Beam Management Reference Signal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beam management procedures in communications networks face challenges in efficiently managing beam pairs at high frequencies, leading to increased overhead and reduced performance due to the need for frequent refinements and tracking of terminal device movements and changes in the radio propagation environment.
Innovation Solution
A method and network node configuration that transmits reference signals in multiple sets of beams to allow terminal devices to identify optimal transmission and reception beams, enabling efficient beam management by sharing procedures among groups of devices and reducing overhead signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrow beam transmission and reception schemes are used at high frequencies to compensate for propagation loss, then link budget is improved, but beam management complexity and overhead signaling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beam management procedure is segmented into distinct phases: initial access phase using wide beams for coverage, followed by refinement phase using narrow beams for precision. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from narrow beams' directional gain while avoiding continuous overhead of narrow beam management across all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam management approach dynamically adapts beam width based on operational context - using wide beams during initial access and mobility scenarios, and narrow beams during stable connection phases. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by selecting appropriate beam characteristics for each operational state.
2Reliability
If frequent beam refinements and tracking are performed to maintain performance in changing radio environments, then connection reliability is improved, but overhead signaling and network resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Beam management operations are performed periodically rather than continuously, with the period adjusted based on mobility detection and channel condition stability. This periodic approach maintains connection reliability while significantly reducing overhead signaling compared to continuous tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device performs self-service beam refinement by evaluating multiple receive beams against reference signals transmitted by the network node. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for network-controlled beam adjustments and associated overhead signaling.
3Area of stationary object
If wide transmission beams are used during initial access to cover the whole angular sector, then network coverage is improved, but beam precision and capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The beam management procedure is segmented into distinct phases: initial access phase using wide beams for coverage, followed by refinement phase using narrow beams for precision. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from narrow beams' directional gain while avoiding continuous overhead of narrow beam management across all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
Wide beams are used in preliminary initial access phase to establish coverage and identify terminal locations, after which narrow beams are deployed for precise communication. This preliminary action with wide beams enables subsequent precise beamforming without sacrificing initial coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanisms for beam management. An example method, in a network node, comprises transmitting a reference signal so as to enable each of the terminal devices participating in a first part of the beam management procedure to identify in which of a first set of beams the reference signal is received with highest power. The method comprises transmitting the reference signal in a second part of the procedure so as to enable each of the terminal devices to identify in which of a second set of beams the reference signal is received with highest power. The method comprises transmitting the reference signal during a third part of the procedure so as to enable each of the terminal devices to identify in which of a third set of beams the reference signal is received with highest power. There is one third set for each beam in the first set.