Beamforming Access Using Segmented Wide and Narrow Beam Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beamforming technologies in wireless communication face inefficiencies due to the need for multiple beam directions, leading to increased transmission and reception overhead and reduced beamforming effect, especially when trying to cover large service areas with limited frequency bands, such as the millimeter wave band above 30GHz.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves using multiple beam widths for transmitting and receiving signals, where wide beams are used for initial synchronization and broadcast channels, and narrow beams for data communication, allowing for efficient beam selection and configuration of communication channels, thereby reducing overhead and improving system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If beam sweeping is performed in all available directions to ensure coverage, then service coverage is improved, but transmission overhead and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam selection process into two distinct stages: coarse beam selection using wide beams for initial access and synchronization, followed by fine beam selection using narrow beams for data transmission. This segmentation reduces the overall complexity by dividing the exhaustive search into manageable phases, where each phase operates with appropriate beam widths for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts beam width based on the operational stage and requirements. Wide beams are used during initial access and synchronization phases to ensure comprehensive coverage, while narrow beams are employed during data transmission phases to maximize signal strength and reduce interference. This dynamic adaptation optimizes both coverage and efficiency without requiring exhaustive beam sweeping in all directions at all times.
2Productivity
If narrow beams are used for data transmission, then beamforming effect and data rate are improved, but service coverage area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam usage strategy by function: wide beams are dedicated to coverage-critical functions (synchronization, broadcast channels, initial access), while narrow beams are dedicated to throughput-critical functions (data transmission). This functional segmentation allows each beam type to operate optimally within its designated scope without compromising overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary beam alignment and synchronization using wide beams before transitioning to narrow beam data transmission. This preliminary action ensures that the narrow beams are properly positioned and aligned with the user equipment, maximizing data transmission efficiency while minimizing the need for extensive narrow beam sweeping across the entire coverage area.
3Measurement precision
If multiple beam directions are tested for beam selection, then beam accuracy is improved, but transmission overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam testing process into coarse-level directional identification using wide beams, followed by fine-level optimization using narrow beams. This segmentation reduces the total number of beam tests required compared to exhaustive narrow beam sweeping, as the wide beam stage quickly identifies promising directional sectors that can then be refined with fewer narrow beam tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary directional filtering using wide beams to identify candidate directions before conducting detailed measurements with narrow beams. This preliminary action eliminates obviously poor directions early in the process, reducing the number of time-consuming narrow beam tests needed to achieve accurate beam selection while maintaining high measurement precision for the final beam choice.
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an method and an apparatus for upward access, and the method for upward access according to one embodiment of the present invention can comprise the steps of: receiving, from a base station, a synchronization QO channel, a broadcasting control channel and a secondary reference signal; selecting a transmission beam which transmits an upward access signal by using received results from at least one of the synchronization channel, the broadcasting control channel and the QO secondary reference signal; transmitting the upward access signal by using the selected transmission beam; and receiving, from the base station, an access response and initial set-up information of the control channel as a response for the upward access signal. According to the one embodiment of the present invention, the upward access steps can efficiently perform a beam selection.