Beam Pair Link Selection for 5G NR Uplink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR systems face challenges in maintaining beam pair links during UE inactivity in beam-based operation, leading to increased radio resource overhead and reduced reliability due to the need for frequent measurements and reporting.
Innovation Solution
A UE is configured to autonomously select and indicate the UL Tx beam and preferred gNB UL Rx beam for CG PUSCH resources, using SRS resources to indicate the intended beam for potential CG PUSCH transmission, thereby reducing unnecessary overhead and maintaining connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent measurements and reporting are performed to maintain beam pair links during UE inactivity, then reliability is improved, but radio resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously selects and indicates the UL Tx beam and preferred gNB UL Rx beam for CG PUSCH resources without requiring frequent network coordination or measurements. The UE uses SRS resources to indicate the intended beam for potential CG PUSCH transmission, enabling self-service beam management that reduces signaling overhead while maintaining link reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The beam selection and indication are performed in advance for potential CG PUSCH transmission. By pre-configuring and indicating beam preferences before actual data transmission, the system ensures beam pair links are ready and 'working' when needed, reducing the need for last-minute measurements and recovery procedures
2Quantity of substance
If autonomous beam selection by UE is implemented, then radio resource overhead is reduced, but beam selection accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) resources are used as an intermediary mechanism for beam indication. The UE transmits SRS on the determined UL Tx beam, which serves as an indicator to the gNB of the intended beam for potential CG PUSCH transmission. This intermediary approach enables accurate beam selection feedback without requiring heavy signaling overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The UE provides feedback to the gNB about its selected beam through SRS transmission. The gNB can detect the SRS on different beams and determine which beam the UE intends to use, creating a feedback loop that ensures beam selection accuracy while maintaining low overhead operation
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving, from a network node, a configuration for a plurality of uplink resources; means for determining an uplink transmit (Tx) beam; means for determining an uplink data resource and an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) resource; and means for transmitting sounding reference signal on the determined uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) resource to indicate, to the network node, the uplink Tx beam and/or the determined uplink data resource that the apparatus intends to use for uplink data transmission.