Beam Management for mmWave Operations Using Interference Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
In millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication systems, the complexity and power consumption associated with searching and tracking multiple beams for downlink communications increase, making it desirable to improve techniques for downlink beam selection.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment (UE) receives a channel state information (CSI) reporting configuration message from a serving base station, measures interference plus noise and power contribution metrics for each beam, ranks the beams based on these metrics, and selects a subset of highest ranked beams to report back to the base station, optimizing beam management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the UE searches and tracks a large number of beams for downlink communications, then the beam selection quality is improved, but the complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam search process into two distinct phases: an initial broad search phase that identifies candidate beams, and a subsequent refined measurement phase that evaluates only the most promising candidates. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high beam selection quality while reducing overall complexity by limiting the number of beams requiring intensive tracking and measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing comprehensive measurements on only a subset of beams rather than all available beams. The UE identifies a limited set of candidate beams through initial scanning, then concentrates measurement resources on these partial candidates, achieving sufficient beam selection quality without the excessive complexity of evaluating every possible beam.
2Measurement precision
If the UE searches and tracks a large number of beams for downlink communications, then the beam selection quality is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam evaluation process into low-power initial scanning and high-power detailed measurement phases. By identifying candidate beams during the low-power phase and limiting detailed measurements to only those candidates, the system maintains beam selection quality while significantly reducing overall power consumption during beam search and tracking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs exhaustive measurements on only a partial set of candidate beams rather than all beams. This selective measurement approach ensures that the UE consumes power only when necessary for evaluating promising beams, thereby maintaining beam selection quality while reducing total modem power consumption during beam management operations.
3Reliability
If the UE tracks multiple beams simultaneously, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam tracking process into hierarchical levels: a small set of candidate beams is identified through initial measurement, and then a limited number of these candidates are tracked simultaneously. This segmentation maintains communication reliability through diverse beam options while reducing tracking complexity by limiting the number of active beam tracks at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels to different beams based on their candidacy status. Candidate beams undergo comprehensive initial evaluation, while only the most promising subset receives continuous tracking resources. This local differentiation of measurement quality maintains reliability through thorough candidate selection while reducing overall tracking complexity through selective monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Beam management enhancements for advanced millimeter wave (mmWave) operations are disclosed. As a part of channel state information (CSI) reporting configuration, a user equipment may include an interference plus noise measurement of beams for consideration in beam management. The UE measures a set of signaling resources of each beam for power contribution and interference plus noise. According to the particular configuration, the UE may rank all of the available beams into a subset of the highest ranked beams, ranked either by the interference plus noise measurement, by the power contribution metric, or by a combination of both. The UE reports an identification of the subset to the serving base station which determines the beam to use for subsequent communications with the UE.