Sensor-Assisted Beamforming for Moving User Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges such as signal attenuation, coarse positioning accuracy, and high infrastructure costs, particularly in mmWave communication, leading to increased latency and reduced data rates, especially for moving user equipment.

Innovation Solution

An edge device equipped with sensors for precise tracking and beamforming, allowing dynamic adjustment of RF beams to maintain connectivity and enhance QoE without increasing signaling load, reducing the need for infrastructure deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mmWave beamforming is used to enhance data rates, then communication capacity is improved, but signal attenuation increases due to atmospheric conditions and obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidsignal attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of user equipment using coarse location data before establishing mmWave beamforming connections. This preliminary action enables the system to pre-align beams and prepare transmission paths, reducing the impact of signal attenuation during actual communication by having beam directions predetermined based on user location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If beam steering techniques are implemented to target specific objects, then channel capacity is enhanced, but system complexity increases due to the need for precise beam aiming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel capacityVSAvoidantenna complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces positioning information as an intermediary element that simplifies the beam steering process. Instead of directly implementing complex beam steering algorithms, the system uses positioning data (from GPS, cellular triangulation, or other positioning systems) as a mediator to determine beam directions, thereby reducing antenna system complexity while maintaining enhanced channel capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If conventional positioning methods are used to determine user location, then positioning information is obtained, but positioning accuracy remains coarse with errors greater than 3 meters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning informationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple positioning methods and data sources to achieve higher accuracy. It combines coarse positioning information from conventional methods (cellular triangulation, GPS) with fine-grained positioning derived from beamforming measurements and sensor data from edge devices, creating a multi-layered positioning system that achieves accuracy better than 3 meters by integrating results from different measurement techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of time

If edge computing is deployed to reduce latency, then response delay is reduced, but infrastructure costs increase due to additional deployment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse delayVSAvoidinfrastructure deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system designs edge devices with multi-functionality, enabling them to perform both traditional network functions (data processing, content delivery) and new sensor-assisted beamforming functions. By making edge devices universal platforms that can handle multiple tasks, the system reduces the need for separate specialized infrastructure, thereby lowering deployment costs while maintaining low latency through localized processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The edge device ensures seamless connectivity and high-performance communication by accurately tracking user locations, reducing infrastructure costs, and optimizing power usage, while extending communication range and maintaining multigigabit data rates.

Implementation Method 1

An edge device includes a sensor configured to sense a surrounding area of the edge device and track a location of a user in motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

control circuitry configured to direct a beam of RF signals in a calibrated radiation pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Data Source

PatentUS12481050B2Edge device and method for sensor-assisted beamforming

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 PELTBEAM INC

AI summary

A first edge device includes a first antenna array and a sensor that senses a surrounding area of the first edge device. The first edge device further includes control circuitry that detects a first user in the surrounding area of the first edge device, tracks the detected first user in the surrounding area of the first edge device based on the sensor, controls the first antenna array to direct the first beam of radio frequency (RF) signal in a first direction of the tracked first user, where the first beam of RF signal has a first radiation pattern and a signal strength greater than a first threshold, and communicates an assistance request to a central cloud server in a case where one or more defined service continuity criteria are met.