Adaptive Beam Coverage Mapping for Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited quantity and coverage area of beams in network devices result in signal coverage holes, leading to weak signal coverage capabilities for terminal devices.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus that configures a correspondence between time-frequency resources of multiple sets of broadcast signaling and beam information, allowing network devices to enhance coverage by adjusting beam coverage areas and dynamically updating beam information based on feedback from terminal devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the network device uses a limited quantity of beams with fixed coverage areas, then the device complexity is reduced, but the signal coverage capability deteriorates due to beam coverage holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam coverage area adjustable rather than fixed. The network device can dynamically adjust the coverage area of each beam based on terminal device feedback, allowing the system to adapt to different coverage requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through structured adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the coverage area parameter of beams from fixed to variable. By allowing the coverage area to be adjusted based on terminal feedback, the system can optimize signal coverage without requiring a complete redesign of the beam structure, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity
2Reliability
If the network device increases the quantity of beams to cover all areas, then the signal coverage capability is improved, but the device complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the network device send a limited number of beams (M sets) that cover only certain areas, rather than attempting to cover all areas uniformly. Terminal devices in coverage holes provide feedback to indicate which additional areas need coverage, allowing the system to incrementally expand coverage only where needed, thus managing complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where terminal devices in beam coverage holes send feedback information to the network device. This feedback guides the network device to adjust beam coverage areas and send additional beams only to areas that need coverage, optimizing the balance between coverage capability and system complexity
3Reliability
If the network device sends beams in multiple directions to cover different areas, then the signal coverage capability is improved, but the communication overhead increases due to multiple beam configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the network device send M sets of broadcast signaling that cover only certain areas initially, rather than attempting to cover all areas uniformly. Terminal devices in coverage holes provide feedback to indicate which additional areas need coverage, allowing the system to incrementally expand coverage only where needed, thus managing complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each beam information element universal by allowing it to serve multiple functions: initial coverage provision, feedback trigger for coverage hole detection, and guide for subsequent beam adjustments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling mechanisms, thereby reducing communication overhead while maintaining improved coverage capability
Data Source
AI summary
This application pertains to the field of communication technologies, and provides a communication method and apparatus, to enhance a signal coverage capability of a network device. In the method, a first network device may configure a correspondence between time-frequency resources of M sets of broadcast signaling and N pieces of beam information, to indicate a second network device to adjust a coverage area of the first network device on a time-frequency resource of each set of broadcast signaling by using one piece of beam information corresponding to the time-frequency resource. This can enhance a signal coverage capability of the first network device, so that a terminal device in a signal coverage hole can access the first network device.