Spatial Pre-Processing for Massive MIMO Signal Conditioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems with massive MIMO, low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at receiving antenna elements leads to unreliable baseband processing, and the increased number of antennas results in high processing complexity and data transmission requirements, making it challenging to achieve full potential gains.

Innovation Solution

Implementing spatial pre-processing methods, such as transformation from element-space to beam-space signals and compression of signals to reduce dimensions, which are determined dynamically based on signal properties and processing capabilities, to enhance channel estimation and reduce data transmission needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of antennas is increased to achieve massive MIMO, then signal processing capability and throughput are improved, but processing complexity and data transmission requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal processing task into two stages: spatial pre-processing at the radio unit (RU) and baseband processing at the digital unit (DU). This division allows the RU to handle initial signal conditioning locally, reducing the complexity of processing required at the DU while maintaining the benefits of massive MIMO throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies spatial pre-processing (including beamforming and signal conditioning) at the RU before transmitting signals to the DU. This preliminary action prepares the signals in advance, reducing the computational burden on the DU and enabling more efficient baseband processing of already-conditioned signals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the number of antennas is increased to achieve massive MIMO, then signal processing capability is improved, but data transmission requirements within the receiver increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes critical signal features at the RU through spatial pre-processing, separating essential signal characteristics from raw data. This extraction reduces the volume of data that needs to be transmitted to the DU, as only processed and condensed signal information needs to be forwarded for baseband processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If spatial pre-processing is applied to improve signal power concentration, then processing gains are improved, but processing complexity at the radio unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing gainsVSAvoidprocessing complexity at RU
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic spatial pre-processing where beamforming weights and processing parameters are adapted based on channel conditions and signal characteristics. This dynamic approach optimizes processing gains for different scenarios while managing RU complexity through intelligent resource allocation and condition-based processing selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3510701B1Methods and apparatuses for spatial pre-processing of signals in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3510701B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3510701B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP3510701B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5b

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses and computer program for spatial pre-processing of signals in a wireless communication system. The method is implemented at a receiving device side and comprises: receiving signals from a transmitting device via a plurality of antennas; and determining, for a resource unit, a spatial pre-processing scheme to be applied to the signals before baseband processing, based on information related to one or more of the received signals, the transmitting device and the receiving device. The method may provide enhancement of signal strength, reduction in complexity of baseband processing, and/or reduction in amount of data to be transmitted over various interface within the receiving device.