Base Station Beam Refinement With Dual-Width Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, face challenges in optimizing beam management and synchronization processes for efficient communication between base stations and user equipment, especially in high-frequency mmWave spectrum, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization and initial access procedures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves detecting a broader uplink receive beam for a physical uplink control channel and selecting a narrower downlink transmit beam for subsequent physical downlink shared channels, adjusting channel state information reference signals, and providing an indication to the user equipment for refined beam alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broader uplink receive beams are used for initial access, then coverage area and reliability are improved, but beam alignment precision and spectral efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam management process into two distinct phases: initial access using broader uplink receive beams for reliable detection, and subsequent refinement using narrower downlink transmit beams for precise alignment. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize for its specific requirement without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beam widths based on the operational phase - using broader beams during initial access and transitioning to narrower beams for refined communication. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between coverage and precision.
2Productivity
If narrower downlink transmit beams are used for data transmission, then spectral efficiency and data rate are improved, but coverage area and initial access reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication process into initial access phase using broader beams and data transmission phase using narrower beams. This segmentation enables narrow beams to achieve high spectral efficiency without compromising initial access reliability, as the latter uses broader beams specifically optimized for that purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary beam alignment using broader uplink receive beams before transitioning to narrower downlink transmit beams for data transmission. This preliminary action ensures reliable initial access is established before optimizing for spectral efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If frequent beam refinement is performed, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the UE's own uplink transmissions (PUCCH) as reference signals for beam refinement, eliminating the need for separate downlink reference signals. This self-service approach reduces signaling overhead and simplifies the beam management process while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The uplink control channel serves dual purposes: carrying control information and providing reference signals for beam refinement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated reference signals, thereby reducing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for beam refinement. The techniques presented herein may allow for beam refinement using an existing frame structure and utilizing resources (receive antenna ports) that may otherwise be idle.