Beam-Formed Pilot Signals for LTE Cell Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE systems, User Equipment (UE) struggles to access the best cell due to inability to adjust the beam direction of Cell-Specific Reference Signals (CRS), leading to suboptimal access effects and system performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A cell access method that involves beam-forming pilot signals using configured beam-forming vectors to transmit beams in various directions, allowing the UE to measure pilot signals more effectively and select the cell with the closest beam direction, thereby improving access efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beam-forming vectors are configured for each cell to enable beam direction adjustment, then access effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by configuring beam-forming vectors with specific parameters (number of beams, beam directions, beam widths) for each cell. The network side device adjusts these parameters to optimize beam coverage and direction, enabling the system to adapt to different access scenarios and improve access effectiveness without requiring fundamental system changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making beam directions and beam widths adjustable and configurable rather than fixed. The network side device can dynamically configure different beam-forming vectors for different cells based on UE location and access requirements, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and improve access performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple beam-forming vectors are configured for each cell, then measurement precision is improved, but information processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepilot signal measurement precisionVSAvoidinformation processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pilot signal measurement process into cell-specific measurements. Each cell has its own configured beam-forming vectors, and the UE measures pilot signals separately for each cell based on the corresponding beam directions and widths. This segmentation allows precise measurement per cell while organizing information processing in a structured manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring beam-forming vectors for each cell before the UE performs measurements. The network side device provides the UE with information about the number of beams, beam directions, and beam widths for each cell in advance, allowing the UE to efficiently perform measurements without processing all possible beam configurations during the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances the UE's access effectiveness and system performance by ensuring the UE connects to the cell with the best signal quality, improving overall network performance.

Implementation Method 1

beam-forming pilot signals for a cell using a set of beam-forming vectors configured for the cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeam forming:

Data Source

PatentEP3200509B1Cell access method and device
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 CHINA ACAD OF TELECOMM TECH
  • EP3200509B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3200509B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3200509B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A cell access method and a cell access apparatus are provided. The cell access method includes steps of: measuring pilot signals for each of multiple cells that have been searched out, the pilot signals transmitted on a pilot resource for each cell being beam-formed using a set of beam-forming vectors configured for the cell; and selecting a cell corresponding to an optimum pilot signal measurement result from the multiple cells that have been searched and accessing the selected cell.