Beam Management With Time-of-Flight First Arrival Path Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beam management methods in NR Rel-16 require numerous positioning reference signals to determine the first arrival path, leading to increased power consumption, prolonged measurement time, and reduced positioning accuracy due to the lack of time-of-flight measurement in the beam management stage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating first arrival path information and time-of-flight measurements in the beam management process to reduce the number of reference signals needed, thereby reducing power consumption and improving positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If numerous positioning reference signals are used to determine the first arrival path, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but power consumption increases and measurement time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing time-of-flight measurements during the beam management stage before the positioning measurement stage. The network device and terminal device pre-establish a mapping relationship between beams and time-of-flight values, so that when positioning is needed, the first arrival path can be quickly determined using the pre-measured time-of-flight data without requiring numerous reference signal measurements at that stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If numerous positioning reference signals are used to determine the first arrival path, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but measurement time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing time-of-flight measurements during the beam management stage before the positioning measurement stage. The network device and terminal device pre-establish a mapping relationship between beams and time-of-flight values, so that when positioning is needed, the first arrival path can be quickly determined using the pre-measured time-of-flight data without requiring numerous reference signal measurements at that stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If time-of-flight measurement is not included in beam management stage, then beam management can be simplified, but positioning accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam management complexityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the time-of-flight measurement capability serve multiple purposes. The same time-of-flight measurement mechanism is used both for beam management (to identify the first arrival path) and for positioning measurement. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve accurate positioning without increasing overall system complexity, as the measurement infrastructure is shared across different stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Quickly determining the first arrival path through beam management methods that include time-of-flight measurements, resulting in reduced energy consumption, shorter positioning delays, and enhanced accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

measuring time-of-flight of a reference signal; determining a first arrival path based on the measured time-of-flight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12425083B2Beam management method, beam management device and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

AI summary

A beam management method is performed by a first device, and includes: receiving reference signal configuration information; and measuring reference signals based on the reference signal configuration information, and sending a measurement report, wherein the measurement report includes first arrival path information of beams corresponding to the reference signals.