Beam Failure Indication for Multi-TRP 5G Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G wireless systems face challenges in efficiently managing beam failures across multiple transmission points, particularly due to the blockage effect in mmWave communications, which affects connection robustness and scalability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of non-coherent joint transmission (NCJT) with multiple downlink control information (DCI) allows for beam failure detection and recovery by configuring user equipment (UE) to receive data from multiple transmission points, enabling immediate failure indication and switching to single TRP transmission when necessary, thus overcoming blockage effects and maintaining connection robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-coherent joint transmission with multiple DCI is implemented for beam failure detection, then beam failure detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam failure detection capabilityVSAvoidreceiver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the beam failure detection process by assigning separate DCI formats (DCI format 1_1 and DCI format 1_2) for different transmission points. Each DCI carries independent beam failure detection information, allowing the receiver to independently monitor and detect failures from multiple TRPs without requiring a single complex unified detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary beam failure detection by configuring the receiver with multiple DCI formats before transmission begins. The receiver is pre-configured with beam failure detection reference signals (DFI) and multiple DCI formats, enabling immediate detection when beam failure occurs without requiring complex real-time analysis during data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple transmission points are configured for data reception, then connection robustness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection robustnessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the transmission system into multiple independent transmission points (TRPs), each with its own downlink control information (DCI) format. This segmentation allows the receiver to independently process and manage connections to each TRP, improving robustness through diversity while maintaining manageable complexity by treating each TRP as a separate entity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal framework where the receiver can handle multiple DCI formats (1_1 and 1_2) and multiple transmission points using the same fundamental processing mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows the system to scale from single-TRP to multi-TRP configurations without requiring fundamentally different processing architectures, thus improving robustness while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If immediate beam failure indication is implemented, then connection recovery time is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam failure recovery timeVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary beam failure indication by embedding beam failure detection information directly in the DCI formats before data transmission occurs. The gNB configures the UE with beam failure detection reference signals and multiple DCI formats in advance, enabling immediate failure indication without requiring separate signaling messages, thus reducing signaling overhead while maintaining fast recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses DCI formats as intermediaries to convey beam failure detection information. Instead of requiring separate dedicated signaling channels for beam failure indication, the DCI formats serve as mediators that carry both scheduling information and beam failure detection status, thereby reducing signaling overhead while enabling immediate failure indication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11329710B2Facilitation of beam failure indication for multiple transmission points for 5G or other next generation network

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

For the case of multi-transmission point transmissions (TRPs), when a transmission on one of the TRPs fail, the network can receive date from a mobile device such that the network knows immediately that the transmission failed on a network node. After received the failed transmission data, the network can facilitate the mobile device switching from a dual transmission usage between two network devices to a single transmission usage between the network device for which the transmission has not been determined to fail.