Beamforming Repeater with Adaptive Control Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current repeaters in 5G NR networks lack effective beamforming capabilities, leading to inadequate coverage and spectral efficiency, especially at higher frequency bands, and struggle with dynamic TDD switching, resulting in significant control plane and user plane latencies.
Innovation Solution
A beamforming repeater with adaptive capabilities that receives beam configuration information and activation time periods from a donor network node, enabling 1-to-1 mapping of gNB beams, dynamic TDD switching, and efficient multiplexing of downlink and uplink signals, using a scrambling code derived from the repeater's cell identifier for transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beamforming repeater with adaptive capabilities is implemented, then spectral efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater acts as an intermediary device between the donor gNB and user equipment, implementing adaptive beamforming capabilities. The repeater receives beam configuration information from the donor network node and performs beamforming operations on the access link, thereby improving spectral efficiency without requiring the user equipment to have advanced beamforming capabilities. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing the complexity in the repeater while maintaining simplicity at the UE end.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic TDD switching is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater receives and stores beam configuration information and activation time periods in advance from the donor network node. The configuration includes predefined beam pairs and their corresponding activation times, allowing the repeater to quickly switch between beams without real-time processing delays. This preliminary configuration approach enables dynamic TDD switching adaptability while minimizing control plane latency.
3Area of stationary object
If 1-to-1 mapping of gNB beams is implemented, then coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coverage area is segmented into multiple beam-specific regions, with each gNB beam mapped to a corresponding repeater beam. This segmentation allows the system to provide targeted coverage enhancement in specific directions rather than attempting omnidirectional coverage. The 1-to-1 beam mapping creates discrete coverage zones that can be independently optimized, improving overall coverage area while managing complexity through structured organization.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If adaptive beamforming is implemented, then noise and interference are reduced, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater implements adaptive beamforming by applying different beamforming weights and configurations to different spatial directions and time periods. Instead of using uniform high-power transmission in all directions, the system concentrates energy in specific directional beams where it is most needed. This local quality approach reduces overall energy consumption while effectively suppressing noise and interference in directions where beams are not active.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for beamforming repeater and/or for hybrid beamforming repeater may be provided. For example, adaptive beamforming capabilities for the access link of the repeaters and beamforming on a backhaul link to a donor node may be provided.