Beam Tracking via Configured Beam-sets for 5G Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high-frequency (HF) communication system faces challenges in mobility management due to intermittent connectivity, rapid adaptation requirements, and susceptibility to shadowing, which affects beam tracking and signal propagation in 5G radio access networks, leading to signal outages and uneven capacity delivery.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of beam tracking through configuring and managing beam-sets, including CSI sets and transmission sets, by both the network and user equipment (UE) to support mobility, using beam-specific or TRP-specific identity signals, and dynamically adjusting beams for different transmission time intervals, enabling efficient control and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-frequency communication is implemented to support massive connectivity and high bandwidth, then spectrum availability and antenna gain are improved, but susceptibility to shadowing and signal outages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam management process into multiple beam-sets, where each beam-set contains multiple beams that can be independently tracked and switched. This segmentation allows the system to quickly switch between different beams when shadowing occurs, maintaining connectivity by dividing the coverage area into multiple beam directions that can be activated based on real-time channel conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam tracking and switching mechanisms where beam-sets are continuously monitored and adjusted based on channel conditions. The system dynamically selects and switches between different beams within beam-sets to adapt to moving obstacles and changing propagation environments, ensuring continuous connectivity despite shadowing effects.
2Power
If directional beamforming is used to compensate propagation loss, then antenna gain and signal strength are improved, but connectivity becomes intermittent and adaptation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures multiple beam-sets in advance, where each beam-set contains pre-defined beams covering different spatial directions. These beam-sets are prepared beforehand with beam-specific reference signals and identities, enabling the system to quickly switch to alternative beams when shadowing or obstruction occurs, maintaining connectivity without waiting for slow scanning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where beam quality is continuously monitored using beam-specific reference signals. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically switches between beams within beam-sets to maintain optimal connectivity, allowing rapid adaptation to changing channel conditions while maintaining continuous service.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive beam scanning is performed for cell search and handover, then base station detection accuracy is improved, but connection setup time and handover delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of multiple beam-sets during initial connection setup, where beam-specific reference signals are transmitted and measured in advance. This preliminary action creates a pool of known good beams that can be quickly switched to during handover, eliminating the need for comprehensive scanning during connection setup and reducing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a subset of pre-configured beam-sets for rapid handover decisions rather than scanning all possible beams. By maintaining an active beam-set pool that covers the most likely service areas, the system achieves sufficient detection accuracy for handover without performing exhaustive scans, thus reducing handover time while maintaining adequate precision.
4Speed
If multiple beam-sets are configured for fast beam tracking, then mobility management speed is improved, but system complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs beam-sets with universal structures that can be reused across different cells and users. Each beam-set follows a standardized format with beam-specific reference signals and identities, allowing the same configuration patterns to be applied universally. This universality reduces the overall system complexity by avoiding custom configurations for each scenario while maintaining fast beam tracking capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for mobility support through beam tracking in the new radio access system. In one novel aspect, one or more beam-sets are configured for fast beam tracking. Each beam-set includes one or more multiple beams or transmit-receive points (TRPs). The UE performs the mobility support through lower layer based on one or more configured beam-sets. The lower layer can be a MAC layer or a PHY layer. In one embodiment, a channel status information (CSI) set and a transmission set are configured. The UE performs CSI measurements on all beams of the CSI set for potential beam tracking and data transmitting and receiving, and control signaling through one or more beams of the transmission set. In another embodiment, the UE further configures a candidate set. The beam-sets can be configured by the network or by the UE.