Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Phase Grouping for Low-Overhead Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently configuring reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) with reduced signaling overhead, particularly when dealing with large numbers of reflective elements, which can lead to significant signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies subsets of reflective elements with specific phase configurations based on received signaling, such as ratios or angles, to reduce overhead by interleaving elements with different phase configurations, allowing efficient signal reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual phase configuration signaling is used for each reflective element, then precise RIS control is achieved, but signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of reflective elements into multiple subsets, where each subset shares a common phase configuration. Instead of configuring each element individually, the system configures subsets collectively, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining control precision through selective subset activation based on transmission beams
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by configuring only the necessary subsets of reflective elements relevant to current transmission beams, rather than configuring all elements. This reduces signaling overhead by activating only the required portion of the RIS at any given time
2Device complexity
If all reflective elements are configured uniformly, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different transmission beams decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different phase configurations to different subsets of reflective elements based on their spatial locations and corresponding transmission beams. Each subset is optimized for specific beam directions, enabling the RIS to adapt to multiple beams simultaneously while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through the subset structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If more subsets with different phase configurations are used, then beam adaptability improves, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by activating only the subsets necessary for current transmission beams rather than configuring all subsets. This selective activation maintains beam adaptability while reducing signaling overhead by transmitting configuration information only for actively used subsets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through beam sweeping procedures where different subsets are activated in different time periods or slots. This allows the system to serve multiple beams over time with reduced instantaneous signaling overhead, as not all subsets need to be configured simultaneously
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
This approach reduces signaling overhead and enhances the efficiency of RIS configurations, enabling effective communication even in obstructed environments with minimal additional signaling.
Implementation Method 1
reflecting one or more signals from a second device based on the first phase configuration for the first subset of reflective elements and the second phase configuration for the second subset of reflective elements
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A first device may include reflective elements and may reflect signals between a second and third device using the reflective elements. In some cases, the first device may receive signaling from the second device indicating a first subset of the reflective elements corresponding to a first phase configuration and a second subset of the reflective elements corresponding to a second phase configuration. In some other cases, the first device may receive signaling indicating a transmission beam of the second device. Here, the first device may identify the first and second subsets of the reflective elements based on an angle of arrival and departure associated with the indicated transmission beam. In either case, the first device may set the phase configurations of the reflective elements according to the first and second subsets.