Switched Beam Antenna RF Phasing Circuit for Continuous Signal Quality Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current switched beam antenna systems face challenges in measuring signal quality on alternative beams simultaneously with user data reception, leading to packet loss and degradation of quality of service, especially in real-time services like audio/video, due to the need for periodic beam selection and quality evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows continuous measurement of signal quality on different beams using a single RF chain, enabling simultaneous user data reception without service interruption or packet loss, by performing a small number of periodic measurements on alternative beams during user data reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If periodic beam selection and quality evaluation are performed on alternative beams, then signal quality measurement accuracy is improved, but packet loss increases and service continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beam quality evaluation at specific timing instances (e.g., at the beginning of each subframe or at configured intervals) rather than continuously, allowing the system to balance measurement accuracy with service continuity. This periodic action ensures that beam quality is assessed regularly without causing constant interruptions to user data reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs beam quality evaluation in advance during designated measurement periods before switching beams, allowing the network to prepare beam switching decisions without interrupting ongoing data transmission. This preliminary action enables the system to have measurement results ready before they are needed for beam switching, maintaining service continuity.
2Measurement precision
If continuous beam quality measurement is performed on all beams, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam measurement process into segments where only specific beams (alternative beams) are measured at specific time instances, rather than continuously measuring all beams. This segmentation reduces the total number of measurements required while still providing sufficient information for accurate beam selection, thereby reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial measurement by evaluating only the necessary alternative beams at selected timing instances rather than performing exhaustive continuous measurement on all beams. This partial action provides sufficient measurement precision for beam switching decisions while significantly reducing computational resources and system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beam switching is performed frequently to track channel variations, then adaptability is improved, but service quality and packet loss worsen due to measurement interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam quality evaluation where the timing and frequency of measurements are adapted based on channel conditions and service requirements. The system can adjust the measurement period and timing to balance adaptability to channel changes with maintaining service quality, performing measurements more frequently when channel conditions change rapidly and less frequently when conditions are stable.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~6
AI summary
A system for processing an RF signal received via a plurality of antenna elements includes a connection arrangement (6) for selecting a sub-set of a given number of RF signals (r i , r j) received from the antenna elements as well as a processing arrangement (8) for combining the received RF signals of the selected subset (r i , r j) into a single RF signal for demodulation. The system includes a RF phasing circuit (18) for producing selective combinations of the received RF signals (r i , r j) by applying relative RF phase shift weights to the RF signals (r i , r j) that are combined; each combination includes RF signals received from a number of adjacent antenna elements equal to the number of the RF signals in the sub-set to be selected. A radio performance estimator (14) generates for each said selective combination of RF signals at least one non-RF radio performance indicator (RPI) representative of the quality of the RF signals in the combination. A decision block (16) identifies the sub-set of received RF signals (r i , r j) to be selected as a function of the one radio performance indicator (RPI) generated for the selective combinations of said received RF signals (r i , r j). This arrangement facilitates the selection of the signals/antennas to be used for reception e.g. in a WLAN device by avoiding that the selection process may involve all the possible combinations.