Beam-Formed Paging Feedback Mechanism for Wireless Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In new radio access technology (NR), efficient broadcast transmission of paging messages using beamforming is challenging due to limitations in analog beamforming, which cannot perform frequency-selective beamforming and often requires costly installation of transceiver units for each antenna element, limiting beam direction and coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting beam-formed paging based on feedback, where user equipment (UE) receives a paging indicator via multiple beams, selects the best beam, and feeds back the selection to the network node, allowing the network to transmit the paging message only through the selected beam, thereby improving transmission efficiency and reducing battery consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If analog beamforming is used for paging transmission in NR, then transmission efficiency can be improved through directional beams, but the system cannot perform frequency-selective beamforming and requires costly installation of transceiver units for each antenna element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming process into two independent parts: (1) the network node transmits paging indicators through multiple beams using analog beamforming, and (2) the UE selects the best beam and feeds back the selection, allowing the network to transmit the paging message only through the selected beam. This segmentation avoids the need for frequency-selective beamforming while maintaining transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the UE measures multiple beams, selects the optimal beam, and feeds back the beam selection to the network node. This feedback enables the network to transmit the paging message through the selected beam only, improving transmission efficiency without requiring complex frequency-selective beamforming or additional transceiver units at each antenna element.
2Area of stationary object
If the UE monitors multiple beams for paging messages, then coverage can be improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE measure and select the best beam during a first period before the actual paging message transmission. The UE feeds back the beam selection in advance, allowing the network to transmit the paging message only through the selected beam in subsequent periods. This preliminary beam selection reduces the need for continuous multi-beam monitoring, thereby reducing battery consumption while maintaining coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the paging process into distinct periods: a first period for beam measurement and selection, a second period for feedback transmission, and a third period for monitoring the selected beam for paging messages. This periodic structure allows the UE to conserve energy by monitoring only the selected beam after the initial beam selection, rather than continuously monitoring all beams.
3Productivity
If feedback mechanism is implemented for beam selection, then paging message transmission efficiency is improved, but additional signaling overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for efficient paging transmission by having the UE feed back only the beam selection index rather than full channel state information. This extracted feedback enables the network to transmit the paging message through the optimal beam while minimizing signaling overhead, as only the beam identifier needs to be transmitted rather than complete channel measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, a user equipment (UE) receives a beam-formed paging message based on a feedback, which is transmitted by the UE to a network. The UE receives, in a first period, a paging indicator via multiple beams from a network node, and selects a beam from the multiple beams. Then, the UE transmits, in a second period, a feedback indicating the selected beam to the network node via the selected beam, and monitors, in a third period, the selected beam to acquire a paging message from the network node.