Adaptive phase change device sharing and switching

Abstract

Techniques and apparatuses for adaptive phase change device sharing and switching are described. In aspects, a second base station (base station 122) shares an adaptive phase change device, APD (APD 180) with a first base station (base station 121). The second base station determines (1205) to use the APD in a communication path of a second wireless link with a second user equipment. The second base station identifies (1210) the first base station using the APD in a communication path of a first wireless link with a first UE. Based on identifying the first base station using the APD, the second base station obtains (1215) assigned access to the APD and configures (1220) a surface of the APD based on the assigned access. The second base station uses (1225) the APD in the communication path of the second wireless link with the second UE based on the assigned access.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Evolving wireless systems, such as fifth-generation (5G) and sixth-generation (6G) technologies, employ various techniques to increase data capacity relative to traditional wireless networks. As an example, 5G technology transmits data using higher frequency ranges, such as bands above 6 GHz. Furthermore, 5G technology supports multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication using multiple transmit and / or receive paths. While these techniques increase data capacity, transmitting and recovering information using them also presents challenges. To illustrate, higher-frequency signals and MIMO transmissions are more susceptible to multipath fading, leading to recovery errors at the receiver. Therefore, correcting signal distortion is desirable to obtain the performance advantages (e.g., increased data capacity) offered by these methods. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This document describes the techniques and apparatus for sharing and handover using an adaptive phase-change device (APD). In each respect, a second base station shares an APD with a first base station. The second base station determines the use of the APD in the communication path of a second radio link with a second user equipment (UE). The second base station identifies the first base station using the APD, such as the first radio link with the first UE. Based on the identification of the first base station using the APD, the second base station obtains allocated access to the APD and configures the surface of the APD based on the allocated access. The second base station uses the APD and, based on the allocated access, uses the APD in the communication path of the second radio link with the second UE.

[0003] In all aspects, the first base station shares the APD with the second base station. The first base station uses the APD in the communication path of the first radio link with the first UE. The first base station then receives a request for access allocation for the APD from the second base station. The first base station coordinates with the second base station or the APD to obtain the allocated access for the APD. The first base station then uses the APD in the communication path of the first radio link with the first UE based on the allocated access.

[0004] In each aspect, the source base station performs a handover from the UE to the target base station, wherein the source base station uses an APD in the communication path of the radio link with the UE. The source base station uses the APD to maintain the radio link with the UE. The source base station determines to perform a handover from the UE to the target base station and transmits the APD identifier of the APD to the target base station. The source base station then performs a handover from the UE to the target base station, wherein the handover may include providing access to the APD to the target base station.

[0005] In each aspect, the target base station performs a handover of the UE using the APD in the communication path of the radio link with the source base station. The target base station receives an APD identifier that identifies the APD used by the source base station to maintain the radio link with the UE, and coordinates with the source base station to determine one or more handover parameters for performing the UE handover. In each aspect, the target base station determines the surface configuration of the APD's surface and instructs the APD to configure its surface using that surface configuration. The target base station then performs the handover of the UE and the APD.

[0006] Details of one or more embodiments for adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. This overview is provided to introduce the subject matter further described in the detailed description and drawings. Therefore, this overview should not be considered as describing essential features, nor should it be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The following figures illustrate details of one or more aspects of sharing and switching in adaptive phase-change devices. The same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to refer to the same features and components:

[0008] Figure 1 The illustration shows an example operating environment in which various aspects of adaptive phase change device sharing and switching can be implemented;

[0009] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example device diagram of an entity that enables various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching;

[0010] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example device diagram of an adaptive phase change device that can be used based on one or more aspects shared and switched by the adaptive phase change device;

[0011] Figure 4 The illustration shows an example environment in which a base station uses adaptive phase-change equipment to communicate with user equipment based on various aspects of adaptive phase-change equipment sharing and handover;

[0012] Figure 5 The illustration shows an example environment in which the base station configures the adaptive phase-change device according to various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover;

[0013] Figure 6 The illustration shows an example environment for implementing various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching;

[0014] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates an example transaction diagram between various network entities based on aspects of sharing and switching between adaptive phase-change devices;

[0015] Figure 8 from Figure 7 The example transaction diagram is further illustrated, in which each of the multiple base stations directly transmits the corresponding surface configuration to the APD based on various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover;

[0016] Figure 9 from Figure 7 The example transaction diagram is further illustrated, in which the first base station relays the surface configuration to the APD of the second base station according to various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover;

[0017] Figure 10 The diagram illustrates an example transaction diagram between various network entities based on aspects of sharing and switching between adaptive phase-change devices;

[0018] Figure 11 The diagram illustrates an example transaction diagram between various network entities based on aspects of sharing and switching between adaptive phase-change devices;

[0019] Figure 12 The illustration shows an example method for sharing an APD between at least two base stations based on various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover;

[0020] Figure 13 The illustration shows an example method for sharing an APD between at least two base stations based on various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover;

[0021] Figure 14 The illustration depicts an example method for performing handover of a UE including an APD in the communication path of a radio link, based on various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover; and

[0022] Figure 15 The illustration shows an example method for performing handover of a UE that includes an APD in the communication path of the radio link, based on various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Evolving wireless communication systems employ various technologies to meet usage demands that exceed or surpass the capabilities of previous wireless communication systems. For example, next-generation user equipment enables applications that consume significantly more user data than their predecessors. To deliver this increased data volume, evolving wireless communication systems (e.g., 5G, 6G) transmit at higher frequencies (e.g., millimeter wave range) and sometimes employ MIMO to increase data capacity. While higher frequencies and MIMO communication offer higher data throughput, channel conditions can negatively impact these technologies. For instance, millimeter wave signals exhibit high throughput under line-of-sight (LoS) conditions, but reflections create multipath and frequency-selective fading, which can increase recovery errors at the receiver.

[0024] Adaptive phase-change devices (APDs) include reconfigurable smart surfaces (RIS) that, when correctly configured, modify propagating signals to correct or reduce errors introduced by one or more communication paths, such as small-scale fading and decaying MIMO channels. Typically, the RIS comprises configurable surface materials that determine how an incident signal impacting the surface is transformed. To illustrate, the configuration of the surface material can affect the phase, amplitude, and / or polarization of the transformed signal. Therefore, modifying the surface configuration of the RIS alters how the signal is transformed upon reflection from the RIS.

[0025] Sometimes, multiple base stations can select the same APD to use when communicating with user equipment (UE). For illustration, assume the communication network has a many-to-one base station-to-APD deployment ratio (e.g., 2:1, 5:1, 10:1). Because the communication network includes more base stations than APDs, a first base station serving a first UE can identify and select the same APD as a second base station serving a second UE. Similarly, multiple base stations coordinating communication with a single UE (e.g., dual connectivity, carrier aggregation, joint transmission, joint reception) can select the same APD to communicate with the UE. In adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover, base stations allocate access to APDs, such as through time partitioning and / or configurable surface element partitioning. Typically, allocating access to an APD corresponds to how and / or when a base station uses the APD's RIS to exchange radio signals with another device, such as utilizing and / or configuring the RIS to reflect signals. Using an APD improves the signal quality of communication exchanged between (one or more) base stations and (one or more) UEs, resulting in performance benefits (e.g., improved signal quality, increased data capacity). Because multiple base stations can access the APD, sharing the APD among multiple base stations and / or UEs further improves communication switching in the communication network, even when the communication network deploys fewer APDs than base stations. For illustration, assume that space is limited for installing the APD in a specific location within the radio access network (RAN) (e.g., space is only sufficient to accommodate a single APD). Sharing allows multiple base stations to benefit from a single APD and improves the corresponding signal quality, which in turn improves the overall performance of communication within the RAN.

[0026] While the features and concepts of the systems and methods for adaptive phase change device sharing and switching described herein can be implemented in any number of different environments, systems, devices and / or various configurations, aspects of adaptive phase change device sharing and switching are described in the context of the following example devices, systems and configurations.

[0027] Example Environment

[0028] Figure 1An example environment 100 is illustrated, comprising multiple user equipments 110 (UEs 110), illustrated as UE 111 and UE 112. Each UE is capable of communicating with base stations 120 (illustrated as base stations 121 and 122) via one or more wireless communication links 130 (wireless links 130) (illustrated as wireless links 131 and 132). Alternatively or additionally, wireless links 130 include wireless links 133 and 134 between at least one of the base stations 120 (e.g., base station 121) and an adaptive phase-change device 180 (APD 180) to control the surface configuration of the APD 180. In environment 100, base station 121 communicates with the APD 180 using wireless link 133, and base station 122 communicates with the APD 180 using wireless link 134. In other embodiments, base station 120 includes a wired interface for transmitting control information with the APD 180. For simplicity, UE 110 is implemented as a smartphone, but it can also be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, modem, cellular phone, gaming device, navigation device, media device, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, smart appliance, vehicle-based communication system, or Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as a sensor, relay, or brake. Base station 120 (e.g., Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network Node B, E-UTRAN Node B, Evolved Node B, eNodeB, eNB, Next Generation Node B, gNode B, gNB, ng-eNB, etc.) can be implemented in macro cells, micro cells, small cells, pico cells, distributed base stations, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0029] One or more base stations 120 communicate with user equipment 110 using radio links 131 and 132, which can be implemented as any suitable type of radio link. In one example, base station 121 communicates with UE 111 using radio link 131, and base station 122 communicates with UE 112 using radio link 132. Radio links 131 and 132 include control plane information and / or user plane data, such as downlink user plane data and control plane information transmitted from base station 120 to user equipment 110, uplink other user plane data and control plane information transmitted from user equipment 110 to base station 120, or both. Radio link 130 may include one or more radio links (e.g., radio links) or bearers implemented using any suitable communication protocol or standard or combination of communication protocols or standards, such as 3GPP LTE, 5G NR, 6G, etc. Multiple radio links 130 can be aggregated in carrier aggregation or multi-connectivity technologies to provide higher data rates for UE 110. Multiple radio links 130 from multiple base stations 120 can be configured for coordinated multipoint (CoMP) communication with UE 110.

[0030] In some implementations, the wireless links (e.g., wireless link 131 and / or wireless link 132) utilize wireless signals, wherein an intermediate device (e.g., APD 180) reflects or transforms one or more rays 190 of the wireless signals, illustrated as signal rays 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, and 196. In various aspects, base stations 121 and 122 allocate access to APD 180 to avoid contention and / or collisions of the corresponding wireless signals, such as by using time partitioning and / or configurable surface element partitioning to allocate access to APD 180, as further described. For simplicity, signal rays 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, and 196 corresponding to the respective wireless signals are described together, but they may be transmitted at different times and / or toward different portions of APD 180 based on allocated access.

[0031] Signal rays 190 and 191 correspond to rays of wireless signals used to implement wireless link 131, while signal rays 194 and 195 correspond to rays of wireless signals used to implement wireless link 132. In environment 100, signal rays 190 and 191 correspond to rays of downlink wireless signals from base station 121 to UE 111, and signal rays 194 and 195 correspond to rays of downlink wireless signals from base station 122 to UE 112, but the rays alternatively or additionally correspond to (respectively) uplink wireless signals from UE 111 or UE 112 to base station 121 or base station 122. As part of communication with UE 111 via wireless link 131 and with UE 112 via wireless link 132, base station 121 beams downlink wireless signals for UE 111, and base station 122 beams downlink wireless signals for UE 112. The first ray of each downlink radio signal (e.g., signal ray 191 and signal ray 194) propagates toward UE 111 and UE 112 in a line-of-sight (LoS) manner, respectively, and the second ray of each downlink radio signal (e.g., signal ray 192 and signal ray 195) propagates toward APD 180. Signal ray 192 impacts the surface of APD 180 and transforms into signal ray 193 propagating toward UE 111, while signal ray 195 impacts the surface of APD 180 and transforms into signal ray 196 propagating toward UE 112. In each respect, signal rays 192 and 195 impact the RIS surface of APD 180, which redirects the corresponding reflected signal rays (e.g., signal rays 193 and signal ray 196) toward UE 111 and / or UE 112. Note that LoS signal rays 191 and LoS signal rays 194 may be dynamically blocked or attenuated by foliage, vehicles, human bodies, water vapor, or other materials (not shown).

[0032] Base stations 121 and 122 are each capable of configuring the RIS of APD 180 to guide how the RIS alters the signal properties of the radio signal (e.g., direction, phase, amplitude, polarization). In various aspects, base stations 121 and 122 configure the RIS based on allocated access. For example, base station 121 uses radio link 133 to transmit first RIS surface configuration information to APD 180, which may include an Adaptive Phase Change Device Slow Control Channel (APD-Slow-Control Channel) or an Adaptive Phase Change Device Fast Control Channel (APD-Fast-Control Channel). In various aspects, the first RIS surface configuration information configures a subset of configurable surface elements and / or configures the surface for a first duration. Similarly, base station 122 uses radio link 134 to transmit second RIS surface configuration information to APD 180.

[0033] In various implementations of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover, base station 121 and / or base station 122 determine one or more surface configurations of APD 180 to direct or redirect reflections of radio signals transmitted by base stations 121 and 122 toward UEs 111 and 112. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 and / or base station 122 determine one or more surface configurations of APD 180 based on downlink signal quality measurements and / or parameters received from UE 111 and / or UE 112, uplink quality measurements and / or parameters generated by base station 121 / base station 122, and / or link quality measurements and / or parameters obtained from historical data records, as further described. In some aspects, base station 120 uses a first surface configuration received from another base station to determine a second surface configuration, such as when performing as referenced Figure 11 The described switching time.

[0034] Base station 120 is collectively referred to as radio access network 140 (e.g., RAN, evolved universal terrestrial radio access network, E-UTRAN, 5G NR RAN, or NR RAN). Base stations 121 and 122 in RAN 140 are connected to core network 150. Base stations 121 and 122 are connected to core network 150 via NG2 interface at 102 and 104 respectively for control plane signaling, via NG3 interface for user plane data communication when connected to 5G core network, or via S1 interface for control plane signaling and user plane data communication when connected to evolved packet core (EPC) network. At 106, base stations 121 and 122 are able to communicate via Xn interface using Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) or via X2 interface using X2 Application Protocol (X2AP) to exchange user plane and control plane data. User equipment 110 can connect to public networks, such as the Internet 160, via core network 150 to interact with remote services 170.

[0035] Example device

[0036] Figure 2 Example device diagram 200 illustrates user equipment 110 and base station 120. Typically, device diagram 200 describes network entities capable of enabling various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover. Figure 2 Examples of UE 110 and base station 120 are shown. UE 110 or base station 120 may include components designed for visual simplicity. Figure 2Additional functions and interfaces omitted. UE110 includes an antenna 202, a radio frequency front-end 204 (RF front-end 204), and radio frequency transceivers including any one or more of an LTE transceiver 206, a 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or a 6G transceiver 210 for communication with the base station 120 in RAN 140. The RF front-end 204 of UE 110 is capable of coupling or connecting the LTE transceiver 206, the 5G NR transceiver 208, and the 6G transceiver 210 to the antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communication.

[0037] The antenna 202 of UE 110 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. Antenna 202 and RF front-end 204 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards and are implemented by LTE transceiver 206 and / or 5G NR transceiver 208. Additionally, antenna 202, RF front-end 204, LTE transceiver 206, 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or 6G transceiver 210 can be configured to support beam scanning for transmission and reception for communication with base station 120. By way of example and not limitation, antenna 202 and RF front-end 204 can be implemented to operate in sub-GHz bands, sub-6GHz bands, and / or higher bands (e.g., 57-64GHz, 28GHz, 38GHz, 71GHz, 81GHz, or 92GHz bands) defined by the 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards.

[0038] UE 110 includes sensor 212, which can be implemented to detect various characteristics such as temperature, orientation, acceleration, proximity, magnetic field, position, distance, supplied power, power usage, battery status, etc. Therefore, the sensors of UE 110 may include any one or a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, depth sensors, magnetometers, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers), distance sensors, temperature sensors, thermistors, battery sensors, and power usage sensors.

[0039] UE 110 also includes one or more processors 214 and a computer-readable storage medium 216 (CRM 216). Processor 214 may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor implemented with homogeneous or heterogeneous core architectures. The computer-readable storage medium described herein does not include propagation signals. CRM 216 may include any suitable memory or storage device that can be used to store device data 218 of UE 110, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory. Device data 218 includes any combination of user data, multimedia data, one or more codebooks, applications, and / or the operating system of UE 110. In embodiments, device data 218 stores processor-executable instructions that can be executed by one or more processors 214 to implement user plane communications, control plane signaling, and user interaction with UE 110.

[0040] The CRM 216 of UE 110 may optionally include a User Equipment Adaptive Phase Change Device Manager 220 (UE APD Manager 220). Alternatively or additionally, the UE APD Manager 220 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of UE 110. In each respect, the UE APD Manager 220 of UE 110 analyzes link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​and determines a request to utilize an APD in the communication path with the base station. Alternatively or additionally, the UE APD Manager 220 determines the (RIS) surface of the current APD to be reconfigured in the communication path. The UE APD Manager 220 then sends an instruction to the base station 120 to utilize and / or reconfigure the APD in the communication path.

[0041] Figure 2The illustrated device diagram of base station 120 includes a single network node (e.g., gNode B). The functionality of base station 120 can be distributed across multiple network nodes or devices and can be distributed in any manner suitable for performing the functions described herein. Base station 120 includes an antenna 252 for communicating with a UE 110, a radio frequency front-end 254 (RF front-end 254), one or more LTE transceivers 256, one or more 5G NR transceivers 258, and / or one or more 6G transceivers 260. The RF front-end 254 of base station 120 is capable of coupling or connecting the LTE transceivers 256, 5G NR transceivers 258, and 6G transceivers 260 to the antenna 252 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 252 of base station 120 may include an array of multiple antennas configured in similar or different ways. Antenna 252 and RF front-end 254 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards and are implemented by LTE transceiver 256, 5G NR transceiver 258 and / or 6G transceiver 260. Furthermore, antenna 252, RF front-end 254, LTE transceiver 256, 5G NR transceiver 258 and / or 6G transceiver 260 can be configured to support beamforming, such as massive MIMO, for transmission and reception in communication with UE 110.

[0042] Base station 120 also includes one or more processors 262 and computer-readable storage medium 264 (CRM 264). Processor 262 may be a single-core or multi-core processor and may be composed of various materials such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectric, copper, etc. CRM 264 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as RAM, SRAM, DRAM, NVRAM, ROM, or flash memory that can be used to store device data 266 of base station 120. Device data 266 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, applications, and / or the operating system of base station 120, which may be executed by one or more processors 262 to enable communication with UE 110. Device data 266 also includes a codebook 268 for APD 180 associated with base station 120 and adaptive phase-change device information 270 (APD information 270). Codebook 268 may include any suitable type of codebook or combination of codebooks, including a surface configuration codebook storing surface configuration information of the APD's RIS and a beam scan codebook storing mode, sequence, or timing information for implementing multiple surface configurations that can be used to guide the APD to perform various reflected beamforming. In some aspects, the surface configuration codebook and beam scan codebook include phase vector information, angle information (e.g., calibrated to the corresponding phase vector), and / or beam configuration information. APD information 270 includes any combination of information describing and / or characterizing a specific APD such as APD identifier information, APD azimuth information, and / or the current surface configuration.

[0043] In various aspects, the CRM 264 of base station 120 also includes a base station adaptive phase-change device manager 272 (BS APD manager 272) for managing the use of APDs in one or more communication paths with UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, the BS APD manager 272 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of base station 120. In various aspects, the BS APD manager 272 identifies APDs near UE 110 and determines when to use one or more APDs in the communication path. The BS APD manager 272 also determines the surface configuration (e.g., RIS configuration) of the APDs, such as initial surface configuration and / or surface reconfiguration based on link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​further described. In some implementations, the BS APD manager 272 receives instructions from UE 110 to utilize APDs in the communication path and / or perform surface reconfiguration of existing APDs utilized in the communication path. In various aspects, the BS APD manager 272 communicates with another BS APD manager 272 at another base station to allocate access to a single APD between base stations (e.g., access to configure RIS, access to utilize the surface for transmission).

[0044] CRM 264 also includes a base station manager 274 for managing various functions and communication interfaces of base station 120. Alternatively or additionally, base station manager 274 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of base station 120. In at least some aspects, base station manager 274 is configured to communicate with antenna 252, RF front end 254, LTE transceiver 256, 5G NR transceiver 258, and 6G transceiver 260 for communication with UE 110, APD 180, and / or with the core network. Base station 120 includes an inter-base station interface 276 (BS interface 276), such as Xn and / or X2 interfaces, which base station manager 274 configures to exchange user plane and control plane data between another base station 120 to manage communication between base station 120 and UE 110. Base station 120 also includes a core network interface (not shown), which base station manager 274 configures to exchange user plane data and control plane information with core network functions and / or entities.

[0045] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example device diagram 300 for the APD 180. Generally, device diagram 300 depicts an example entity from which various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching can be implemented, but may include modifications for visual clarity. Figure 3 Additional functions and interfaces omitted. The Adaptive Phase Change Device (APD) 180 is an apparatus including a reconfigurable Smart Surface (RIS) 322 and components for controlling the RIS 322 (e.g., by modifying the surface configuration of the RIS), as further described below. In some embodiments, the APD 180 may also include components for modifying the position of the APD 180 itself, which in turn modifies the position of the RIS 322. The APD 180 includes one or more antennas 302, a radio frequency front end 304 (RF front end 304), and one or more radio frequency transceivers 306 for wireless communication with the base station 120 and / or the UE 110. The APD 180 may also include a position sensor, such as a GNSS module, which provides position information based on the azimuth of the APD 180.

[0046] The APD 180 may include an array of multiple antennas 302 configured in similar or different ways. Furthermore, the antennas 302, RF front-end 304, and transceivers 306 may be configured to support beamforming for transmission and reception of communications with the base station 120. By way of example and not limitation, the antennas 302 and RF front-end 304 can be implemented for operation in sub-GHz, sub-6GHz, and / or higher frequency bands. Therefore, the antennas 302, RF front-end 304, and transceivers 306 provide the APD 180 with the ability to receive and / or transmit communications with the base station 120, such as information transmitted using the APD control channel (e.g., the APD slow control channel or the APD fast control channel), as further described.

[0047] APD 180 includes one or more processors 310 and a computer-readable storage medium 312 (CRM 312). Processor 310 may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor implemented with homogeneous or heterogeneous core architectures. The computer-readable storage medium described herein does not include propagation signals. CRM 312 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as RAM, SRAM, DRAM, NVRAM, ROM, or flash memory that can be used to store device data 314 of APD 180. Device data 314 includes user data, multimedia data, applications, and / or the operating system of APD 180, as further described, which may be executed by one or more processors 310 to enable dynamic configuration of APD 180. Device data 314 also includes one or more codebooks 316 of any suitable type or combination, and location information 318 of APD 180. Location information 318 may be obtained or configured using position sensor 308 or programmed into APD 180, such as during installation. Location information 318 indicates the location of APD 180 and may include azimuth, geographic coordinates, orientation, altitude information, etc. Base station 120 can use location information 318 via BS APD manager 272 to calculate angle or distance information, such as between base station 120 and APD 180 and / or between APD 180 and interested UE 110. Codebook 316 may include a surface configuration codebook storing surface configuration information for the APD's RIS and a beam scan codebook storing patterns, sequences, or timing information (e.g., phase vectors and reflection identifiers) for implementing multiple surface configurations that can be used to guide the APD to perform various reflection beamforming. In some aspects, the surface configuration codebook and beam scan codebook include phase vector information, angle information (e.g., calibration to the corresponding phase vector), and / or beam configuration information.

[0048] In terms of adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover, the CRM 312 of the APD 180 includes an adaptive phase-change device manager 320 (APD manager 320). Alternatively or additionally, the APD manager 320 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of the APD 180. Typically, the APD manager 320 manages the surface configuration of the APD 180, such as by processing information exchanged with the base station via one or more radio links 133 and / or 134 and using that information to configure the reconfigurable smart surface 322 (RIS 322) of the APD 180. For illustration, the APD manager 320 receives an indication of surface configuration via radio link 133 (APD control channel), extracts the surface configuration from codebook 316 using that indication, and applies the surface configuration to the RIS 322. Alternatively or additionally, the APD manager 320 initiates the transmission of uplink messages to the base station via radio link 133, such as ACK / NACK responses to various APD configuration or management commands. In some respects, the APD manager 320 receives an indication of a beam scanning mode (e.g., a beam scanning mode index) via a wireless link 133 and applies a range of various surface configurations to the RIS based on the beam scanning mode and / or according to the synchronization or mode timing indicated by or received with the indication.

[0049] The RIS 322 of the APD 180 includes one or more configurable surface elements 324, such as configurable electromagnetic elements, configurable resonator elements, or configurable reflective array antenna elements. Typically, the configurable surface elements 324 can be selectively or programmably configured to control how the RIS 322 reflects (e.g., directivity) and / or transforms the incident waveform. By way of example and not limitation, the configurable electromagnetic elements include electrically connected scattering particles (e.g., via PIN diodes). Implementations use electronic connections to arrange the scattering particles, such as based on reflection principles, to control the directionality, phase, amplitude, and / or polarization of the transformed waveform (from the incident waveform). The RIS 322 can include arrays of one or more configurable surface elements 324, wherein the array can include any number of elements of any size.

[0050] In some respects, the position and / or orientation of the APD 180 are configurable, and the APD 180 includes a motor controller 326 that communicates with one or more motors 328 operatively coupled to the physical chassis of the APD 180. Based on commands and control information received from base station 120, the motor controller 326 is able to send commands to the motors 328 that alter one or more of the kinematic behaviors of the motors 328, which may include any suitable type of stepper motor or servo motor. For example, the motor controller 326 may issue commands or control signals specifying the axis rotation of a stepper motor in degrees, the axis rotation rate of a stepper motor in revolutions per minute (RPM), the linear motion of a linear motor in millimeters (mm), or the linear speed of a linear motor in meters per second (m / s). The one or more motors 328 may then be linked to mechanisms that mechanically position the physical chassis or platform supporting the APD 180 (e.g., avionics of a UAV, drives of a linear orbit system, gimbals within the base station, linear bearings within the base station). Commands and signals generated by motor controller 326 and sent to motor 328 can change the physical location, orientation, or direction of APD 180 (and / or the platform supporting APD 180). In response to receiving a location configuration from the base station, APD manager 320 transmits a movement command to motor controller 326 based on the location configuration, such as via a software interface and / or hardware address. Regarding adaptive phase-change device sharing and handover, base station 120 can reposition or redirect one or more APDs 180 to improve or enable radio signal reflections to be directed to UE 110.

[0051] Typically, the APD 180 can include multiple motors, each corresponding to a different direction of rotation or linear motion. Examples of motors 328 that can be used to control the orientation and azimuth of the APD include linear servo motors, which can be part of: (i) a rail system for mounting the APD, (ii) motors controlling the orientation and pitch, yaw, and roll of the drone carrying the APD, (iii) radial servo or stepper motors for the rotation axis when the APD is in a fixed position or on a gimbal, etc. For clarity, the motor controller 326 and motors 328 are illustrated as part of the APD 180, but in alternative or additional embodiments, the APD 180 communicates with a motor controller and / or motors external to the APD. For illustration, the APD manager 320 transmits position configuration to the motor controller, which mechanically positions the platform or chassis supporting the APD 180. In some aspects, the APD manager 320 uses a local wireless link, such as Bluetooth. TMThe position configuration is transmitted to the motor controller via Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, or a hardwired link. The motor controller then uses one or more motors to adjust the platform based on the position configuration. This platform can correspond to or be attached to any suitable mechanism that supports rotation and / or linear adjustment, such as drones, track propulsion systems, hydraulic lifting systems, etc.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, the position of APD 180 can be defined relative to a three-dimensional coordinate system, where the X-axis 330, Y-axis 332, and Z-axis 334 define spatial regions and provide frames for indicating position configuration through rotation and / or linear adjustments. While these axes are typically labeled X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, other frames can also be used to indicate position configuration. For illustration, aerodynamic frames refer to the axes as vertical (yaw) axis, lateral (pitch) axis, and longitudinal (roll) axis, while other motion frames refer to the axes as vertical axis, sagittal axis, and coronal axis. As an example, position 336 typically points to the center position of APD 180 corresponding to the baseline position (e.g., position (0,0,0) using XYZ coordinates).

[0053] In some aspects, the APD manager 320 transmits rotational adjustments (e.g., rotational adjustment 338) about the X-axis 330 to the motor controller 326, where the rotational adjustment includes the direction of rotation (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), the amount of rotation (e.g., degrees), and / or the speed of rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the APD manager 320 transmits linear adjustments 340 along the X-axis, where the linear adjustment includes any combination of the direction, speed, and / or distance of adjustment. Sometimes, the APD manager 320 also transmits adjustments about other axes, such as any combination of rotational adjustments 342 about the Y-axis 332, linear adjustments 344 along the Y-axis 332, rotational adjustments 346 about the Z-axis 334, and / or linear adjustments 348 along the Z-axis 334. Thus, the positional configuration can include combinations of rotational and / or linear adjustments in all three spatial degrees of freedom. This allows the APD manager 320 to transmit physical adjustments to the APD 180. Alternatively or additionally, the APD manager transmits RIS surface configurations, as further described.

[0054] Control of adaptive phase change devices

[0055] Figure 4 The illustration depicts an example environment 400 that implements various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching. Environment 400 includes... Figure 1The base station 120, UE 110, and APD 180 are included. Base station 120 communicates with UE 110 on radio link 131 (not shown) by transmitting downlink radio signal 490 covering a spatial area. Alternatively or additionally, UE 110 communicates with base station 120 by transmitting uplink radio signal on radio link 131 or on another radio connection with base station 120 (e.g., a low-frequency anchored connection below 6 GHz).

[0056] The wireless signal 490 includes a first signal ray 491 propagating toward the UE 110 in a LoS manner, a second signal ray 492 propagating toward the APD 180, and a third signal ray 493 propagating toward an obstacle 404 (illustrated as a leaf) that blocks the signal ray 493 from reaching the UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, the UE 110 communicates with the base station 120 on the wireless link 131 by transmitting uplink wireless signals. In various aspects, the base station 120 transmits wireless signals toward the APD 180 in a high-frequency band at or above 6 GHz, such that signal rays 491, 492, and / or 493 may be blocked by obstacles (e.g., a temporary LoS obstacle for signal ray 491, not shown). The various signal rays 491, 492, and 493 of the wireless signal 490 may be transmitted simultaneously or at different times.

[0057] In various implementations, APD 180 (or other APD) participates in uplink, downlink, and / or location-determining related communications (e.g., reference signals) between base station 120 and UE 110 by transforming (e.g., reflecting) waveforms using a RIS of APD 180 having a surface configuration determined by base station 120. For illustration, signal ray 492 strikes the surface of APD 180, as shown, having a reconfigurable smart surface 406 (RIS 406), and is transformed into signal ray 494 pointing towards UE 110. As part of receiving radio signals 490, UE 110 may receive signal rays 491 and 494 (but not signal ray 493).

[0058] In an implementation, base station 120 configures RIS 406 to guide how signal ray 492 is transformed into signal ray 494 and reflected from APD 180 for downlink communication. Alternatively or additionally, for uplink communication, base station 120 guides RIS 406 to guide how the incident signal ray from UE 110 is transformed into another signal ray along a path opposite to signal ray 494, which follows a path opposite to that of signal ray 492 to base station 120. For example, base station 120 analyzes link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​(e.g., downlink quality measurements, uplink quality measurements, historical link quality measurements) to identify channel impairments. As an example and not a limitation, various link quality measurements that do not meet acceptable performance levels can indicate channel impairments, such as delay spread between the first and last received signals (e.g., received multipath rays) exceeding an acceptable delay spread threshold, or average time delay (of multipath rays) exceeding an acceptable average time delay threshold. As another example, link quality measurements can be used to obtain an estimated UE orientation. Base station 120 then uses the estimated UE orientation to access historical data records indicating the history of one or more channel impairments at the estimated UE orientation. In response to identifying channel impairments, base station 120 selects a surface configuration for RIS406 to transform at least a portion of the first radio signal (e.g., signal ray 492) into a second radio signal (e.g., signal ray 494) to mitigate channel impairments by improving received signal quality.

[0059] In various aspects, base station 120 selects a surface configuration from a surface configuration codebook. As an example, base station 120 analyzes the codebook to identify surface configurations that modify and / or transform various signal characteristics of the radio signal, such as modifying one or more desired phase characteristics, one or more amplitude characteristics, polarization characteristics, etc. In some implementations, base station 120 uses historical data records to select the surface configuration. For example, the base station uses information indicated by link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​to obtain an estimated UE orientation and uses the estimated UE orientation to access historical data records, wherein the historical data records include surface configurations that result in an acceptable performance level at the estimated UE orientation.

[0060] In various implementations, base station 120 transmits surface configuration information to APD 180 via radio link 133. As an example, radio link 133 operates as an Adaptive Phase Change Device Slow Control Channel (APD Slow Control Channel), in which the base station transmits messages indicating surface configuration to APD 180, similar to Layer 2 or Layer 3 control messages that transmit information using Information Elements (IEs). Alternatively or additionally, radio link 133 includes an Adaptive Phase Change Device Fast Control Channel (APD Fast Control Channel), in which the base station uses signaling to indicate control information, sometimes on a time-slot-by-time basis, to rapidly change the surface configuration (e.g., applying the surface configuration on a time-slot-by-time basis). As an example, base station 120 uses the APD-Slow Control Channel or the APD-Fast Control Channel to transmit an index into the surface configuration codebook to indicate the phase vector as the surface configuration.

[0061] For example, consider Figure 5 The illustration shows an example 500 of an APD 180 configured according to one or more aspects. Example 500 includes an instance of a base station 120 and an APD 180, which can be compared with a reference... Figures 1 to 4 The implementation described is similar. The RIS implemented by APD 180 includes an array of "N" configurable surface elements, such as configurable surface element 502, configurable surface element 504, configurable surface element 506, etc., where "N" represents the number of configurable surface elements of the RIS.

[0062] In one implementation, base station 120 manages the configuration of the RIS of APD 180 using a surface configuration codebook 508, which can be pre-configured and / or known to both base station 120 and APD 180. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may also manage the time-varying configuration of the RIS of APD 180 using a beam scanning codebook. In some cases, base station 120 uses radio link 133, such as via an APD slow control channel, to transmit the surface configuration codebook 508 and / or the beam scanning codebook using one or more messages. In various aspects, base station 120 uses the APD-slow control channel to transmit large amounts of data, data without low latency requirements, and / or data without timing requirements. Sometimes, base station 120 transmits multiple surface configuration codebooks to APD 180, such as a first surface configuration codebook for downlink communication, a second surface configuration codebook for uplink communication, a phase vector codebook, a beam scanning codebook, etc. In response, APD 180 stores one or more surface configuration codebooks 508 and / or other codebooks in the CRM, which represent one or more codebooks 316 in CRM 312, as referenced. Figure 3As described. Alternatively or additionally, the APD 180 obtains surface configurations and other codebooks through manufacturing (e.g., programming), calibration, or installation processes that store one or more surface configuration codebooks 508 and one or more other codebooks in the APD 180's CRM 312 during assembly, installation, calibration, or verification, or by manually adding or updating codebooks by an operator.

[0063] Surface configuration codebook 508 includes configuration information specifying the surface configurations of some or all of the configurable surface elements (e.g., element 324) of the RIS forming APD 180. As an example, each index of the codebook corresponds to a phase vector having configuration information for each configurable surface element of APD 180. For example, index 0 maps phase configuration 0 to configurable surface element 502, phase configuration 1 to configurable surface element 504, phase configuration 2 to configurable surface element 506, and so on. Similarly, index 1 maps phase configuration 3 to configurable surface element 502, phase configuration 4 to configurable surface element 504, phase configuration 5 to configurable surface element 506, and so on. Surface configuration codebook 508 may include any number of phase vectors specifying the configurations of any number of configurable surface elements, such that a first phase vector corresponds to a first surface configuration of APD 180 (by the configuration of each configurable surface element in the RIS), a second phase vector corresponds to a second surface configuration of APD 180, and so on. In some respects, one or more surface configurations or phase vectors can be mapped or calibrated to specific angular information of incident and / or reflected wireless signals (e.g., reference signals), signal rays, beamforming transmissions of base station 120, etc.

[0064] Although Figure 5The surface configuration codebook 508 includes phase vector information, but alternative or additional codebooks store beam configuration information, such as a first surface configuration specifying a first beam with a first (propagation) direction, a second surface configuration specifying a second beam with a second direction, etc. Therefore, in various embodiments, the surface configuration codebook 508 corresponds to a beam codebook, which enables the APD 180 to perform beamforming of the incident wireless signal. Similarly, to configure the surface of the APD 180, the base station determines the desired beam configuration for the transformed signal and identifies entries in the beam codebook corresponding to the desired beam configuration. In some aspects, the beam scan codebook indicates patterns of surface configurations and / or beam configurations, such as those indicated by the surface configuration codebook 508 and those specified by the beam codebook. For illustration, the beam scan codebook indicates the order of surface configurations and optionally cyclically cycles through APD reflection identifiers to perform beam scanning in the horizontal or vertical direction. Alternatively or additionally, the beam scan codebook indicates the duration for which each surface configuration is applied to effectively guide the reflected beam in a specific direction within that duration.

[0065] The surface configuration information stored in the codebook can correspond to a complete configuration specifying a precise configuration (e.g., configuration using that value) or a variable configuration specifying a relative configuration (e.g., modifying the current state using that value). In one or more embodiments, the phase configuration information specifies the directional increment and / or angular adjustment between the incident signal and the transformed signal. For example, phase configuration 0 can specify an angular adjustment configuration for element 502 such that the configurable surface element 502 reflects an incident waveform with a relative angular or directional offset of "phase configuration 0". Figure 5 As shown, base station 120 transmits an indication specifying a surface configuration to APD 180. In this example, the indication specifies a surface configuration index 510 (SC index 510) that maps to the corresponding surface configuration of APD 180. In response to receiving the indication, APD manager 320 retrieves the surface configuration from surface configuration codebook 508 using the index and applies the surface configuration to the RIS. For example, APD manager 320 configures each configurable surface element as specified by the corresponding entry in surface configuration codebook 508.

[0066] In various implementations, base station 120 transmits timing information (not shown) to APD 180, which may include a surface configuration or beam scan index. For example, base station 120 may sometimes use radio link 133 to indicate to APD 180 the start time for applying the indicated surface configuration or beam scan mode. In various aspects, base station 120 transmits a stop time indicating when to remove and / or change the surface configuration or beam scan mode. When changing the surface configuration, APD 180, through APD manager 320, can control the direction of APD 180 reflecting radio signals by applying a default surface configuration, returning to a previous surface configuration (e.g., a surface configuration used before the indicated surface configuration), and / or applying a new surface configuration. To maintain synchronized timing with base station 120, APD 180 receives and / or processes base station synchronization signals.

[0067] By specifying timing information, base station 120 can synchronize and / or configure APD 180 to a specific UE (e.g., UE 110). For example, base station 120 configures APD 180 for a specific UE by specifying the start and stop times corresponding to the time slots assigned to that specific UE. In various aspects, base station 120 uses the APD fast control channel to transmit surface configuration indications and / or timing information, which allows base station 120 to dynamically configure APD 180 on a time slot-by-time basis. For example, base station 120 transmits surface configuration schedules to the APD, indicating when different surface configurations will be applied to RIS / configurable surface elements. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 uses signaling on the APD fast control channel to transmit surface configuration changes on a time slot-by-time basis. These allow the base station to configure APD for multiple UEs, such as in scenarios where at least two base stations share an APD to communicate with different UEs, and improve the data rate, spectral efficiency, data throughput, and reliability of multiple UEs and their corresponding wireless networks.

[0068] APD sharing and switching

[0069] A first wireless device can use an APD to direct or redirect the reflection of a wireless signal toward a second wireless device of interest and improve the signal quality of the wireless signal compared to excluding the APD during transmission. Sometimes, multiple base stations may select the same APD when communicating with one or more UEs, such as when operating in a RAN with a many-to-one base station-to-APD deployment ratio, or when coordinating communication with a single UE (e.g., dual connectivity, carrier aggregation, joint transmission, joint reception). In each respect, multiple base stations communicate with each other to coordinate and / or allocate access to a single APD.

[0070] Figure 6 The illustration depicts an example environment 600 that implements various aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching. Environment 600 includes... Figure 1The system comprises base stations 121 and 122, UE 111, UE 112, and APD 180, wherein base stations 121 and 122 share APD 180. Base station 121 maintains a first radio link by transmitting and / or receiving radio signals 602 to / from the first UE 111, while base station 122 maintains a second radio link by transmitting and / or receiving radio signals 604 to / from the second UE 112. Alternatively, however, base stations 121 and 122 coordinate communication with the same UE (not shown), such as through dual connectivity, carrier aggregation, joint transmission, joint reception, etc.

[0071] In environment 600, base station 121 identifies at least one signal or link quality measurement, measurement report, and / or other values ​​indicating channel impairment, such as impairment caused by obstruction 606 of radio transmission between base station 121 and UE 111 due to congestion, attenuation, and / or distortion. For illustration, the base station and UE frequently provide each other with measurement reports or other feedback regarding received signals through various link quality measurements and / or measurement reports, such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), power information, Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) information, Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) information, Channel State Information (CSI), Doppler feedback, Block Error Rate (BLER), Quality of Service (QoS), Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) information (e.g., First Transmission Error Rate, Second Transmission Error Rate, Maximum Repeat Request), Uplink SINR, Timing Measurement, Error Metrics, etc. This can include base station 121 generating uplink quality measurements based on uplink radio signals received from UE 111 and / or receiving downlink quality measurements and / or measurement reports from UE 111. Base station 121 monitors signal and / or link quality measurements and / or measurement reports to identify when channel impairment occurs, such as when the received signal level drops below a threshold when UE 111 moves to a first location where obstacle 606 blocks, attenuates, and / or distorts the signal between base station 121 and UE 111. Similarly, base station 122 monitors signal and / or link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​to identify when channel impairment occurs between base station 122 and UE 112, such as when UE 112 moves to a second location where obstacle 608 blocks, attenuates, and / or distorts the signal between base station 122 and UE 112.

[0072] In response to identifying channel impairments, base station 121 determines to use APD 180 during communication with UE 111. To illustrate, base station 121 obtains the estimated azimuth of UE 111, such as by using GNSS-based azimuth information and / or by UE 111 transmitting the estimated azimuth to base station 121 using low-frequency band signaling, and selects APD 180 based on the estimated UE azimuth. In various aspects, base station 121 queries a server for the APD within a threshold distance of the estimated UE azimuth, for example, including... Figure 1 The core network 150 contains servers. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 queries the core network for candidate APDs within its cell service area. In some aspects, the base station uses a (downlink) APD slow control channel to send requests for APD capabilities (e.g., the number of configurable surface elements, the configuration bit resolution of the configurable surface elements, and the supported APD codebook) to candidate APDs using one or more control messages and / or IEs included in one or more control messages, and selects an APD 180 based on these capabilities. For illustration, base station 121 queries candidate APDs to identify which APDs support configurable surface element partitioning (e.g., assigning a first subset of configurable surface elements to a first base station and a second subset of configurable surface elements to a second base station) for simultaneous operation reflecting multiple signals from multiple devices. In some respects, base station 121 uses estimated UE orientation analysis history to identify APD 180 as being within a threshold distance to UE 111 and / or having APD capabilities compatible with base station 121 (e.g., a common codebook supporting simultaneous operation of multiple signals reflected from multiple devices using configurable surface element partitioning). In various respects, the history includes surface configurations suitable for the estimated UE orientation.

[0073] Base station 121 communicates with APD 180 using a first APD control channel 610, which typically represents the APD slow control channel and / or the APD fast control channel. In some respects, base station 121 uses the APD control channel 610 to query APD 180 to determine whether the APD is in an inactive state (e.g., not used by any other device) or whether the APD is active (e.g., used by another device). Where APD 180 supports multiple APD control channels, base station 121 uses a base station-specific APD control channel; in other respects, base station 121 shares APD control channels with other base stations, and each base station (optionally) includes a base station identifier in its transmissions to the APD. For example, base station 122 simultaneously communicates with APD 180 using a second APD control channel 612, which typically represents the APD slow control channel and / or the APD fast control channel. The second APD control channel 612 can correspond to a separate and different base station-specific APD control channel (e.g., separate from APD control channel 610) and / or can correspond to an APD control channel shared between base stations 121 and 122 as further described.

[0074] In some aspects, base station 121 queries base station 122 to determine whether base station 122 is currently using APD 180 in a communication path for a communication link with a UE (e.g., UE 112). For example, base station 121 identifies base stations within the operating range of APD 180, such as by querying core network 150, and identifies base station 122 within the operating range of APD 180. In various aspects, base station 121 uses inter-base station interface 106 to query base station 122 to (a) determine whether base station 122 is using APD 180 and (b) negotiate and / or coordinate the allocation of access to APD 180 (e.g., allocating configurable surface elements, allocating duration for access), as referenced. Figure 7 Further description.

[0075] Base station 121 selects a first surface configuration for APD 180, such as by analyzing a codebook using estimated UE orientation, signal and / or link measurements, and / or allocated access. Similarly, base station 122 uses signal quality measurements, link quality measurements, estimated UE orientation of UE 112, allocated access to APD 180, etc., to determine a second surface configuration for APD 180. For illustration, assume that base stations 121 and 122 use time partitioning to allocate access to APD 180, such that base station 121 transmits signals to (and / or receives signals from) the surface of APD 180 during a first duration and base station 122 transmits signals to (and / or receives signals from) the surface of APD 180 during a second duration that does not overlap with the first duration (e.g., base station time-sharing APD 180). In each respect, base station 121 selects a first surface configuration for the configurable surface elements of RIS during the first duration. In other words, the first surface configuration can include timing information guiding when the APD 180 applies the surface configuration and / or the duration for applying the surface configuration. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 controls when the APD 180 applies and removes the first surface configuration, such as by transmitting commands on the APD control channel 610 indicating when to apply and remove the first surface configuration. Similarly, base station 122 controls when the APD 180 applies and removes the second surface configuration, such as by transmitting commands on the APD control channel 612 indicating when to apply and remove the second surface configuration.

[0076] In some respects, base stations 121 and 122 use configurable surface element partitioning to allocate access to APD 180, such that base station 121 transmits signals (and / or receives signals from) a first subset of the configurable surface elements of APD 180 and base station 122 transmits signals (and / or receives signals from) a second subset of the configurable surface elements of APD 180. The configurable surface elements of APD 180 can be partitioned in any suitable manner, such as horizontal partitioning by grouping elements in the same horizontal row, vertical partitioning by grouping elements in the same vertical column, quadrant partitioning, etc.

[0077] Alternatively or otherwise, a base station uses APD control channels 610, 612 to request an APD access allocation (e.g., duration, subset of configurable surface elements) from APD 180, and the manager 320 of APD 180 assigns the APD access allocation and transmits it to the appropriate requesting base station. For example, the APD manager 320 regulates access to APD 180 by monitoring queries from one or more base stations, allocating access to APDs (e.g., APD access allocations) based on the availability of base stations, and / or transmitting the corresponding APD access allocation to each base station. For illustration, the APD manager 320 uses time partitioning and / or configurable surface element partitioning to allocate access to APD 180 (based on availability).

[0078] In various aspects, APD 180 supports multiple APD control channels, such as multiple APD slow control channels and / or multiple APD fast control channels, enabling base station 121 to transmit a first surface configuration to APD 180 using a first APD slow control channel 610, and base station 122 to transmit a second surface configuration to APD 180 using a second APD slow control channel 612. Alternatively or additionally, base stations 121 and 122 communicate with APD 180 using the same APD control channel (not shown), such as coordinating access to the APD control channel via interface 106, allocating a first resource block of the APD control channel to base station 121, and allocating a second resource block of the APD control channel to base station 122.

[0079] In an alternative manner, base station 122 transmits the second surface configuration to base station 121 via interface 106, and base station 121 uses APD control channel 610 to transmit the first surface configuration (determined by base station 121) and the second surface configuration (determined by base station 122) to APD 180, such as reference... Figure 9 As described, this can include base station 121 transmitting control information to APD 180 via APD control channel 610, indicating when to apply a first surface configuration, when to remove the first surface configuration, when to apply a second surface configuration, when to remove the second surface configuration, and so on. In other words, base station 121 transmits timing information to APD 180 for both base station 121 and base station 122.

[0080] In various aspects, the source base station communicating with the UE using the APD sometimes transmits APD information (e.g., APD identifier, APD orientation information, surface configuration) to the target base station during handover. For illustration, assume that base station 121 determines to perform a handover from UE 111 to base station 122. In some aspects, and as referenced... Figure 11As described, (source) base station 121 transmits APD identifiers and / or surface configurations to (target) base station 122 via interface 106. (Target) base station 122 analyzes the APD information to (a) determine whether to use the identified APD and / or (b) the surface configuration of the identified APD when exchanging radio signals with a UE participating in the handover. For example, (target) base station 122 uses the surface configuration, estimated UE orientation information, orientation information of (source) base station 121, and / or orientation information of (target) base station 122 to calculate and / or determine a modified surface configuration, which configures the surfaces of the APDs to reflect signals originating from the target base station to UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, the target base station selects the modified surface configuration based on signal and / or link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​from UE 111.

[0081] Using APDs to guide, redirect, and / or transform signals improves the signal quality of communications exchanged between base stations and UEs and results in performance benefits (e.g., improved signal quality, increased data capacity). Sharing APDs among multiple base stations and / or UEs further improves communications exchanged in a communication network by providing access to the APDs to multiple base stations, even when the number of APDs deployed in the communication network is less than the number of base stations, because sharing provides each base station with the ability to improve the corresponding signal quality of communications exchanged with one or more UEs using the APDs.

[0082] Signaling and control transactions for APD sharing and switching

[0083] Figure 7 , 8 Figures 9, 10, and 11 illustrate example signaling and control transaction diagrams based on one or more aspects of APD sharing and switching. In each aspect, the operation of the signaling and control transactions can be performed by any combination of devices, including using references... Figure 1-6 The first base station (e.g., base station 121), the second base station (e.g., base station 122), the APD (e.g., APD 180), and one or more UEs (e.g., UE 110, UE 111, UE 112) described in any of the above.

[0084] Depend on Figure 7 The signaling and control transactions in Figure 700 illustrate a first example of signaling and control transactions for APD sharing and handover, where Figure 700 leads to (a) as shown in Figure 700. Figure 8 The additional signaling and control transactions illustrated, or (b) as shown Figure 9 The diagram illustrates additional signaling and control transactions. Figure 700 includes signaling and control transactions between base station 121, UE 111, APD 180, UE 112, and base station 122.

[0085] As shown in the figure, at 705, UE 111 transmits signal quality measurements, link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​to base station 121. For example, as part of establishing and / or maintaining a radio link with UE 111, base station 121 transmits a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message (not shown) that guides the UE to perform measurements. In response to the RRC reconfiguration message, UE 111 transmits signal and / or link quality measurements, such as measurement reports, values, or references. Figure 6 Other feedback described. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 transmits a threshold to UE 111, which indicates the triggering of transmitted signal and / or link quality measurements and / or measurement reports. In some aspects, base station 121 uses uplink signals received from UE 111 to generate signal and / or link quality measurements.

[0086] At 710, base station 121 determines that an APD will be used in the communication path to exchange radio signals with UE 111. For example, base station 121 analyzes the signal and / or link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​received at 705 and determines that the signal and / or link quality measurements indicate channel impairments, such as by identifying link quality measurements that do not meet acceptable performance levels. Based on the determination of APD use, base station 121 identifies APD 180. For illustration, base station 121 receives or determines an estimated UE orientation (not shown) and determines that the estimated UE orientation falls within a threshold distance from APD 180. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 uses the estimated UE orientation to analyze historical records, and these historical records identify APD 180 as a suitable APD based on the estimated UE orientation. In some aspects, base station 121 queries a server for APDs within the threshold distance of the estimated UE orientation and / or candidate APDs within base station 121's cell service area, such as those included in... Figure 1 The core network of 150 servers.

[0087] At 715, base station 121 may optionally query base station 122 for APD access information indicating whether base station 122 is currently using the APD. For example, as part of identifying APD 180 at 710, base station 121 queries the server to identify other base stations within the operating range of APD 180 and queries each base station to determine whether that base station is currently using the APD. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 may optionally query APD 180 for disabled / enabled status information (not shown). As another example, base station 121 may optionally query the core network managing APD 180 (not shown) to identify which base stations are currently using APD 180. At 720, base station 121 may optionally receive APD access information from base station 122 (and / or APD 180 and / or the core network).

[0088] In Figure 700, assuming APD 180 is not enabled and is currently not in use, at 725, base station 121 determines the first surface configuration for APD 180. For illustration and reference... Figure 5 and 6 Base station 121 uses the signal and / or link quality measurements and / or estimated UE location received at 705 to access the codebook and / or historical records.

[0089] At 730, base station 121 indicates a first surface configuration to APD 180, such as by indicating (using the APD control channel) an index mapped to an entry in the codebook that includes phase vector information. For example, referencing Figure 6 Base station 121 uses APD control channel 610 to transmit the first surface configuration to APD 180. At 735, APD 180 uses the first surface configuration indicated at 730 to configure the configurable surface elements of the RIS. For example, APD manager 320 uses instructions to extract the first surface configuration from codebook 316 and apply the first surface configuration to RIS 322.

[0090] At 740, base station 121 and UE 111 communicate using APD 180. As an example, base station 121 transmits one or more radio signals toward the surface of APD, where the radio signals (one or more) strike the surface of APD 180 and are transformed / reflected into one or more signals that propagate toward UE 111.

[0091] At 745, and at any point in time after base station 121 has configured the RIS of APD 180, base station 122 receives signal and / or link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​from UE 112. For example, and similarly to that described in 705, as part of establishing and / or maintaining a radio link with UE 112, base station 122 instructs UE 112 to perform measurements (not shown), and UE 112 transmits signal and / or link quality measurements and / or measurement reports. Alternatively or additionally, base station 122 generates signal and / or link quality measurements using uplink signals received from UE 112.

[0092] At 750, and similarly as described at 710, base station 122 identifies APDs for use in exchanging radio signals with UE 112 during the communication path, such as by analyzing the signal and / or link quality measurements received at 745, determining that the signal and / or link quality measurements indicate channel impairments, and identifying APDs for use when communicating with UE 112. As an example, base station 122 queries a server for APDs within a threshold distance of the estimated UE orientation of UE 112 and / or candidate APDs within the cell service area of ​​base station 122, such as those included in... Figure 1The core network of 150 servers.

[0093] At 755, and similarly as described at 715, base station 122 may optionally query base station 121 for APD access information indicating whether base station 121 is currently using an APD in a communication path for a radio link. As an example, base station 122 queries base station 121 using interface 106. At 760, base station 122 may optionally receive APD access information from base station 121 (and / or APD 180).

[0094] At 765, assuming base station 121 indicates to base station 122 at 760 that APD 180 is currently in use, base stations 121 and 122 negotiate and / or coordinate with each other to allocate access to APD 180. For illustration, base stations 121 and 122 determine to time-share APD 180 by using time partitioning, where the base stations agree to use (and / or configure) the surface of the APD during different durations. For example, during a first duration, base station 121 uses a first surface configuration to configure the surface of APD 180 and uses the surface of APD 180 to transmit / receive signals, as further described. During the first duration, base station 122 is prohibited from configuring and / or using the surface of APD 180. During a second duration that does not overlap with the first duration, base station 122 uses a second surface configuration to configure the surface of APD 180 and uses the surface of the APD to transmit / receive signals, while base station 121 is prohibited from configuring and / or using the surface of APD 180. The time divisions do not have to be equal and can depend on the amount of data buffered by each base station for transmission, the beamforming gain requested by the base station, the frequency bandwidth of the carrier signal, and other factors.

[0095] Alternatively or additionally, base stations 121 and 122 use configurable surface element partitioning to allocate APD access, wherein the base stations agree to use (and / or configure) different subsets of configurable surface elements forming a RIS. For example, refer to Figure 5 Base stations 121 and 122 will assign configurable surface element 502 to base station 121 and configurable surface element 506 to base station 122. This can include any type of partitioning, such as horizontal partitioning that groups elements in the same horizontal row, vertical partitioning that groups elements in the same vertical column, quadrant partitioning, etc. The configurable surface element partitions do not have to be equal and can depend on the amount of data buffered by each base station for transmission, the coverage area or beam area of ​​each base station signal and its UE, the beamforming gain requested by the base station, the frequency bandwidth of the carrier signal, the MIMO configuration of each device, and other factors.

[0096] In some respects, as part of the 765 coordinated access APD, base stations 121 and 122 additionally allocate physical resources for APD control channels. For illustration, instead of using separate base station-specific APD control channels (such as...) for base stations 121 and 122... Figure 6 Elements 610 and 612 shown communicate with APD 180. Base stations 121 and 122 share the physical resources of the APD control channel, such as when APD 180 supports only a single physical APD control channel instead of multiple physical APD control channels. However, a single physical APD control channel can support the direct reception of APD control messages from different base stations.

[0097] Therefore, in 765, base stations 121 and 122 can optionally allocate physical resources of the (shared) APD control channel to avoid contention. For illustration, base stations 121 and 122 agree to allocate air interface resources of a single APD control channel by allocating a first resource block of the APD control channel to base station 121 and a second resource block of the APD control channel to base station 122. Alternatively or additionally, base stations 121 and 122 agree to assign a first control channel element (CCE) (e.g., resource element (RE), resource element group (REG)) to base station 121 and a second CCE to base station 122. As another example, base stations 121 and 122 agree to assign a first time slot of the shared APD control channel to base station 121 and a second time slot of the APD control channel to base station 122. When sharing an APD control channel, the base stations may include a base station identifier in their APD control messages on the same physical APD control channel.

[0098] At this point, Figure 700 can proceed to at least two alternative paths: option "A" (in...) Figure 8 (as described in the text) or option "B" (in the text) Figure 9 (As described in the text). Figure 8 Signaling and control transaction diagram 800 is depicted, in which each base station transmits the corresponding surface configuration directly to the APD, and each base station uses (correspondingly) base station-specific APD control channels (e.g., both APD control channels 610 and 612), or the base stations share the same APD control channels by partitioning control channel resources. Figure 9 Signaling and control transaction diagram 900 is depicted, in which the first base station relays the surface configuration to the APD for the second base station (e.g., using only APD control channel 610 and not using APD control channel 612).

[0099] continue Figure 8 Option "A" in 805, base station 121 can optionally be similar to in Figure 7The modified first surface configuration is determined in the manner described in 725. However, in 805, base station 121 determines the modified first surface configuration based on the access allocated to APD 180, while in 725 of Figure 700, base station 121 determines the first surface configuration assuming that APD 180 is not being used by any other base station (e.g., not enabled). In other words, in 805, base station 121 determines the modified first surface configuration based on the access allocated to APD 180. Figure 7 The 765 determined and allocated access to base station 121 determines the modified first surface configuration, such as a surface configuration for a subset of configurable surface elements and / or a time-sharing surface configuration based on time partitioning, as further described. As previously mentioned, sometimes the original surface configuration 725 does not use the entire APD surface; therefore, given the additional supported UE 112, no modified surface configuration is required to accommodate the first UE 111.

[0100] At 810, base station 121 may optionally indicate a modified first surface configuration to APD 180. In various aspects, base station 121 uses a first APD control channel (e.g., APD control channel 610) to indicate the modified first surface configuration.

[0101] In step 815, base station 122 determines the second surface configuration. For illustration and reference... Figure 5 and 6 Base station 122 uses the signal received at 745 and / or link quality measurements and / or the estimated UE location of UE 112 to access the codebook and / or historical records. In all aspects, base station 122 is based on... Figure 7 The 765 is determined and the access to the APD 180 allocated to the base station 122 is used to determine the second surface configuration.

[0102] At 820, base station 122 indicates the second surface configuration to APD 180. In various aspects, base station 122 uses a base station-specific second APD control channel (e.g., APD control channel 612) to indicate the second surface configuration. For illustration, assume that APD 180 supports multiple APD control channels, such that each base station communicates with APD 180 using a base station-specific APD control channel. Alternatively or additionally, base station 122 uses allocated air interface resources of a shared APD control channel (e.g., shared with base station 121) to indicate the second surface configuration.

[0103] At 825, base station 122 communicates with UE 112 using the access allocated to APD 180. For illustration, at 825, base station 122 guides APD 180 to apply the second surface configuration indicated at 820 and uses the surface of APD 180 to transmit (and / or receive) radio signals to UE 112 based on the access allocated at 765. Similarly, at 830, base station 121 uses the access allocated to APD 180 by guiding APD to apply the modified surface configuration indicated at 810 to the surface of APD 180 and uses APD to communicate with UE 111 based on the access allocated at 765.

[0104] Back Figure 7 The completion of Figure 700 allows the graph to be alternatively advanced to... Figure 9 Option "B" is described in the reference. Figure 8 As described, at 805, base station 121 optionally determines a modified first surface configuration based on the access allocated to APD 180 and optionally indicates the modified first surface configuration to APD 180 at 810. However, alternatively, base station 121 waits to determine a third surface configuration, as further described at 910. For illustration, assume that as in Figure 7 As part of the coordinated allocation of access to the APD in 765, base station 122 requests base station 121 to relay the second surface configuration to APD 180 on behalf of base station 122. Based on this request, base station 121 determines to wait until after receiving the second surface configuration before modifying the first surface configuration determined in 725, and therefore does not execute 805, 810.

[0105] At 815, base station 122 determines the second surface configuration, such as by using the signal received at 745 and / or link quality measurements to access the codebook and / or historical records and / or based on... Figure 7 The 765 is determined and the access to the APD 180 is allocated to the base station 122.

[0106] At 905, base station 122 transmits the second surface configuration to base station 121. For example, base station 122 uses interface 106 to transmit an index mapped to an entry in the codebook, as further described. Alternatively or additionally, base station 122 transmits timing information, such as the duration of application of the second surface configuration, the start time of application of the second surface configuration, and / or the stop time of stopping the use of the second surface configuration. Thus, instead of using a second APD control channel and / or sharing an APD control channel with base station 121, base station 122 transmits the second surface configuration to the first base station 121. This inter-base station communication can use interface 106. In some aspects, base station 122 implicitly guides base station 121 to configure the APD by transmitting the second surface configuration, while in other aspects, base station 122 explicitly guides base station 121 to configure the APD by transmitting APD configuration commands.

[0107] At 910, base station 121 may optionally determine a third surface configuration, such as by analyzing the modified first and second surface configurations determined at 805, and determining a third (aggregated) surface configuration suitable for communications transmitted and received by both base station 121 and base station 122. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 may optionally analyze the modified (or unmodified) first and second surface configurations to identify any incompatibilities (e.g., use of overlapping configurable surface elements, duration of overlap). In response to identifying incompatibilities, base station 121 may optionally determine a third surface configuration to correct the incompatibilities and notify base station 122 of the adjustment to the third surface configuration, and / or guide base station 122 to determine a modified third surface configuration based on the identified incompatibilities (not shown).

[0108] In 915, base station 121 indicates one or more surface configurations to APD 180, such as a modified first surface configuration, a second surface configuration, and / or a third surface configuration. In various aspects, base station 121 uses an APD control channel (e.g., APD control channel 610) to indicate the surface configuration(s). Therefore, sometimes, base station 121 relays second surface configuration information to APD 180 and on behalf of base station 122. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 transmits control information via the APD control channel indicating when to apply the modified first surface configuration, when to remove the modified first surface configuration, when to apply the second surface configuration, when to remove the second surface configuration, and so on. See reference... Figure 8 As described, at 825, base station 122 and UE 112 communicate using the access allocated to APD, and at 830, base station 121 and UE 111 communicate using the access allocated to APD.

[0109] Figure 10Figure 1000 illustrates a second example of signaling and control transactions for APD sharing and handover. Figure 1000 includes example signaling and control transactions between base station 121, base station 122, UE 110, and APD 180.

[0110] As shown in the figure, at 1005, base station 121, base station 122, and UE 110 maintain one or more radio links to the UE using coordinated communication. For illustration, base station 121 and base station 122 use dual connectivity, carrier aggregation, and / or various types of CoMP techniques to maintain the radio links. For illustrative purposes, base station 121 will provide a primary node, primary cell, or anchor point, and base station 122 will provide a secondary node or secondary cell.

[0111] At 1010, UE 110 transmits corresponding signals and / or link quality measurements to base station 121 and / or base station 122. For illustration and reference... Figure 6 UE 110 transmits RSSI, power information, SINR, RSRP, CQI, CSI, Doppler feedback, BLER, QoS, and / or HARQ information to base station 121, wherein signal and / or link quality measurements are based on downlink communication from base station 121. Alternatively or additionally, UE 110 transmits similar signal and / or link quality measurements to base station 122 based on downlink communication from base station 122. In each respect, base station 121 and / or base station 122 generate corresponding signal and / or link quality measurements based on uplink signals received from UE 110 (not shown).

[0112] In 1015, base station 121 and / or base station 122 determine to use APD, as in Figure 7 As described in 710. As an example, base station 122 determines to use the APD based on corresponding signal and link quality measurements from UE 110, while base station 121 does not (or vice versa). In other words, the corresponding signal and link quality measurements received by base station 122 indicate channel impairment, while the corresponding signal and link quality measurements received by base station 121 do not indicate channel impairment. For another example, both base station 121 and base station 122 determine to use the APD. In some aspects, base station 121 and / or base station 122 identify and / or select APD 180, as referenced... Figure 7 Further description.

[0113] At 1020, base station 122 may optionally transmit a request to base station 121 requesting the use of APD 180 in the communication path of the wireless communication link with UE 110. For illustration, it is assumed that base station 121 acts as a coordinating and / or anchoring base station for coordinated communication as described at 1005. In various aspects, base station 122 requests the use of APD when transmitting (and / or receiving) radio signals to UE 110 from the coordinating and / or anchoring base station, such as by transmitting the request through interface 106. Alternatively or additionally, base station 122 includes an APD identifier in the request indicating the use of APD 180. In some aspects, base station 122 transmits surface configuration to base station 121, such as in Figure 9 The 815 and / or 905 described ( Figure 10 (Not shown in the image).

[0114] At 1025, base station 121 determines one or more surface configurations for the APD. In some aspects, this includes determining the allocated access to the APD 180 to share the APD 180 between at least base station 121 and base station 122. Alternatively or additionally, this includes determining the allocated access to the APD 180 with other base stations (not shown) that are not involved in joint communication, such as in Figure 7 As described in 765. Therefore, base station 121 can determine the surface configuration based on the allocated access. In other words, base station 121 is able to determine, based on the allocated access: a first surface configuration for a first subset of configurable surface elements, a second surface configuration for a second subset of configurable surface elements, a third configuration for all configurable surface elements over a first duration, a fourth configuration for all configurable surface elements over a second duration, and so on.

[0115] At 730, the base station instructs APD 180 on one or more surface configurations, as further described, such as via the APD control channel. Based on the received instruction, APD 180 at 735 uses one or more surface configurations to configure the RIS, as referenced. Figure 7 As described.

[0116] At 1030, base station 121 transmits the allocated access to secondary base station 122. For example, base station 121 transmits a subset of configurable surface elements and / or durations to base station 122 via interface 106, and directs base station 122 to access and / or use APD 180 based on this allocated access. Thus, and similarly to reference... Figure 8 As described, base station 121, base station 122 and UE 110 communicate using the access allocated to APD 180 at 1035.

[0117] Figure 1000 illustrates an example signaling and control transaction, in which coordinating and / or anchoring a base station (e.g., base station 121) (a) is able to determine the surface configuration of multiple base stations participating in coordinated communication with the UE and (b) is able to configure an APD for the multiple base stations. However, in an alternative example, each of the multiple base stations determines a corresponding surface configuration (based on allocated access) and communicates directly with the APD, such as a reference Figure 8 As described in Figure 800.

[0118] Figure 11 Figure 1100 illustrates a third example of signaling and control transactions for APD sharing and handover. Figure 1100 includes example signaling and control transactions between base station 121, base station 122, UE 110, and APD 180.

[0119] Figure 1100 begins at 1105 and corresponds to... Figure 7 The first instance of signaling and control transactions executed at location 740, where base station 121 and UE 110 communicate with each other using APD 180. Figure 1100 illustrates this in various aspects. Figure 7 Continuing from 740. In other words, Figure 1100 can include some or all of the signaling and control transactions of 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, 730 and / or 735, as referenced. Figure 7 As described, but not included for visual simplicity. Figure 7 As shown in the figure. Alternatively or additionally, Figure 1110 can begin with Figure 8 In the 825, base station 121 uses the access allocated to APD 180 to communicate with UE 110.

[0120] In 705, and as referenced Figure 7 As described, UE 110 transmits signal and / or link quality measurements to base station 121. At 1110, base station 121 determines to guide the UE to perform a handover. For illustration, base station 121 analyzes the signal and / or link quality measurements and determines that base station 122 provides better signal quality (e.g., a higher received power level) to UE 110 relative to base station 121. When determining to guide the UE to perform a handover, base station 121 alternatively or otherwise selects base station 122 as the target base station based on the analysis of signal and / or link quality measurements.

[0121] At 1115, base station 121 transmits the APD identifier and / or surface configuration of APD 180 to (target) base station 122. As an example, base station 121 indicates an index value to base station 122 via an inter-base station interface (e.g., interface 106), which maps the index value to an entry in the codebook of the phase vector. As for the surface configuration, base station 121 transmits a surface configuration for configuring the surface of APD 180, wherein base station 121 and / or UE 110 use the configured surface to exchange radio signals, as further described.

[0122] For reference Figure 7 As described, at 725, base station 122 optionally determines the surface configuration of APD 180. As an example, base station 122 analyzes the surface configuration received at 1115 and determines a modified surface configuration based on the azimuth information of base station 121, the azimuth information of base station 122, and / or the estimated UE azimuth of UE 110, to identify the phase vector of the APD 180 surface with similar properties, such as the reflection angle of signals originating from base station 122 rather than base station 121 to UE 110. Therefore, at 730, base station 122 optionally indicates the surface configuration to APD 180, such as by using an APD control channel.

[0123] At 1130, base stations 121 and 122, and UE 110 perform a handover. For example, (source) base station 121 sends a handover request message to (target) base station 122. (Target) base station 122 determines the air interface resources used by UE 110 during the handover and / or sends a handover request response message to (source) base station 121. Alternatively or additionally, (source) base station 121 sends a handover command to UE 110, and UE 110 disconnects from (source) base station 121 and connects to (target) base station 122.

[0124] In 1135, base station 122 and UE 110 use APD 180 to communicate wirelessly with each other, such as Figure 7 As described in 740. For example, base station 122 transmits one or more radio signals to a surface (e.g., a subset and / or all of the configurable surface elements) configured with an APD arranged on the surface indicated in 730, wherein one or more of the signals strike the surface of the APD 180 and are transformed into one or more signals propagating toward the UE 110.

[0125] The order of signaling and control transactions illustrated in Figures 700, 800, 900, 1000, and 1100 should not be interpreted as a restriction, and any number of signaling and control transactions can be reordered. For illustration, referring to Figure 1100, the transactions described in 1115, 725, and / or 730 can be executed as part of or after the transaction described in 1130.

[0126] Example methods for APD sharing and switching

[0127] Based on one or more aspects of APD sharing and switching, refer to Figure 12 , 13 14 and 15 describe example methods 1200, 1300, 1400, and 1500. Figure 12 The illustration depicts an example method 1200 for performing APD sharing and handover, such as a second base station initiating coordination with a first base station to allocate access to the APD. In some implementations, the operation of method 1200 is performed by the second base station, such as... Figure 7 Base station 122.

[0128] At 1205, the base station determines to use an APD in the communication path with the first UE via the second radio link. As an example, base station 122 determines to use APD 180, as in... Figure 7 The 750 described and / or similar to those in Figure 7 As described in 710.

[0129] At 1210, base station 122 identifies the first base station using the APD. To illustrate, base station 122 identifies which base stations are within the operating range of APD 180, such as by accessing the core network, and queries base station 121 using an inter-base station interface (e.g., interface 106), as in... Figure 7 As described in section 755. For example, base station 122 queries core network 150 to identify which base stations are currently using APD 180 or queries APD 180 for APD access information using the APD control channel. In some aspects, the first base station uses APD in its communication path with another UE.

[0130] At 1215, the base station obtains access to the allocated APD. For example, as in Figure 7 As described in 765, base station 122 coordinates with base station 121 to determine and obtain access allocations for APD 180, such as time-partitioned access and / or configurable surface element partitioned access. For example, base station 122 requests APD access allocations from APD 180 using the APD control channel.

[0131] In 1220, the base station configures the APD surface based on the allocated access. For illustration, as in... Figure 7 725 and Figure 8As described in 815, base station 122 determines the surface configuration of APD 180 based on any combination of signal and / or link quality measurements, measurement reports, estimated UE location information, APD time partitioning allocation for base station 122, and / or configurable surface element partitioning allocation for base station 122. In some aspects, base station 122 indicates the surface configuration to APD 180 using a base station-specific APD control channel (e.g., APD control channel 612) or a shared APD control channel. Alternatively or additionally, base station 122 transmits the surface configuration to base station 121.

[0132] In 1225, the base station uses the APD in the communication path for the second radio link used with the second UE using the APD and based on the allocated access. For example, as in Figure 8 As described in 815, 820 and 830, base station 122 determines a second surface configuration based on the allocated access, instructs the second surface configuration to APD 180 to guide APD configuration of the surface, and uses APD in the communication path of the radio signal associated with the second radio link of the second UE.

[0133] Figure 13 The illustration depicts an example method 1300 for performing various aspects of APD sharing and handover, such as a first base station receiving a request for allocated access to an APD from a second base station. In some embodiments, the operation of method 1300 is performed by the first base station, such as... Figure 7 Base station 121.

[0134] At 1305, the first base station uses an APD in the communication path for the first radio link with the first UE. For illustration, base station 121 uses APD 180 in the communication path for the radio link with UE 111, as shown in... Figure 7 As described in 740.

[0135] At 1310, the first base station receives a request for allocated access to APD from the second base station. For example, base station 121 receives a request for allocated access to APD 180 from base station 122, as in... Figure 7 As described in 765.

[0136] At 1315, the first base station and the second base station allocate access to APD. For illustration, base station 121 allocates access to APD 180 by coordinating with base station 122, querying APD 180, and / or querying the core network, as shown in... Figure 7 As described in 765.

[0137] In 1320, the first base station uses an APD in the communication path for the first radio link used with the first UE based on the allocated access. For example, as... Figure 8As described in 805, 810 and 825, base station 121 determines a modified surface configuration based on allocated access, indicates the modified surface configuration to APD 180 to guide APD to reconfigure the surface, and uses APD in the communication path for a first radio link with the first UE based on allocated access.

[0138] Figure 14 An example method 1400 for performing APD sharing and handover is illustrated, such as a source base station handing a UE to a target base station by providing APD information. In some implementations, the operation of method 1400 is performed by the source base station, such as... Figure 11 Base station 121.

[0139] At 1405, the source base station uses an APD in the communication path for the radio link with the UE. For illustration, base station 121 communicates with UE 110 by transmitting radio signals toward the surface of APD 180, as shown in... Figure 7 740 and Figure 11 As described in 1105, a radio signal strikes the surface of APD 180 and reflects toward UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 receives the radio signal (originating from UE 110) that has been reflected from the surface of APD 180. In all respects, and as part of establishing and / or maintaining a radio link with UE 110, the source base station transmits a source base station-to-user equipment (source-to-UE) surface configuration to APD 180 and directs APD 180 to configure its surface using the source-to-UE surface configuration (e.g., RIS 322).

[0140] At 1410, the source base station determines to perform a handover from the UE to the target base station. Base station 121 receives, for example, signal and / or link quality measurements, measurement reports, and / or other values ​​from UE 110, as referenced. Figure 7 and Figure 11 As described in 705, and determining to guide UE 110 to perform a handover to base station 122, as in Figure 11 As described in 1110.

[0141] At 1415, the source base station transmits the APD identifier of the APD to the target base station. For illustration, base station 121 transmits the APD identifier of the APD 180 to base station 122 via interface 106, as shown in... Figure 11 As described in 1115. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 instructs base station 122 on surface configurations, such as source-to-UE surface configurations for configuring the surface of APD 180 to maintain the radio link with UE 110, as described in 1405.

[0142] At 1420, the source base station and the target base station negotiate to determine one or more handover parameters. For example, base station 121 and base station 122 negotiate air interface resources, such as... Figure 11 As described in 1130.

[0143] At 1425, the source base station performs a handover from the UE to the target base station. As an example, base station 121 instructs UE 110 to perform a handover to base station 122 using negotiated handover parameters and disconnects from UE 110. In some aspects, the source base station explicitly or implicitly instructs the target base station to include an APD in the communication path of the radio link between the UE and the target base station.

[0144] Figure 15 The illustration depicts an example method 1500 for performing APD sharing and handover, such as a source base station performing a handover from a UE to a target base station by providing APD information. In some implementations, the operation of method 1500 is performed by the target base station, such as... Figure 11 Base station 122.

[0145] At 1505, the target base station receives an APD identifier from the source base station, which identifies the APD used by the source base station to maintain the radio link with the UE. For example, base station 122 receives the APD identifier from base station 121 via interface 106, as in... Figure 11 As described in 1115. Alternatively or additionally, the target base station receives an indication of source-to-UE surface configuration used by the source base station to configure the surface of the APD 180.

[0146] At 1510, the target base station negotiates with the source base station to determine one or more handover parameters for performing the UE handover. As an example, base station 122 negotiates air interface resources with base station 121, such as... Figure 11 As described in 1130.

[0147] At 1515, the target base station determines the surface configuration for the APD. For illustration, and as in... Figure 7 and Figure 11 As described in 725, base station 122 uses the azimuth information of base station 121, the azimuth information of base station 122, the source-to-UE surface configuration received at 1505, and / or the estimated UE azimuth of UE 110 to determine the target base station-to-user equipment (target-to-UE) surface configuration to identify the phase vector of the surface of APD 180 configured to reflect signals originating from the target base station toward UE 110.

[0148] In 1520, the target base station guides the APD to configure its surface using a target-to-UE surface configuration. As an example, as in... Figure 7 and Figure 11As described in 730, base station 122 uses the APD control channel to indicate the target-to-UE surface configuration to APD 180. Alternatively or additionally, base station 122 transmits the target-to-UE surface configuration to base station 121, as in Figure 9 As described in 905.

[0149] At 1525, the target base station performs a handover from the UE to the target base station. Base station 122, for example, performs a handover of UE 110, as in... Figure 11 As described in 1130, this causes UE 110 to disconnect from base station 121 and connect to base station 122. In some aspects, the target base station uses an APD to perform the handover, such as by using the surface of an APD in the communication path used to communicate with UE 110.

[0150] The order of the method blocks describing methods 1200, 1300, 1400, and 1500 should not be construed as limiting, and any number of the described method blocks can be skipped or combined in any order to implement the method or an alternative method. Generally, any components, modules, methods, and operations described herein can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or any combination thereof. Some operations of the example methods can be described in the general context of executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage memory local and / or remote on a computer processing system, and implementations can include software applications, programs, functions, etc. Alternatively or additionally, any of the functions described herein can be performed at least partially by one or more hardware logic components, such as, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0151] Below are a few examples.

[0152] Example 1: A method performed by a second base station for sharing an adaptive phase-change device (APD) with a first base station, the method comprising: determining the use of an APD in a second communication path for a second radio link with a second user equipment (UE); identifying a first base station using the APD; obtaining allocated access to the APD; configuring a surface of the APD based on the allocated access; and using the APD in the communication path for the second radio link with the second UE based on the allocated access.

[0153] Example 2: The method as described in Example 1, wherein the APD includes a plurality of configurable surface elements, and wherein access to obtain an allocation to the APD further includes: coordinating with a first base station or the APD to: allocate a first subset of the configurable surface elements from the plurality of configurable surface elements to the first base station; and allocate a second subset of the configurable surface elements from the plurality of configurable surface elements to a second base station.

[0154] Example 3: The method described in Example 2, wherein coordinating the second radio link with the second UE using the APD further includes: transmitting a first radio signal toward a first subset of configurable surface elements while simultaneously transmitting a second radio signal toward a second subset of configurable surface elements from the first base station.

[0155] Example 4: The method as described in Example 1 or Example 2, wherein obtaining access to the allocation of the APD further includes: coordinating with the first base station or the APD to allocate the APD to the first base station for a first duration; and allocating the APD to the second base station for a second duration that does not overlap with the first duration.

[0156] Example 5: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 4 further includes: receiving from the second UE at least one link quality measurement indicating channel impairment; and determining the use of APD based on the at least one link quality measurement indicating channel impairment.

[0157] Example 6: The method as described in Example 5, wherein configuring the surface of the APD further includes: using at least one link quality measurement to determine the surface configuration for the APD, which mitigates channel impairment by transforming the characteristics of the radio signal propagating between the second base station and the second UE; and using an adaptive phase-change device radio control channel (APD-control-channel) to transmit an indication of the surface configuration to the APD.

[0158] Example 7: The method described in Example 6 further includes: allocating access to the APD-control-channel by negotiating with the first base station.

[0159] Example 8: The method as described in Example 7, wherein allocating access to the APD-control-channel further includes: allocating a first resource block of the APD-control-channel to a first base station; and allocating a second resource block of the APD-control-channel to a second base station.

[0160] The method described in Example 7 or Example 8 further includes allocating access to the APD-control-channel by: allocating a first timeslot of the APD-control-channel to a first base station; and allocating a second timeslot of the APD-control-channel to a second base station.

[0161] Example 10: The method as described in any one of Examples 6 to 9, wherein the instruction for using the APD-control-channel transmit surface configuration further includes: transmitting the base station identifier of the second base station to the APD.

[0162] Example 11: The method as described in Example 6, wherein the indication for using the APD-control-channel transmit surface configuration further includes: using a base station-specific APD-control-channel.

[0163] Example 12: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 5 further includes determining a surface configuration for the APD using at least one link quality measurement, which mitigates channel impairment by transforming the characteristics of the radio signal propagating between the second base station and the second UE; transmitting the surface configuration to the first base station; and guiding the first base station to use the surface configuration and configure the APD based on the allocated access.

[0164] Example 13: The method described in Example 12, wherein guiding the first base station configuration APD further includes: implicitly guiding the first base station configuration APD by transmitting surface configuration.

[0165] Example 14: The method as described in Example 12 or Example 13, wherein guiding the first base station to configure the APD further includes: transmitting timing information to the second base station indicating when to apply the surface configuration.

[0166] Example 15: The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein obtaining access to the allocation of the APD further includes: communicating with a second base station using the Xn interface.

[0167] Example 16: The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 15 further includes: determining to perform a handover of the second UE from the second base station to the target base station; transmitting the APD identifier of the APD to the target base station; and performing the handover of the second UE to the target base station.

[0168] Example 17: The method of Example 16 further includes: transmitting to the target base station an indication of the phase vector for configuring the surface of the APD to maintain a second radio link with the second UE.

[0169] Example 18: The method described in Example 17, wherein the target base station is the first base station.

[0170] Example 19: A method performed by a first base station for sharing an adaptive phase-change device (APD) with a second base station, the method comprising: using the APD in a communication path for a first radio link with a first UE; receiving a request from the second base station for allocating access to the APD; allocating access to the APD with the second base station; and using the APD in the communication path for the first radio link with the first UE based on the allocated access.

[0171] Example 20: The method as described in Example 19, wherein obtaining access to the allocation of the APD further includes: coordinating with the second base station or the APD to: allocate a first subset of configurable surface elements of a plurality of configurable surfaces from the APD to the first base station; and allocate a second subset of configurable surface elements of a plurality of configurable surface elements to the second base station.

[0172] Example 21: The method as described in Example 20, wherein using the APD in the communication path for the first radio link with the first UE further includes: transmitting a first radio signal toward the first subset of configurable surface elements while transmitting a second radio signal toward a second subset of configurable surface elements by the second base station.

[0173] Example 22: The method as described in Example 19 or Example 20, wherein obtaining access to the allocation of the APD further includes: coordinating with the second base station or the APD to allocate the APD to the first base station during a first duration; and allocating the APD to the second base station during a second duration that does not overlap with the first duration.

[0174] Example 23: A method for performing a handover of a user equipment (UE) by a source base station, the method using an adaptive phase-change device (APD) in a communication path of a radio link from the source base station to a target base station, the method comprising: using the APD in the communication path of the radio link with the UE; determining to perform a handover of the UE to the target base station; transmitting an APD identifier of the APD to the target base station; negotiating with the target base station to determine one or more handover parameters; and performing the handover of the UE to the target base station.

[0175] Example 24: The method as described in Example 23 further includes: transmitting a surface configuration for configuring the APD to maintain the radio link with the UE to the target base station.

[0176] Example 25: A method for performing a handover of a user equipment (UE) by a target base station, the method using an adaptive phase-change device (APD) in a communication path of a radio link to a source base station, the method comprising: receiving an APD identifier from the source base station, the APD identifier identifying an APD used by the source base station to maintain a radio link with the UE; negotiating with the source base station to determine one or more handover parameters for performing the handover of the UE; determining a target base station-to-user equipment (target-to-UE) surface configuration for the surface of the APD; instructing the APD to use the surface configuration to configure the surface of the APD; and performing a handover of the UE to the target base station.

[0177] Example 26: The method described in Example 25 further includes: receiving a source base station-to-user equipment (source-to-UE) surface configuration from a source base station; and using the source-to-UE surface configuration to determine a target-to-UE surface configuration for reflecting signals originating from the target base station toward the UE.

[0178] Example 27: The method described in Example 25 or Example 26 further includes: communicating with the UE using the APD.

[0179] Example 28: A base station includes: a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, direct the base station to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 27.

[0180] Example 29: A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution by a processor, direct the processor to perform a method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 27.

[0181] While aspects of adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching have been described in feature- and / or method-specific language, the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary embodiments of adaptive phase-change device sharing and switching, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the appended claims include a list of features that can be selected “in any combination thereof,” which includes any number and any combination of the listed features. Furthermore, various different aspects have been described, and it should be understood that each described aspect can be implemented independently or in combination with one or more other described aspects.

Claims

1. A method executed by a second base station for sharing an adaptive phase-change device with a first base station, the method comprising: Determine to use an adaptive phase-change device (APD) in the communication path used for the second radio link with the second user equipment (UE); Identify the first base station using the APD; Access is obtained for the allocation of the APD, wherein a first subset of configurable surface elements from a plurality of configurable surface elements of the APD is allocated to the first base station, and a second subset of configurable surface elements from the plurality of configurable surface elements is allocated to the second base station. Configure the surface of the APD based on the allocated access; and Based on the allocated access, the APD is used in the communication path of the second radio link used with the second UE.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Obtaining access to the allocated APD further includes: Coordinate with the first base station or the APD to: i) Assigning a first subset of the configurable surface elements from the plurality of configurable surface elements of the APD to the first base station, and Assign a second subset of the configurable surface elements from the plurality of configurable surface elements to the second base station; and / or ii) Assigning the APD to the first base station during the first duration, and The APD is assigned to the second base station during a second duration that does not overlap with the first duration.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive at least one link quality measurement indicating channel impairment from the second UE; as well as The use of the APD is determined based on at least one link quality measurement that indicates the channel impairment.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The surface configured with the APD further includes: The surface configuration of the APD is determined using the at least one link quality measurement, the surface configuration of the APD mitigating channel impairments by transforming the characteristics of the radio signals propagating between the second base station and the second UE; and The surface configuration is indicated to the APD using the Adaptive Phase Change Device Wireless Control Channel (APD-Control Channel).

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: Access to the APD-control-channel is allocated through negotiation with the first base station.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, Allocating access to the APD-control-channel also includes one or more of the following: i) Allocate the first resource block of the APD-control-channel to the first base station, and The second resource block of the APD-control-channel is allocated to the second base station; or ii) Allocate the first time slot of the APD-control-channel to the first base station, and The second time slot of the APD-control-channel is allocated to the second base station.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The indication of the surface configuration transmitted using the APD-control-channel also includes: Transmit the base station identifier of the second base station to the APD; or Use base station-specific APD-control-channel.

8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: The surface configuration of the APD is determined using the at least one link quality measurement, and the surface configuration of the APD mitigates the channel impairment by transforming the characteristics of the radio signal propagating between the second base station and the second UE; as well as The surface configuration is transmitted to the first base station; as well as The first base station is instructed to use the surface configuration and configure the APD based on the allocated access. Optionally, guiding the first base station to configure the APD further includes: The first base station is implicitly guided to configure the APD by transmitting the surface configuration; and / or Timing information indicating when to apply the surface configuration will be transmitted to the second base station.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: Determine whether to perform a handover of the second UE from the second base station to the target base station; The APD identifier of the APD is transmitted to the target base station; as well as Perform the handover from the second UE to the target base station.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: The target base station is transmitted an indication for configuring the surface of the APD to maintain the phase vector of the second radio link with the second UE. Optionally, the target base station is the first base station.

11. A method performed by a first base station for sharing an adaptive phase-change device with a second base station, the method comprising: An adaptive phase-change device (APD) is used in the communication path of the first radio link used with the first UE; Receive a request from the second base station for the allocation of access information to the APD; Transmit to the second base station the access allocation information for a second subset of the configurable surface elements of the APD by the second base station; as well as Based on the allocated access, the APD is used in the communication path of the first radio link used with the first UE.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, Transmitting the allocated access information includes transmitting one or more of the following: A subset of the duration is used for the APD available to the second base station.

13. A base station, comprising: processor; as well as A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, instruct the base station to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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