5G Reception and Transmission Beam Alignment by Single-Element Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G and 6G communication systems require complex and time-consuming procedures to align transmission and reception beams, which are inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a base station transmitting a series of beam scan signals in different directions, allowing user devices to determine the best reception using non-directional antennas, and subsequently aligning their transmission and reception beams through a reply signal and alignment message, enabling efficient beam alignment without extensive handshaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex beam alignment procedure is used to ensure accurate beam direction, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but alignment time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station transmits beam scan signals in different directions before actual communication begins, allowing the user device to pre-determine the best reception direction. This preliminary beam scanning action enables rapid beam alignment without extensive handshaking during active communication, resolving the contradiction between alignment accuracy and alignment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The user device autonomously determines its optimal reception beam direction by measuring signal quality of beam scan signals transmitted by the base station. The device then independently aligns its transmission beam without requiring complex interactive procedures with the base station, reducing alignment time while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If traditional beam alignment procedures are used, then beam direction accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Beam scan signals are transmitted in advance to establish optimal beam directions before actual data communication begins. This preliminary action allows the system to focus transmission energy efficiently during communication, reducing energy consumption while maintaining beam direction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam direction determination function is extracted from the main communication process and performed separately through beam scan signals. This separation allows the system to establish accurate beam directions once, then use those directions for efficient energy-focused transmission during actual communication, reducing overall energy consumption.
3Reliability
If extensive handshaking procedures are used for beam alignment, then alignment reliability is improved, but system complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The user device autonomously performs beam direction determination by measuring beam scan signals and independently aligning its beams. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex interactive handshaking procedures between base station and user device, reducing system complexity while maintaining alignment reliability through the device's autonomous measurement and selection process.
Solution Approach 2:
Beam scan signals serve as an intermediary mechanism that carries directional information from the base station to the user device. These signals enable reliable beam alignment by providing measurable reference signals that the user device can use to determine optimal directions without requiring complex direct negotiation or handshaking protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A resource-efficient method for the base station to assist reduced-capability user devices in aligning their transmission and reception beams toward the base station. At a prescribed time, on a prescribed subcarrier, the base station transmits a series of beam scan signals, each beam scan signal comprising a single resource element, and each beam scan signal transmitted in a different direction. Each user device determines which of the beam scan signals is best received, and thereby determines its direction relative to the base station. Each user device then transmits a single-resource-element reply signal during a reply window, in which the reply signal is transmitted on a subcarrier assigned to that user device, and the timing of the reply signal indicates which beam scan signal provided the best reception. The base station can then receive all the reply signals, and by time-frequency analysis, determine the alignment direction of each user device.