Radio Unit Beamforming Parameter Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current open interface protocols in radio access networks (RAN) make beamforming operations computationally expensive and challenging for radio units by providing beamforming parameters in formats that are difficult to process efficiently in vector processors.
Innovation Solution
The described techniques involve a radio unit that receives payload and bit mask matrices from a base station, extracts payload data and beamforming parameters for channel state reference signal resource elements (CSI-RS REs) and non-CSI-RS REs based on format protocols, and performs digital downlink beamforming using these extracted parameters, thereby simplifying the computation and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beamforming parameters are provided from base stations to RUs in existing open interface protocol formats, then interoperability amongst RAN components of different vendors is enabled, but beamforming operations become computationally expensive and challenging to perform in vector processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming parameter extraction process into distinct stages: receiving the composite matrix, identifying CSI-RS RE locations using bit mask matrices, separating payload data from beamforming parameters, and processing them independently. This segmentation transforms the computationally intensive monolithic operation into manageable stages that can be efficiently executed on vector processors while maintaining open interface interoperability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing beamforming parameters into structured matrix formats with embedded bit mask indicators at the base station before transmission. This pre-processing enables the radio unit to efficiently extract and identify parameters without performing complex computations, thereby reducing runtime computational complexity while preserving vendor interoperability through standardized formats
2Adaptability or versatility
If beamforming parameters are provided in existing open interface protocol formats, then open-RAN interoperability is achieved, but processing efficiency in vector processors decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter organization format by transforming beamforming parameters into structured matrices with specific bit mask indicators that encode resource element location information. This parameter reorganization maintains compatibility with open-RAN interfaces while optimizing the data structure for vector processor efficiency, thereby simultaneously achieving interoperability and improved processing productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive beamforming parameters are transmitted from base station to RU, then beamforming accuracy is maintained, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential beamforming parameters and payload data from the comprehensive parameter set transmitted by the base station, using bit mask matrices to identify and separate necessary information. This extraction process maintains beamforming accuracy by preserving critical parameters while discarding redundant information, thereby reducing storage requirements without sacrificing performance
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe a radio unit (RU) of a radio access network (RAN), that extracts payload data and beamforming parameters from matrices received from a base station based on format parameters of the matrices and format parameters of channel state information resource signal resource elements (CSI-RS REs). The matrices include a payload matrix and first and second bit mask matrices. Locations of CSI-RS REs are determined based on the bit mask matrices. The payload matrix is separated into CSI-RS RE and non-CSI-RS RE payload matrices based on the locations of the CSI-RS REs. CSI-RS REs and the non-CSI-RS REs beamforming weight matrices are recovered from the bit mask matrices based on known features of the CSI-RS REs and the bit mask matrices. Digital downlink beamforming is performed based on the recovered payload matrices and beamforming weight matrices.