Base Station Beamforming for On-Demand System Information Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cellular communications methods result in high power consumption at base stations when sending system information due to omni transmission, which also limits transmission range and increases system overheads.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a terminal sending an uplink signal to trigger a base station to send system information on a specific beam, allowing the base station to send first system information for cell camping and second system information for communication, reducing power consumption and system overheads by sending information only when needed and using beamforming technology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If omni transmission is used to send system information, then all terminals in the cell can receive the information, but power consumption of the base station increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem information transmission coverageVSAvoidbase station power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station dynamically switches between omni transmission and beamforming transmission based on terminal requirements. When terminals need system information, the base station uses beamforming to target specific directions, reducing power consumption while maintaining coverage where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using uniform omni transmission throughout the entire cell, the system applies different transmission methods to different spatial regions. Beamforming is used in specific directions where terminals are located, while other areas receive no transmission, optimizing power usage based on local terminal distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If omni transmission is used to send system information, then all terminals can access the cell, but transmission range is limited and system overheads increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell access capabilityVSAvoidsystem overheads

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the cell into different service areas based on terminal locations and uses beamforming to serve specific segments. This allows the base station to transmit system information only to terminals that need it, reducing overall system overheads while maintaining access capability for served terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Terminals perform preliminary actions by sending uplink signals to indicate their need for system information before the base station transmits. This preliminary indication allows the base station to prepare and transmit system information only when and where needed, reducing unnecessary overheads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If system information is sent continuously, then terminals can always access the cell, but power consumption and system overheads increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell access availabilityVSAvoidbase station power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous transmission, the base station uses periodic transmission triggered by terminal uplink signals. The base station transmits system information periodically when terminals indicate their need, maintaining access availability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Terminals actively participate in the transmission process by sending uplink signals to request system information. This self-service mechanism ensures that transmission occurs only when terminals need it, optimizing the balance between access availability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces power consumption and system overheads by sending system information on demand, ensuring coverage and capacity while minimizing unnecessary transmissions, applicable to both low and high frequency bands.

Implementation Method 1

sending, by the base station, the first system information on a beam in which the terminal is located

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Data Source

PatentEP3358777B1Method, base station, terminal and system for transmitting system information

Publication Date: 2020.08.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

This application relates to the communications field, and in particular, to a method for transmitting system information, a base station, a terminal, and a system. In the method for transmitting system information, a terminal sends an uplink signal, where the uplink signal is used to trigger a base station to send first system information, and the first system information is used by the terminal to camp on a cell; correspondingly, the base station receives the uplink signal sent by the terminal, and the base station sends the first system information on a beam in which the terminal is located; and correspondingly, the terminal receives the first system information sent by the base station on the beam in which the terminal is located. According to the solutions provided in this application, system information can be sent on demand, so that power consumption of the base station and system overheads are reduced.