Beam Sweeping for Common Channel Transmission in FD-MIMO
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless mobile communication systems, especially those using Full-Dimension MIMO (FD-MIMO), existing methods struggle to efficiently transmit common channel information, such as synchronization signals and system information, to all users within a cell at a low transmit power level, which is necessary for initial access but difficult due to the limited power coverage of individual beams.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using multiple beams to transmit common channel information at different times, allowing for efficient coverage of the entire cell area by generating and transmitting distinct synchronization signals and system information based on the number of beams used, employing a beam sweeping technique to ensure all users receive necessary information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple beams are used to transmit common channel information at different times, then the coverage of the entire cell area is improved, but the transmit power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common channel information transmission is segmented across multiple beams transmitted at different time instances. Each beam covers a specific spatial sector, and by dividing the cell coverage into multiple beam segments transmitted sequentially, the system achieves full cell coverage while controlling power consumption through time-division multiplexing of beams
2Ease of manufacture
If transmit power is reduced for FD-MIMO beamforming, then power amplifier costs are reduced, but the coverage area and reliability of common channel transmission deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic beam sweeping where multiple beams are transmitted at different time instances in a periodic manner. This allows the base station to use lower transmit power per beam while ensuring that all users within the cell can receive common channel information during their respective beam transmission windows, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring high power amplifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs preliminary beam sweeping to identify which beams are necessary for covering the cell area before actual data transmission. By determining the number of beams needed in advance and preparing the common channel information accordingly, the system can optimize power allocation and ensure reliable transmission without excessive power amplifier requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If common channel information is transmitted through all beams, then all users within the cell can receive information, but the system complexity and resource allocation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of beams based on the determined parameter of how many beams are needed for adequate cell coverage. Rather than fixed transmission through all possible beams, the system changes the beam parameter adaptively, selecting only the necessary number of beams for transmission, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining universal user coverage
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for transmission and reception of common channel information in a mobile communication system using multi-antenna-based beam-forming. A number of beams to be used for transmission to a terminal is determined at a base station. The common channel information is generated corresponding to the number of beams. The common channel information is transmitted from the base station to the terminal through one of the beams.