Unified MIMO Beamforming Training in WLANs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beamforming training procedures in WLANs, such as those specified in 802.11ad, are inefficient as they require multiple training periods for both initiator and responder devices, leading to high latency and the inability to train multiple users simultaneously, while also lacking a unified mechanism for initial and updated MIMO beamforming training.

Innovation Solution

A unified multicast/broadcast MIMO beamforming training procedure is introduced, which includes a training period, a feedback period, and an acknowledgment period, allowing an initiator device to transmit unified training frames for both transmit and receive beamforming training, with responders providing feedback during the feedback period and receiving acknowledgments, enabling simultaneous training of multiple users with reduced latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing beamforming training procedures (802.11ad) are used, then training can be performed sequentially, but latency is high and multiple users cannot be trained simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining throughputVSAvoidtraining latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines initial beamforming training and updated beamforming training into a single unified training procedure. The initiator transmits both sector level sweep (SLS) frames for initial training and beam refinement protocol (BRP) frames for updated training within one training period, eliminating the need for separate training periods and reducing overall latency while maintaining comprehensive training functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The training procedure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it performs initial beamforming training for users that have never communicated with the initiator, updated beamforming training for users that have previously communicated, and supports both downlink and uplink beamforming. This multi-functional approach allows a single training procedure to replace multiple separate procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate training procedures are used for initial and updated beamforming training, then each procedure can be optimized independently, but the overall process requires multiple training periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure design flexibilityVSAvoidtraining duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the previously separate initial beamforming training procedure and updated beamforming training procedure into a single unified procedure. Both types of training are performed within one training period that includes both SLS sub-phase and BRP sub-phase, reducing the total training duration from two separate periods to one consolidated period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional beamforming training is used, then training can be performed, but spectral efficiency is low due to multiple training periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining completenessVSAvoidspectral efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The unified training procedure maintains continuous useful action by eliminating idle periods between separate training procedures. The training period continuously progresses through SLS sub-phase and BRP sub-phase without interruption, maximizing the utilization of training resources and improving spectral efficiency compared to traditional approaches with gaps between training periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4149014A1Systems and methods for beamforming training in wireless local area networks

Publication Date: 2023.03.15 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC

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AI summary

Presently disclosed are systems and methods for beamforming training in WLANs. In various embodiments, there are unified MIMO beamforming training procedure, which includes a training period in which an initiator transmits multiple unified training frames for performing a transmit-beamforming training of the initiator and a receive-beamforming training of one or more responders; a feedback period in which each responder replies with a beamforming-feedback response; and an acknowledgement period during which the initiator transmits respective acknowledgement frames to the one or more responders from which responses were received. Rules for restricted random access in various slots of the feedback period may be implemented, to address response contention between multiple qualifying responders.