Phased Array Sub-Arrays for Independent mmWave Beam Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G mmW communication systems face challenges in maintaining synchronicity and preventing interference during mode switching due to stringent maximum receive timing differences (MRTD) and extreme wideband channel bandwidths, which affect carrier aggregation and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operations.

Innovation Solution

A phased array architecture with sub-array structures and multiplexers, each equipped with low noise amplifiers and phase shifters, allows for independent beam management and simultaneous downconversion of multiple RF signals to intermediate frequencies, enabling carrier aggregation and MIMO operations with relaxed MRTD requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single wideband channel bandwidth is used for carrier aggregation, then the bandwidth utilization is improved, but the maximum receive timing difference (MRTD) requirement becomes extremely stringent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidMRTD requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the phased array into multiple independent sub-arrays, each capable of processing different frequency bands separately. This segmentation allows independent beam management for each sub-array, effectively reducing the MRTD requirement by enabling separate timing alignment for high band and low band carriers while maintaining overall wideband utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If common beam management is used for carrier aggregation, then the system complexity is reduced, but the beam management performance degrades under extreme wideband conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam management complexityVSAvoidbeam management performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements independent beam management where each sub-array can perform beamforming and beam management independently for its assigned frequency band. This local quality approach allows optimized beam management for each band's specific propagation characteristics while maintaining overall system coordination, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If guard periods are used to provide isolation between transmit and receive events, then interference prevention is improved, but the time efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference preventionVSAvoidtime efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a TDD manager as an intermediary component that coordinates transmit and receive operations across multiple sub-arrays. This manager optimizes guard period placement and duration dynamically, providing necessary interference isolation while minimizing time loss by coordinating beam switching and frequency band transitions efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient signal processing for carrier aggregation and MIMO, providing independent beam management and relaxing MRTD requirements from 0.26 μsec to approximately 8 μsec, thereby improving communication performance in 5G mmW systems.

Implementation Method 1

each phased array element having a low noise amplifier (LNA) and a phase shifter (PS)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow noise amplification:

Implementation Method 2

each phased array element having a low noise amplifier (LNA) and a phase shifter (PS)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shifting: Phase Modulation