Beam Process Management for High-Frequency Uplink Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency wireless communication systems face significant Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) path losses and coverage limitations due to high path loss, attenuation, and severe penetration issues, making current multi-antenna transmission approaches impractical for UEs with numerous antenna elements.
Innovation Solution
Implement beamforming techniques using digital, analog, and hybrid methods to manage beam processes, allowing UEs to maintain multiple beams and handle beam failures, mobility, and select beams through open-loop and closed-loop procedures, reducing reliance on continuous reference signals for efficient energy and spectrum use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If more antenna elements are used at UEs to increase throughput in high-frequency bands, then data rate is improved, but control complexity and overhead become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large number of antenna elements into smaller groups or panels, where each panel is controlled independently with its own beamforming weights. This reduces the control overhead by dividing the 64 antenna elements into manageable subsets, allowing practical implementation while maintaining high data rates through coordinated multi-panel transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by activating only a subset of antenna elements or panels at any given time based on channel conditions and transmission requirements. Instead of controlling all 64 antenna elements simultaneously with full overhead, the system selectively activates necessary panels, reducing control complexity while maintaining adequate throughput performance.
2Measurement precision
If continuous transmissions of common downlink reference signals are used to maintain link quality, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy efficiency and spectrum efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of downlink reference signals instead of continuous transmission. Reference signals are sent at specific intervals or occasions when beam management updates are needed, rather than continuously. This maintains adequate measurement precision for link quality assessment while dramatically improving energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary signal transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by leveraging uplink channel measurements and reciprocity to infer downlink channel quality, reducing the need for continuous downlink reference signal transmissions. The UE can perform self-assessment of link quality based on uplink feedback and previously stored channel state information, maintaining measurement accuracy while conserving energy and spectrum resources.
3Productivity
If narrow beam patterns are used to improve directional gain, then throughput is improved, but received energy degrades abruptly during UE rotation and dynamic blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam management where the system maintains multiple beam processes with different beam widths and directions. When UE rotation or blocking is detected through channel quality measurements, the system dynamically switches between pre-configured beam processes to maintain link stability. This allows the system to adapt beam characteristics in real-time, preserving throughput while preventing abrupt degradation during mobility events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares multiple beam processes in advance with different characteristics (beam widths, directions, and gains) to cushion against potential link failures. When UE rotation or blocking is anticipated or detected, these pre-prepared beam processes can be quickly activated to maintain connectivity, preventing abrupt throughput degradation and ensuring reliable communication during dynamic scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein are provided for beamforming and uplink control and data transmission techniques. Such techniques enable a UE to maintain at least one beam process for operation with multiple beams and/or points. A beam process may be indicated for transmission or reception over a downlink or uplink physical channel. Power, timing, and channel state information may be specific to a beam process. A beam process may be established as part of a random access procedure in which resources may be provisioned in random access response messages. Techniques are provided to handle beam process failures, to use beam processes for mobility, and to select beams using open-loop and closed-loop selection procedures.