Configured Grant Beamforming Alignment in NR Sidelink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face challenges in efficiently aligning beams for sidelink communication, especially in unlicensed bands and higher frequency bands, which affects data rate and spectral efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a configured grant (CG)-based beamforming alignment procedure where an initiator UE transmits beam-sweeping sidelink control information (SCI) to a responder UE, including a Tx beam index and time windows for feedback and acknowledgement, allowing for efficient beam alignment without extensive base station involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming alignment is performed in sidelink communication using conventional methods, then beam alignment can be achieved, but signaling overhead increases and spectral efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines beamforming alignment procedures with configured grant (CG) resources, merging the beam alignment signaling with existing uplink grant structures. This integration allows beam alignment information to be transmitted using already-allocated resources rather than requiring separate dedicated signaling channels, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The configured grant resources are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide both uplink data transmission capabilities and beamforming alignment signaling capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated beam alignment resources, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining reliable beam alignment
2Measurement precision
If extensive base station involvement is used for beam alignment, then beam alignment accuracy improves, but system complexity and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user equipment to perform beamforming alignment autonomously using configured grant resources without requiring extensive base station coordination. The UE self-configures the beam alignment procedure using pre-allocated CG resources, reducing system complexity and latency while maintaining alignment precision through autonomous measurement and reporting
Solution Approach 2:
The base station pre-configures grant resources for beamforming alignment before the actual alignment procedure. This preliminary configuration establishes the framework for autonomous UE operation, allowing precise beam alignment to be achieved without real-time base station involvement during the measurement and reporting phases
3Productivity
If conventional sidelink communication is used without configured grant optimization, then communication can occur, but data rate and spectral efficiency are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes spectral efficiency by changing the allocation and usage parameters of configured grant resources for beamforming alignment. By adjusting timing, frequency, and resource block parameters of CG resources to match beam alignment requirements, the system achieves efficient spectrum utilization that supports higher data rates without sacrificing spectral efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
CG-based sidelink beamforming alignment is disclosed. The initiator UE may receive, from a base station, a CG indicating one or more CG resources for a beamforming alignment procedure. The initiator UE may transmit, to at least one responder UE via one or more Tx beams on the one or more CG resources, beam-sweeping SCI for the beamforming alignment procedure. The beam-sweeping SCI may include at least one of: a Tx beam index, a time period to monitor for beam-feedback SCI, or a time window including CG occasions for a same beam transmission of ACK SCI. The initiator UE may monitor, over the time period, for beam-feedback SCI from the at least one responder UE. The initiator UE may receive, from the at least one responder UE, the beam-feedback SCI within the time period.