Reconfigurable Subarray Switching for 5G CSI and PA Muting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G NR antenna muting technologies in wireless communication systems lead to reduced antenna gain and negative effects on DL channel estimation due to power amplifier off-states, affecting beamforming and signal transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implement a reconfigurable subarray architecture (RSA) with commutators and power dividers to manage power amplifiers, allowing selective muting of transmission chains while maintaining signal visibility and improving beamforming efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power amplifiers are turned off to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but antenna gain and signal transmission quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of transmission chains where power amplifiers can be selectively activated or deactivated based on operational requirements. The system transitions between different operational states (full operation, partial operation, energy-saving modes) by dynamically adjusting which transmission chains are active, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and signal quality through time-varying optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array is divided into multiple independent subarrays, each with its own transmission chain including power amplifier. This segmentation allows selective activation of individual transmission chains rather than requiring all to operate simultaneously, enabling the system to reduce power consumption by deactivating unused chains while maintaining signal quality in active chains.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power amplifiers are turned off to save energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but DL channel estimation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference signals as intermediary elements that enable channel estimation even when power amplifiers are in low-power states. These reference signals provide known transmission patterns that allow the receiving end to estimate channel conditions accurately, decoupling the channel estimation capability from the continuous operation of all power amplifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs channel estimation using reference signals transmitted during specific time periods when power amplifiers are active. This preliminary channel information is then stored and utilized during subsequent periods when power amplifiers are deactivated, allowing accurate channel knowledge to be maintained without continuous power amplifier operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If transmission chains are muted to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but beamforming performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different operational states for different transmission chains based on spatial and directional requirements. Instead of uniformly activating or deactivating all chains, the system selectively maintains high-performance beamforming capabilities in specific spatial directions while reducing power consumption in other directions, optimizing both beamforming efficiency and energy usage locally.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a fifth generation (5G) communication system or a sixth generation (6G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a fourth generation (4G) communication system, such as long term evolution (LTE). According to an embodiment, a base station (BS) comprises, an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements (AEs), the antenna array being divided into a plurality of subarrays, a plurality of transmission chains, each transmission chain being coupled to a corresponding subarray, and including a power amplifier, wherein at least two power amplifiers are configured to be turned off during operation of the base station, and a system comprising a plurality of commutators, each commutator being coupled to at least two of the plurality of transmission chains, wherein each commutator comprises, an input connected to an output of a corresponding power amplifier, an output connected to an input of the corresponding subarray, and a power divider subsystem including at least one power divider, wherein each of the at least one power divider comprises, an input coupled to an input of a commutator, and at least two outputs coupled to at least two outputs of the commutator.