Multiple Antenna Panel Scheduling with Beam Switching Lead Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

The lack of proper signaling mechanisms in wireless communication systems leads to network unawareness of user device antenna panel status, resulting in reduced scheduling performance and inefficient power consumption due to inappropriate leading times for beam switching.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for maintaining leading time values and receiving indicators from a base station to manage antenna panel status, applying these values to turn panels on or off, and determining scheduling offsets based on antenna panel status to ensure valid channel reception and transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the network uses a fixed scheduling offset for channel allocation, then scheduling is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying beam switching times of different UEs, leading to invalid scheduling and reduced productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling performanceVSAvoidscheduling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the scheduling offset configurable and UE-specific rather than fixed. The network can dynamically adjust the scheduling offset based on each UE's beam switching characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to varying requirements while maintaining scheduling flexibility through configured parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the scheduling approach by dividing UEs into different groups based on their beam switching capabilities and requirements. Each group can be assigned appropriate leading time values and scheduling offsets, allowing differentiated scheduling strategies for different UE types without requiring completely separate scheduling mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the network allocates channels without knowing UE antenna panel status, then signaling is simple, but scheduling accuracy deteriorates and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling accuracyVSAvoidantenna panel status information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report their antenna panel status and beam switching capabilities to the network. This feedback enables the network to make informed scheduling decisions, allocating appropriate leading times and scheduling offsets based on actual UE capabilities rather than making assumptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the network uses insufficient leading time for beam switching, then scheduling efficiency is high, but beam switching fails and reliability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam switching reliabilityVSAvoidleading time duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by configuring different leading time values based on UE capabilities and service requirements. The network can adjust the leading time parameter dynamically, setting it to longer values when reliability is critical and to shorter values when efficiency is prioritized, allowing flexible trade-offs between these parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the network schedules channels with inadequate offset values, then resource utilization is high, but channel reception and transmission fail due to insufficient beam switching time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidchannel transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by allocating the scheduling offset in advance to ensure sufficient time for beam switching before channel transmission begins. This preliminary time allocation guarantees that beam switching is completed before data transmission starts, preventing transmission failures while maintaining efficient resource utilization through optimized offset values

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3824562B1Methods and apparatuses for operating multiple antenna panels
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 TOGAIL TECH LTD
  • EP3824562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3824562B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3824562B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of wireless communication is provided. The method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a minimum required received level factor in a System Information Block 1 (SIB 1) from a base station (BS), determining, by the UE, whether a first Supplementary Uplink (SUL) related factor is present in the SIB1, obtaining, by the UE, a first minimum required received level based on the minimum required received level factor, when the first SUL related factor is not present in the SIB1, determining, by the UE, a first cell selection criterion based on the first minimum required received level, and performing, by the UE, cell selection based on the first cell selection criterion.