Beam Refinement for Inactive RedCap Devices in 5G FR2
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in enabling beam refinement procedures for Reduced Capability (RedCap) User Equipment (UE) that are in a RRC_INACTIVE state, particularly in Fifth Generation (5G) technology standard for cellular networks.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that allow a UE in an inactive state to receive System Information Block 1 (SIB1) and SIB-x from the wireless communication network, which includes information for beam-refinement measurements. The device can send on-demand requests for SIB-x and Downlink-Reference Signal (DL-RS) transmissions, perform beam-refinement measurements, and send measurement reports to the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam refinement procedures are implemented for RedCap UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state, then communication quality is improved, but device complexity and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs downlink beam refinement and sends DL-RS transmissions and measurement configuration information to the UE before the UE needs to transmit uplink data. The UE receives and stores this configuration information while in RRC_INACTIVE state, preparing for future uplink transmission without needing to perform complex procedures at that moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam refinement procedure is divided into separate phases: downlink beam refinement (network sends DL-RS, UE performs measurements) and uplink beam refinement (UE sends measurement reports, network configures uplink beams). This segmentation allows the UE to perform simpler operations in inactive state while maintaining communication quality.
2Reliability
If beam refinement measurements are performed by UE in inactive state, then communication quality is improved, but measurement precision and reliability become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs downlink beam measurements using DL-RS transmissions and sends measurement reports back to the network. The network uses this feedback to determine optimal downlink and uplink beam configurations, ensuring measurement precision is maintained through iterative optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The network configures multiple DL-RS resources with different beam parameters and allows the UE to measure and report on these. By changing beam parameters and configuring multiple measurement opportunities, the system ensures reliable measurements even in inactive state where UE capabilities are limited.
3Productivity
If on-demand SIB-x requests are implemented, then information delivery efficiency is improved, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic SIB-x transmission where the network only sends SIB-x information when the UE explicitly requests it. This dynamic approach allows efficient information delivery to UEs that need it while avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead for UEs that do not require additional system information.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for beam refinement to enable inactive mode transmission in frequency range 2 for 3GPP RedCap devices. A RedCap device receives system information in a SIB1 from a wireless network in which the SIB1 includes information relating to an indication of resources used to transmit a SIB-x. The device receives the SIB-x, which includes an indication of at least one resource, at least one configuration for a Downlink-Reference Signal (DL-RS) transmission, and information relating to a measurement report relating to the beam-refinement measurement that is to be performed by a device. The device receives the DL-RS transmission from the wireless communication network, performs the beam-refinement measurement, and sends a measurement report to the wireless network. Subsequent to sending the measurement report, the device sends an enhanced transmission to the wireless network based on the measurement report.