5G Beam Selection Using Average Signal Strength

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR systems, terminal devices currently select optimal beams based solely on maximum RSRP values, leading to signal degradation and communication delays due to movement or signal blocking, especially indoors.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with an antenna array and processor measures signal strength values of multiple tx beams and rx beams, generating measurement results to select an optimal beam pair based on average received strength values, considering relationships between rx beams to prevent signal quality degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal selects an optimal beam pair by considering only the maximum RSRP value, then the beam selection process is simple and fast, but the signal quality degrades rapidly when the terminal moves or signal is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal quality stabilityVSAvoidbeam selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary beam search to generate measurement results for multiple beam pairs before actual communication. By pre-evaluating multiple beam options and their relationships, the system prepares backup beam pairs in advance, so when the terminal moves or signal is blocked, it can quickly switch to a pre-identified alternative beam without complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts beam selection based on terminal movement state and signal blocking conditions. It monitors RSRP changes and beam pair relationships, and when degradation is detected, it transitions from using a single maximum RSRP beam to selecting from multiple candidate beam pairs, adapting the selection strategy to current channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the terminal uses a single beam pair with maximum RSRP, then the communication efficiency is high under stable conditions, but communication is delayed due to data loss when beam failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary beam search to generate measurement results for multiple beam pairs before actual communication. By pre-evaluating multiple beam options and their relationships, the system prepares backup beam pairs in advance, so when the terminal moves or signal is blocked, it can quickly switch to a pre-identified alternative beam without complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares multiple candidate beam pairs with measured RSRP values and spatial relationships in advance, creating a buffer of alternative communication paths. When the primary beam fails, this pre-prepared cushion of alternative beams allows immediate switching, preventing communication delays and data loss that would occur with single-beam systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the terminal considers relationships between multiple rx beams for beam selection, then signal quality stability is improved, but the measurement and selection process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata connection stabilityVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary beam search to generate measurement results for multiple beam pairs before actual communication. By pre-evaluating multiple beam options and their relationships, the system prepares backup beam pairs in advance, so when the terminal moves or signal is blocked, it can quickly switch to a pre-identified alternative beam without complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the selection parameter from considering only the single maximum RSRP value to considering RSRP values and spatial relationships of multiple beam pairs. It uses parameters such as RSRP differences between beam pairs and spatial angles between rx beams to make more robust selection decisions that account for terminal movement and signal blocking scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11996926B2Method for selecting beam for communication, and electronic device therefor

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention is for beam selection for communication, and an electronic device may include a housing, at least one antenna array including antenna elements disposed in the housing, or formed in part of the housing, at least one processor electrically or operatively connected with the antenna array, and configured to form a plurality of reception beams (rx beams) having different directions, using the antenna array, and a memory operatively connected with the processor. The memory may stores instructions for causing the processor to measure, by using the plurality of the rx beams, signal strength values of a plurality of tx beams transmitted from at least one base station and having different directions, generate measurement results of (the number of the rx beams)×(the number of the tx beams), and select one of a plurality of methods for selecting one beam pair from among the (the number of the rx beams)×(the number of the tx beams)-ary beam pairs, based at least in part on the measurement results.