Beam Configuration for Wireless Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Future wireless communications networks, such as 5G, face challenges in efficiently supporting a wide range of devices with different data traffic profiles and requirements, including low complexity devices and high-definition video streaming, due to varying radio conditions and mobility, which can lead to interruptions in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that configures infrastructure equipment to transmit data using a set of beams, including serving beams and fallback beams, each with a different directional bias, allowing the network to switch between them based on predetermined conditions such as signal quality and retransmission thresholds, ensuring reliable data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming is used to transmit data to communications devices, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to manage multiple beams with different directional biases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming system into multiple independent beams with different directional biases. Each beam is configured independently with specific directional characteristics, allowing the system to divide the complex task of reliable transmission into multiple simpler beam segments that can be managed separately but work together to ensure overall transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam switching capability where the communications device can switch between different beams based on changing radio conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable data transmission by selecting the most appropriate beam for current conditions, transforming a static complex system into a dynamic one that adapts to reduce management overhead
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple candidate beams with different directional biases are configured, then adaptability to changing radio conditions is improved, but the quantity of signals and configuration parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring each beam with specific directional bias characteristics tailored to particular spatial directions. Instead of using many beams with similar properties, each beam is optimized for its specific directional coverage area, reducing the total number of beams needed while maintaining adaptability across different radio conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the beamforming system multi-functional by designing beams that can serve multiple purposes: primary data transmission, fallback transmission, and adaptation to different radio conditions. This universality allows a smaller set of beams to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate signaling mechanisms
3Reliability
If fallback beams are configured as alternatives to serving beams, then reliability is improved by reducing radio link failures, but device complexity increases due to additional beam switching logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring fallback beams alongside primary serving beams before radio link failures occur. The fallback beams are prepared in advance with appropriate directional biases, so when a failure occurs, the device can immediately switch without complex real-time decision-making, reducing both the switching logic complexity and improving reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting data to a communications device from a wireless communications network comprising one or more infrastructure equipment, the method comprises configuring one or more of the infrastructure equipment for transmitting one or more candidate beams of signals which can be used to transmit the data to the communications device from each of one or more cells of the wireless communications device formed by the infrastructure equipment. Each of the candidate beams is configured with a different directional bias with respect to a location of the one or more cells from which the signals of the candidate beam can be received when transmitted.