Candidate Beam Adjustment Using Wide and Narrow Beam Gain Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beam management solutions in wireless communications networks face challenges in balancing overhead and performance degradation due to suboptimal beam choice caused by user and environmental mobility, particularly in scenarios where beamforming and channel properties change with mobility.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for adjusting a set of candidate beams by calculating an estimated gain value based on received energy measurements on both wide and narrow beams, comparing it to an expected gain value, and adjusting the candidate set based on threshold differences or ratios to optimize beam selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a full beam sweep testing all beams is performed to ensure optimal beam selection, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing beam sweeps only on selected candidate beams rather than all beams. The network node identifies a subset of candidate beams based on previous measurements and mobility information, then performs beam sweeps only on this reduced set, achieving adequate beam selection accuracy while significantly reducing signaling overhead compared to testing all beams
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-identifying candidate beams using wide beam measurements and mobility information before performing narrow beam sweeps. This preliminary filtering step eliminates beams that are unlikely to be optimal, allowing the system to focus resources on promising candidates and reduce the overall number of beams that need exhaustive testing
2Adaptability or versatility
If beam sweeps are performed frequently to adapt to mobility changes, then beam selection adaptability is improved, but resource consumption and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam sweep frequency and scope adaptive to current mobility conditions. The network node adjusts the candidate beam set size and sweep frequency based on measured mobility parameters - performing more frequent and comprehensive sweeps when mobility is high, and less frequent sweeps when mobility is low, thereby optimizing adaptability while minimizing unnecessary resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by dynamically adjusting the number of candidate beams and sweep intensity based on mobility measurements. When mobility indicators exceed thresholds, the system increases the candidate set size and sweep frequency; when mobility is low, it reduces these parameters, achieving adaptability without constant high-level resource consumption
3Measurement precision
If the candidate beam set size is increased to improve beam selection quality, then measurement accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the beam selection process into distinct stages: wide beam initial assessment, candidate beam identification, and narrow beam sweep verification. Each stage processes a different number of beams with appropriate complexity - the candidate beam set acts as an intermediate layer that filters down from all beams to a manageable subset for detailed measurement, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining selection quality
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for adjusting a set of candidate beams that a wireless device is to perform measurements on. A method comprises obtaining an estimated gain value associated with a first narrow beam in the set of candidate beams, wherein the estimated gain value is determined based on a value indicative of first received energy of a first reference signal received by the wireless device on a first wide beam and a value indicative of a second received energy of a second reference signal received by the wireless device on the first narrow beam; comparing the estimated gain value to an expected gain value associated with the first narrow beam; and based on the comparison, determining whether to adjust which beams belonging to the candidate set of beams.