5G Beam Configuration via Terminal ACK and Network Timer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G and future wireless communications systems, beam alignment is crucial for achieving high communication efficiency, but existing technologies struggle to consistently configure beams due to environmental changes and device movements, leading to potential communication disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for improving signal transmission efficiency by configuring a first beam at a terminal and corresponding second beam at a network device, ensuring beam alignment through the use of beam configuration information and timers to maintain consistent behavior between the terminal and network device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beam alignment is performed to improve signal transmission efficiency, then communication efficiency is improved, but beam configuration becomes complex and difficult to maintain due to environmental changes and device movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring beam parameters and establishing beam alignment before actual communication begins. The system pre-establishes the relationship between first beams at the terminal and second beams at the network device, so that when communication starts, the beams are already aligned and ready, avoiding complex real-time configuration adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal and network device continuously monitor beam alignment status and exchange information about beam configuration. This feedback loop allows the system to detect when environmental changes affect beam alignment and automatically adjust or reconfigure beams to maintain optimal signal transmission efficiency.
2Reliability
If beam configuration is continuously adjusted to adapt to environmental changes, then communication reliability is improved, but time consumption and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs beam configuration and alignment preliminarily before communication begins, establishing the beam relationship in advance. This preliminary setup reduces or eliminates the need for continuous real-time adjustment, thereby maintaining communication reliability while minimizing time consumption during actual data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous adjustment, the patent employs periodic beam configuration updates. The system adjusts beam parameters at specific intervals or triggered by detected changes in environmental conditions, rather than continuously monitoring and adjusting, thus reducing processing overhead and time consumption while maintaining adequate reliability.
3Reliability
If beam alignment is maintained through continuous monitoring, then communication quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing beam alignment and configuration before communication starts. The terminal and network device pre-determine the beam parameters and their corresponding relationships, eliminating the need for continuous energy-intensive monitoring and adjustment during actual communication, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the terminal and network device automatically maintain beam alignment through built-in monitoring and adjustment capabilities. The devices self-adjust beam parameters based on detected conditions without requiring external intervention or continuous high-energy processing, thereby maintaining communication quality with reduced energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a beam configuration method and an apparatus, so that when a terminal transmits a signal by using a first beam configured by a network device, the network device transmits the signal by using a second beam corresponding to the first beam, for example, the first beam and the second beam belong to a same beam pair, thereby improving signal transmission efficiency. The method may include: sending, by a network device, beam configuration information to a terminal, where the beam configuration information is used to instruct the terminal to transmit a signal by using a first beam; sending, by the terminal, an ACK message to the network device after successfully receiving the beam configuration information, and transmitting the signal by using the first beam when preset duration starting from a time point at which the ACK message is sent to the network device expires; and receiving, by the network device, the ACK message, and transmitting, when the preset duration starting from a time point at which the ACK message is received expires, the signal by using a second beam corresponding to the first beam.