Cross-cell Beam Failure Recovery in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular communication systems face challenges in efficiently recovering from beam failures, where the reference signal receive power (RSRP) of a beam used by a user equipment (UE) falls below a threshold, disrupting communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of cross-cell beam failure recovery techniques, where control signaling messages are used to support beam failure recovery during an inter-cell connection. This involves the UE monitoring reference signals from multiple base stations, selecting a candidate base station, and transmitting a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) message to switch to a new beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE monitors reference signals only from currently connected base stations for beam failure detection, then the beam failure detection process is simple, but the UE cannot recover from beam failures by switching to beams from other base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE monitor candidate reference signals from candidate base stations before actual beam failure occurs. The network configures the UE with candidate base station information and candidate reference signal resources in advance, so when beam failure is detected, the UE can immediately switch to a pre-identified candidate beam without complex real-time search procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network acts as a mediator to configure and manage the candidate base station list and candidate reference signal resources. The network provides control signaling to the UE with pre-configured recovery options, simplifying the UE's recovery process while enabling cross-base station beam failure recovery capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE is configured to monitor candidate reference signals from multiple candidate base stations, then the UE can recover from beam failures by selecting beams from different base stations, but the complexity of beam failure detection and recovery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the beam failure recovery process into distinct segments: (1) network-configured candidate base station identification, (2) candidate reference signal monitoring, (3) beam failure detection, and (4) recovery request transmission. This segmentation allows the UE to handle complexity in manageable steps rather than as a monolithic complex procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the set of monitored candidate reference signals based on the UE's current connection state and network configuration. The UE can change monitoring parameters such as reference signal resources, candidate base station lists, and measurement thresholds according to network instructions, providing adaptability without requiring fixed complex procedures.
3Reliability
If the UE transmits beam failure recovery requests to multiple candidate base stations, then the recovery success probability increases, but the signaling overhead and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the UE transmit beam failure recovery requests selectively rather than to all candidate base stations simultaneously. The UE monitors candidate reference signals, identifies the most suitable candidate base station based on signal quality measurements, and transmits the recovery request only to that selected base station, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining high recovery success probability.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to performing beam failure recovery during an inter-cell connection involving a UE in communication with one or more base stations in a cellular communication system. In various embodiments, a user equipment determines one or more beam failures by monitoring one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more base stations, where the UE is connected to the one or more base stations. The UE further performs candidate beam detection by monitoring at least one candidate reference signal that is transmitted by one or more candidate base stations, where at least one candidate base station (a first candidate base station) is different from the one or more base stations to which the UE was previously communicating. The UE selects the first candidate base station based on the candidate beam detection, and transmits a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) message to the first candidate base station based on the selection.