Beamforming Measurement Parameters for 5G Handover Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication systems, beamforming technologies face challenges in efficiently measuring base station signals and reducing handover failures due to high propagation path loss and limited frequency bandwidth, which affects data transmission rates and coverage areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for efficiently measuring reference signals in a beamforming communication system by determining measurement parameters based on elevation angles, azimuth, handover urgency, and radio link failure information, allowing for optimized transmission and reception beam configuration to enhance signal quality and reduce handover failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If beamforming is used to increase transmission distance and signal directivity, then propagation path loss is mitigated and transmission distance increases, but measurement accuracy of reference signals deteriorates due to directional signal concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reference signal measurement process into multiple directional measurements corresponding to different transmission beams. Instead of a single omnidirectional measurement, the system performs measurements along multiple beam directions and combines these segmented measurement results to achieve accurate positioning and handover decisions while maintaining beamforming benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to reference signal measurements by measuring signals along multiple beam directions rather than a single direction. This multi-dimensional measurement approach allows the system to accurately determine the mobile station's position and select appropriate handover targets while maintaining the directional gain of beamforming
2Speed
If beamforming concentrates signal in a particular direction, then signal directivity and transmission distance increase, but coverage area is reduced due to focused signal distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage area into multiple beam-specific zones, each served by a dedicated transmission beam. By dividing the coverage area and assigning specific beams to specific zones, the system maintains high data transmission rates within each zone while collectively covering a broader service area through the combination of multiple beams
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam switching and selection based on mobile station position and channel conditions. The system dynamically adjusts which beam serves which area, allowing flexible adaptation to maintain both high data rates and broad coverage as users move through different spatial regions
3Device complexity
If conventional reference signal measurement is used in beamforming systems, then system complexity is low, but handover failures increase due to inaccurate signal measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary reference signal measurements along multiple beam directions before handover decisions are made. By pre-measuring signals in different beam directions and evaluating their quality in advance, the system identifies suitable handover targets and avoids failed handovers, improving reliability without requiring complex real-time measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where measurement results from multiple beam directions are fed back to the network for handover decision-making. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously optimize handover selections based on actual measured signal qualities, improving handover success rates through informed decisions rather than complex measurement systems
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th-generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). A communication method and apparatus using beamforming are provided. The method includes acquiring transmission beam specific, measurement information of a base station (BS) and measuring a reference signal (RS) transmitted through transmission beams of the BS according to the transmission beam specific, measurement information. The measurement information on each transmission beam is determined according to at least one of an elevation angle of the corresponding transmission beam, an azimuth of the corresponding transmission beam, a handover urgency, information on a handover failure, and information on a radio link failure (RLF). A mobile station (MS) may perform a measurement report or a handover process according to a result of the measurement.