WiFi Beamforming Codebook Extension for Larger MIMO Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing WiFi standards, such as IEEE 802.11ax, are inadequate for supporting the increased MIMO sizes and complex scenarios introduced by IEEE 802.11be, leading to degraded performance in beamforming.
Innovation Solution
The extension of codebook sizes and corresponding signaling to support IEEE 802.11be requirements, including updates to the STA Info Subfield and MIMO Control Field to accommodate higher bit numbers for angle information in beamforming reports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If codebook sizes defined by IEEE 802.11ax are used, then compatibility with existing WiFi standards is maintained, but beamforming performance degrades in IEEE 802.11be scenarios with larger MIMO sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the codebook size parameters from IEEE 802.11ax to support larger MIMO configurations in IEEE 802.11be. Specifically, it increases the number of bits for quantization of compressed precoder matrix data, allowing representation of larger codebooks (e.g., supporting up to 16 total streams and 8 STAs in MU-MIMO group). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the codebook size to new requirements while maintaining the underlying beamforming mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic signaling mechanisms to indicate extended codebook sizes. The beamformee device can dynamically report supported codebook sizes and quantization precision to the beamformer device through extended Compressed Beamforming Report and NDPA frame formats. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize beamforming performance for specific scenarios while maintaining compatibility with existing standards through optional extension flags.
2Measurement precision
If the number of bits for quantization is increased to support extended codebook sizes, then beamforming accuracy improves, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the quantization precision parameters in the Compressed Beamforming Report. The beamformee device reports higher bit numbers (φ, ψ) for angle information, increasing precoder matrix accuracy. The extension uses additional bits in the STA Info Subfield and MIMO Control Field to indicate these higher precision requirements, directly resolving the measurement precision improvement while managing overhead through structured field extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the signaling overhead into manageable components by extending specific fields rather than creating entirely new message structures. The STA Info Subfield is extended to include Codebook Size and Feedback Type and Ng fields with increased precision. The MIMO Control Field is similarly extended with Codebook Information and Feedback Type fields. This segmentation allows precise control over where and how overhead is increased, enabling selective application of high precision only where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing NDPA and MIMO Control Field formats are used, then compatibility with IEEE 802.11ax is maintained, but they cannot accommodate higher bit numbers for angle information required by IEEE 802.11be
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic extension mechanisms to the NDPA and MIMO Control Field formats. Extension flags and optional fields are added that allow the system to switch between standard and extended formats based on capability negotiation. The beamformee device indicates its support for extended codebook sizes, and the beamformer device adapts its signaling accordingly. This dynamic approach enables support for higher bit numbers while maintaining backward compatibility through conditional format selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the extended format fields within the existing NDPA and MIMO Control Field structures. The extension fields are embedded as additional subfields within the original frame structures, allowing the extended functionality to be contained within the existing protocol framework. This nesting minimizes format modification complexity by reusing existing field boundaries and structures while adding only the necessary extension elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to techniques and devices for beamforming, in particular for WiFi communication schemes such as IEEE 802.11ax and IEEE 802.11 be. In particular the disclosure relates to a beamformer device (110) configured to: transmit a request to a beamformee device (120), the request comprising a set of sounding tone indices, the set of sounding tone indices indicating tones for which a report (121) of beamforming information is requested from the beamformee device (120), wherein the tones are defined according to a first WiFi scheme, wherein the set of sounding tone indices is based on a first tone plan defined by the first WiFi scheme for a partial channel bandwidth and on a second tone plan defined by a second WiFi scheme for a full channel bandwidth. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding beamformee device (120).