5G Beam Management for Inter-Cell Mobility Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing channel quality reporting processes in wireless communications systems do not adequately accommodate reporting of channel state information associated with large, two-dimensional array transmit antennas or antenna array geometries that include a large number of elements, particularly in inter-cell mobility scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Methods and apparatuses are provided to enable sufficient reporting of channel state information for large two-dimensional array transmit antennas by configuring user equipment (UE) and base stations (BS) to measure and report beam quality using resource reference signals (RSs) and beam reports, facilitating multi-beam operation in inter-cell mobility scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beam management procedures are not optimized for inter-cell mobility, then user equipment can maintain connection during handover, but the number of uplink and downlink transmissions required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing beam management procedures during the handover preparation phase rather than during execution. The source gNB configures TCI states and beam information in advance, so that when handover occurs, the target gNB already has the necessary beam configuration ready, reducing the number of transmissions needed during actual handover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by reusing beam management information from the source gNB. The TCI state configurations and beam parameters are copied and transferred to the target gNB during handover preparation, eliminating the need for complete beam management procedures at the target side, thus reducing transmission overhead.
2Measurement precision
If beam management is performed frequently to maintain beam accuracy during handover, then beam alignment precision is improved, but signaling overhead and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex beam management procedures from the handover execution phase and moves them to the preparation phase. By separating these timing aspects, the patent reduces the complexity visible during handover execution while maintaining beam alignment precision through advance configuration of TCI states and beam parameters.
3Reliability
If the target gNB performs complete beam management procedures independently, then beam accuracy is maintained, but the number of uplink and downlink transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam management procedures from the source gNB and target gNB into a coordinated process. The source gNB's beam management results are combined with the target gNB's configuration capabilities through TCI state transfer, reducing redundant transmissions while ensuring beam alignment reliability through collaborative beam management.
4Loss of energy
If beam management information is transferred in advance during handover preparation, then transmission overhead during handover is reduced, but the handover preparation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the handover preparation phase as an intermediary between source and target gNBs. During this intermediary phase, beam management information is exchanged and configured through Xn or NG interfaces, allowing the actual handover to proceed with minimal transmissions. The intermediary preparation phase absorbs the complexity, enabling efficient execution.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems and more specifically to beam management for inter-cell mobility.