System and method for efficient transmit and receive beamforming protocol with heterogeneous antenna configuration

• US 8,917,208 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2011
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Niu, Huaning, Xia, Pengfei, Ngo, Chiu
• Primary Examiner(s): Keith, Jack W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chuong P
• Application Number:
  US13/154,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20110237196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 342/360, 342/359, 342367-368, 342/374, 342/371, 342/372, 342/377, 455/507, 370/329, 706/24
• US Class Current: 342/368
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2605 Array of radiating elements provided with a feedback control over the element weights, e.g. adaptive arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/043 using best eigenmode, e.g. beam forming or beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0691 using subgroups of transmit antennas

Abstract

A system and method of training antennas for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes communicating one or more estimation training sequences between two devices via a phased array antenna and a switched array antenna, wherein a beamforming vector of the phased array antenna is switched between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors while the switched array antenna is switched within a plurality of antenna sectors. The method further includes tuning at least one of the phase array and switched array antennas with an antenna parameter selected based at least in part on the one or more estimation training sequences. The method further includes communicating data messages via at least one of the phase array and switched array antennas so tuned.

Claims

1. A method of training antennas for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the method comprising:

generating estimation training sequences by a first device;

communicating the estimation training sequences between the first device and a second device, the first device including a first antenna and the second device including a second antenna, wherein for a beamforming vector for a first antenna, the first antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors for a first estimation training sequence, and for each subsequent estimation training sequence that is communicated, the first antenna switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as in the first estimation training sequence while the second antenna is switched to a different antenna sector within a plurality of antenna sectors;

tuning at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna with an antenna parameter selected based at least in part on the estimation training sequences,

wherein the estimation training sequences are based on antenna configuration of the first antenna; and

exchanging messages between the first device and the second device prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence indicating antenna type for the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the antenna type comprises one of a switched array antenna and a phased array antenna.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first antenna comprises a phased array antenna and the second antenna comprises a switched array antenna.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

communicating data messages via at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein exchanging messages comprises exchanging an association request and response messages, wherein the association request and response messages contain data indicative of the antenna type and a number of antenna elements of the antenna at the device where the message is originated.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the second device determines a link quality indicator (LQI) associated with received estimation training sequences.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the estimation training sequences is used to estimate a link quality indicator (LQI), wherein each LQI includes a signal-to-noise ratios (SNR).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected antenna parameter includes a phase vector for the first antenna that is determined to yield a highest estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected antenna parameter includes an antenna sector for the second antenna that yields a highest estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the estimation training sequences includes a pseudo random number (PN) sequence.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the estimation training sequences includes a random sequence.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are different types of directional antennas.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein an estimation training sequence length is set to a number of weight vectors spanning a phase space for the phased array antenna.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein an estimation training sequence length is set to a number of antenna sectors for the switched array antennas.

14. A method of antenna training for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the method comprising:

generating a first estimation training sequence by a first device;

transmitting the first estimation training sequence via a first antenna of the first device to a second antenna of a second device, the first antenna comprising a phased array antenna and the second antenna comprising a switched array antenna, for the first estimation training sequence that is transmitted, for a beamforming vector for the phased array antenna, the phased array antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors while the switched array antenna of the second device is fixed to a first antenna sector, and for each subsequent estimation training sequence that is transmitted, for the beamforming vector of the phased array antenna, the phased array antenna switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as in a first training estimation training sequence while the switched array antenna of the second device is fixed to a different antenna sector for each subsequent estimation training sequence; and

exchanging messages, between the first device and the second device prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence, indicating antenna type for the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the antenna type comprises one of a switched array antenna and a phased array antenna,

wherein the first estimation training sequence is based on an antenna configuration of the first antenna.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

repeating transmitting the subsequent estimation training sequences via the first antenna for a finite number of times, each with a different antenna sector at the second device from a previous transmitted estimation training sequence, wherein the first device comprises a transmitter, and the second device comprises a receiver.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving, by the transmitter, a feedback message indicative of a phase vector that is selected at the receiver based at least in part on the transmitted estimation training sequences; and

transmitting data to the receiver via the first antenna at the transmitter tuned with the phase vector that is selected at the receiver.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein exchanging messages comprises exchanging messages between the transmitter and the receiver prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence, wherein the messages contain data indicating that the second antenna at the receiver is a switched array antenna and that the first antenna at the transmitter is a phased array antenna.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the estimation training sequences is used to estimate a link quality indicator (LQI) at the receiver.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the LQI includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the selected phase vector is a phase vector that is determined to yield a highest estimated SNR.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the estimation training sequences includes a pseudo random number (PN) sequence.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the set of weight vectors forms an orthogonal matrix.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the orthogonal matrix is a Hadamard matrix or a Fourier matrix.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the subsequent estimation training sequences via the first antenna are transmitted for a finite number of times, each with a different antenna sector at the second device, wherein transmitting subsequent estimation training sequences is repeated until an ending condition is met.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein subsequent estimation training sequences via the first antenna are transmitted for a finite number of times, each with a different antenna sector at the second device, wherein transmitting subsequent estimation training sequences is repeated until reaching a pre-determined number of iterations.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting a timing recovery training sequence prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence, wherein the timing recovery sequence is intended for one or both of automatic gain control (AGC) and timing recovery estimation.

27. A method of antenna training for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the method comprising:

generating a plurality of estimation training sequences by a transmitter based on an antenna configuration of a first antenna of the transmitter;

transmitting the plurality of estimation training sequences via the first antenna, wherein for a first estimation training sequence that is transmitted, for a beamforming vector for the first antenna, the first antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors while a second antenna at a receiver is fixed to a first antenna sector, and for each subsequent estimation training sequence transmitted, for the beamforming vector for the first antenna, the first antenna switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as in the first estimation training sequence that was transmitted, while the second antenna at the receiver is fixed to a different antenna sector for each subsequent estimation training sequence; and

exchanging messages, between the transmitter and the receiver prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence, indicating antenna type for the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the antenna type comprises one of a switched array antenna and a phased array antenna.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first antenna comprises a phased array antenna and the second antenna comprises a switched array antenna.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

transmitting data via the first antenna tuned to a phase vector that is selected based at least in part on the transmitted estimation training sequences.

30. A method of antenna training for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the method comprising:

generating a first estimation training sequence by a transmitter based on an antenna configuration of a first antenna of the transmitter;

transmitting the first estimation training sequence via the first antenna, wherein the first antenna comprises a switched array antenna, wherein for the first estimation training sequence that is transmitted, for a beamforming vector of a second antenna of a receiver, the second antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors, wherein the second antenna comprises a phased array antenna, wherein for each subsequent estimation training sequence transmitted, for the beamforming vector of the second antenna of the receiver, the phased array antenna switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as the first estimation training sequence while the switched array antenna is fixed to a different antenna sector for each subsequent estimation training sequence; and

exchanging a message between the transmitter and the receiver prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence, wherein the message contains data indicating that the antenna at the receiver is a phased array antenna and the antenna at the transmitter is a switched array antenna.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving, at the transmitter, a feedback message indicative of an antenna sector that is selected at the receiver based at least in part on the transmitted estimation training sequences; and

transmitting data to the receiver via the switched array antenna at the transmitter fixed to the antenna sector that is selected at the receiver.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the estimation training sequences are used to estimate signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) at the receiver.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the selected antenna sector is an antenna sector that is determined to yield a highest estimated SNR.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein each of the estimation training sequences includes a pseudo random number (PN) sequence.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the set of weight vectors forms an orthogonal matrix.

36. A method of antenna training for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the method comprising:

generating a plurality of estimation training sequences via a first antenna based on a configuration of the first antenna;

transmitting the plurality of estimation training sequences via the first antenna, wherein the first estimation training sequence that is transmitted, for a beamforming vector of a second antenna at a receiver, the second antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors, wherein for each subsequent estimation training sequence transmitted, a beamforming vector of the second antenna at the receiver switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as in the first estimation training sequence while the first antenna is fixed to a different antenna sector for each subsequent estimation training sequence; and

exchanging a message, between a transmitter and the receiver, prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence, wherein the message contains data indicating antenna type for the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the antenna type comprises one of a switched array antenna and a phased array antenna.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the first antenna comprises a switched array antenna and the second antenna comprises a phase array antenna.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

transmitting data via the second antenna tuned to a phase vector that is selected based at least in part on the transmitted estimation training sequences.

39. A system for training antennas for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the system comprising:

a phased array antenna; and

a processor in data communication with the phased array antenna and configured for;

generating a first estimation training sequence based on configuration of the phased array antenna;

transmitting the first estimation training sequence via the phased array antenna, wherein for the first estimation training sequence that is transmitted, for a beamforming vector for the phased array antenna, the phased array antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors while a switched array antenna at a second device is fixed to a first antenna sector, and for each subsequent estimation training sequence transmitted, for a beamforming vector of the phased array antenna, the phased array antenna switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as in the first estimation training sequence while the switched array antenna at the second device is fixed to a different antenna sector for each subsequent estimation training sequence; and

exchanging a message prior to the transmission of the first estimation training sequence, wherein the message contains data indicating that the antenna at the receiver is the switched array antenna and that the antenna at a transmitter is the phased array antenna.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the processor further configured for:

repeating transmitting the subsequent estimation training sequences via the phased array antenna for a finite number of times.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the processor is further configured for:

receiving a feedback message indicative of a phase vector that is selected based at least in part on the transmitted estimation training sequences, and

transmitting data to the receiver via the phased array antenna tuned with the selected phase vector.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein each of the estimation training sequences includes a pseudo random number (PN) sequence.

43. A system for training antenna for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the system comprising:

a switched array antenna; and

a processor in data communication with the switched array antenna and configured for;

generating a first estimation training sequence via the switched array antenna based on a configuration of the switched array antenna;

transmitting the first estimation training sequence via the switched array antenna, wherein for the first estimation training sequence that is transmitted, for a beamforming vector for a phased array antenna at a receiver, the phased array antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors while the switched array antenna at a receiver is fixed to a first antenna sector, and for subsequent estimation training sequences transmitted, for a beamforming vector of the phased array antenna at the receiver, the phased array antenna switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as in the first estimation training sequence while the switched array antenna is fixed to a different antenna sector for each subsequent estimation training sequence; and

exchanging a message prior to the transmission of the first estimation training sequence, wherein the message contains data indicating that the antenna at the receiver is the phased array antenna and that the antenna at the transmitter is the switched array antenna.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured for:

repeating transmitting subsequent estimation training sequences via the switched array antenna for a finite number of times.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the processor is further configured for:

receiving a feedback message indicative of an antenna sector that is selected based at least in part on the estimation training sequences, and

transmitting data to the receiver via the switched array antenna fixed to the selected antenna sector.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein each of the estimation training sequences includes a pseudo random number (PN) sequence.

47. A method of training antennas for two devices having heterogeneous antenna configurations in a wireless network, the method comprising:

generating one or more estimation training sequences by a first device;

communicating the one or more estimation training sequences between the first device and a second device, the first device including a first antenna and the second device including a second antenna, wherein for a beamforming vector for the first antenna, the first antenna switches between phase vectors within a set of weight vectors for a first estimation training sequence communicated, wherein for each subsequent estimation training sequence communicated, for the beamforming vector of the first antenna, the first antenna switches between phase vectors within said set of weight vectors as in the first estimation training sequence while the second antenna is switched to a different antenna sector within a plurality of antenna sectors for each different estimation training sequence, wherein the first antenna comprises a phased array antenna and the second antenna comprises a switched array antenna;

tuning at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna with an antenna parameter selected based at least in part on the one or more estimation training sequences,

wherein the one or more estimation training sequences are based on an antenna configuration of the first antenna; and

exchanging messages between the first device and the second device prior to transmitting the first estimation training sequence indicating antenna type for the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the antenna type comprises one of a switched array antenna and a phased array antenna.