Beam Selection Using Mobility Correlations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in accurately determining beams for high-mobility user equipment, leading to outdated channel state information and inefficient beamforming, which results in suboptimal signal transmission and increased interference.

Innovation Solution

The method involves restricting the beam search space by utilizing historical beamforming patterns and mobility correlations to determine the most probable beams for user equipment, enhancing beamforming accuracy and reducing unnecessary beam transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the network node transmits many beams in all possible directions for beamforming, then the channel knowledge accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption and overhead in the cell increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel knowledge accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by restricting beam measurements to specific spatial regions or directions where user equipment is likely to be located, rather than measuring all possible beams in all directions. This localized measurement approach maintains adequate channel knowledge accuracy for relevant directions while significantly reducing energy consumption and overhead in other directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by performing beam measurements on a selected subset of beams rather than all possible beams. The network node determines a limited set of candidate beams based on available information (such as CSI reports or mobility patterns) and only measures those, achieving sufficient channel knowledge with reduced measurement overhead and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If the network node uses historical beamforming patterns and mobility correlations to restrict beam search space, then the beamforming accuracy for high-mobility UE is improved, but the complexity of determining the appropriate beam increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeamforming accuracyVSAvoidbeam determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining a set of candidate beams based on historical beamforming patterns and mobility correlations before actual beam measurement. This preliminary selection narrows down the search space to only the most relevant candidate beams, improving beamforming accuracy for high-mobility UE while managing complexity through structured pre-processing of mobility information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network node uses CSI reports from user equipment and observed mobility patterns to continuously refine and update the set of candidate beams. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to changing channel conditions and user mobility, improving beamforming accuracy while the structured feedback process helps manage determination complexity through systematic information processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3308569B1A method and an apparatus for determining a beam to direct a signal to be transmitted to a user equipment
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3308569B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3308569B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3308569B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method performed by a network node for determining a beam to direct a signal to be transmitted from the network node to a user equipment in a wireless communications network. The network node obtains (302) information related to a sequence of beams associated with the user equipment. The network node further determines (304) the beam based on the information related to the sequence of beams.