Receiver Beam Training Using Multi-Arm Nulling and Channel Statistics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beam training methods for wireless communication systems suffer from high resource utilization, large overhead, and inefficient measurement procedures, often requiring prior knowledge of the radio channel.

Innovation Solution

A method for beam training at a receiver device using multi-arm reception beams, involving signal strength measurements, iterative nulling of arms, and updating measurements to select an optimal reception beam based on statistical knowledge and stopping criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional beam training methods scan all spatial directions to find the best alignment, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but beam training delay increases significantly (up to seconds)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam alignment accuracyVSAvoidbeam training delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by using previously identified spatial directions and channel statistics to guide the current beam training process, avoiding the need to scan all spatial directions from scratch. This reduces beam training delay while maintaining alignment accuracy through informed initial beam selection based on historical channel information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by utilizing channel statistics and previously identified spatial directions to continuously refine beam selection. The receiver provides feedback about signal quality measurements, which are used to update channel statistics and guide subsequent beam training iterations, reducing the need for exhaustive scanning while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If multi-arm beams simultaneously sample signals along multiple directions, then beam training speed is improved, but resource utilization and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam training speedVSAvoidresource utilization and signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary number of arms in multi-arm beams based on channel conditions and requirements. Instead of always using all available arms, the system determines the optimal subset of arms to activate, reducing resource utilization and signaling overhead while maintaining beam training speed improvements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If exhaustive beam space scanning is performed to ensure proper beam alignment, then reception beam selection accuracy is improved, but measurement procedure efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereception beam selection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement procedure efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by using channel statistics and previously identified spatial directions to pre-select candidate beams before the actual measurement procedure. This preliminary filtering reduces the number of beams that require exhaustive scanning, improving measurement efficiency while maintaining selection accuracy through informed candidate selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where measurement results from candidate beams are used to update channel statistics, which in turn guide the selection of candidate beams for the next measurement round. This iterative feedback process improves measurement efficiency by progressively narrowing down the search space while maintaining accuracy through continuous refinement based on observed signal characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4342097B1Beam training of a receiver device

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B(a)~2B(c)
Figure 3

AI summary

A method is disclosed for beam training of a receiver device configured for beamforming reception from a transmitter. The beam training is based on a plurality of multi-arm reception beams. The method comprises performing signal strength measurements for each of the multi-arm reception beams, selecting one of the multi-arm reception beams based on the signal strength measurements, nulling one arm for the multi-arm reception beam, and updating the signal strength measurements by performing signal strength measurements for the multi-arm reception beam with the arm nulled. The method also comprises iteratively repeating the selecting, nulling, updating and determining steps so as to obtain further signal strength measurements for multi-arm reception beams with additional arms nulled; and selecting a reception beam, based on the signal strength measurements before and after the updates. Further, the method comprises selecting a reception beam based on the signal strength measurements before and after the updates. Corresponding apparatus, receiver, user equipment, and computer program product are also disclosed.