Antenna Panel Switching for Millimeter-Wave Beam Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter-wave and high-frequency communication systems face challenges in channel blockage and limited range due to attenuation and physical obstructions, requiring efficient beamforming techniques to maintain signal-to-noise ratio and network capacity in 5G and new radio (NR) networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing directional beamforming with dynamic antenna panel switching and beam indication protocols to optimize transmit and receive beamforming directions, utilizing control channel indicators to dynamically select the best antenna panels and beams for communication, enhancing channel state information feedback and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If directional beamforming is used to overcome channel blockage and improve signal-to-noise ratio, then communication reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases due to dynamic antenna panel switching and beam indication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple antenna panels, each capable of independent beamforming operations. This segmentation allows the system to overcome channel blockages by switching between different panels and beams, improving reliability while managing complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic antenna panel switching and beam indication protocols that allow the system to adaptively select the best antenna panel and beam direction based on current channel conditions. This dynamic adjustment optimizes signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining manageable system complexity through protocol-based control
2Quantity of substance
If higher-frequency radio bands are used to increase network capacity, then bandwidth is improved, but propagation range deteriorates due to atmospheric attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from omnidirectional or wide-beam transmission to highly directional narrow beams, adding the dimension of spatial precision to communication. This allows millimeter-wave signals to achieve practical propagation ranges by concentrating energy in specific directions, enabling high network capacity while overcoming atmospheric attenuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beamforming parameters dynamically to optimize communication at millimeter-wave frequencies. By adjusting beam direction, width, and power distribution based on channel conditions, the system achieves both high network capacity and acceptable propagation range despite atmospheric attenuation
3Reliability
If acquisition procedures are implemented to determine best transmit and receive beamforming directions, then communication reliability is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beam sweeping and channel measurement during initial access and handover procedures to pre-determine the best antenna panel and beam directions. This preliminary action stores channel state information that can be quickly retrieved and applied, reducing acquisition time while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where channel state information is continuously monitored and reported between user equipment and base station. This feedback enables rapid beam adjustment and panel switching without extensive re-acquisition, reducing acquisition time while maintaining reliable communication through adaptive beamforming
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods of joint antenna panel switching and beam selection are generally described. A user equipment (UE) can be configured to decode configuration information received via a higher layer for a plurality of receive (Rx) beams for the UE, the configuration information identifying a plurality of Rx beam indices for the plurality of Rx beams. The UE is configured to decode a physical layer (PHY) communication indicating an antenna panel index and an Rx beam index of the plurality of Rx beam indices, the antenna panel index identifying an antenna panel of a plurality of available antenna panels of the UE. The UE is configured to decode a downlink (DL) data transmission, wherein the DL data transmission is received using the antenna panel and a selected Rx beam of the plurality of Rx beams corresponding to the indicated Rx beam index.