Virtual Antenna Mapping for High-Order MIMO Feedback Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems with multi-dimensional arrays of antennas face challenges such as large signaling and processing overhead due to high reference signal (RS) overhead, complex precoding matrix calculation, and feedback overhead, particularly in high-order multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves mapping N physical antennas to K virtual antennas, reducing the number of required RS ports, and transmitting reference signals and feedback based on these virtual antennas, which can include separate or joint virtual antenna mapping in horizontal and vertical dimensions, periodic scanning, and adaptive configuration to optimize beamforming directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If N physical antennas arranged in multi-dimensional arrays are used for high-order MIMO, then beamforming capability and spatial diversity are improved, but reference signal overhead and processing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical antenna groups. Specifically, it maps N physical antennas to K virtual antennas (where K < N), allowing the system to maintain the beamforming capabilities of the full antenna array while reducing reference signal overhead by using a smaller set of virtual antenna ports for feedback purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual antennas as an intermediary layer between physical antennas and the feedback mechanism. The virtual antennas serve as a simplified interface that captures the essential spatial characteristics of the multi-dimensional antenna array without requiring full-resolution feedback from all N physical antennas
2Device complexity
If N physical antennas are mapped to K virtual antennas, then reference signal overhead is reduced, but feedback accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-dimensional antenna array into multiple virtual antenna groups. Each virtual antenna represents a specific spatial direction or beamforming pattern, allowing the system to capture channel characteristics in different spatial dimensions separately. This segmentation enables accurate channel sounding by focusing measurements on specific spatial directions rather than requiring full-array feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from individual physical antenna measurements to virtual antenna measurements that aggregate spatial information. By transforming the measurement space from N physical dimensions to K virtual dimensions that represent meaningful spatial patterns, the system maintains measurement accuracy while reducing dimensionality
3Manufacturing precision
If precoding matrix calculation is performed for all N physical antennas, then beamforming precision is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual antennas as simplified copies that represent the essential beamforming characteristics of the full physical antenna array. Precoding calculations are performed on the K virtual antennas instead of N physical antennas, reducing computational complexity while maintaining beamforming precision through the virtual representation
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques that may be utilized in networks with base stations and/or mobile devices that use large number of antennas or multi-dimensional arrays of antennas.