Beam Management in Wireless Systems Using DRX and Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in high-frequency bands, face challenges with beamforming due to increased path loss and the need for higher antenna gain, which limits the number of concurrent high-gain beams that can be formed, resulting in reduced cell coverage and sensitivity to time and space variations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of advanced beam management techniques, including beamforming and Discontinuous Reception (DRX) in User Equipment (UE), which allows for efficient beam switching and refinement, and the use of multiple antenna arrays to create a grid-of-beams coverage pattern, enabling better channel quality management and mobility handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming with high antenna gain is used in high-frequency bands, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the number of concurrent high-gain beams that can be formed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam management process into distinct phases (beam sweeping, beam measurement, beam reporting, beam switching) and divides the beamforming operations across multiple antenna arrays. Each antenna array can form independent beams, allowing concurrent beam operations without increasing individual array complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by deploying multiple antenna arrays in different physical locations and orientations. This allows the system to form beams in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, increasing the number of concurrent high-gain beams without compromising the high signal-to-noise ratio achieved by each individual beam.
2Reliability
If beamforming is used to compensate for path loss in high-frequency bands, then coverage area is reduced, but antenna gain is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coverage area into multiple sectors, each served by a dedicated antenna array forming high-gain beams. By segmenting both the antenna system and the coverage area, the patent achieves high antenna gain in each sector while collectively covering a large total area through the combination of multiple segmented sectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends coverage by adding spatial dimensionality through multiple antenna arrays positioned at different locations and angles. This allows the system to maintain high antenna gain in each direction while achieving broad overall coverage by covering different spatial regions with different arrays, effectively resolving the trade-off between gain and coverage area.
3Reliability
If continuous beam management is performed, then beam quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beam management operations where the UE performs beam measurements and reporting at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The system uses DRX (Discontinuous Reception) cycles to alternate between active beam management periods and sleep periods, maintaining acceptable beam quality while significantly reducing power consumption during sleep intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously perform beam measurements, evaluate beam quality, and trigger beam switching without continuous network control. The UE self-manages beam tracking during active periods and enters low-power states when beam conditions are stable, reducing the need for continuous power-consuming network coordination while maintaining beam quality.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple antenna arrays are used to create grid-of-beams coverage, then coverage area and beam switching capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall antenna system into multiple independent, standardized antenna arrays. Each array has a uniform structure and operates independently, forming its own set of beams. This segmentation allows the system to achieve extensive grid-of-beams coverage through simple replication of standardized array units, reducing overall system complexity compared to a single large complex array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs each antenna array to be universal and multi-functional, capable of forming multiple beams and serving multiple purposes (coverage, capacity, mobility support). This universality allows the same array design to be deployed repeatedly in different configurations to create the grid-of-beams structure, simplifying the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for specialized components for different functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a UE. Preferably, the method includes receiving a configuration, wherein the configuration indicates whether the UE performs a beam management during a specific period of time (2605). The method also includes determining whether to perform the beam management during the specific period of time based on at least the configuration (2610).