Luneburg lens-based system for massive mimo
AssigneeJohn Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
InventorsLance Bamford, Michael Rody Tierney, JR.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a system for performing Massive MIMO or Multi-User MIMO using a gradient index sphere (such as a Luneburg Lens). The gradient index sphere may have a plurality of radiators disposed along its outer surface such that each radiator radiates inward toward the center of the sphere so that the sphere focuses the energy from each radiator to form a tight beam. This provides for improved uplink gain for detecting and locating a mobile device within range of the system, and it enables high performance with reduced signal processing required for array-based beamforming.
Claims8
A method for establishing a link between a base station and a UE (User Equipment), comprising:
- simultaneously receiving, by a first subset of radiators disposed on an outer surface of a gradient index sphere, an uplink signal transmitted by the UE, the first subset of radiators having a first number of radiators;
- determining, based on the uplink signal, a second subset of radiators, the second subset of radiators having a second number or radiators, the second number being less than the first number;
- and
- implementing beamforming to generate a UE-specific beam using only the second subset of radiators.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.