TWI833243B - Beam tracking method for mmwave communication, electronic device and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A beam tracking method for mmWave communication method is disclosed. An angle estimation algorithm is performed on all user equipments (UEs) through a low-frequency band to estimate beam angles of the UEs relative to the electronic device. High-frequency band beams of the UEs relative to the electronic device are generated according to the estimated beam angles. The electronic device is enabled to communicate with the UEs according to the generated high-frequency band beams.

Description

Beam tracking method, electronic device and computer-readable storage for millimeter wave communications media

The present invention relates to a network connection method, and in particular to a beam tracking method and electronic device for millimeter wave communication.

With the popularity of various multimedia applications on mobile platforms, users' demand for communication bandwidth is also increasing. Using millimeter wave bands to increase bandwidth is the most direct and effective way to improve transmission efficiency and data capacity. Although high-frequency millimeter waves can provide a large usable bandwidth, the propagation and penetration losses encountered by radio waves in their frequency bands are also very high, resulting in serious energy losses. Therefore, beamforming technology needs to be designed through the antenna array to increase the antenna gain to achieve long-distance communication.

However, because the beams formed by the antenna array are directional, when the mobile communication terminal moves, the beams of each other will be misaligned, resulting in significant signal degradation. How to enable millimeter wave beams to adjust as users move in order to maintain good communication quality requires different beam tracking algorithms.

To implement angle estimation algorithms for beam tracking at millimeter waves, the antenna module must have a large number of radio frequency signal chains to connect each antenna in the array, and the signal chain will also include data conversion components such as converters, filters, and power amplifiers, which in turn leads to a significant increase in the size, heat, and cost of millimeter-wave RF.

Based on the above considerations, most commercial systems will first set up multiple sets of beams with fixed angles, and use rapid switching of beam sets to perform beam scanning and beam tracking during communication. However, without implementing the angle estimation algorithm, there will be a problem of beam misalignment in the communication between the base station and the user, especially the higher the beam precision of the base station, the more obvious this situation will be.

In view of this, the present invention provides a beam tracking method, electronic device and computer-readable storage medium for millimeter wave communication, which utilizes the spatial correlation between sub-6GHz and millimeter wave array antennas to implement in low frequency bands. Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) estimation algorithm estimates the angle at which the beam points, and transmits the estimated angle to the millimeter-wave active antenna to generate a beam directed at the user and track it simultaneously Multiple users.

A first embodiment of the present invention provides a beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication, which is applied to electronic devices and includes the following steps: executing an angle estimation algorithm on all user equipment through a low frequency band to estimate the users. The beam angle of the equipment relative to the electronic device; generating the high-frequency band beams of the user equipment relative to the electronic device based on the estimated beam angles; and based on the generated high-frequency band beams, the electronic device is connected to the electronic device. perform communication operations on some user equipment.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides an electronic device, including a low-frequency computing module, a high-frequency computing module and a communication module. The low-frequency computing module is used to execute an angle estimation algorithm on all user equipment through a low-frequency band to estimate beam angles of the user equipment relative to the electronic device. The high-frequency computing module is used to generate the user equipment phases based on the estimated beam angles. High frequency band beam for this electronic device. The communication module is used to enable the electronic device to perform communication operations with the user equipment based on the generated high-frequency band beams.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the steps of the beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication are implemented as mentioned above.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the invention.

200:Electronic devices

210: Processor

220:Memory

230: Beam tracking system for millimeter wave communications

310: Low frequency computing module

320: High frequency computing module

330: Communication module

340: Data transmission module

350: Beam tracking module

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the application environment of beam tracking for millimeter wave communication according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a step flow chart of a beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the hardware architecture of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In order to understand the above objects, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, as long as there is no conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to fully understand the present invention. The described embodiments are only some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the present invention All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the invention belongs. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention.

It should be noted that descriptions involving “first”, “second”, etc. in the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. . Therefore, features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of these features. In addition, the technical solutions in various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the realization by those of ordinary skill in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be realized, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist. , nor within the protection scope required by the present invention.

The physical properties of the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band are very different from the general sub-6GHz (sub-6GHz) frequency band. Previous research has pointed out that when the spatial correlation between the two is consistent, the channel-related parameters of the mmWave band can be derived from the channel coefficients of the sub-6GHz band, indicating that the existing common angle estimation (AOA) in the sub-6GHz band can be used ) algorithm, and provides the estimated angle to the high-frequency mmWave system as reference information to adjust the angle of the mmWave beam to obtain a more accurate user direction.

FIG. 1 is a step flow chart of a beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to an electronic device, and the electronic device is a base station. Depending on different needs, the order of steps in this flowchart can be changed and some steps can be omitted.

Step S11: Execute an angle estimation (AOA) algorithm on all user equipment (UE) through a low frequency band (eg, sub-6GHz) to estimate the beam angles of these UEs relative to the base station.

Step S12: Generate high-frequency band (for example, mmWave) beams of the UEs relative to the base station according to the estimated beam angles.

In this embodiment of the present invention, each packet returned by the UE to the base station includes a user-defined field, and the user-defined field stores the Active_BeamTracking parameter. When Active_BeamTracking=1, the base station performs beam tracking on the UE.

Step S13, causing the base station to perform communication operations with the UEs based on the generated mmWave beam.

It should be noted that the above steps 11-S13 are the initialization stage of the user equipment.

FIG. 2 is a step flow chart of a beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to an electronic device, and the electronic device is a base station. Depending on different needs, the order of steps in this flowchart can be changed and some steps can be omitted.

Step S21: Perform steps S11 to S13 on the base station and all UEs within the signal range, so as to enable the base station to perform communication operations with the UEs based on the generated mmWave beams.

Step S22: The base station performs data transmission with the UEs.

Step S23: When one of the UEs (for example, the first UE) moves, determine whether to perform beam tracking on the first UE. If it is not necessary to perform beam tracking on the first UE, then return to step S22, and the base station and the first UE continue to transmit data.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the packet returned by the first UE to the base station includes a user-defined field, and the user-defined field stores the Active_BeamTracking parameter. When Active_BeamTracking=1, the beam tracking module 350 performs beam tracking on the first UE.

Step S24: If you want to perform beam tracking on the first UE, at this time, Active_BeamTracking=1, perform steps S11 to S13 on the first UE to enable the communication module 330 to communicate with the first UE based on the generated mmWave beam. operate.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware architecture of a mobile electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 200, but is not limited to, can communicate with each other through the system bus to connect the processor 210, the memory 220 and the millimeter wave communication beam tracking system 230. Figure 3 only shows the electronic device 200 with the components 210-230, but It should be understood that implementation of all illustrated elements is not required and that more or fewer elements may alternatively be implemented.

The memory 220 includes at least one type of readable storage media. The readable storage media includes flash memory, hard disk, multimedia card, card-type memory (for example, SD or DX memory, etc.), random access memory. (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory , magnetic disks, CDs, etc. In some embodiments, the memory 220 may be an internal storage unit of the electronic device 10 , such as a hard disk or a memory of the electronic device 200 . In other embodiments, the memory may also be an external storage device of the electronic device 200, such as a plug-in hard drive, a smart media card (SMC), or a secure digital (SMC) device equipped on the electronic device 200. Secure Digital (SD) card, flash memory card (Flash Card), etc. Of course, the memory 220 may also include both an internal storage unit and an external storage device of the electronic device 200 . In this embodiment, the memory 220 is usually used to store the operating system and various application software installed on the electronic device 200, such as the program code of the beam tracking system 230 of millimeter wave communication. In addition, the memory 220 can also be used to temporarily store various types of data that have been output or will be output.

In some embodiments, the processor 210 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or other data processing chips. The processor 210 is generally used to control the overall operation of the electronic device 200 . In this embodiment, the processor 210 is used to run the program code or process data stored in the memory 220, for example, to run the beam tracking system 230 of the millimeter wave communication, etc.

It should be noted that FIG. 3 only illustrates the electronic device 200 as an example. In other embodiments, the electronic device 200 may also include more or fewer components, or have different component configurations.

If the integrated modules/units of the electronic device 200 are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the present invention can implement all or part of the processes in the above embodiment methods by instructing relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The computer When the program is executed by the processor, the steps of each of the above method embodiments can be implemented. Among them, the computer program includes computer program code, which can be in the form of original program code, object code form, executable file or some intermediate form, etc. The computer-readable medium may include: any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program code, recording media, U disk, mobile hard drive, magnetic disk, optical disk, computer memory, read-only memory, random access memory, Electrical carrier signals, telecommunications signals, and software distribution media, etc. It should be noted that the content contained in the computer-readable medium can be appropriately added or deleted according to the requirements of legislation and patent practice in the jurisdiction. For example, in some jurisdictions, according to legislation and patent practice, the computer-readable medium is not Including electrical carrier signals and telecommunications signals.

FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is used to perform a beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication. The beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication according to the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a computer program in a storage medium, such as the memory 220 in the electronic device 200 . When the computer program for implementing the method of the present invention is loaded into the memory 220 by the processor 210, the processor 210 of the electronic device 200 is driven to execute the beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a low-frequency computing module 310, a high-frequency computing module 320 and a communication module 330.

The low-frequency operation module 310 performs an angle estimation (AOA) algorithm on all UEs through a low-frequency band (eg, sub-6GHz) to estimate the beam angles of these UEs relative to the base station.

The high-frequency operation module 320 generates high-frequency band (eg, mmWave) beams for the UEs relative to the base station according to the estimated beam angles.

In this embodiment of the present invention, each packet returned by the UE to the base station includes a user-defined field, and the user-defined field stores the Active_BeamTracking parameter. When Active_BeamTracking=1, the base station performs beam tracking on the UE.

The communication module 330 enables the base station to perform communication operations with the UEs based on the generated mmWave beams.

FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is used to perform a beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication. The beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication according to the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a computer program in a storage medium, such as the memory 220 in the electronic device 200 . When the computer program for implementing the method of the present invention is loaded into the memory 220 by the processor 210, the processor 210 of the electronic device 200 is driven to execute the beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a low-frequency computing module 310, a high-frequency computing module 320, a communication module 330, a data transmission module 340 and a beam tracking module 350.

The low-frequency operation module 310 performs an angle estimation (AOA) algorithm on all UEs through a low-frequency band (eg, sub-6GHz) to estimate the beam angles of these UEs relative to the base station.

The high-frequency operation module 320 generates high-frequency band (eg, mmWave) beams for the UEs relative to the base station according to the estimated beam angles.

In this embodiment of the present invention, each packet returned by the UE to the base station includes a user-defined field, and the user-defined field stores the Active_BeamTracking parameter. When Active_BeamTracking=1, the base station performs beam tracking on the UE.

The communication module 330 enables the base station to perform communication operations with the UEs based on the generated mmWave beams.

The data transmission module 340 performs data transmission with the UEs.

When one of the UEs (eg, the first UE) moves, the beam tracking module 350 determines whether to perform beam tracking on the first UE. If it is not necessary to perform beam tracking on the first UE, the data transmission module 340 and the first UE continue to perform data transmission.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the packet returned by the first UE to the base station includes a user-defined field, and the user-defined field stores the Active_BeamTracking parameter. When Active_BeamTracking=1, the beam tracking module 350 performs beam tracking on the first UE.

To perform beam tracking on the first UE, at this time, Active_BeamTracking=1, the low-frequency computing module 310, the high-frequency computing module 320 and the communication module 330 repeatedly perform the aforementioned steps on the first UE to generate the mmWave The beam enables the communication module 330 to perform communication operations with the first UE.

It can be understood that the module division described above is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in the same processing unit, or each module can exist physically alone, or two or more modules can be integrated in the same unit. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of hardware plus software function modules.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not limiting. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention can be modified or equivalently substituted. without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims (3)

A beam tracking method for millimeter wave communication, applied to an electronic device, including the following steps: executing an angle estimation algorithm on all user equipment through a low frequency band to estimate the relative position of the user equipment to the electronic device the beam angle; generate the high-frequency band beams of the user equipment relative to the electronic device based on the estimated beam angles; and enable the electronic device to communicate with the user equipment based on the generated high-frequency band beams Operation; the method further includes the following steps: enabling the electronic device to perform data transmission with the user equipment; when a first user equipment moves, determining whether to perform beam tracking on the first user equipment; The first user equipment performs beam tracking and re-performs the aforementioned operations to generate a first high-frequency band beam of the first user equipment relative to the electronic device; according to the first high-frequency band beam, the electronic device and the first The user equipment performs communication operations; each packet returned by the user equipment to the electronic device contains a user-defined field, and the user-defined field stores the Active_BeamTracking parameter; and when the first user equipment Active_BeamTracking=1, perform beam tracking on the first user equipment. An electronic device including: A low-frequency operation module for executing angle estimation algorithms on all user equipment through a low-frequency band to estimate the beam angles of the user equipment relative to the electronic device; a high-frequency operation module for generating high-frequency beams of the user equipment relative to the electronic device based on the estimated beam angles; and a communication module for enabling the electronic device to communicate with the applications based on the generated high-frequency beams The user equipment performs communication operations; the electronic device also includes: a data transmission module for transmitting data between the electronic device and the user equipment; and a beam tracking module for when the user equipment When one of the first user equipments moves, determine whether to perform beam tracking on the first user equipment; wherein: to perform beam tracking on the first user equipment, the low-frequency computing module, the high-frequency The computing module and the communication module re-perform the aforementioned operations to generate a first high-frequency band beam of the first user equipment relative to the electronic device; according to the first high-frequency band beam, the communication module and the first user The user equipment performs communication operations; each packet returned by the user equipment to the electronic device contains a user-defined field, and the user-defined field stores the Active_BeamTracking parameter; and when the first user equipment Active_BeamTracking=1, the beam tracking module performs beam tracking on the first user equipment. A computer-readable storage medium, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the processor executes the computer program, it implements the millimeter wave communication beam of claim 1 Trace the steps of the method.

Images