Single RF Chain Antenna Evaluation Using Strip Signal Segments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating antenna coefficient combinations in wireless communication devices with multiple antennas are costly, power-intensive, and slow, requiring multiple RF receiver and transmitter chains, which increases size and weight, and do not efficiently measure signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) information.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a single RF receiver and transmitter chain, using adjustable antenna gain elements, and employing self-supporting modulation in strip channel segments to rapidly evaluate antenna coefficient combinations without disrupting uplink communications, allowing for efficient measurement of channel quality and interference power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple RF receiver chains are used to evaluate different antenna coefficient combinations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic switching between different antenna coefficient sets in a time-division manner. During specific time periods, first antenna coefficient sets are used for downlink communication, while during other time periods, second antenna coefficient sets are used. This periodic switching allows a single RF receiver chain to evaluate multiple antenna combinations sequentially, achieving measurement precision comparable to having multiple simultaneous chains while reducing device complexity and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna coefficient sets are made dynamically switchable between different configurations. The system can transition between first antenna coefficient sets (optimized for downlink) and second antenna coefficient sets (optimized for other purposes) based on communication needs. This dynamic switching capability allows the same hardware to adapt to different measurement and communication requirements without requiring separate fixed chains for each configuration.
2Measurement precision
If multiple RF receiver chains are used for antenna coefficient evaluation, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining multiple RF receiver chains simultaneously (which would continuously consume power), the system activates a single chain periodically with different antenna coefficient configurations. The first antenna coefficient sets are activated during downlink communication periods, while second antenna coefficient sets are activated during evaluation periods. This periodic activation of a single chain achieves the measurement precision of multiple chains while consuming only a fraction of the power.
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna coefficient switching is performed during active communication, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential disruption of uplink communications
Solution Approach 1:
The system schedules antenna coefficient switching to occur during specific time periods that are coordinated with the communication schedule. Downlink communication uses first antenna coefficient sets during designated time periods, while antenna evaluation and switching to second coefficient sets occurs during other designated time periods. This periodic time-division scheduling allows the system to switch between different antenna configurations for adaptability while ensuring that uplink communications are not disrupted, as the switching occurs during periods when uplink is not active or is protected.
Data Source
AI summary
Base stations transmit strip signals using strip signal segments and self supporting modulation scheme techniques facilitating rapid channel estimate. A strip segment occupies one OFDM symbol time interval and uses a set of downlink tones; some, e.g., half, of the tones are left unused facilitating SIR measurement. The strip segments are advantageously timed to correspond to uplink access intervals in which connected wireless terminals do not typically transmit uplink signals. Connected wireless terminals including: multiple antennas used in combination, an antenna duplex module, single RF receiver chain and single RF transmitter chain, switch antenna coefficient combinations based on strip signal segment timing. The wireless terminal determines an independent downlink channel quality measurement, e.g., SNR and/or SIR for each strip signal segment and for on-going non-strip signaling. The wireless terminal compares channel quality measurements and selects an antenna coefficient combination to be used during non-strip signaling intervals obtaining very good antenna gain.