Beam Measurement Timing in Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing beam measurements across different frequency intervals and beams, particularly in high mobility scenarios like non-terrestrial networks, where frequent reselection of beams and bandwidth parts is required to maintain communication links, leading to inefficiencies and interference.
Innovation Solution
A method where a UE receives a beam measurement configuration indicating a duration pattern for monitoring different transmission beams, allowing for retuning between bandwidth parts and beams, with specific portions for tuning and measurement, and refraining from unrelated signal transmissions during these periods, enabling flexible and responsive beam selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE performs frequent beam retuning and frequency switching to maintain communication links in high mobility scenarios, then mobility performance and link maintenance are improved, but system interference increases and measurement efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam measurement process into distinct time intervals: active measurement periods where the UE measures reference signals on specific bandwidth parts, and retuning periods where the UE switches frequency intervals. This segmentation allows organized management of measurement activities across multiple bandwidth parts, reducing random access interference while maintaining link reliability in high mobility scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic beam measurement patterns where the UE alternates between measuring reference signals on different bandwidth parts and performing retuning operations. This periodic structure creates predictable measurement timing that reduces interference compared to aperiodic retuning, while still enabling frequent beam evaluation needed for high mobility performance
2Reliability
If a UE performs frequent beam retuning and frequency switching to maintain communication links, then mobility performance is improved, but measurement precision and channel quality evaluation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the UE with multiple bandwidth parts and reference signal resources in advance, so that when retuning is needed, the UE can immediately switch to a pre-configured bandwidth part with valid reference signals. This preliminary preparation eliminates measurement gaps during retuning transitions, maintaining measurement precision while supporting frequent beam changes for high mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous measurement capability by configuring overlapping or adjacent bandwidth parts with reference signals that can be measured during retuning transitions. This continuity prevents interruption of channel quality evaluation, maintaining measurement precision even as the UE frequently retunes for mobility
3Adaptability or versatility
If a UE monitors multiple beams across different bandwidth parts, then beam selection flexibility is improved, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the UE with multiple bandwidth parts that can serve different functions: some for active communication, others for beam measurement and retuning. This multi-functionality allows the same UE hardware to handle both data transmission and beam management efficiently, increasing beam selection flexibility without proportionally increasing operational overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different measurement and monitoring configurations to different bandwidth parts based on their specific roles. For example, bandwidth parts used for measurement may have different reference signal densities or measurement periodicities compared to active communication bandwidth parts. This localized optimization reduces overall operational overhead while maintaining flexibility in beam selection across different frequency intervals
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A network may be configured to provide a beam measurement configuration to a UE that indicates durations for monitoring transmission beams, and tuning a component of the UE between the monitoring. The durations may include a first portion that a UE may use for a tuning operation and a second portion that the UE may use to monitor for or measure a respective reference signal. In various examples, the indicated durations may include a third portion that the UE may use for another tuning operation, or the durations may overlap with one another during an overlap duration that the UE may use for another tuning operation. During the indicated durations, the network may refrain from transmitting other downlink data or control information for the UE, and the UE may refrain from monitoring for such other downlink data or control information.