UE Beam Alignment Using Time-of-Stay Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR networks, the lack of knowledge about the time-of-stay (ToS) of user equipment (UE) antenna panels leads to inefficient narrow beam alignment procedures, resulting in decreased spectral efficiency due to false positives or negatives, as the base station (gNB) cannot accurately determine when UE panels are switched, leading to unnecessary delays or missed opportunities for optimal beam alignment.

Innovation Solution

The UE receives estimation models from the gNB to determine its antenna panel's time-of-stay, allowing it to decide whether to perform a narrow beam alignment procedure, and provides feedback to enhance the estimation model, thereby optimizing CSI-RS repetition bursts and increasing spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If narrow beam alignment procedure is performed based on conventional methods, then beam alignment can be achieved, but spectral efficiency decreases due to false positives or negatives from inaccurate time-of-stay estimation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam alignment accuracyVSAvoidspectral efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary estimation of the time-of-stay duration before executing the narrow beam alignment procedure. By using estimation models to predict how long the antenna panel will remain active, the UE can proactively determine whether initiating beam alignment is worthwhile, thereby avoiding false positives (unnecessary alignments) and false negatives (missed alignments) that degrade spectral efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors actual time-of-stay values and compares them with estimated values. This feedback loop allows the estimation models to be refined and improved over time, increasing the accuracy of beam alignment decisions and thereby improving both reliability and spectral efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If narrow beam alignment procedure is performed frequently to ensure optimal alignment, then beam alignment reliability improves, but transmission delays increase due to unnecessary procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam alignment reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing full narrow beam alignment procedures in all cases, the system applies partial action by using estimation models to filter out cases where alignment would be unnecessary. The UE selectively performs beam alignment only when the estimated time-of-stay exceeds a threshold, avoiding excessive actions that would cause delays while maintaining sufficient alignment reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If time-of-stay estimation models are implemented, then beam alignment efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to model management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam alignment efficiencyVSAvoidmodel management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The estimation models are configured to operate autonomously at the UE side, using locally available information to estimate time-of-stay durations. The models self-manage their execution without requiring complex centralized control, reducing device complexity while maintaining beam alignment efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by parameterizing the estimation models with configurable thresholds and parameters that can be adjusted based on network conditions. This allows the models to adapt to different scenarios without requiring fundamentally different model structures, thereby improving efficiency while keeping device complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12562800B2Apparatus and method to perform a beam alignment procedure based on an estimated time-of-stay

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus is provided for intelligently managing beam alignment. The apparatus receives one or more estimation models, which are used to determine an estimated time-of-stay of an active antenna panel. The time-of-stay represents the duration for which the panel is active for transmission or reception. Based on this estimated time-of-stay, the apparatus determines whether it is beneficial to perform a narrow beam alignment procedure. The apparatus avoids performing the procedure if the antenna panel is not expected to remain active long enough, thereby improving efficiency.