Beam Configuration Management Service for 5G Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number and size of RRC signaling messages in 5G wireless networks, particularly due to narrow beam widths and multiple component carriers, lead to control signaling overhead, reducing network capacity and the number of end devices that can be served, and causing signaling delays.
Innovation Solution
A beam configuration management service that selects and transmits beam configuration information using control plane messages, optimizing the number of messages by linking configurations across carriers and identifying delta configurations, thereby reducing the burden on network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrow beam widths and multiple component carriers are used to improve network capacity and coverage, then service performance is improved, but control signaling overhead increases and network capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines beam configuration information for multiple component carriers into a single RRC signaling message. The gNB transmits unified beam configuration parameters that apply across multiple carriers, rather than sending separate configurations for each carrier. This merging approach reduces the total number of signaling messages and parameters that need to be transmitted, directly addressing the control signaling overhead problem while maintaining the benefits of multi-carrier operation.
2Measurement precision
If detailed beam configuration information is transmitted for each carrier to ensure precise beam management, then beam management accuracy is improved, but signaling message size increases and causes delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting detailed beam configuration information only where necessary and using simplified or reference-based configurations for other carriers. The gNB identifies which carriers require full beam configuration details and which can use reference configurations or delta updates. This selective approach maintains beam management accuracy for carriers that need it while reducing overall signaling message size and transmission time.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate beam configuration messages are sent for each component carrier to maintain configuration accuracy, then configuration precision is improved, but the number of messages increases and reduces network capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a unified beam configuration framework that serves multiple component carriers simultaneously. A single RRC signaling message contains beam configuration parameters that can be applied across multiple carriers, with mechanisms to handle carrier-specific variations when needed. This multi-functional approach allows the same configuration structure to serve multiple purposes and multiple carriers, reducing the total number of messages required while maintaining configuration precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which beam configuration management service is provided. A network device of a wireless access network provides the service that includes identifying redundant configurations across carriers associated with a cell group, and links the common beam configurations to these carriers. The service also includes identifying any difference in beam configurations relative to the common beam configurations for a carrier. The service may transmit this beam configuration information in a control plane message to an end device. The end device may use the beam configuration information.