Adaptive Cell Discovery Time in Beamforming Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In beamforming cellular communication systems, cell discovery efficiency is compromised due to varying beamforming methods and structures among base stations and terminals, leading to issues with signal reception and communication disruptions during the allocation of fixed slot times for sync signals and cell common control information.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically determine and adjust the cell discovery time based on the beamforming capabilities of each terminal, allowing for efficient cell discovery by expanding the discovery time as needed and coordinating group information to ensure all terminals can receive sync signals and cell common control information effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed slot time is allocated for sync signal and cell common control information in beamforming systems, then all terminals can receive signals in all directions, but terminals with longer slot times may fail to receive sync signals from neighbor cells with shorter slot times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the slot time configuration adaptive rather than fixed. The base station dynamically adjusts the slot time length based on the beamforming capabilities and requirements of different terminals. Terminals with advanced beamforming capabilities can operate with shorter slot times for efficient cell discovery, while terminals with limited capabilities are allocated longer slot times to ensure reliable signal reception, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing different slot time configurations to different terminals based on their specific beamforming capabilities. Instead of using a uniform slot time for all terminals, the system tailors the slot time length to each terminal's requirements, allowing terminals with advanced capabilities to use shorter slot times for faster cell discovery while ensuring terminals with limited capabilities receive adequate time for reliable signal reception
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slot time for sync signal is extended to accommodate all terminals, then all terminals can discover neighbor cells, but communication with the serving cell may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically configures slot times based on terminal capabilities rather than using a fixed extended slot time for all terminals. This allows the system to maintain compatibility with different beamforming methods while avoiding unnecessary communication disruptions with the serving cell
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments terminals into different groups based on their beamforming capabilities and allocates different slot time configurations to each group. This segmentation allows terminals with advanced capabilities to use shorter slot times that maintain serving cell communication, while providing extended slot times only to terminals that require them for compatibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If gap time is allocated for neighbor cell measurement, then terminals can measure receive power and discover cells, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to requesting and responding for gap time allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cell discovery function from the gap time mechanism by allocating specific slot times dedicated to sync signal reception and cell discovery activities. This separation allows terminals to perform cell discovery during regularly allocated slot times without needing to request special gap time allocations, thereby maintaining communication efficiency while preserving cell discovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-allocating specific slot times for cell discovery activities based on terminal capabilities. This eliminates the need for terminals to request gap time allocations dynamically, as the discovery opportunities are already scheduled in advance, improving communication efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device for cell searching by a terminal and a base station in a beamforming cellular communication system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for performing cell discovery by a base station of a serving cell in a cellular communication system comprises the steps of receiving information about a beamforming capability of each of all of terminals in a cell, determining whether a cell discovery time needs to be expanded based on the received information about the beamforming capability per terminal, and transmitting group information about the cell discovery to a terminal needing the cell discovery time to be expanded.