60 GHz WLAN Spatial Layer to Orthogonal Channel Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WLAN technologies do not effectively utilize the 60 GHz frequency band due to the lack of commercial chipsets and the incompatibility of MIMO technology with 60 GHz frequencies, limiting data transmission rates and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A module that converts spatial layers from commercially available WLAN modem chipsets into orthogonal frequency bands, enabling data transmission in the 60 GHz frequency band by using existing 802.11ax and 802.11be chipsets in conjunction with 60 GHz RFICs, thereby increasing data rates and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If MIMO technology is used in WLANs, then spatial multiplexing and throughput are improved, but compatibility with 60 GHz frequency bands is lost due to wireless channel characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal transmission from spatial domain (MIMO) to frequency domain (OFDM). By converting spatial layers into orthogonal frequency bands, the system adapts to 60 GHz channel characteristics while maintaining high throughput capability through frequency-selective spatial multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using multiple spatial dimensions (MIMO) to using multiple frequency dimensions (OFDM). This dimensional change allows the system to achieve spatial multiplexing benefits without requiring MIMO hardware, instead using frequency orthogonalization to separate multiple data streams.
2Speed
If commercial 60 GHz WLAN chipsets are developed, then data transmission rates are improved, but device complexity and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing 802.11ax/be chipsets universal by enabling them to operate in 60 GHz bands through software-based frequency conversion. Instead of requiring separate dedicated 60 GHz chipsets, the same modem hardware can serve multiple frequency bands by converting spatial layers to orthogonal frequency bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex hardware MIMO systems with a software-based frequency conversion approach. By substituting mechanical/spatial MIMO hardware with frequency-domain signal processing, the system achieves similar throughput benefits with simpler, existing hardware.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If spatial layers are converted into orthogonal channel bands, then interference is reduced and data rates are increased, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary frequency conversion layer between the spatial layer processing and the physical transmission. This intermediary OFDM layer acts as a mediator that transforms spatial multiplexing into frequency orthogonalization, reducing interference while distributing processing complexity across standard Wi-Fi protocol layers.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving intermediate frequency (IF) signals for k spatial layers to be transmitted from a wireless modem associated with the wireless communication device, where each of the k spatial layers occupies a pre-determined bandwidth, and where k is two or more, converting the IF signals into radio frequency (RF) signals by converting each of the k spatial layers into each of k orthogonal channel bands, where neighboring two channel bands among the k orthogonal channel bands are separated by a pre-determined frequency separation that is large enough to avoid interference between the two channel bands, and sending the RF signals to a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) associated with the wireless communication device, where the RFIC transmits the RF signals wirelessly.