Beam Selection Using Radio Reflector Coverage Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently selecting appropriate beams, especially in scenarios with obstacles and high communication frequencies, leading to increased overhead signaling and potential connection loss.
Innovation Solution
A method for wireless communication that involves acquiring channel quality metrics for available beams associated with radio reflectors, allowing for the selection of the best beam based on these metrics, even in obstructed line-of-sight scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional beam selection methods are used, then beam coverage can be established, but overhead signaling increases and selection time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes associations between beams and coverage areas, and pre-identifies candidate beams that provide adjacent or overlapping coverage. This preliminary preparation allows the network device to quickly determine suitable candidate beams without extensive real-time measurements, thereby reducing beam selection time while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network device monitors channel quality metrics of candidate beams and uses this feedback to dynamically select the optimal beam. The device can trigger beam switching based on feedback indicating deterioration of the current beam's quality, ensuring reliable connection while minimizing selection time through informed decision-making
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive beam measurements are performed, then beam selection accuracy improves, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes pre-existing coverage area information and beam associations that are already available in the system. Instead of performing comprehensive new measurements, the network device leverages this extracted information to identify candidate beams, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while significantly reducing signaling overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses coverage area mappings and beam associations as informational copies that represent the spatial relationships between beams and coverage areas. These copies allow the network device to determine candidate beams without requiring direct measurement of all possible beams, reducing signaling overhead while preserving assessment accuracy
3Measurement precision
If beam selection is delayed, then measurement accuracy can be ensured, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-identifies candidate beams and their coverage areas before connection issues arise. This preliminary preparation ensures that when beam switching is needed, the network device can quickly select from pre-identified candidates without delaying the switching decision, thereby maintaining connection stability while ensuring accurate beam selection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares alternative candidate beams in advance as a cushion against potential connection failures. By having pre-identified backup beams with known coverage relationships, the system can quickly switch if the current beam deteriorates, preventing connection instability without requiring delayed measurements
4Area of stationary object
If radio reflectors are used to overcome obstacles, then coverage is improved, but beam selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal coverage area mapping that works for both direct-line beams and reflected beams. The same data structures and selection algorithms can handle beams with different propagation paths, eliminating the need for separate complex selection processes for reflected beams and thereby reducing overall system complexity while expanding coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the time and overhead signaling required for beam selection, enhances communication reliability by providing redundancy coverage, and improves overall communication performance, including throughput and latency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the available beams is associated with a radio reflector which is specifically arranged to enable the associated beam to provide coverage for the area of location of the device via the radio reflector
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication method is disclosed. The method is performed by a radio access node for selection of a beam for communication with a device. The selection is from a plurality of available beams. The method comprises acquiring channel quality metrics for available beams providing coverage for an area of location of the device, and selecting one of the available beams based on the acquired channel quality metrics. At least one of the available beams is associated with a radio reflector which is specifically arranged to enable the associated beam to provide coverage for the area of location of the device via the radio reflector. For example, two or more available beams may be associated with respective radio reflectors, each radio reflector being specifically arranged to enable the respectively associated beam to provide coverage for the area of location of the device via the radio reflector. Corresponding computer program product, apparatus, radio access node, and wireless communication system are also disclosed.