Synchronizing Beam Configuration Updates via Aperiodic Reference Signal Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, asynchronous updates of beam configurations between transmitters and receivers can lead to communication losses, increased latency, and decreased reliability, particularly when control channel transmissions are missed or processing times for updating beam configurations are not synchronized.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a synchronization mechanism where devices transmit confirmation messages or set timers for updating beam configurations based on aperiodic reference signals, ensuring both devices update their configurations simultaneously to maintain communication continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If devices update beam configurations independently based on channel conditions, then beamforming performance is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to asynchronous updates between transmitter and receiver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeamforming performanceVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiving device sends confirmation messages to the transmitting device when beam configuration updates are successfully applied. This feedback loop ensures both devices are synchronized, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining beamforming performance improvements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces timing advance parameters and buffer mechanisms that prepare devices for synchronized updates before actual beam configuration changes occur. This preliminary action prevents asynchronous updates by ensuring both transmitter and receiver are ready simultaneously, maintaining both performance and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If beam configurations are updated frequently to adapt to channel changes, then communication adaptability is improved, but latency increases due to unsynchronized updates and retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication adaptabilityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates timing advance parameters and schedules beam configuration updates in advance to ensure synchronized application at both transmitter and receiver. This preliminary scheduling allows frequent updates for adaptability while avoiding the latency caused by unsynchronized retransmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous communication during beam configuration transitions by using timing advance parameters to ensure the receiving device is ready to process updated beams. This continuous action prevents communication interruptions and reduces latency even when updates occur frequently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If confirmation messages are transmitted to verify beam configuration updates, then update accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential confirmation function into a simple binary indication within existing uplink communications. Rather than adding complex new signaling protocols, it uses existing resources to carry confirmation messages, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining update accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3857995B1Synchronizing timing for updating beam configuration information
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3857995B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3857995B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3857995B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Techniques for identifying events for updating beam configurations for wireless communications employing beamforming are described. The events may be based on a response message to an aperiodic reference signal (RS). For example, a device that receives an aperiodic RS may transmit a message to the device that transmitted the aperiodic RS to confirm that the aperiodic RS was received. Additionally or alternatively, a device that receives an aperiodic RS may set a timer after receiving the aperiodic RS (or transmission of the confirmation message), and may update its beam configuration upon expiration of the timer. If control information is received to schedule a second aperiodic RS prior to expiration of a timer for a first periodic RS, a device may update the timer. Updating the timer for aperiodic RS may be individual to different aperiodic RS transmissions, or may be common among aperiodic RS.