3GPP 38.214 Type I Single-Panel Codebook

The Type I codebook is used for CSI feedback in 5G NR. It is built from Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) basis vectors that represent phase shifts across antenna ports. A single panel has N₁xN₂ ports in horizontal and vertical dimensions, with over-sampling factors O₁, O₂ (typically 4).

Parameters

• N₁, N₂: Number of antenna ports in the two dimensions (e.g. 2x1, 2x2, 4x1, 4x2).
• i_1,1, i_1,2: Beam indices selecting the base DFT beam direction.
• i₂: Co-phasing index for polarization; applies phase θ_p = e^jπi₂/2 between polarizations (range depends on table: Rank 1 Mode 1 uses 0–3; Rank 2 Mode 1 uses 0–1; Mode 2 uses 0–7 or 0–15).
• i_1,3: Spatial offset index for Rank 2 (Table 5.2.2.2.1-6 only). Maps to beam offsets k₁, k₂ via Table 5.2.2.2.1-3; selects separation between the two layers.
• Rank: Rank 1 (single layer) or Rank 2 (two orthogonal layers for higher throughput). Tables 5.2.2.2.1-5 (Rank 1) and 5.2.2.2.1-6 (Rank 2) with Mode 1 / Mode 2 sub-tables.

Beamforming Vector

The precoder uses a Kronecker product of DFT vectors. The phase at port (n, m) for polarization p is:

Dual polarization doubles the number of ports (2xN₁xN₂). The array factor in direction (θ, φ) is the magnitude of the sum of weighted complex exponentials over all ports (half-wavelength spacing). The 3D view shows this gain as a deformed sphere: radius in each direction is proportional to gain, with a heatmap for intensity.

Simulation

The interactive simulator is below. Use the controls to explore the concepts described above.

Usage

Use the controls to explore the 3GPP 38.214 Type I single-panel codebook radiation patterns.

1. Initial state: On load you see the 3D array-factor pattern for the default config (4x2, Rank 2). Layer 1 is blue, Layer 2 is red. The deformed sphere shows gain in each direction (θ, φ); radius and vertex color indicate magnitude (heatmap).
2. 3D navigation: Left-drag to rotate, right-drag (or middle mouse) to pan, scroll to zoom. The scene has a grid (XZ plane), coordinate axes (X/Y/Z), and the pattern mesh(es).
3. CSI Codebook Visualizer: Choose Table (5.2.2.2.1-5 Rank 1 or 5.2.2.2.1-6 Rank 2) and Sub-table (Mode 1 / Mode 2, N2=1 or N2>1). Change Config (N1xN2) to set port counts. Use Rank 1 or 2. Adjust i1,1, i1,2 to steer the beam; i2 for co-phasing. For Rank 2, i1,3 (spatial offset) appears and controls layer separation via Table 5.2.2.2.1-3 (k₁, k₂); the k-table is shown below the W reference when Rank 2 is selected.
4. Camera: Use the overlay buttons (Iso, X+, Y+, Z+, +, -) for preset views and zoom. The 3D view also supports orbit/pan/zoom with the mouse.

Parameters

• Config (N1xN2): Antenna port layout (e.g. 2x1 → 4 ports, 4x2 → 16 ports). Over-sampling O1, O2 are fixed (typically 4) per 38.214.
• Rank: 1 = single beam (one layer); 2 = two layers with orthogonal co-phasing for higher throughput.
• i1,1, i1,2: Beam indices selecting the DFT base beam. Max values depend on N1, N2 and O1, O2 (e.g. i1,1 ∈ [0, O1·N1-1], i1,2 ∈ [0, O2·N2-1] where applicable; for N2=1, i1,2 is 0).
• i2 (co-phase): Range depends on table (e.g. 0–3 for Rank 1 Mode 1, 0–1 for Rank 2 Mode 1, 0–7 for Rank 2 Mode 2). Applies θ_p = e^jπi2/2 between polarizations.
• i1,3 (spatial offset): Shown only for Table 5.2.2.2.1-6 (Rank 2). Selects the row in Table 5.2.2.2.1-3 to get k₁, k₂ for the second layer beam offset.
• Layer 1 / Layer 2: For Rank 2, Layer 1 (blue) and Layer 2 (red) are the two precoder columns. They are orthogonal; both patterns are shown in the 3D scene. The 2D polar slices show combined power (filled area), with dotted blue (Layer 1) and dotted red (Layer 2) outlines when Rank 2 is active.
• Array factor: Gain in direction (θ, φ) is the magnitude of the weighted sum over 2xN1xN2 ports (half-wavelength spacing, dual polarization). The 3D mesh radius and color represent this gain.

Key concepts

• DFT beamforming: The precoder is built from Kronecker-product DFT vectors; phases are φ_n,m,p = 2π(n·i1,1/(O1N1) + m·i1,2/(O2N2)) + p·π·i2/2.
• Co-phasing: i2 controls the phase between polarizations; you can see phase cancellation/combining in the pattern as i2 changes.
• Rank 2 orthogonality: The two layers use orthogonal co-phasing (+θ_p vs -θ_p on the second polarization). Table 5.2.2.2.1-3 maps i_1,3 to spatial offsets (k₁, k₂) so the second layer can use a different beam (l′, m′) for spatial diversity.
• Spatial steering: Changing i1,1 and i1,2 moves the main beam in 3D, analogous to how a 5G base station steers toward a UE.

Limitations

• Type I single-panel only: covers the 38.214 Type I single-panel codebook. Type I multi-panel and the higher-resolution Type II (linear-combination) codebooks are not included.
• Ideal array factor: the pattern is the array factor of ideal half-wavelength point elements. Real element patterns, mutual coupling, and panel calibration errors are not modelled.
• Up to Rank 2: only Rank 1 and Rank 2 precoders are shown; higher ranks (3–8) and their tables are out of scope.
• Feedback chain omitted: the visualizer shows the chosen precoder, not the CSI-RS measurement, PMI/RI selection, or quantization/reporting that produce these indices in a live link.