Steering Matrix Derivation via Antenna Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless local area networks (WLANs) face inefficiencies in deriving the steering matrix for beamforming signals, particularly when there is a mismatch in the number of antennas between the access point and stations, leading to incomplete feedback and inefficient beamforming.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining beamforming feedback from multiple sets of antennas, determining correlational relationships, and combining them to derive a comprehensive steering matrix that accounts for all antennas, allowing for improved beamforming even with antenna mismatches and reducing phase rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beamforming feedback is obtained from a single set of antennas, then the feedback process is simple and quick, but the steering matrix derivation is incomplete and inefficient when antenna numbers mismatch between access point and station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback acquisition process into multiple phases: first obtaining feedback from a first set of antennas, then obtaining additional feedback from a second set of antennas. This segmentation allows the system to handle antenna number mismatches by collecting feedback incrementally from different antenna subsets, thereby improving steering matrix derivation completeness without requiring a complete redesign of the feedback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary feedback acquisition from the first set of antennas before proceeding to the second set. This preliminary action establishes an initial steering matrix that can be refined with additional feedback, allowing the system to function with partial information while improving performance through subsequent feedback collection.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sets of antennas are used for feedback, then the steering matrix derivation is more complete and accurate, but the feedback process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic feedback acquisition by dividing the antenna set into multiple groups and collecting feedback in periodic intervals. The system first acquires feedback from the first set of antennas, then subsequently acquires feedback from the second set, creating a structured periodic process that balances accuracy requirements with time efficiency.
3Productivity
If correlational relationships between all antenna pairs are determined, then the beamforming performance is optimized, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correlational relationship determination into phases corresponding to different antenna sets. By determining correlational relationships from the first set of antennas initially, then adding relationships from the second set, the system divides the computational task into manageable segments that can be processed incrementally, reducing peak computational complexity while achieving complete steering matrix optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method may include obtaining first beamforming feedback from a station based on first sounding signals from a first set of antennas selected from multiple antennas of an access point, and obtaining second beamforming feedback from the station based on second sounding signals from a second set of antennas selected from the multiple antennas of the access point. The method may also include, using the first beamforming feedback and the second beamforming feedback, determining correlational relationships between pairs of the multiple antennas of the access point, and deriving a beamforming steering matrix from the correlational relationships.