Adaptive Beam Sweeping for Rotating Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing beam sweeping procedures in high-frequency communication systems, such as those using millimeter wave (mmWave), face challenges with increased latency and measurement overhead due to the support of a larger number of beams by high-dimensional MIMO antenna arrays. Additionally, when user equipment (UE) rotates, the beam measurements become outdated, leading to improper beam selection.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves using at least two sets of UE receiving beams: a first set with coarse spatial resolution for stationary conditions and a second set with fine spatial resolution and high overlap to compensate for UE rotation during the beam sweeping procedure. This approach ensures continuous coverage and accurate beam selection even as the UE rotates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If beam sweeping is performed using a single set of receiving beams, then the beam sweeping procedure is simple, but latency increases and measurement overhead increases when supporting a larger number of beams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam sweeping procedure complexityVSAvoidbeam sweeping latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving beams are divided into two distinct sets: a first set with coarse spatial resolution for initial beam sweeping, and a second set with fine spatial resolution for refined measurements. This segmentation allows the system to perform rapid coarse scanning followed by precise fine-grained measurements, reducing overall latency while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between the two sets of receiving beams based on the measurement stage. The first set is used during initial beam sweeping to quickly identify candidate beams, while the second set is activated for subsequent refined measurements. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between speed and precision throughout the beam sweeping procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If beam measurements are performed without considering UE rotation, then the measurement process is simple, but beam measurements become outdated and beam selection becomes improper when UE rotates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement process complexityVSAvoidbeam selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary coarse beam sweeping using the first set of receiving beams to establish initial beam directions before the UE rotates significantly. These preliminary measurements serve as a reference framework that remains valid even as the UE orientation changes, allowing subsequent fine measurements to be properly contextualized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the spatial resolution parameter of the receiving beams by switching between two sets with different characteristics. The first set provides coarse spatial coverage suitable for stationary or slowly rotating UE, while the second set provides fine spatial resolution that can track and compensate for UE rotation, maintaining measurement reliability throughout the rotation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a single set of receiving beams with coarse spatial resolution is used, then the beam sweeping is faster, but measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam sweeping speedVSAvoidbeam measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into two phases: a first phase using coarse spatial resolution beams for rapid scanning to identify candidate directions, and a second phase using fine spatial resolution beams for precise measurements in the identified directions. This two-stage segmentation achieves both high speed in the initial phase and high precision in the final beam selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the spatial resolution of receiving beams based on the measurement progress. Initially, coarse-resolution beams are used to quickly cover the entire angular space. Once candidate beams are identified, the system transitions to fine-resolution beams for detailed measurements, optimizing the trade-off between speed and precision at each stage of the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4568134A1Beam sweeping for rotating devices
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4568134A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4568134A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP4568134A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~5

AI summary

Various example embodiments relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable mediums supporting adaptive beam sweeping for rotating devices. A terminal device may be configured to measure transmitting beams using a first receiving beam in a beam sweeping sequence comprising a first set of receiving beams, and measure first orientation of the terminal device corresponding to the beam measurement performed using the first receiving beam. For a subsequent receiving beam in the beam sweeping sequence, the terminal device may measure its second orientation, select a receiving beam from a second set of receiving beams, and measure the transmitting beams using the selected receiving beam. When the terminal device is in the second orientation, the receiving beam selected from the second set of receiving beams is oriented to correspond to directions covered by the subsequent receiving beam in the beam sweeping sequence when the terminal device is in the first orientation.