Propagation Path Mapping for Faster High-Frequency MIMO Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beam acquisition in high frequency wireless communication systems is challenging due to narrow beams requiring extensive signaling and increased latency, especially in mmWave and subTHz frequencies, leading to high overhead and prolonged channel acquisition times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that involves partitioning geographical areas into grids for transmitting reference signals, performing RF sensing, and receiving feedback to construct a radio propagation path map, which aids in determining beamforming and reducing overhead and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrow beams are used for high frequency communication, then signal focus and communication performance are improved, but beam acquisition time and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing RF sensing and constructing a radio propagation path map before actual beam acquisition. The base station pre-acquires environmental information including reflection paths and transmits this propagation path information to the UE, so that when beam acquisition is needed, the UE can directly use this pre-prepared information to quickly determine the optimal beam direction without exhaustive searching, thus reducing beam acquisition time while maintaining communication performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RF sensing information and propagation path maps as intermediaries between the base station and UE for beam acquisition. Instead of direct beam sweeping between transmitter and receiver, the system introduces pre-acquired environmental mapping data as an intermediary that guides the beam selection process, enabling faster convergence to optimal beams while maintaining the reliability needed for high frequency communication
2Reliability
If narrow beams are used for high frequency communication, then signal focus is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the environmental sensing function from the beam communication function. The base station performs RF sensing and constructs propagation path maps independently, then transmits only the essential propagation path information to the UE. This extraction allows the system to maintain narrow beam signal focus while reducing signaling overhead by transmitting only pre-processed environmental data rather than extensive beam training signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical environment through RF sensing and propagation path mapping. Instead of repeatedly transmitting actual beam training signals to probe the environment, the system creates a digital representation (propagation path map) that can be transmitted efficiently and reused for beam acquisition, thereby maintaining signal focus quality while significantly reducing signaling overhead
3Measurement precision
If exhaustive beam training is performed, then beam acquisition accuracy is improved, but channel acquisition latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the base station perform RF sensing and construct detailed propagation path maps in advance, including identification of reflection paths and environmental features. This pre-acquired information is transmitted to the UE before beam acquisition, enabling the UE to narrow down candidate beam directions significantly, thus achieving accurate beam acquisition with much reduced latency compared to exhaustive beam training
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam acquisition process into two phases: (1) pre-acquisition of environmental propagation characteristics via RF sensing and map construction, and (2) focused beam selection using the pre-acquired information. This segmentation allows the system to maintain measurement precision by thoroughly characterizing the environment in phase 1, while reducing latency in phase 2 by eliminating the need for exhaustive beam training
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure enable the determination of beamforming information and channel information for communication between a transmitter and receiver by using a propagation path map. The propagation path map may provide an association between a location of the receiver and channel characteristics between the transmitter and the receiver via a direct propagation path and possible reflection propagation paths. The propagation path map may be used to obtain a more accurate location of the receiver, AoA at the transmitter and/or receiver, AoD at the transmitter, and/or receiver and other sensing information for beamforming and improving the RF propagation map. The association between a location of the receiver and channel characteristics between the transmitter and the receiver may then aid in performing beam measurements and/or channel measurements.