Adaptive Beacon Transmission Frequency in Ultra Dense Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Ultra Dense Networks (UDNs) operating at high frequencies like Millimeter-wave (mmW), the frequent transmission of beacon signals leads to significant time-frequency resource consumption and interference, while maintaining coverage and user experience.

Innovation Solution

The access point (AP) adapts the frequency of beacon signal transmission based on statistical information from communication devices, grouping beacon beams into sets and adjusting transmission frequencies to optimize coverage and resource usage, reducing unnecessary transmissions in less demanding areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beacon signals are transmitted frequently to ensure coverage and user experience, then coverage and user experience are improved, but time-frequency resource consumption and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoverageVSAvoidtime-frequency resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the beacon transmission frequency adaptive rather than fixed. The AP determines different beacon transmission frequencies for different beacon beams based on statistical information about beam usage patterns. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transmit beacons frequently enough to maintain coverage and user experience while reducing transmission frequency in directions where beacons are less needed, thereby reducing time-frequency resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by treating different spatial directions (different beacon beams) differently. Instead of using a uniform beacon transmission frequency for all beams, the system determines local transmission frequencies based on the specific statistical information of each beacon beam. This allows high transmission frequency in directions where coverage is critical and low transmission frequency in directions where coverage is already sufficient, optimizing the balance between coverage and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If beacon signals are transmitted frequently to maintain coverage, then coverage is improved, but interference from beacon transmissions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoverageVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces interference by dynamically adjusting beacon transmission frequency based on actual need. The AP monitors statistical information about which beacon beams are identified to carry the best reception quality and uses this information to adapt transmission frequencies. This dynamic approach ensures coverage is maintained where needed while minimizing unnecessary transmissions that would cause interference in other directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing interference reduction at the beam level rather than system-wide. Each beacon beam receives a transmission frequency tailored to its specific coverage requirements and usage patterns. This localized approach allows the system to minimize interference in directions where frequent beacon transmission is not necessary while maintaining adequate coverage where it is critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a fixed maximum number of beacon beams are used to ensure coverage, then coverage is improved, but time-frequency resources are occupied by beacon transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoverageVSAvoidtime-frequency resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the fixed beacon beam configuration into a dynamic system. Instead of always using a fixed maximum number of beacon beams at a fixed transmission frequency, the system adapts the transmission frequency for each beacon beam based on statistical information about actual usage patterns. This dynamic adjustment reduces the time-frequency resources occupied by beacon transmission while maintaining the coverage provided by the fixed maximum number of beacon beams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the transmission frequency parameter for different beacon beams based on statistical information. The system changes the frequency parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed, allowing optimization of time-frequency resource usage while maintaining the same physical beacon beam configuration and coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3155837B1Adaptive beacon transmission
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3155837B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3155837B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3155837B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The embodiments disclose a method in AP for adaptive beacon transmission. The AP transmits a beacon signal through a plurality of beacon beams to an area. The plurality of beacon beams are grouped into a plurality of beacon beam sets. The method comprises obtaining a first statistical information, within a first period, on times each of beacon beams in a first beacon beam set is identified, by any one of the at least one communication device within the area, to carry a beacon signal with the best reception quality among its received beacon signals, and adapting a frequency to transmit a beacon signal over each of the beacon beams in the first beacon beam set based on the first statistical information.