A New Generation of Fast and Low-Memory Smart Digital/Geometrical Beamforming MIMO Antenna

Abstract

Smart multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas with advanced signal processing algorithms are necessary in future wireless networks, such as 6G and beyond, for accurate space division multiplexing and beamforming. Such a MIMO antenna will yield better network coverage and tracking. This paper presents a smart MIMO antenna configuration with a highly innovative beamforming technique using several nonlinear configurations of dipole arrays. Phase delay factors are optimized at the transmitter to form a single beam and then to steer the beam towards a particular direction. A number of phase shifters are added in order to obtain maximum directional gain. This configuration also significantly increases the power gain of the MIMO antenna at a low cost and with operational simplicity. The paper also demonstrates how the beam width and beamsteering can be effectively controlled. Wolfram Mathematica software was used to generate the three-dimensional radiated beam patterns of the transmitter antenna. There are two approaches to configure the receiver antenna. In the first approach, the received signal magnitude is maximized by aligning the contribution of all elements of the receiver antenna to the same phase. With this approach, the field gain of the proposed system is 25.52 (14.07 dBi). The signal processing gain at the receiver is 64 (18.06 dBi). Therefore, the overall power gain for this proposed new digital/geometrical smart MIMO system is 32.13 dBi. In the second approach, the receiver beam is directed towards the transmitter by optimizing the phase delay coefficients of the receiver. Here, the overall gain of the system is found to be 134.56 (21.28 dBi). Even though the system gain in the second approach is lower, it has the advantage of low interference at the receiver side.

AI-RAN in 6G Networks: State-of-the-Art and Challenges

“…The 6G networks will have more capacity as well as better coverage. Additionally, several cutting-edge methods are being used by 6G technology to increase coverage, including IRS cells [69], adaptive modulation/coding [70], adaptive/geometrical beamforming [71], AI quantum computing [72], blockchain technology [73], and more. To further increase capacity, 6G technology is also utilizing leadingedge technologies such as massive MIMO [74], mmWave technologies [75], T-Hz communication [76], VLC [77], and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) [78].…”

Oceania’s 5G Multi-Tier Fixed Wireless Access Link’s Long-Term Resilience and Feasibility Analysis

“…To aid in boosting network density, construct small-cell networks that offer faster speeds and a larger range of devices. A single antenna can better serve a larger range of clients and use cases by using beamforming and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas with tens or hundreds of elements each [39].…”

Ka-Band Wide-Angle Scanning Phased Array with Dual Circular Polarization

“…The proposed dual-CP array, with eight elements, can steer the main beam from −59 • to +58 • with a gain loss of less than 3.2 dB. With the development of digital signal-processing technologies, digital beamforming techniques are applied to realize flexible beam control without employing expensive phase-shifting circuits or components [27,28]. In [27], a digital beamforming array in K-band is proposed.…”

“…The digital beamforming array has a 2-D beam scanning capability and can achieve beam-scanning within ±40 • with a gain fluctuation of less than 3 dB. In [28], an eight-element dipole array is proposed. Due to the optimization of the phase delay factors, the proposed array can steer its beam to any direction with high directionality and low complexity.…”

“…Due to the optimization of the phase delay factors, the proposed array can steer its beam to any direction with high directionality and low complexity. Unfortunately, only the LP antennas are employed in [27,28]. From the previous research mentioned above, the dual-CP phased arrays in the millimeter-wave bandwidth still suffer from a limited scanning range and worse AR when beam-steering in a wide range, and their scanning capability should be further improved.…”