RIS Beam Selection via Timing Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency wireless communications above 100 GHz face challenges due to significant over-the-air attenuation and the need for line-of-sight, which limits data transfer rates and requires resource-intensive handshake procedures for signal beam alignment.
Innovation Solution
A method using a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) to reflect wireless signals between a user equipment (UE) device and a wireless access point, where the UE device selects an optimal signal beam by measuring timing differences during sweeps of antenna elements, eliminating the need for frequent handshake procedures and minimizing resource and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-frequency radio-frequency signals (>100 GHz) are used for wireless communication, then data transfer rates are improved, but signal attenuation increases and line-of-sight requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
A reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is introduced as an intermediary device to reflect and redirect high-frequency wireless signals between the access point and user equipment when direct line-of-sight paths are blocked. The RIS acts as a mediator that enables signal propagation through reflection, overcoming the limitation of high attenuation and line-of-sight requirements while maintaining high data transfer rates
2Reliability
If traditional handshake procedures are used for signal beam alignment, then communication reliability is improved, but resource consumption and time delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary beam sweeping and timing measurements during which the RIS sweeps through multiple signal beams and the user equipment measures timing differences. This preliminary action establishes beam alignment information in advance, eliminating the need for frequent handshake procedures and reducing time loss while maintaining alignment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The user equipment autonomously determines the optimal signal beam by measuring timing differences during RIS beam sweeps and identifying beams with minimal timing variation. This self-service approach allows the UE to select beams without requiring resource-intensive handshake procedures with the access point, reducing both time loss and resource consumption
3Measurement precision
If multiple handshake procedures are performed for beam alignment, then signal beam precision is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical handshake procedures with a timing-based measurement system. The user equipment measures timing differences of received signals during RIS beam sweeps and uses these measurements to autonomously determine optimal beams. This substitution of measurement-based selection for procedure-based alignment reduces device complexity and resource consumption while maintaining beam selection precision
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
Enables reliable high-data-rate communications even without line-of-sight, reducing resource and power usage by streamlining signal beam selection and alignment processes.
Implementation Method 1
a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) may be used to reflect the wireless signals of the data transfer RAT between the UE device and the AP
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) device may communicate with a wireless access point (AP) via reflection off a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). The RIS may begin to sweep antenna elements over one or more sets of signal beams beginning at an initial time while reflecting signals transmitted by the AP. The UE may record times at which the UE receives reference signals reflected by the RIS. The UE may select an optimal signal beam of the RIS based on the time periods between the initial time and the times at which the reference signals were received. The UE may inform the AP of the optimal signal beam and the RIS may use the optimal signal beam to reflect wireless data between the AP and the UE. Multiple signal beam sweeps may eliminate uncertainty or ambiguity in signal beam selection associated with timing drift or offsets between the RIS and the UE.