Beam-Swept System Information Reception for Massive MIMO Coverage Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems utilizing massive MIMO/beamforming technology, there are time gaps in beam coverage, leading to potential failures in receiving system information by user equipment due to the absence of beams at fixed reception times.

Innovation Solution

A method for transmitting system information that involves determining resource information based on beamforming technology, allowing user equipment to receive system information on indicated resources, including frequency, time, and space domain information, and using beam sweeping to cover the entire service area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If beamforming technology is used to place energy in a user location, then power efficiency is improved, but beam coverage becomes intermittent with time gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidbeam coverage continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing a beam sweeping mechanism where beams are transmitted in periodic cycles across different spatial directions. Each beam covers a specific area during its transmission time slot, and the sequence repeats periodically to ensure continuous coverage. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining power efficiency through focused directional transmission while achieving coverage continuity through the periodic repetition of the sweeping pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal device determine resource information in advance based on beam determining information before actual system information reception. The terminal device pre-configures reception resources according to the beam sweeping pattern, ensuring it knows when and where to receive system information during each beam cycle. This prevents reception failures due to timing mismatches between beam transmission and terminal reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If system information is transmitted at fixed locations, then reception simplicity is improved, but reception reliability deteriorates when beams are not covering at those times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception simplicityVSAvoidsystem information reception
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed static reception locations to dynamic reception resources that adapt to beam sweeping patterns. The terminal device determines reception resources dynamically based on beam determining information, which reflects the time-varying nature of beam coverage. This allows the system to maintain reception simplicity through automated resource determination while achieving reliability by aligning reception timing with actual beam coverage periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If beams are transmitted directionally to place energy in user locations, then energy efficiency is improved, but coverage area at any given time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic beam sweeping where directional beams are transmitted sequentially across different spatial areas in repeating cycles. Each beam maintains its energy-efficient directional focus during transmission, while the periodic repetition ensures that over time, the entire service area receives coverage. The coverage area parameter refers to the complete service area covered over a beam cycle, not simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3490318B1Method and device for transmitting system information
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3490318B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3490318B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3490318B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application relates to the field of system information transmission technologies, and in particular, to a method for transmitting system information and an apparatus. A related method for receiving system information includes: determining, by a terminal device, resource information, where the terminal device uses one beam to perform communication on a resource indicated by the resource information; and receiving, by the terminal device based on the resource information, system information on the resource indicated by the resource information. According to the method for transmitting system information and the apparatus in this application, a probability of successfully receiving system information by a terminal device can be increased.