Apparatus, Method, and Medium for Instantaneous Beam Alignment and Management

Abstract

A device is provided, the device including components for: receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determining which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, each of the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with a direction of arrival; and aligning an antenna beam with the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a method, apparatus, system, and computer program, and more particularly but not exclusively to instantaneous beam alignment and management based on differential signal reception for resubmit. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be regarded as a facility that enables a communication session between two or more entities (such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing a carrier between the various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system is provided through a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. A communication session can include, for example, communication of data for carrying communications (such as voice, video, email, text messages, multimedia, and / or content data, etc.). Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communication, or multimedia services, and access to a data network system (such as the Internet).

[0003] In a wireless communication system, at least a part of the communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs), satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Wireless systems are typically divided into cells and are thus often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user can access a communication system through a suitable communication device or terminal. The user's communication device can be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication device is provided with suitable signal reception and transmission means for enabling communication, such as enabling access to a communication network or directly communicating with other users. The communication device can access a carrier provided by a station, such as a base station of a cell, and transmit and / or receive communications on that carrier.

[0005] Communication systems and associated devices typically operate according to a given standard or specification that defines what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how they should be implemented. Communication protocols and / or parameters applied to the connection are also typically defined. An example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access technology and the so-called 5G or new radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to some aspects, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. Embodiments that do not fall within the scope of the claims will be construed as examples useful for understanding the present disclosure.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising components for performing the following: receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determining which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and aligning an antenna beam towards the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0008] According to an example of the first aspect, the at least one signal is a reference signal.

[0009] According to the above example, the reference signal comprises one of the following: a synchronization signal block, a demodulation reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, a specific beam alignment reference signal, and a sounding reference signal.

[0010] According to any example of the first aspect, the transmitter comprises one of a base station and a user equipment, and the apparatus comprises the other of the base station and the user equipment.

[0011] According to the above example, the apparatus comprises a user equipment, and the components are further configured to perform: receiving one or more synchronization signal block scans from a base station, and using a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal that are part of the synchronization signal block to select a synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power for time synchronization.

[0012] According to the above example, the components are further configured to perform decoding of master block information to obtain burst sequence information of one or more synchronization signal block scans.

[0013] According to the above example, the components are further configured to use the decoded master block information to determine when the base station will next be configured with a synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power and the corresponding time transmission of the user equipment.

[0014] According to any example of the first aspect, the components are further configured to perform determining an identity of the transmitter.

[0015] According to any example of the first aspect, the components are further configured to perform determining that the power of the at least one signal is higher than a threshold.

[0016] According to any example of the first aspect, the component is further configured to perform determining a parameter of at least one signal by comparing at least one of a first received power and a phase of a signal with at least one of a second received power and a phase of the signal.

[0017] According to the above example, the first reception of the signal is received in at least one first antenna radiation pattern and the second reception of the signal is received in at least one second antenna radiation pattern.

[0018] According to any example of the first aspect, the component is further configured to perform changing a differential signal reception mode to obtain a more accurate direction of arrival.

[0019] According to the above example, the component is further configured to perform changing the differential signal reception mode by changing power and phase weights of an antenna of the device.

[0020] According to any example of the first aspect, the component is further configured to perform: monitoring the determined differential signal reception radiation pattern after a first time period, and changing the determined differential signal reception mode when a quality threshold is not met.

[0021] According to any example of the first aspect, the component is further configured to perform at least one of digital, hybrid, and analog beam steering.

[0022] According to any example of the first aspect, each of a plurality of stored radiation patterns is associated with a corresponding direction of arrival.

[0023] According to any example of the first aspect, the component includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the device to perform in conjunction with the at least one processor.

[0024] According to a second aspect, there is provided a device including at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the device to at least perform: receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determining which differential signal reception radiation pattern among a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and aligning an antenna beam to the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0025] According to an example of the second aspect, the at least one signal is a reference signal.

[0026] According to the above examples, the reference signal includes one of the following: a synchronization signal block, a demodulation reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, a specific beam alignment reference signal, and a sounding reference signal.

[0027] According to any example of the second aspect, the transmitter includes one of a base station and a user equipment, and the device includes the other of the base station and the user equipment.

[0028] According to the above examples, the device includes a user equipment, and at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the device to at least perform: receiving one or more synchronization signal block scans from a base station, and using a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal that are part of the synchronization signal block to select a synchronization signal block scan with the best reference signal reception power for time synchronization.

[0029] According to the above examples, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the device to at least perform decoding of primary block information to obtain burst sequence information of one or more synchronization signal block scans.

[0030] According to the above aspect, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the device to at least perform: using the decoded primary block information to determine when the base station is next configured with a synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power and the corresponding time transmission of the user equipment.

[0031] According to any example of the second aspect, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the device to at least determine the identity of the transmitter.

[0032] According to any example of the second aspect, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the device to at least determine that the power of at least one signal is higher than a threshold.

[0033] According to any example of the second aspect, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the device to at least determine a parameter of at least one signal by comparing at least one of the first received power and phase of the signal with at least one of the second received power and phase of the signal.

[0034] According to the above examples, the first reception of the signal is received in at least one first antenna radiation pattern and the second reception of the signal is received in at least one second antenna radiation pattern.

[0035] According to any example of the second aspect, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the device to at least change the differential signal reception mode to obtain a more accurate direction of arrival.

[0036] According to the above example, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to change a differential signal reception mode by at least changing power and phase weights of an antenna of the apparatus.

[0037] According to any example of the second aspect, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: monitor a determined differential signal reception radiation pattern after a first time period, and change the determined differential signal reception pattern when a quality threshold is not met.

[0038] According to any example of the second aspect, at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least one of digital, hybrid, and analog beam steering.

[0039] According to any example of the second aspect, each of a plurality of stored radiation patterns is associated with a corresponding direction of arrival.

[0040] According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus including: receiving circuitry for receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining circuitry for receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining circuitry for determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; determining circuitry for determining which one of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and alignment circuitry for aligning an antenna beam with the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0041] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method including: receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determining which one of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and aligning an antenna beam with the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0042] According to an example of the fourth aspect, the at least one signal is a reference signal.

[0043] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the reference signal includes one of the following: a synchronization signal block, a demodulation reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, a specific beam alignment reference signal, and a sounding reference signal.

[0044] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the transmitter includes one of a base station and a user equipment, and the reception is performed at a device including the other of the base station and the user equipment.

[0045] According to the above example, the method is performed at a user equipment and includes receiving, from a base station, one or more synchronization signal block scans, and using a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal that are part of a synchronization signal block to select a synchronization signal block scan having an optimal reference signal received power for time synchronization.

[0046] According to the above example, the method includes decoding primary block information to obtain burst sequence information of one or more synchronization signal block scans.

[0047] According to the above example, the method includes using the decoded primary block information to determine when the base station is next configured with a synchronization signal block scan having an optimal reference signal received power and the corresponding time transmission of the user equipment.

[0048] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the method includes determining an identity of a transmitter.

[0049] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the method includes determining that the power of at least one signal is higher than a threshold.

[0050] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the method includes determining a parameter of at least one signal by comparing at least one of a first received power and a phase of the signal with at least one of a second received power and a phase of the signal.

[0051] According to the above example, the first reception of the signal is received in at least one first antenna radiation pattern, and the second reception of the signal is received in at least one second antenna radiation pattern.

[0052] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the method includes changing a differential signal reception mode to obtain a more accurate direction of arrival.

[0053] According to the above example, the method includes changing the differential signal reception mode by changing power and phase weights of an antenna.

[0054] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the method includes monitoring a determined differential signal reception radiation pattern after a first time period, and changing the determined differential signal reception mode when a quality threshold is not met.

[0055] According to any example of the fourth aspect, the method includes performing at least one of digital, hybrid, and analog beam steering.

[0056] According to any example of the fourth aspect, each of a plurality of stored radiation patterns is associated with a corresponding direction of arrival.

[0057] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the following: receive at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determine at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determine which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and align an antenna beam with the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0058] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for at least performing the following: receive at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determine at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determine which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and align an antenna beam with the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0059] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the following: receive at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determine at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determine which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and align an antenna beam with the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0060] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for at least performing the following: receive at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determine at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determine which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and align an antenna beam with the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0061] Above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be understood that additional embodiments can be provided by a combination of two or more of any of the above embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0062] Embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0063] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary communication system including a base station and a plurality of communication devices is shown;

[0064] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an exemplary mobile communication device is shown;

[0065] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an exemplary control device is shown;

[0066] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a beam alignment process for 5G NR above 6 GHz is shown;

[0067] Figure 5 A flowchart of a beam alignment process is shown;

[0068] Figure 6 A beam alignment signaling process is shown;

[0069] Figure 7 A flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0070] Figure 8 A flowchart of a beam alignment process according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0071] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a DSR beam alignment process at a UE according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0072] Figure 10 The cross-correlation of DSR branch 1 and DSR branch 2 is shown;

[0073] Figure 11 The radiation patterns for DSR branch 1, DSR branch 2, and the differential radiation pattern for DSR branch 1 and DSR branch 2 are shown;

[0074] Figure 12 The free space radiation pattern tables for DSR branch 1 and DSR branch 2 and the delta table between them are shown;

[0075] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a DSR beam alignment process for multiple TRPs according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0076] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of a DSR beam alignment process at a gNB according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0077] Figure 15 A beam alignment signaling process according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0078] Figure 16 shows a TDP / TDF table according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0079] Figure 17 shows a TDP / TDF table according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0080] Figure 18 shows a TDP / TDF table according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0081] Figure 19 shows a TDP / TDF table according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0082] Figure 20 shows a TDP / TDF table according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0083] Figure 21 shows a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0084] Figure 22 shows a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0085] Figure 23 shows a signaling flow according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0086] Figure 24 shows a signaling flow according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Before explaining the examples in detail, refer to Figures 1 to 3 briefly explain some general principles of wireless communication systems and mobile communication devices to help understand the underlying technology of the described examples.

[0088] In a wireless communication system 100 such as Figure 1 shown, wireless access is provided to mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 via at least one base station or similar wireless transmission and / or reception node or point. The base station is typically controlled by at least one suitable controller device so as to be able to operate and manage the mobile communication devices communicating with the base station. The controller device may be located in a radio access network (such as wireless communication system 100) or a core network (CN) (not shown), and may be implemented as a central device or its functions may be distributed over multiple devices. The controller device may be part of the base station and / or provided by a separate entity (such as a radio network controller). In Figure 1In [the figure], control devices 108 and 109 are shown as controlling respective macro-level base stations 106 and 107. The control devices of the base stations may be interconnected with other control entities. The control devices are typically provided with a memory capacity and at least one data processor. The control devices and functions may be distributed among multiple control units. In some systems, the control devices may alternatively or additionally be provided in a radio network controller.

[0089] In Figure 1 [the figure], base stations 106 and 107 are shown as being connected to a wider communication network 113 via a gateway 112. Additional gateway functions may be provided to connect to another network.

[0090] Smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may also be connected to network 113, for example, via separate gateway functions and / or via the controller of the macro-level station. Base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be pico or femto-level base stations, etc. In this example, stations 116 and 118 are connected via gateway 111, while station 120 is connected via controller device 108. In some embodiments, smaller stations may not be provided. Smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be part of a second network (such as a WLAN) and may be WLAN APs.

[0091] Communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limiting examples include time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), and their various schemes such as interleaved FDMA (IFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), and orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA), etc.

[0092] An example of a wireless communication system is an architecture standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The latest 3GPP-based developments are generally referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are called releases. The latest development of LTE is generally referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). LTE (LTE-A) employs a radio access architecture called the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and a core network called the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The base stations of such a system are called evolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features to communication devices, such as user plane packet data convergence / radio link control / media access control / physical layer protocol (PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane radio resource control (RRC) protocol termination. Other examples of radio access systems include those provided by base stations of systems based on technologies such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). The base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or a similar radio service area. Core network elements include the Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW), and Packet Gateway (P-GW).

[0093] An example of a suitable communication system is the 5G or NR concept. The network architecture in NR may be similar to LTE Advanced. The base stations in an NR system may be called Next Generation Node Bs (gNBs). The changes in the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and finer QoS support, as well as some requirements, such as the QoS levels to support QoE from the user's perspective. In addition, network-aware services and applications, and service- and application-aware networks may change the architecture. These are related to Information-Centric Networking (ICN) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. NR may use Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes (the so-called small cell concept) than LTE, including macro sites that operate in cooperation with smaller base stations and may also employ various radio technologies to achieve better coverage and higher data rates.

[0094] Future networks may utilize Network Function Virtualization (NFV), which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building blocks" or entities that can be operationally connected or chained together to provide services. Virtualized network functions (VNFs) can include one or more virtual machines that run computer program code using standard or common types of servers rather than custom hardware. Cloud computing or data storage can also be utilized. In radio communications, this may mean that node operations are performed at least in part in a server, host, or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head. Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the division of work between core network operations and base station operations may be different from that of LTE or may not even exist.

[0095] An example 5G Core Network (CN) includes functional entities. The CN is connected to a UE via a Radio Access Network (RAN). A UPF (User Plane Function), whose role is called PSA (PDU Session Anchor), may be responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between a DN (Data Network) and a tunnel established through 5G towards the (one or more) UEs that exchange traffic with the DN.

[0096] The UPF is controlled by an SMF (Session Management Function) that receives policies from a PCF (Policy Control Function). The CN may also include an AMF (Access and Mobility Function).

[0097] Reference will now be made to Figure 2 describe possible mobile communication devices in more detail. Figure 2 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 200 is shown. Such a communication device is commonly referred to as a User Equipment (UE) or a terminal. Any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals can provide a suitable mobile communication device. Non-limiting examples include a Mobile Station (MS) or a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a so-called "smartphone", a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., a USB dongle), a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination thereof, etc. For example, a mobile communication device can provide communication for carrying data for communications such as voice, email, text messages, multimedia, etc. Thus, users can be supplied and provided with a variety of services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system such as the Internet. Users can also be provided with broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts, and other information.

[0098] A mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202, and other possible components 203 for use in the software- and hardware-assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including access to and control of access to the access system and other communication devices. The data processing, storage, and other related control means may be provided on a suitable circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is denoted by reference numeral 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device through a suitable user interface such as a keyboard 205, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof, etc. A display 208, speakers, and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the mobile communication device may include a suitable connector (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (such as a hands-free device) thereto.

[0099] The mobile device 200 may receive signals on an air or radio interface 207 via suitable means for reception and may transmit signals via suitable means for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 this case, the transceiver means is schematically designated by block 206. The transceiver means 206 may be provided, for example, by a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna means may be arranged inside or outside the mobile device.

[0100] Figure 3 An example of a control device 300 for a communication system is shown, which is coupled to and / or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node (e.g., a base station, eNB, or gNB), a relay node, or a core network node (such as an MME, S-GW, or P-GW), or a core network function (such as an AMF / SMF), or a server or host. The method may be implanted in a single control device or across more than one control device. The control device may be integrated with or external to a node or module of the core network or RAN. In some embodiments, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other embodiments, the control device may be another network element (such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller). In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control device as well as a control device provided in the radio network controller. The control device 300 may be arranged to provide control of communications in the service area of the system. The control device 300 includes at least one memory 301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303, and an input / output interface 304. Via this interface, the control device may be coupled to the receiver and transmitter of the base station. The receiver and / or transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

[0101] Multiple antennas or antenna arrays are part of 3GPP Release 15 for 5G NR for both gNB and UE as an option to improve system performance by leveraging additional antenna gain. The newly added frequency ranges FR2 and FR3 (millimeter wave (mmWave)) in 5G NR may require it to compensate for the increased free space loss at high frequencies (24 GHz to >100 GHz).

[0102] One drawback of using an antenna array may be the reduced radiation beamwidth, which limits the area / coverage where the system link will be improved. Other directions / areas may be affected and an available communication link may not be established. The reduced coverage can be counteracted by leveraging beam steering, where the antenna array radiation beam is focused in the direction of the gNB or UE. Beam steering can be controlled by a predefined codebook that contains settings for the phases and / or amplitudes of the different antenna elements in the array to steer the beam in a given direction.

[0103] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the process for "open-loop trial-and-error beam alignment (BA)" between gNB and UE, which has been standardized in 3GPP Release 15, is shown.

[0104] In Figure 4 the process shown, the gNB transmits synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) in different directions with an antenna beamwidth (P-1) wider than the antenna beamwidth used for actual data transmission. The UE signals back to the gNB which of the SSBs in the SSB was received with the highest power, after which the gNB can refine its narrower beam (P-2) only in that sector. The UE will then initiate its beam optimization process (P-3), in which it will cycle through all its beams to find the best match.

[0105] When both the gNB and UE have very narrow radiation beams, the standard 3GPP BA can be time-consuming, which may be the case for many applications in the FR2 and FR3 frequency ranges. At these carrier frequencies, high antenna gain (and thus narrow radiation beamwidth) may be essential for establishing and maintaining the communication link between the gNB and UE. The time-consuming 3GPP BA can be critical for ultra-low latency applications, but also for eMBB, as when the connection is lost due to changes in the environment, such as when the user suddenly blocks the link or changes the orientation of the UE, the re-initialization process can be time-consuming (causing data loss).

[0106] Figure 5 An example beam alignment process that may occur at the gNB is shown. Figure 5The beam alignment process shown assumes digital beam steering on a Uniform Linear Array (ULA) where all antenna elements have the same radiation pattern, are well isolated, and there is signal coherence at the antenna ports (elements).

[0107] Coherence is aligned by performing conduction calibration at the antenna ports. This calibration feature is an in-built part (circuitry) of the antenna array / RF front-end.

[0108] The far-field characteristics of the antenna array are now calculated together with the spatial correlation matrix. The eigenvalues can now be optimized for maximum power or SINR, and the eigenvectors corresponding to those eigenvalues can be derived, which provide the best direction of the beam.

[0109] However, at mmWave, digital beam steering for the antenna array in the UE and ULA behavior may not always be the case. Digital beam steering requires an ADC / DAC for each element in the array, which will increase the cost and power consumption in the UE. Additionally, ULA cannot always be guaranteed because the antenna array will have to be integrated into the industrial design (ID) of the device, and different regions of the array may be affected differently due to the non-antenna-optimized environment inside a typical UE.

[0110] Calibrating the antenna manifold may be difficult at mmWave frequencies due to the small size of the antenna array at these frequencies. Additionally, assuming coherence at the antenna ports is generally not valid for UE implementations (it may be valid for gNB implementations) as these designs are optimized for low cost, low power, and small size.

[0111] The accuracy of the Rel 15 method depends on the degree of estimation of the above points, and such estimation may be more accurate for gNB than for UE.

[0112] Figure 6 Shows an example of BA signaling for FR2 as described in 3GPP Rel 15.

[0113] The minimum TCSI time interval is calculated over the duration of 5 time slots (which can be between 5 and 640 time slots), and the symbol duration is 8.33 μs, corresponding to an SCS of 120 KHz:

[0114] TCSI = 5 time slots × 14 symbols × 8.33 μs = 583.1 μs

[0115] Assuming all messages are received and decided on the first attempt, the estimated minimum BA time for the current FR2 beam alignment process is between 31 ms and 59 ms, depending on the number of iterations and the number of different beams at the gNB and UE, and the 20 ms SSB period.

[0116] Figure 7 A flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0117] In a first step S1, the method includes receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter.

[0118] In a second step S2, the method includes determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal.

[0119] In a third step S3, the method includes determining, based on the at least one parameter, which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, each of the plurality of stored radiation patterns being associated with a direction of arrival.

[0120] In a fourth step S4, the method includes aligning an antenna beam towards the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

[0121] In the method, uncorrelated DSR radiation patterns are created on the antenna array of the device by using different sets of array elements, which do not have to be adjacent elements. Known DRS patterns are stored in the device. The received power and / or phase difference from the incoming signal are related to the used and stored DSR patterns to derive the direction of arrival.

[0122] This mechanism can be referred to as instantaneous beam alignment (IBA) and beam management (IBM) based on differential signal reception (DSR). This mechanism can provide fast beam alignment (BA) and beam management (BM) processes for 5G NR FR 2 and future mmWave applications, where the radio frequency front end uses multiple uncorrelated known and stored radiation patterns (hereinafter referred to as DSR branches) to receive and simultaneously process transmitted reference signals (SSB / DMRS / CSI-RS / SRS), as Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown.

[0123] The main use cases of IBA-DSR and IBM-DSR are for UEs and smaller (simpler) gNBs. The method can be used on any gNB and thus may be used in combination with existing solutions.

[0124] IBA-DSR can be used for any type of antenna array (e.g., antennas with non-linear element spacing, arrays with different types of elements (patches, dipoles, and / or monopoles), each element having a different radiation pattern at the gNB or UE, and antennas using any type of beam steering (digital, hybrid, and analog). Hybrid beam steering refers to a combination of analog and digital beam steering.

[0125] IBA-DSR and IBM-DSR are beam alignment / management processes independent of the antenna array (which may not be calibrated) and can be used with all types of antenna arrays, e.g., antenna arrays with different element spacings, different types of elements, elements with different radiation patterns, and poor isolation between elements. Knowledge of the antenna array characteristics is not required as they are covered by the stored DSR radiation patterns.

[0126] The process is independent of the transceiver architecture. It can be used with digital, hybrid, or analog beam steering. The process is also independent of the UE's state. The UE may be in the RRC connected state, RRC inactive state, or RRC idle state.

[0127] Figure 9 Shows the IBA-DSR beam alignment process at the UE

[0128] The asymmetric properties will be captured with the OTA measurement reference DSR pattern stored in the device.

[0129] The direction of arrival (DoA) is calculated by correlating the different power and phase values of the received reference signals (e.g., SSB, CSI-RS, DMRS, SRS, etc.) with different stored DSR patterns.

[0130] IBA can in principle be used with any type of RF front-end with analog, hybrid, and digital beam steering, where the number of available ADC / DACs will determine the number of DSR patterns that can be monitored simultaneously, thus reducing the number of iterations required to calculate the DoA with a certain probability. Each DSR pattern requires at least two dual-polarized elements, where each polarized RF branch is connected to a separate ADC / DAC, or the reference signal is transmitted from the gNB on both polarizations (then only one polarization is required at the UE for DSR). Figure 9 Shows a network where the UE antenna array receives signals from two gNBs (gNB#1 and gNB#2). Considering the scenario described above Figure 9 In this example, it is a 1×4 dual-feed patch array, where each feed point (vertical and horizontal) on each patch element is connected to its own PA / LNA, phase shifter, and ADC / DAC. Patch elements #1 and #2 are configured to generate a radiation beam in one direction (DSR branch #1), while patch elements #3 and #4 are configured to generate radiation beams in different directions (DSR branch #2).

[0131] The front-end using analog beam steering will have two ADC / DACs, one for each polarization.

[0132] The RF front-end supporting digital or hybrid beam steering will support multiple DSR branches simultaneously depending on the number of available ADC / DACs.

[0133] For four ADC / DACs, there are two simultaneous DSR branches and two DSR correlations (which may not cause a high DoA probability and require sequential switching between different DSR modes until the probability limit has been reached).

[0134] For eight ADC / DACs, there are four simultaneous DSR branches and twelve DSR correlations (which may cause a high DoA probability and sequential switching of DSR modes can be used to further improve accuracy).

[0135] For sixteen ADC / DACs, there will be eight simultaneous DSR branches and seventy-two DSR correlations (which may be sufficient for high DoA accuracy).

[0136] When the RSRP level of the reference signal received on all used DSR branches is high enough, the first DSR calculation can be performed. All SSB beams with a sufficient RSRP signal level received can be used for IBA-DSR calculation and refinement, even if they will be transmitted in different directions at the gNB. The power transfer from one SSB to the next at the UE is not a problem because the DSR process depends on the relative values between active DSR branches.

[0137] For the current 3GPP SSB beam scanning process, if the UE receiver is analog, since the received RSRP signal level will change from SSB beam to SSB beam, the DSR delta value (the difference between two DSR radiation modes) must be found for the same SSB beam, which means that two available DSR branch modes are active simultaneously. Each DSR branch will only collect the RSRP signal level information from one polarization, and the relationship between the two received orthogonal polarizations must be established before the DSR delta value can be found. This can be done by having equal standard radiation modes on the first measurement and using it as the calibration value for upcoming DSR measurements.

[0138] In one example embodiment, the vertical-to-horizontal measurement using equal beams on the first SSB beam with a sufficient RSRP signal level is the reference. Different DSR modes on two different polarizations are determined for the next SSB beam. The DSR mode for each SSB beam is changed until the DoA is determined or the RSRP signal level is insufficient. The process is repeated in the next SSB cycle to further improve accuracy.

[0139] One reference iteration and six DSR iterations will produce the same accuracy as 4 simultaneous DSR modes. Therefore, approximately 7 SSB signals must be received at a sufficient signal level in order to calculate the DoA with sufficient accuracy using DSR.

[0140] If the power of the reference signal from the gNB used does not change, the reliability on DSR on the front-end using analog beam steering can be improved. The constant SSB beam covers the entire cell sector, repeating at a given time interval or with different SSB beams, each SSB beam repeating for an x amount of time before switching to the next SSB beam. This method will avoid reference measurements of both polarizations.

[0141] In this method, the SSB beam is repeated multiple times. The DSR mode is received on both polarizations. The DSR mode of each SSB beam is changed until the DoA is determined or the RSRP signal level is insufficient. If necessary, the process can be repeated in the next SSB cycle.

[0142] According to some examples, 6 DSR iterations will produce the same accuracy as 4 simultaneous DSR modes. Therefore, approximately 6 SSB signals must be received at a sufficient signal level in order to calculate the DoA with sufficient accuracy using DSR.

[0143] This scenario assumes that the channel coherence time is greater than 5 milliseconds (the duration of the SSB scan), which corresponds to a speed of approximately 120 km / h under mmWave. Similar to the current 3GPP BA process, sequential DSR switching requires channel coherence.

[0144] Beam tracking can be based on CSI-RS or DMRS reference signals that are more stable compared to the scan of the SSB signals used for initial beam alignment.

[0145] UEs for FR2 must support 2x2 MIMO and thus require at least 2 ADC / DACs, one for horizontal polarization and one for vertical polarization (assuming a bi-orthogonal polarization patch array).

[0146] In the following example (without loss of generality), the transmitter is the gNB and the receiver is the UE. The gNB transmits an SSB that includes multiple SS blocks (n) with different beam directions, which combined will cover the entire cell sector.

[0147] After the UE receives the SS block on each DSR branch, it cross-correlates it with the locally known SSB sequence and identifies (using the SS block with the best signal level) whether the transmitter is the gNB (and its ID). If the gNB is found, IBA can be triggered.

[0148] The UE also determines the propagation delay from the respective gNB to each DSR branch. Figure 10 The cross-correlation of each DSR branch is shown.

[0149] If a valid transmitter is identified, the UE aligns its beam to that transmitter. Specifically, the UE uses the locally stored radiation patterns (i.e., the power and phase obtained from free-space measurements) for each DSR branch to map the power and phase of the incoming signal to the DoA. The generated DoA is used by the UE to align its beam to the transmitting gNB.

[0150] Figure 11 The free-space radiation power patterns for DSR branch 1 and DSR branch 2 are shown, as well as the difference between the power of the signals received at each branch. In some examples, the difference in the power and phase of the incoming signal is measured using these two DSR radiation patterns (DSR branch 1 and DSR branch 2), and then correlated with the delta pattern of the two used DSR patterns (see the bottom of Figure 11 ) to estimate the possible direction. In some examples, the device (which is receiving the signal) stores separate DSR patterns and calculates the delta pattern to estimate the possible direction. In alternative examples, the device (which is receiving the signal) stores all possible combinations of the delta pattern and directly uses those combinations to estimate the possible direction.

[0151] Storing DSR patterns requires less memory, while storing delta patterns requires less computational resources.

[0152] For each DSR branch, the UE stores a table of free-space radiation patterns that maps power levels to a certain DoA given by the angular pair (θ, Φ), as shown on the left side of Figure 12 . These two tables produce a theoretical differential power table (TDP), as shown on the right side of Figure 12 . The TDP gives the mapping: Δ(θ, Φ). A similar table (i.e., the theoretical differential phase table (TDF) with Δ(θ, Φ)) is derived for the phase difference and is used in combination with the TDP to improve the DoA estimation accuracy.

[0153] The UE receives the SSB on each DSR branch. SS DSR1 at DSR branch #1. SS DSR1 = A 1 cos(2πγ 1 ). SS DSR2 is received at DSR branch #2. SS DSR2 = A 2 cos(2πγ 2 ), where Ai, γi are the amplitude and phase of the signal at branch i ∈ {1, 2}.

[0154] The UE identifies the signal as a valid signal as described above. This operation is performed to prevent the UE from aligning with a random transmitter.

[0155] The UE calculates the power difference: ΔP 12 = P 1 - P 2 , where P i = |SS DSRi | 2 , i ∈ {1, 2} and the phase difference: ΔΓ 12 = γ 1 - γ 2 where

[0156] The UE uses locally stored TDP and TDF to find the pair for ΔP 12 = Δθ x , Φ y ) and ΔΓ 12 = ΔΓ(θ x , Φ y ) for DoA(θ x , Φ y ).

[0157] If the information obtained from the initial two uncorrelated radiation patterns is not sufficient to estimate the DoA of the first SSB with sufficient accuracy, the UE can change the two radiation patterns to two different and uncorrelated radiation patterns for the next SSB. In this way, the UE can have information from four different radiation patterns (6 delta TDP and 6 TDF tables) and significantly improve the DoA estimation accuracy.

[0158] After the UE has aligned with the gNB, the process can be performed in the opposite direction so that the gNB finds the DoA required to align its own beam with the UE. This process can be performed at the gNB after receiving the beam alignment UE reference signal (SRS / DMRS). Figure 13 Shows an example where the IBA-DRS is reversed, i.e., the UE in the sector transmits orthogonal DMRS / SRS in the direction towards the gNB. The gNB receives the DMRS / SRS in the preconfigured antenna array setup and performs the process of signal verification and IBA as described above.

[0159] The UE will have to receive the SS block in two orthogonal polarizations on the same radiation pattern in order to be able to determine its power and phase for any incoming polarization of the gNB SSB / CSI-RS, or the reference signal is transmitted from the gNB on two polarizations. Then only one polarization is required at the UE for DSR. Figure 12The example shown is for a dual-fed polarization configuration for use, which is a common method for obtaining a patch design with orthogonal polarization to support 2x2 MIMO with antenna gain having two feeds.

[0160] IBA-DSR can also be used for multi-TRP, as Figure 14 shown. IBA-DSR generalizes the multi-TRP case well, with the only difference being that the UE receives and processes two orthogonal SSB signals to derive two different DoAs.

[0161] The correct beams for the UE and gNB can be estimated in one or two iterations. Thus, DSR-IBA can significantly shorten the time required for the beam alignment process. For example, a small antenna array (such as 1x4 may require 2 iterations), while a larger antenna array may only require one iteration most of the time.

[0162] Figure 15 A signaling diagram for the IBA-DSR process is shown. The BA at the UE is derived using IBA-DSR when receiving the SSB transmitted by the gNB. If the UE does not have enough data to derive the DoA for the first SSB, then it will change its DSR branch radiation pattern for the next SSB signal to collect more data. The gNB is using IBA-DSR when receiving the DMRS for beam alignment from the UE. The gNB has multiple opportunities to use IBA-DSR during the IA process and can change its DSR branch radiation pattern between those if needed. In most scenarios, the beam alignment process using IBA-DSR will be completed within the initial access (IA) process, provided that the gNB and UE have more than 2 to 4 DSR branches.

[0163] In some examples, changing the DSR branch radiation pattern is caused by changing the power and phase weights of the antennas of the device. A particular set of antenna array weights will create a particular set of one or more DRS radiation patterns, depending on how the signals are combined at one or more ADC / DACs. In some examples, when using those particular sets of weights, the radiation patterns (DSR) are measured and stored in the device.

[0164] Compared with Figure 6 the time frame shown, the implemented IBA-DSR can reduce the standard 3GPP BA time by a factor of 3 to 8. Factor of 3: 31 milliseconds vs. 11 milliseconds. Factor of 8: 59 milliseconds vs. 7 milliseconds.

[0165] DSR-IBA can also be extended for beam tracking in the connection. Radar proximity detection or array element impedance changes can be used to detect objects in the near field. Measurements from the array with an object in the near field will not be used.

[0166] The dynamics of TDP and TDF are as follows Figure 16 As shown, where based on the DSR-IBM operation, the darker squares are the most likely directions and the lighter squares are the least likely directions. Figure 16 The TDP / TDF shown in Figure 16 indicates that the current most likely DoA of the gNB is θ = 50° and Φ = 30°, and the UE will use the beam covering this direction. The DSR-IBM process can be executed periodically, triggered based on the local quality report not meeting the threshold level, or even initiated by the gNB.

[0167] Figure 17 Shows an example where the UE moves relative to the gNB, and at a certain point in time, the adjacent directions in the TDP / TDF will be as likely as the current direction. Figure 18 Shows an example where signals from different reflections from the same gNB or from another gNB will be as likely as the current DoA. This is the point at which the UE (or gNB) will have to decide whether to change its beam.

[0168] Figure 18 and 19 Show two example TDP / TDF tables where the DoA has changed.

[0169] The BM algorithm follows beam alignment. In this case, the UE and gNB have aligned their beams and maintained the data link. However, to compensate for the variability of the environment, the gNB-UE pair needs to monitor the quality of the link and may adjust their beams if necessary. BM is a set of processes to allow re-aligning the initial beam pair using, for example, CSI-RS in DL (at the UE) and SRS in UL (at the gNB). The process is transparent to the type of RS used and the receiver (gNB or UE). Therefore, the following only describes the general process from the UE's perspective, although it can also be followed at the gNB.

[0170] On each i ∈ {1,... D} branch of the D available DSR branches, the UE observes the signal:

[0171] yi(t) = (h 0 , *x 0 )(t) + Σ(h k，i *x gnbk )(t) + ξ(t), (1)

[0172] where h 0 and x 0 are the channel impulse response between the serving gNB and DSR branch i, and the RS of the serving gNB. The UE may receive signals from K other adjacent gNBs, which send their RS x through the channel h k send their RS xgnbk , as Figure 21 shown. Each channel includes the sum of the taps that arrive at the receiver with different delays:

[0173] h k， (t) = ∑α l，i δ(t - τ l，i ), k ∈ {0, …, K}

[0174] where (α l， , τ l，i ) are the complex gain and delay of the first tap at branch i.

[0175] After sampling the received signal at each DSR branch, the UE cross - correlates the samples with the known cell - specific RS, identifies and stores the delay and power level of the strongest path for each of the K + 1 gNBs: τ(i, k), P(i, k), i ∈ {1, ..., D}, k ∈ {0, ..., K}. At the end of this process, the UE has stored the gNB tracking table, such as shown in Table 1.

[0176]

[0177] Table 1

[0178] For each gNB, the UE calculates the power difference between any two DSR branches and maps it to the DoA using the locally stored TDP table. Now the last column of Table 1 can be filled. Table 2 shows the gNB tracking table with the updated DoA.

[0179]

[0180] Table 2

[0181] Using Table 3, the UE calculates the composite metric that characterizes the link quality of each gNB, i.e., the UE calculates the total time offset (e.g., by calculating the average of the delays for each branch) and the total power (e.g., by calculating the average of the powers recorded at each branch):

[0182]

[0183]

[0184] Table 3

[0185] Using Table 3 for the current and previous BM instances, i.e., p and p - 1, the UE checks whether it needs to adjust its current beam to maintain the connection with the serving gNB or switch to one of the neighbors.

[0186] An algorithm suggestion is provided below.

[0187] Find the gNB with the maximum power at the BM instance p: (k, p) = max(P avg (k, p), k ∈ {0,..., K}).

[0188] If (k, p) > %(0, p - 1) then:

[0189] If k = 0, then:

[0190] The UE remains connected to the current serving cell;

[0191] The UE checks if an intra - cell beam switch is needed:

[0192] If similarity((θ, φ),,(θ, φ) 0，p1 ) > threshold, then the best DoA is (θ, φ) 0，p

[0193] If k ≠ 0, then:

[0194] The UE needs to switch to the neighbor gNB k;

[0195] The best DoA is (θ, φ),

[0196] The UE notifies the serving gNB that the best gNB is gNB k and reports the time offset (, p).

[0197] The UE stores (θ, φ) for BA with the new serving cell,

[0198] To prevent unnecessary beam switching, the algorithm uses 2 control variables. z% is a control variable that prevents the UE from changing the beam for any marginal power increase. si((θ, φ)a, (θ, φ)b) is a hysteresis function that is used to characterize how much the DoA has changed. If the output of this function is higher than the threshold, it indicates that the DoA has changed significantly and the UE needs to adjust the beam. One suggestion is to use the Euclidean distance si((θ, φ)a, (θ, φ)b) = √(θa - θb)2+(φa - φb)2.

[0199] The DSR radiation patterns used should be optimized to have high gain in the sectors covered by a specific antenna array. In theory, dividing the antenna array into two sub-arrays (two DSR radiation patterns) will reduce the achievable antenna gain by 3 dB, dividing the array into 4 sub-arrays will reduce the achievable antenna gain by 6 dB, and so on. However, since the CSI-RS from the gNB can be transmitted with full antenna gain (the gNB knows the location of the UE), the total link budget for the BM process is better or comparable to that specified by 3GPP for BM, where both the gNB and the UE can have reduced antenna gain in the first phase (P-1). The highest DSR antenna gain will be achieved by using only two DSR radiation patterns at any given time and then cycling between different sets of DSR patterns. This will increase the time required to derive the DoA, but is still significantly faster than the current 3GPP BM process.

[0200] The UE will receive the CSI-RS on the same radiation pattern with two orthogonal polarizations in order to be able to determine the power and phase for any incoming polarization of the gNB CSI-RS.

[0201] DSR-IBM is reciprocal (see Figure 9 ), i.e., the UE in the sector transmits orthogonal DMRS / SRS in the direction towards the gNB. The gNB receives the DMRS / SRS in the pre-configured antenna array settings and performs the processes of signal verification and IBM as described above.

[0202] DSR-IBM can be triggered by one or both of the UE and the gNB by using the PLI (Propagation Link Index) monitoring concept. If DSR-IBM is UE-controlled, the PLI monitoring may be periodic or based on local quality measurements that do not meet a threshold level. If DRS-IBM is gNB-controlled, a combination of periodic and local quality measurement thresholds can be used.

[0203] The beam switching decision can be controlled by both the UE and the gNB. The UE can decide on its own to change its beam, e.g., if the DL link quality has deteriorated and if the UE has detected a better beam. The gNB can instruct the UE to change its beam. The gNB and the UE can use the PLI to obtain both the downlink and uplink channel information for the decision-making process.

[0204] DSR-IBM can improve reliability because it reduces the risk of link failure due to beam misalignment as it will ensure that the gNB and the UE are using the correct set of beams.

[0205] The correct beams of the UE and gNB can be easily recalculated over time, and the process does not require any additional signaling. Additionally, it bypasses the current time-consuming BM process (P-1, P-2, and P-3), where only one beam set can be monitored at any given time.

[0206] Figure 22 Shows a flowchart for IBA-DSR with hybrid and digital beam steering.

[0207] Figure 23 Shows a flowchart for IBM-DSR with analog beam steering.

[0208] Figure 24 Shows a signaling diagram for DSR at the UE.

[0209] In the first step, the gNB is configured to transmit its SSB sequence, and the UE is configured to enter the DSR mode with one or more DSR radiation patterns, depending on its RF front-end capabilities. (In some examples, the DSR radiation pattern must only be used when receiving the SSB signal (beam tracking), but it can also be used to receive other signals from the gNB if a better radiation pattern is not known (initial access)).

[0210] In the second step, the gNB transmits its first SSB#1.

[0211] Step 2.1: Does the received signal level (RSRP) of SSB#1 exceed a predetermined threshold? (Depending on the UE's position relative to the gNB, the UE may or may not receive the first transmitted SSB).

[0212] Step 2.2: If yes

[0213] Step 2.2.1: The UE measures the received power and phase of all used DSR radiation patterns.

[0214] Step 2.2.2: Calculate and store the new DSR Delta power and phase values. Estimate the direction of arrival and the associated probability based on the available measured DSR Delta values.

[0215] Step 2.2.3: Change the DSR radiation pattern and wait for the next SSB signal (The set of new DSR radiation patterns must only be used when receiving the SSB signal (beam tracking), but it can also be used to receive other signals from the gNB if a better radiation pattern is not known (initial access)).

[0216] Step 2.3: If no

[0217] Step 2.3.1: The UE waits for the next SSB signal

[0218] Step 3: The gNB transmits its second SSB #2.

[0219] Step 3.1 = Step 2.1

[0220] Step 3.2 = Step 2.2

[0221] Step 3.2.1 = Step 2.2.1

[0222] Step 3.2.2 = Step 2.2.2

[0223] Step 3.2.3 = Step 2.2.3

[0224] Step 3.3 = Step 2.3

[0225] Step 3.3.1 = Step 2.3.1

[0226] Step n = Step 2

[0227] At step (m) (see Figure 23 at the bottom), the UE transmits Msg #1 to the gNB at the correct time, at which time the gNB is again configured with the best SSB beam.

[0228] Thus, it can be understood that the UE can receive one or more SSB scans from the gNB and will use the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) and the Secondary Synchronization Signal SSS (which is part of the SSB message) to select one SSB scan with the best RSRP for time synchronization. The UE will also decode the Master Information Block (MIB), which contains information about the location and time of System Information Block 1, and then the UE will decode SIB1. SIB1 contains information about the SSB burst sequence, such as ssb-PositionsInBurst and ssb-PeriodicityServingCell. In the example, the UE will then decode SIB2 to obtain information about when to transmit its RACH (Msg #1) and which format to use. In the example, the gNB will configure different RACH groups with different beam directions, so the SIB2 information related to the best SSB beam seen from the UE will tell the UE when the gNB will be configured with a beam towards the UE.

[0229] Figure 24 Shows the signaling diagram for DSR at the gNB.

[0230] In the first step, the UE is configured to transmit its SRS signal, and the gNB is configured to enter the DSR mode with one or more DSR radiation patterns, depending on its RF front-end capabilities. (The DSR radiation patterns must be used only when receiving the SRS signal (beam tracking), but can also be used to receive other signals from the UE if no better radiation pattern is known (initial access).)

[0231] In the second step, the UE transmits its first SRS #1.

[0232] Step 2.1: Does the received signal level (RSRP) of SRS #1 exceed a predetermined threshold? (Depending on the position of the gNB relative to the UE, the gNB may or may not receive the first transmitted SRS.)

[0233] Step 2.2: If yes

[0234] Step 2.2.1: The gNB measures the received power and phase of all used DSR radiation patterns

[0235] Step 2.2.2: Calculate and store the new DSR Delta power and phase values. Estimate the direction of arrival and the associated probability based on the available measured DSR Delta values.

[0236] Step 2.2.3: Change the DSR radiation pattern and wait for the next SRS signal (The new set of DSR radiation patterns must be used only when receiving the SRS signal (beam tracking), but can also be used to receive other signals from the UE if no better radiation pattern is known (initial access).

[0237] Step 2.3: If no

[0238] Step 2.3.1: The gNB waits for the next SRS signal

[0239] Step 3: The gNB transmits its second SRS #2.

[0240] Step 3.1 = Step 2.1

[0241] Step 3.2 = Step 2.2

[0242] Step 3.2.1 = Step 2.2.1

[0243] Step 3.2.2 = Step 2.2.2

[0244] Step 3.2.3 = Step 2.2.3

[0245] Step 3.3 = Step 2.3

[0246] Step 3.3.1 = Step 2.3.1

[0247] Step n = Step 2

[0248] If IBA-DSR is implemented in the gNB and / or UE, the BA time can be significantly reduced. This method can reduce the time required to align beams at the gNB and UE. This method complies with the Rel 15 FR2 BA standard and can enable BA instantaneously, i.e., without cycling through the standard BA P1 - P3 procedure. This method can be applied to FR2 devices that use existing signaling procedures already defined for FR2. However, it is not limited to FR2 frequencies and can also be used on the gNB.

[0249] This method applies to gNBs and UEs operating in all frequency ranges where beamforming is performed using multiple antennas.

[0250] This method is transparent to the current Rel 15.BA signaling and can be implemented on one or both of the gNB and UE.

[0251] This solution has a low computational complexity and relies on operations performed in the analog domain: power / phase subtraction and look-up tables.

[0252] This method can be implemented in the user equipment described in the reference Figure 2 or the control device described in the reference Figure 3 described.

[0253] It should be understood that the device may include or be coupled to other units or modules, etc., such as radio components or radio heads used in transmission and / or reception or for transmission and / or reception. Although these devices have been described as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0254] It should be noted that although embodiments have been described with respect to..., similar principles can be applied to other networks and communication systems.... Thus, although certain embodiments have been described by way of example with reference to certain exemplary architectures for wireless networks, technologies, and standards, the embodiments can be applied to any other suitable form of communication system other than those shown and described herein.

[0255] It should also be noted herein that although the exemplary embodiments have been described above, several variations and modifications can be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0256] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or a special circuit system, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, a microprocessor, or other computing devices, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Although the various aspects of the present invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that, by way of non-limiting example, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, special circuits or logic, general hardware or a controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0257] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0258] (a) A pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implemented only in analog and / or digital circuitry) and

[0259] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable):

[0260] (i) A combination of (one or more) analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0261] (ii) (One or more) hardware processors and any part of the software (including (one or more) digital signal processors), software, and (one or more) memories, which work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or a server) to perform various functions, and

[0262] (c) (One or more) hardware circuitry and / or (one or more) processors (such as (one or more) microprocessors or a part of (one or more) microprocessors), which require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may be absent when the operation does not require software.

[0263] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also encompasses an implementation of only a hardware circuit or a processor (or processors), or a part of a hardware circuit or a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware.

[0264] For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also encompasses a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network devices.

[0265] Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of a mobile device, such as in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer software or process (also referred to as a program product, including software routines, applets, and / or macros) can be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. The computer program product can include one or more computer-executable components that are configured to perform the embodiments when the program runs. The one or more computer-executable components can be at least one software code or a portion thereof.

[0266] In addition, in this regard, it should be noted that any box in the logical flow of the figures can represent a program step, or interconnected logic circuits, boxes, and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, boxes, and functions. The software can be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants CDs. The physical media is a non-transitory medium.

[0267] The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, by way of non-limiting example, can include one or more of the following: general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), gate-level circuits, and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0268] Embodiments of the present invention can be practiced in various components, such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools can be used to convert a logic-level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0269] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of the present invention will still fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In fact, there is another embodiment that includes a combination of one or more embodiments with any other embodiment discussed previously.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising components for performing the following: Receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; Determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; Based on the at least one parameter, determining which of a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and Aligning an antenna beam towards the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one signal is a reference signal.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the reference signal comprises one of the following: a synchronization signal block, a demodulation reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, a specific beam alignment reference signal, and a sounding reference signal.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmitter comprises one of a base station and a user equipment, and the device comprises the other of the base station and the user equipment.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the device comprises a user equipment, and the components are further configured to perform: receiving one or more synchronization signal block scans from the base station, and using a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal that are part of the synchronization signal block to select the synchronization signal block scan with the best reference signal reception power for time synchronization.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the components are further configured to perform decoding of primary block information to obtain burst sequence information of the one or more synchronization signal block scans.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the components are further configured to perform: using the decoded primary block information to determine when the base station is next configured with the synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power and accordingly the time transmission of the user equipment.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the components are further configured to perform: determining an identity of the transmitter.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the components are further configured to perform: determining that the power of the at least one signal is higher than a threshold.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the components are further configured to perform: determining the parameter of the at least one signal by comparing at least one of a first received power and a phase of the signal with at least one of a second received power and a phase of the signal.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the first reception of the signal is received in at least one first antenna radiation pattern, and the second reception of the signal is received in at least one second antenna radiation pattern.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the components are further configured to perform: changing the differential signal reception radiation pattern to obtain a more accurate direction of arrival.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the component is further configured to perform: changing the differential signal reception radiation pattern by changing the power and phase weights of the antenna of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component is further configured to perform: monitoring the determined differential signal reception radiation pattern after a first time period, and changing the determined differential signal reception radiation pattern when a quality threshold is not met.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component is further configured to perform at least one of digital, hybrid, and analog beam steering.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns is associated with a corresponding direction of arrival.

17. A method of communication, comprising: receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; based on the at least one parameter, determining which differential signal reception radiation pattern among a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and aligning an antenna beam to the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one signal is a reference signal.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the reference signal comprises one of the following: a synchronization signal block, a demodulation reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, a specific beam alignment reference signal, and a sounding reference signal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the transmitter comprises one of a base station and a user equipment, and the receiving is performed at a device comprising the other of the base station and the user equipment.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the method is performed at a user equipment, and the method comprises: receiving one or more synchronization signal block scans from the base station, and using a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal that are part of the synchronization signal block to select the synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power for time synchronization.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the method comprises decoding primary block information to obtain burst sequence information of the one or more synchronization signal block scans.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the method comprises: using the decoded primary block information to determine when the base station is next configured with the synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power and accordingly the time transmission of the user equipment.

24. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising determining an identity of the transmitter.

25. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising determining that the power of the at least one signal is higher than a threshold.

26. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising determining a parameter of the at least one signal by comparing at least one of a first received power and a phase of the signal with at least one of a second received power and a phase of the signal.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the first reception of the signal is received in at least one first antenna radiation pattern, and the second reception of the signal is received in at least one second antenna radiation pattern.

28. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising changing the differential signal reception radiation pattern to obtain a more accurate direction of arrival.

29. The method according to claim 28, comprising changing the differential signal reception radiation pattern by changing power and phase weights of an antenna.

30. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising monitoring the determined differential signal reception radiation pattern after a first time period, and changing the determined differential signal reception radiation pattern when a quality threshold is not met.

31. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising performing at least one of digital, hybrid, and analog beam steering.

32. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein each of the plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns is associated with a corresponding direction of arrival.

33. A computer-readable medium, comprising program instructions for causing a device to at least perform the following: Receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; Determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; Based on the at least one parameter, determining which differential signal reception radiation pattern among a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and Aligning an antenna beam to the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

34. A device for communication, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least perform: Receiving at least one signal from at least one transmitter; determining at least one parameter of the at least one signal; Based on the at least one parameter, determining which differential signal reception radiation pattern among a plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns the received signal corresponds to, the plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns being associated with directions of arrival; and Aligning an antenna beam to the transmitter based on the direction of arrival associated with the determined stored differential signal reception radiation pattern.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein the at least one signal is a reference signal.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the reference signal comprises one of the following: a synchronization signal block, a demodulation reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, a specific beam alignment reference signal, and a sounding reference signal.

37. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the transmitter comprises one of a base station and a user equipment, and the apparatus comprises the other of the base station and the user equipment.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the apparatus comprises a user equipment, and the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving one or more synchronization signal block scans from the base station, and using a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal that are part of the synchronization signal block to select the synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power for time synchronization.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: decoding primary block information to obtain burst sequence information of the one or more synchronization signal block scans.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: using the decoded primary block information to determine when the base station is next configured with the synchronization signal block scan having the best reference signal reception power and accordingly the time transmission of the user equipment.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine an identity of the transmitter.

42. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine that the power of the at least one signal is higher than a threshold.

43. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine a parameter of the at least one signal by comparing at least one of a first received power and a phase of the signal with at least one of a second received power and a phase of the signal.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the first reception of the signal is received in at least one first antenna radiation pattern, and the second reception of the signal is received in at least one second antenna radiation pattern.

45. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: change a differential signal reception radiation pattern to obtain a more accurate direction of arrival.

46. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: change the differential signal reception radiation pattern by changing the power and phase weights of the antennas of the apparatus.

47. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: monitor the determined differential signal reception radiation pattern after a first time period, and change the determined differential signal reception radiation pattern when a quality threshold is not met.

48. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform at least one of digital, hybrid, and analog beam steering.

49. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein each radiation pattern of the plurality of stored differential signal reception radiation patterns is associated with a corresponding direction of arrival.

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