Phased Array Beam Transformation for Flexible Spatial Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phased array systems are limited by a finite set of phase and gain combinations, restricting the number of beams that can be created and limiting flexibility in beamforming applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves applying beam transformation parameters such as steering, windowing, filtering, and linear combining to known beams, using a beam dictionary and mapper to generate a larger variety of beams by transforming phase and gain values, allowing for increased flexibility and power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional phased array systems use a finite set of phase and gain combinations, then the system structure remains simple, but the number of beams that can be created is limited and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores beam transformation parameters (phase and gain values) for multiple known beams in a lookup table before operation. During beamforming, the system simply retrieves and applies these pre-computed parameters through transformation operations, avoiding real-time complex calculations and enabling flexible beam generation with minimal computational overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beam transformation parameters as an intermediary layer between the fixed hardware configuration and the desired beam patterns. These parameters (phase shifts and gain values) act as mediators that can be adjusted to generate diverse beams without changing the physical antenna structure, thus achieving flexibility while maintaining simple hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If more beams with diverse shapes and directions are created through beam transformation, then communication system flexibility is enhanced, but power consumption in beamforming ICs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes beam transformation parameters for multiple beam patterns and stores them in a lookup table during system initialization or idle periods. When beamforming is needed, the system directly retrieves these pre-calculated parameters and applies them through simple transformation operations, avoiding energy-intensive real-time calculations and reducing power consumption during active communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic beamforming approach where the system can switch between different pre-computed beam patterns by simply changing the transformation parameters. This allows the communication system to adapt to different channel conditions and requirements dynamically while maintaining low power consumption, as no complex real-time computation is needed during operation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for operating phased arrays are described. A circuit can receive an index associated with an antenna among a plurality of antennas in a phased array. The circuit can use the index to identify at least a phase value and a gain value of a known beam. The circuit can receive at least one static configuration of the antenna and at least one beam transformation parameter. The circuit can transform, based on the at least one beam transformation parameter and the at least one static configuration, the phase and gain values of the known beam into phase and gain values of a desired beam. The circuit can map the phase value of the desired beam to a phase shifter setting of the antenna and the gain value of the desired beam to a variable gain amplifier setting of the antenna to generate the desired beam.