Semi-Static Beamforming for Mobile Base Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beamforming methods in mobile communication systems lack adaptability in directing beams based on the dynamic distribution of active mobile stations, leading to inefficient signal transmission and reception, especially when the number of active users exceeds a certain threshold.
Innovation Solution
The method involves assigning semi-static beams that adjust directionally according to the position and traffic distribution of active mobile stations, grouping stations with close angular distances to share beams, and using equidistant fixed beams when necessary, while allowing mobile stations to feedback channel characteristics for improved signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate streaming beam is assigned for each active mobile station, then signal transmission quality is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase when the number of active users exceeds the threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple mobile stations into a single beam group when the number of active users exceeds the threshold. Specifically, mobile stations with similar angular distances are grouped together and served by a shared streaming beam, reducing the total number of beams from N (one per user) to M (one per group), where M < N. This combining approach maintains acceptable signal quality while reducing system complexity and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam assignment that adapts to the number of active mobile stations. When the number of active users is below the threshold, individual streaming beams are assigned to each user for optimal quality. When the threshold is exceeded, the system dynamically transitions to grouped beam assignment, adjusting the beam configuration based on real-time traffic conditions to balance quality and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of streaming beams increases to serve more active mobile stations, then user coverage is improved, but interference between beams increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell coverage area into multiple sectors and further divides each sector into angular regions. By organizing mobile stations into groups based on their angular distances and assigning beams to these segmented groups, the patent reduces beam overlap and interference while maintaining comprehensive user coverage across the cell.
3Power
If beams are dynamically adjusted for each active mobile station, then transmission gain is improved, but processing overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial dynamic adjustment by grouping mobile stations and adjusting beams at the group level rather than for each individual user. This partial action approach maintains transmission gain for grouped users while significantly reducing the processing overhead associated with calculating and managing individual beam adjustments for every active station.
Data Source
AI summary
A beamforming method in a base station for a mobile communication system, the communication system comprising at least a cell, the method comprising the steps of: covering at least a portion of the cell with a broadcast beam; assigning a streaming beam for each active mobile station on the portion of the cell, if a number of active mobile station on the portion is smaller than a first threshold, wherein a direction of the beams is adjusted according to a position of the active mobile stations. The method further comprises selecting a group of active mobile stations by obtaining at least two active mobile stations with a closest angular distance of all possible pairs of active mobile stations and assigning a single streaming beam to the group of active mobile station, if the number of active mobile stations is bigger than the first threshold.