Base Station Beam Pattern Update for SSB Power Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in conserving network power while maintaining effective coverage, particularly when transmitting synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) on a reduced set of beams.
Innovation Solution
The method involves signaling a change in beam pattern for transmitted SSBs, allowing the base station to transmit a subset of SSBs on a new beam pattern with wider beams, thereby conserving power and minimizing coverage holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a reduced set of beams is used for transmitting SSBs, then power consumption at the base station is reduced, but coverage area and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The beam pattern is made dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. The base station can switch between different beam patterns (first beam pattern with more beams, second beam pattern with fewer beams) based on current network conditions and load, allowing optimization of power consumption while maintaining coverage reliability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of beam transmission by switching between different beam patterns with different numbers of beams. This parameter change allows the base station to reduce the number of active beams (improving power efficiency) while maintaining the capability to restore full coverage when reliability requirements increase
2Use of energy by stationary object
If a reduced set of beams is used for transmitting SSBs, then power consumption at the base station is reduced, but coverage holes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beam pattern configuration is made dynamic, allowing the base station to adapt the number and arrangement of beams based on actual coverage requirements and traffic load, thereby reducing power consumption in low-load scenarios while maintaining full coverage when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The coverage area is segmented into different regions that can be served by different beam patterns. The system can selectively activate specific beams based on which coverage regions require service, reducing the number of active beams when full coverage is not needed while maintaining coverage in active regions
3Area of stationary object
If wider beams are used in the new beam pattern, then coverage holes are minimized, but beam precision and directionality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different beam patterns are designed with different local qualities - the first beam pattern provides precise, narrow beams for targeted coverage in high-load scenarios, while the second beam pattern provides wider beams for broader coverage in low-load scenarios. The system selects the appropriate local quality based on current network conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A base station includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to transmit a first synchronization signal block (SSB) burst including a first set of SSBs. The first set of SSBs is transmitted via the transceiver on a first set of beams having a first beam pattern. The processor is also configured to signal, via the transceiver, a change in beam pattern for transmitted SSBs. The change in beam pattern is signaled before or during transmission of a second SSB burst. The processor is further configured to transmit the second SSB burst. The second SSB burst includes a second set of SSBs transmitted via the transceiver on a second set of beams having a second beam pattern. The second set of beams has a different number of beams than the first set of beams, and the second set of SSBs has a different number of SSBs than the first set of SSBs.