Beam Management Pausing for Multi-Panel 5G Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR networks, especially in FR2 (24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz) mmWave range, Multi-Panel UE devices face inefficiencies in beam scanning due to sequential scanning procedures, which consume power without significant improvements in link throughput when signal quality changes are minimal, leading to redundant measurements and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine channel quality parameters for each antenna panel, calculate differences between serving and non-serving panels, and pause the beam scanning procedure when the differences are below certain thresholds, optimizing power usage and focusing measurements on panels with potential for improved signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential beam scanning procedure is performed on all antenna panels, then measurement completeness is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the beam scanning procedure by introducing conditional pausing based on threshold comparisons. When the channel quality parameter difference between serving and non-serving panels falls below a threshold, the scanning procedure is paused for non-serving panels, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement completeness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing complete beam scanning on all antenna panels continuously, the patent applies partial action by selectively pausing the scanning procedure on non-serving panels when channel quality differences are minimal. This partial scanning approach reduces unnecessary power consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement quality.
2Reliability
If beam scanning procedure continues on all panels, then link quality improvement detection is improved, but productivity decreases due to redundant measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the scanning procedure by dynamically changing its execution parameters based on channel quality differences. When the difference in channel quality parameters between serving and non-serving panels is below a threshold, the scanning on non-serving panels is paused, eliminating redundant measurements and improving productivity while maintaining reliability through selective monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial scanning action by continuing measurements only on serving panels or pausing on non-serving panels when improvements are unlikely. This selective approach removes excessive redundant measurements, thereby improving measurement efficiency and productivity without compromising the ability to detect meaningful link quality improvements.
3Productivity
If modulation and coding scheme changes are pursued with minor signal quality improvements, then throughput optimization is improved, but power consumption increases due to frequent scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a threshold-based parameter change mechanism that compares channel quality parameter differences against a predefined threshold. When the difference is below the threshold, scanning on non-serving panels is paused, preventing unnecessary power consumption associated with pursuing minor signal quality improvements that would not justify MCS changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent avoids excessive scanning actions by pausing measurements on non-serving panels when channel quality differences are insufficient to warrant MCS changes. This selective partial scanning reduces power consumption while maintaining throughput optimization by focusing resources on measurements that can actually improve performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprising: a plurality of antenna panels for receiving beams; means for receiving reference signals; means for determining, based on measurements of said reference signals, a first parameter indicative of at least channel quality for a beam on each antenna panel, wherein a value of said first parameter is determined for each antenna panel according to a predetermined beam scanning procedure; means for determining, at least for a plurality of non-serving antenna panels, a value of a second parameter based on a difference of values of the first parameters between a beam on a serving antenna panel and a beam on a particular non-serving antenna panel; and means for pausing, based on the determined values of the first and/or the second parameter, the predetermined beam scanning procedure for one or more antenna panels.