ADAPTATION OF ANTENNA WEIGHTS FOR D-MIMO COMMUNICATION OF MULTI-ANTENNA DEVICES

Smart overview of the Invention

The patent application describes a method for controlling wireless transmissions in a network consisting of multiple multi-antenna access points and wireless devices. This approach leverages channel state information (CSI) to optimize communication by adjusting antenna weights dynamically. The method involves updating antenna weights for both access points and wireless devices based on the obtained CSI, improving overall network performance.

Technical Background

In modern wireless communication networks, technologies like 4G LTE and 5G NR utilize MIMO (multiple input/multiple output) to enhance capacity and performance. The innovation builds on distributed MIMO (D-MIMO) technology, where antennas are geographically distributed but operate cohesively. This setup increases spatial degrees of freedom, allowing for better signal-to-noise ratio distribution, more spatially multiplexed data streams, and enhanced link robustness.

Advantages of D-MIMO

D-MIMO networks, especially with an excess of access points, can mimic full-duplex communication characteristics using half-duplex hardware. This configuration supports low latency and high spectrum efficiency. By having numerous access points operating in either uplink or downlink mode simultaneously, the system can achieve full-duplex-like performance from a network perspective, despite individual nodes operating in half-duplex.

Challenge and Solution

A significant challenge in D-MIMO systems is managing cross-link interference, which can occur both inter-cell and intra-cell. Traditional solutions using linear filtering focus on single-antenna user scenarios, which are insufficient for multi-antenna devices. The described method addresses this gap by efficiently controlling D-MIMO operations in multi-antenna environments, ensuring optimal performance and fairness among user equipment.

Implementation

The method can be implemented via a node in the communication network, equipped with a processor and memory containing executable instructions. These instructions enable the node to obtain CSI, determine and update antenna weights for access points and wireless devices. Additionally, a computer program or product can facilitate this process, ensuring that the network dynamically adapts to changing conditions, thereby enhancing communication efficiency and reliability.