Two-Port Reference Signal Transmission via Virtual Antenna Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in achieving efficient transmission of two-port reference signals due to issues like polarization mismatching and limited beamwidth, especially at high frequencies, which affects beam selection and network capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that generate two virtual antenna ports from an analog antenna array with two polarizations, allowing the reference signal to be transmitted over a composite beamwidth with varying rank 1 and rank 2 coverage, enabling quasi-orthogonal polarization and robust beam selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single two-port analog antenna array is used to transmit reference signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but it becomes impossible to generate two-port reference signals with the same desired beamshape and orthogonal polarizations for both ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array into two separate one-port analog antenna arrays, each handling one port of the reference signal. This segmentation allows each array to independently form its own beamshape and polarization characteristics, resolving the conflict between device simplicity and transmission capability. Each array can be optimized separately while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single two-port array architecture to a dual one-port array architecture, adding a dimensional aspect to the system design. By using two separate arrays that can be spatially and functionally distinguished, the system achieves two-port reference signal transmission with orthogonal polarizations and identical beamshapes, which was impossible with a single array.
2Loss of energy
If narrow beam transmission is used at high frequencies, then propagation loss is compensated, but the beamwidth becomes limited reducing spatial coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmission functions of two separate one-port arrays, each transmitting with narrow beams to compensate for propagation loss. By merging their outputs to form composite reference signals, the system maintains the energy concentration benefits of narrow beams while achieving broader effective coverage through the combination of multiple beam patterns and polarizations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite reference signals by combining transmissions from two separate arrays with different polarization characteristics. This composite approach allows the system to maintain narrow beamwidths for energy efficiency while the combined signal provides enhanced spatial coverage and robustness against polarization mismatching.
3Device complexity
If single polarized reference signals are used, then the transmission structure is simplified, but polarization mismatching occurs leading to wrong beam selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different polarization characteristics to different spatial regions or transmission paths. Each one-port array transmits with specific polarization properties optimized for its local coverage area, allowing the system to maintain signal structure simplicity while improving beam selection reliability through polarization diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent forms composite reference signals by combining transmissions with different polarization characteristics. This composite signal structure provides robustness against polarization mismatching because the terminal can select the appropriate polarization component based on its orientation and channel conditions, improving beam selection accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided mechanisms for transmitting a two-port reference signal from an analog antenna array of an antenna arrangement. The analog antenna array comprises antenna elements of two polarizations. All antenna elements of each polarization are connected to a respective physical antenna port. A method comprises generating two virtual antenna ports, one for each of the two ports of the reference signal. The method comprises feeding the reference signal from the two virtual antenna ports to the two physical antenna ports via a virtualization network. The method comprises transmitting, via the antenna elements, the reference signal from the two physical antenna ports over a composite beamwidth in different spatial coverage per polarization for each of the two physical antenna ports whereby the transmitted reference signal, over the composite beamwidth, varies between having rank 1 and rank 2.