Reconfigurable Antenna Array with Round Robin Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiple-input single-output (MISO) wireless communication systems face challenges with high implementation complexity and power consumption due to the need for numerous RF chains and continuous channel estimation in large antenna arrays, especially at the mobile station, which increases costs and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable large antenna array system with a pilot-assisted round-robin channel estimation algorithm and adaptive transmit beamforming, reducing the number of RF chains and simplifying channel estimation at the mobile station, while maintaining high performance through optimal training duration and relative channel phase feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of transmit antennas is increased to increase channel capacity, then the channel capacity is improved, but the cost and power consumption of RF chains increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel capacityVSAvoidpower consumption of RF chains

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antennas share a single RF chain through time-division multiplexing. The system alternates between training phases (where different antenna groups are activated) and data transmission phases, merging the functionality of multiple RF chains into one shared resource. This reduces the number of physical RF chains needed while maintaining the capability to serve multiple antennas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The large antenna array is divided into multiple groups, with each group being served by a dedicated RF chain during specific time intervals. This segmentation allows the system to manage a large number of antennas with fewer RF chains by activating different groups at different times, thereby reducing overall power consumption and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If continuous channel estimation is performed at the mobile station to track multi-path fading channels, then the channel tracking accuracy is improved, but the power consumption and processing resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel tracking accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption at mobile station

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous channel estimation, the system performs periodic channel estimation during scheduled training phases. The mobile station estimates channel state information only when training sequences are transmitted, then uses this information for a period of time until the next training phase. This periodic approach maintains adequate tracking accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption and processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If a large number of transmit antennas are used in traditional MISO systems, then the channel capacity increases, but the device complexity and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel capacityVSAvoidtransmitter architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single RF chain is designed to perform multiple functions by serving different antenna groups at different times. The same RF chain handles training sequence transmission, data transmission, and channel estimation for multiple antenna groups through time-division multiplexing, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining high channel capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If the number of RF chains is reduced to lower cost and power consumption, then the device complexity is improved, but the channel capacity may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of RF chainsVSAvoidchannel capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different antenna groups and RF chain configurations based on current transmission needs. During training phases, different antenna groups are activated with dedicated RF chains, while during data phases, a reduced number of RF chains serve multiple antennas. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to maintain high channel capacity while using fewer RF chains overall, balancing performance and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7539458B2Apparatus and method for a system architecture for multiple antenna wireless communication systems using round robin channel estimation and transmit beam forming algorithms

Publication Date: 2009.05.26 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

A multiple antenna wireless system including a transmitter and a receiver comprises a reconfigurable large antenna array having a plurality of antennas. A plurality of RF chains in the transmitter is coupled to the reconfigurable large antenna array. A pilot assisted round robin channel estimation means tracks the fading channel; and an adaptive round robin transmit beamforming means beam forms the reconfigurable large antenna array. A method for multiple antenna wireless communication comprising the steps of tracking a plurality of fading channels in a reconfigurable large antenna array having a plurality of antennas using pilot assisted round robin channel estimation to selectively couple a plurality of RF chains in the transmitter to the reconfigurable large antenna array, and adaptively, round-robin transmit beamforming the reconfigurable large antenna array.