Intel Patent | Smart beamwidth adaptation in wireless head-mounted displays

Patent: Smart beamwidth adaptation in wireless head-mounted displays

Publication Number: 10200148

Publication Date: 2019-02-05

Applicants: Intel

Abstract

An apparatus and related operating method of a mmWave WHMD, are provided. The apparatus utilizes beamforming information to determine direction information indicating a direction of a received signal from an external component that is connected to the apparatus via a VR data link. The apparatus selects and sets a current MCS that supports a data load of the VR data link. The apparatus, while maintaining the VR data link, determines a VR data link condition by a determination that a received signal is stronger or weaker than a predetermined signal strength level for the current MCS of the VR data link. When stronger, the processing circuitry is configured to signal a transceiver to widen a beam from a current beamwidth to a new wider beamwidth in a direction based on the direction information to maintain the current MCS and data load of the VR data link.

Background

Virtual Reality (VR) is a rapidly advancing technical field that carries with it many technical demands–not the least of which is the high data transfer rate needed to provide a positive user experience. Fortunately, high-speed data transfer mechanisms are evolving to support the development of VR technology. In order to maximize a freedom of motion with respect to VR devices, wireless technologies are preferred over wired technologies to avoid limitations associated with a physically attached cable. WiGig is one protocol that may be able to deliver the high data rate supporting a positive VR experience. However, current WiGig radio front end modules (RFEMs) that are built for wireless docking applications generally do not meet key performance requirements for VR wireless head-mounted display (HMD) applications.