Vehicle Transceiver Antenna Subgrouping for Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle antenna systems for mobile communication lack efficient methods for cooperative channel estimation and data communication, particularly in scenarios where multiple antennas are distributed and need to adapt to changing radio conditions and vehicle movement.

Innovation Solution

A transceiver system that divides antennas into subgroups for channel estimation and data communication, using a control device to determine radio channel information between subgroups and adaptively select antennas based on vehicle direction and radio conditions, enabling predictive channel estimation and improved data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used for both channel estimation and data communication, then antenna utilization is improved, but channel estimation accuracy deteriorates due to lack of spatial separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna utilizationVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the multiple antennas into two distinct subgroups: a first subgroup dedicated to channel estimation and a second subgroup dedicated to data communication. This segmentation allows each subgroup to perform its specific function optimally without interference, resolving the contradiction between antenna utilization and estimation accuracy by assigning specialized roles to different antenna sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If antennas are distributed at different locations on the vehicle, then spatial diversity is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordinated control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial diversityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting antennas into spatially separated subgroups with dedicated functions, the patent exploits spatial diversity for improved reliability. The first subgroup at certain locations performs channel estimation while the second subgroup at different locations handles data communication, creating spatial separation that enhances diversity without requiring complex coordinated control between all antennas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different antenna subgroups based on their spatial locations. The first subgroup is optimized for channel estimation tasks while the second subgroup is optimized for data communication, allowing each local antenna set to have specialized properties suited to its specific function and location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If channel estimation is performed using all available antennas, then estimation reliability is improved, but data communication capacity is reduced due to antenna resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation reliabilityVSAvoiddata communication capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this resource allocation contradiction by segmenting the antenna resources: the first subgroup of antennas is dedicated to channel estimation tasks, ensuring reliable estimation, while the second subgroup is dedicated to data communication, ensuring adequate communication capacity. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously with sufficient resources without competing for the same antenna elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3311498B1Transceiver, vehicle, method, and computer program for a transceiver
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3311498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3311498B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3311498B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments relate to a transceiver (10), a vehicle (100), a method, and a computer program for a transceiver (10). The transceiver (10) for the vehicle (100) for communicating in a mobile radio system (500) comprises one or more interfaces (12) for a plurality of antennas (50). The transceiver (10) further comprises a transceiver device (14) which is designed to communicate via the one or more interfaces (12) and via at least some of the plurality of antennas in the mobile radio system (500). The transceiver (10) further comprises a controller (16) which is designed to control the transceiver device (14) and the one or more interfaces (12). The controller (16) is further designed to determine information on a radio channel between a first sub-group (50a) of antennas and a base station (20) of the mobile radio system (500) via the first sub-group (50a) of the plurality of antennas (50) and to communicate with the base station (20) of the mobile radio system (500) via a second sub-group (50b) of the plurality of antennas (50).