenna Channel Sounding for Lower WLAN CSI Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of high channel state information feedback overheads in wireless local area networks (WLANs) due to the introduction of larger bandwidth and more spatial streams in next-generation wireless devices, particularly with multi-panel multi-input multi-output (MP MIMO) technology, necessitates a reduction in feedback overheads to enhance communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first communication device indicating a second device to perform channel sounding on a specific subset of antennas, using frames to specify the subset, thereby reducing the need for comprehensive channel sounding on all antennas and subsequent feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If channel sounding is performed on all antennas to support larger bandwidth and more spatial streams, then MIMO channel gain and network coverage capability are improved, but channel state information feedback overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array into multiple panels, where each panel contains a subset of antennas. Channel sounding is performed separately on each panel rather than on all antennas simultaneously. This segmentation reduces the feedback overhead while maintaining the ability to support multiple spatial streams, as the AP can select which panels to sound based on current channel conditions and service requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial channel sounding by selecting only a subset of panels for sounding instead of sounding all panels. The AP determines which panels require sounding based on service requirements and channel conditions, performing channel sounding on only those necessary panels. This partial action approach reduces feedback overhead while maintaining sufficient channel state information for effective MIMO operation.
2Productivity
If more antenna resources are deployed to increase spatial streams, then throughput is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna resources into multiple independent panels, allowing the system to scale throughput by activating additional panels rather than increasing the complexity of a single large antenna array. Each panel can be independently configured and managed, reducing the overall device complexity while enabling support for more spatial streams through panel aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna panel is designed to be multi-functional, capable of serving multiple spatial streams and adapting to different service requirements. The panels can be dynamically selected and configured based on current channel conditions and traffic demands, allowing the same physical antenna resources to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for dedicated antennas for each function.
3Measurement precision
If channel sounding is performed on all antennas, then accurate channel state information is obtained, but feedback time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel sounding process into panel-level operations rather than requiring a single comprehensive sounding of all antennas. This allows the system to obtain accurate channel state information for the selected panels more quickly, reducing feedback time while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for effective beamforming and spatial multiplexing on the active panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial channel sounding on only the necessary panels rather than all antennas. The AP determines which panels require accurate channel state information based on current service requirements and channel conditions, obtaining sufficient measurement precision for those panels while avoiding the time overhead of sounding unnecessary panels.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a channel sounding method and apparatus. The method includes: A first communication device sends a first frame to a second communication device, where the first frame is used to indicate the second communication device to perform channel sounding on a part of antennas of the first communication device. The first communication device sends a second frame to the second communication device, where the second frame is used by the second communication device to perform channel sounding on the part of antennas. The first communication device receives a third frame from the second communication device, where the third frame is used to indicate a result of performing channel sounding on the part of antennas.