Blind beamforming using knowledge embedded in transmitted signals

Abstract

Described is system and method for blind beamforming using knowledge embedded in transmitted signals. Initial antenna weights are assigned for antenna elements of emitters of a beamforming system to generate a set of weighted radio-frequency (RF) signals at an output of each antenna element. The set of weighted RF signals are combined to form RF signal mixtures. Then, each RF signal mixture is processed to extract embedded information within signals of the emitters. The extracted embedded information is sent to an optimization module, where the extracted embedded information is used to perform simultaneous signal extractions for emitters in the beamforming system. Furthermore, feedback from the optimization module is used to modify antenna weights toward optimal beamforming.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for blind beamforming, the system comprising:
 one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having executable instructions encoded thereon such that when executed, the one or more processors perform operations of: 
 assigning initial antenna weights for a plurality of antenna elements of emitters of a beamforming system to generate a set of weighted radio-frequency (RF) signals at an output of each antenna element; 
 combining the set of weighted RF signals to form a plurality of RF signal mixtures; 
 processing each RF signal mixture to extract embedded information within signals of the emitters; 
 sending the extracted embedded information to an optimization module; and 
 performing simultaneous signal extractions for emitters of the beamforming system using the extracted embedded information. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of calculating an objective function based on the extracted embedded information with the optimization module. 
     
     
       3. The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of using feedback from the optimization module to modify antenna weights of the plurality of antenna elements toward optimal beamforming and to modify a set of demodulation parameters toward optimal information extraction. 
     
     
       4. The system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of estimating, with the optimization module, at least one signal extraction error value, wherein if the at least one signal extraction error value is greater than a predefined threshold value, then the antenna weights of the plurality of antenna elements are modified. 
     
     
       5. The system as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the one or more processors further perform operations of:
 defining the at least one signal extraction error value as an absolute difference between one and the calculated objective function; and 
 configuring the optimization module to continue optimizing the antenna weights until the at least one signal extraction error value falls below the predefined threshold value. 
 
     
     
       6. The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of grouping the plurality of antenna elements into a plurality of sub-arrays, wherein each sub-array can use a different number of antenna elements to increase or relax a resolution of antenna beam patterns produced by the beamforming system. 
     
     
       7. A computer-implemented method for blind beamforming, comprising:
 an act of causing one or more processors to execute instructions stored on a non-transitory memory such that upon execution, the data processor performs operations of: 
 assigning initial antenna weights for a plurality of antenna elements of emitters of a beamforming system to generate a set of weighted radio-frequency (RF) signals at an output of each antenna element; 
 combining the set of weighted RF signals to form a plurality of RF signal mixtures; 
 processing each RF signal mixture to extract embedded information within signals of the emitters; 
 sending the extracted embedded information to an optimization module; and 
 performing simultaneous signal extractions for emitters of the beamforming system using the extracted embedded information. 
 
     
     
       8. The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of calculating an objective function based on the extracted embedded information with the optimization module. 
     
     
       9. The method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of using feedback from the optimization module to modify antenna weights of the plurality of antenna elements toward optimal beamforming and to modify a set of demodulation parameters toward optimal information extraction. 
     
     
       10. The method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors further perform an operation of estimating, with the optimization module, at least one signal extraction error value, wherein if the at least one signal extraction error value is greater than a predefined threshold value, then the antenna weights of the plurality of antenna elements are modified. 
     
     
       11. The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors further perform operations of:
 defining the at least one signal extraction error value as an absolute difference between one and the calculated objective function; and 
 configuring the optimization module to continue optimizing the antenna weights until the at least one signal extraction error value falls below the predefined threshold value. 
 
     
     
       12. The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors further perform operations of grouping the plurality of antenna elements into a plurality of sub-arrays, wherein each sub-array can use a different number of antenna elements to increase or relax a resolution of antenna beam patterns produced by the beamforming system. 
     
     
       13. A computer program product for blind beamforming, the computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by a computer having a processor for causing the processor to perform operations of:
 assigning initial antenna weights for a plurality of antenna elements of emitters of a beamforming system to generate a set of weighted radio-frequency (RF) signals at an output of each antenna element; 
 combining the set of weighted RF signals to form a plurality of RF signal mixtures; 
 processing each RF signal mixture to extract embedded information within signals of the emitters; 
 sending the extracted embedded information to an optimization module; and 
 performing simultaneous signal extractions for emitters of the beamforming system using the extracted embedded information. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to perform an operation of calculating an objective function based on the extracted embedded information with the optimization module. 
     
     
       15. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to perform an operation of using feedback from the optimization module to modify antenna weights of the plurality of antenna elements toward optimal beamforming and to modify a set of demodulation parameters toward optimal information extraction. 
     
     
       16. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to perform an operation of estimating, with the optimization module, at least one signal extraction error value, wherein if the at least one signal extraction error value is greater than a predefined threshold value, then the antenna weights of the plurality of antenna elements are modified. 
     
     
       17. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to perform operations of:
 defining the at least one signal extraction error value as an absolute difference between one and the calculated objective function; and 
 configuring the optimization module to continue optimizing the antenna weights until the at least one signal extraction error value falls below the predefined threshold value. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to perform operations of grouping the plurality of antenna elements into a plurality of sub-arrays, wherein each sub-array can use a different number of antenna elements to increase or relax a resolution of antenna beam patterns produced by the beamforming system.