Beam Refinement Reference Signal for Paging DCI Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, paging can be a bottleneck for coverage due to the use of broad beams that lack the gains associated with beamforming, especially for user equipment (UEs) near the cell edge, and existing systems struggle to refine beams for multiple UEs in different locations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting a beam refinement reference signal prior to the paging physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring occasion, which is indicated through a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) or remaining minimum system information (RMSI), allowing UEs to refine their receive beams based on this signal, thereby improving coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If broad beams are used for paging transmission, then coverage area is expanded, but beamforming gain is lost resulting in poor signal strength for cell edge UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits a beam refinement reference signal before the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion to enable UEs to refine their receive beams in advance. This preliminary action allows UEs to optimize their beam directions before receiving paging messages, thereby achieving both wide coverage through broad paging beams and high signal strength through refined UE receive beams, particularly benefiting cell edge UEs
2Reliability
If beam refinement is implemented for multiple UEs in different locations, then individual beam optimization is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam refinement process by providing individual beam refinement reference signals to different UEs at different times or frequencies. Each UE independently processes its own reference signal to determine its optimal receive beam, avoiding the need for complex centralized beam management while achieving precise beam alignment for multiple UEs with different spatial locations
Data Source
AI summary
A base station may transmit a beam refinement reference signal prior to a paging physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring occasion to improve reception of a paging downlink control information (DCI). A user equipment (UE) may receive at least one transmission indicating the beam refinement reference signal transmitted prior to the PDCCH monitoring occasion. The UE may receive the beam refinement reference signal prior to the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion based on the at least one transmission. The UE may receive a downlink control information on the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion based on the beam refinement reference signal.