AI Beam Alignment Using Candidate Beam Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beam management in high-frequency communication systems is complex due to the large number of potential beams and mobility of user equipment, leading to increased latency and resource overhead, especially in multi-panel client devices.
Innovation Solution
A client device determines a set of candidate transmit beams and provides beam measurement information to a network access node, optimizing subsequent reference signal measurements and indications to reduce latency and overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional beam management procedures are used to evaluate all potential beams, then comprehensive beam selection is achieved, but latency and resource overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary beam measurements by having the client device measure reference signals in a first set of transmit beams before final beam selection. The network access node then uses these preliminary measurements to determine a second, reduced set of candidate transmit beams, avoiding the need to evaluate all potential beams and reducing overall latency
Solution Approach 2:
The beam measurement procedure is segmented into two stages: first, preliminary measurements on a large set of transmit beams are performed; second, based on preliminary results, a reduced set of candidate beams is identified for final evaluation. This segmentation allows comprehensive initial screening without requiring complete evaluation of all beams
2Measurement precision
If all potential beam pairs are measured to ensure accurate beam alignment, then beam pair selection accuracy is improved, but reporting overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network access node determines a second set of candidate transmit beams based on preliminary measurements from the client device before requiring final beam pair measurements. This preliminary determination reduces the number of beam pairs that need to be fully evaluated and reported, lowering processing complexity while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The beam pair measurement process is divided into preliminary beam identification and final beam pair evaluation. The network access node segments the large set of all potential transmit beams into a smaller second set of candidate beams based on preliminary measurements, reducing the complexity of subsequent beam pair matching and reporting
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the application relate to beam alignment in a communication system (500), the beam alignment using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning for downlink transmit beam predictions during operation. A client device (100) determines, as part of a beam alignment procedure, a set of candidate transmit beams of a network access node (300). This determination is based on a set of measured reference signals transmitted in a set of transmit beams of the network access node (300). In addition, the client device (100) also determines a beam measurement information of the client device (100) to be used for subsequent reference signal transmissions based on the set of candidate transmit beams. The client device (100) transmits the beam measurement information to the network access node (300), which is used by the network access node (300) in the subsequent reference signal transmissions.