Wireless Access Period Signaling for Beamforming Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing high data throughput and directional communication at high frequencies, leading to increased overhead and reduced bandwidth due to severe signal attenuation and the need for precise beamforming.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wireless communication system that utilizes a central access point and multiple antennas for beamforming and directional communication, allocating specific time slots for control messages within a superframe structure to minimize overhead and optimize data transmission by identifying and using preferred beam directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beamforming and directional communication are implemented at high frequencies, then data throughput is improved, but communication overhead increases and bandwidth is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The access period is divided into multiple time slots, with specific slots allocated for control messages and others for data transmission. This segmentation allows efficient management of beamforming control information without consuming excessive bandwidth, as control messages are transmitted only during designated time slots rather than continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Beam direction information is determined and prepared in advance during training periods, allowing the system to establish optimal beam directions before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary action reduces the need for continuous beam adjustment control messages during data transmission, thereby reducing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If beamforming is used to address signal attenuation, then signal quality is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Beam training and direction determination are performed periodically during designated training periods rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains signal quality through regular beam optimization while reducing the computational and operational complexity compared to continuous beam adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts beam directions based on determined preferred directions, allowing adaptation to changing channel conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through structured time slot allocation and periodic retraining rather than continuous complex adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2532206B1Protocol for signalling during an access period information for selecting antenna beams
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2532206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2532206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2532206B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

Various methods and apparatuses for transmitting an allocation of time in a wireless communication system are disclosed. In one aspect, allocations of time for receiving and transmitting control communications are determined. The control communications may comprise a channel time request.