Iterative Transmit Refinement Using Beamformed Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing multi-antenna transmissions due to delays in determining the best beam set for communication, especially in scenarios where beam correspondence is absent, and in situations where devices lack sufficient downlink traffic for beam management procedures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an apparatus with a plurality of antennas or antenna arrays that transmit and receive reference signals using beamformed beams, accompanied by feedback mechanisms to indicate input or performance parameters for beamforming, allowing for improved beam management and resource coordination in multi-antenna systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If iterative transmit refinement is implemented to improve beam management, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing downlink beam management before uplink beam management. The base station first determines downlink beams and transmits downlink reference signals, allowing the user equipment to measure and report feedback. This preliminary downlink configuration enables subsequent uplink beam determination to be more efficient, as the UE can use the downlink beam information to assist uplink beam selection, thereby improving overall communication efficiency while managing complexity through staged processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment measures downlink reference signals and reports measurement results back to the base station. This feedback loop enables the base station to refine beam selections iteratively, improving communication efficiency through data-driven optimization. The feedback principle is applied through uplink control information that carries beam measurement results, allowing the system to adapt and optimize beam configurations based on actual channel conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If beam management procedures are performed without sufficient downlink traffic, then beam correspondence absence is handled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting downlink reference signals specifically for beam management purposes before actual data transmission. These reference signals are sent even when there is no sufficient downlink traffic, allowing the user equipment to perform measurements and determine downlink beams in advance. This preliminary beam configuration ensures that beam correspondence absence is properly handled while maintaining measurement accuracy through dedicated reference signal transmissions.
3Loss of time
If iterative beam refinement is performed, then link establishment delay is reduced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing downlink beam management in advance, determining downlink beams and transmitting reference signals before uplink transmission begins. This preliminary configuration reduces the time needed for link establishment during actual data transmission, as much of the beam refinement work is completed beforehand. The staged approach separates measurement and determination phases from execution phases, reducing overall link establishment delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining beam configurations across multiple transmission opportunities. Once beams are determined through iterative refinement, these configurations are reused and maintained for subsequent transmissions, avoiding the need to repeat the entire beam refinement process. This continuous use of established beam configurations reduces processing time while maintaining optimal link quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a wireless communication network is described that has an antenna unit. The antenna unit includes a plurality of antennas or one or more antenna arrays each having a plurality of antenna elements. The apparatus communicates with one or more network entities of the wireless communication network, like a base station or another UE. The apparatus transmits to or receives from the network entity a reference signal, like a Sounding Reference Signal, SRS, or a Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, using one or more beams beamformed by the apparatus using one or more input parameters. The apparatus transmits a feedback to the network entity, the feedback indicating the one or more input parameters the apparatus uses for beamforming the one or more beams, and/or the apparatus is configured or preconfigured, e.g., by the network entity, with the one or more input parameters.