5G Uplink Beam Association via DCI Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication systems, there is a lack of efficient beam association methods between downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions, limiting beam flexibility and quality, especially in mmWave transmission systems where traditional beam management (BM) methods may not adequately support independent UL beam selection.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method and apparatus for a terminal and base station to selectively associate beams for UL transmission using indications about the type of BM (DL BM or UL BM) and specific beam pairs (BPLs) for DL and UL transmissions, allowing for flexible beam selection and association based on established beam correspondence (BC) and beam quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional beam management methods are used in mmWave systems, then downlink transmission can be maintained, but uplink beam flexibility and quality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam management process into independent downlink beam management and uplink beam management components. The base station can independently indicate UL BPLs through DCI formats (0_0, 0_1, 0_2, 1_0, 11) separate from DL BPL indications, allowing flexible UL beam selection while maintaining reliable DL beam quality through separate management mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beam association where the base station can flexibly indicate UL BPLs through DCI signaling based on current transmission conditions. The UL BPL indication is dynamically adjusted through DCI formats depending on the scheduled UL resource type (PUSCH, PUCCH, SRS), enabling real-time adaptation of UL beam flexibility while preserving DL beam reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If independent uplink beam selection is enabled, then uplink beam flexibility improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal DCI-based indication mechanism that handles multiple UL resource types (PUSCH, PUCCH, SRS) through a unified beam association approach. The same DCI formats (0_0, 01, 02, 10, 11) are used across different UL resource scenarios, providing independent UL beam selection capability while avoiding the need for separate complex management procedures for each resource type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces DCI signaling as an intermediary mechanism between the base station and terminal for UL beam indication. Instead of complex direct terminal-autonomous beam selection, the base station uses DCI formats to indicate UL BPLs, simplifying the overall system complexity while enabling independent UL beam management. The DCI acts as a mediator that carries beam association information efficiently.
3Device complexity
If downlink beam management is used for uplink transmission, then beam association is simplified, but uplink beam quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments beam management into independent DL and UL components, allowing the system to choose whether to use DL BPLs for UL transmission or establish independent UL BPLs. Through DCI indication, the base station can specify UL BPLs that are either associated with DL BPLs or independently selected, enabling simplified beam association when appropriate while preserving UL transmission quality through independent UL beam management when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam association parameter dynamically through DCI signaling. The base station can indicate different UL BPL associations depending on channel conditions, terminal capability, and traffic requirements. This parameter change mechanism allows the system to switch between DL-based UL beam association (simplified) and independent UL beam association (higher quality) based on current needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a communication scheme and system for the convergence of a 5G communication system for supporting a higher a data transfer rate after the 4G system with the IoT technology. The disclosure may be applied to intelligence services (e.g., a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car or connected car, healthcare, digital education, retail business, security and safety-related services) based on the 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. The disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for a beam association between DL/UL.