Data Channel Beam Refinement Using DMRS for Millimeter Wave
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in beam refinement due to the sparse use of control channel reference signals, leading to delays in identifying optimal beams for high-frequency communications, particularly in millimeter wave frequencies, where propagation loss is significant and beam quality is critical.
Innovation Solution
The described techniques utilize a data channel, specifically restructuring time periods in data channels like PUSCH or PDSCH to include non-overlapping resource element groups with DMRS resources, allowing for beam sweeping during data transmission and enabling faster beam refinement by using DMRS measurements for feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If control channel reference signals (CSI-RS or SRS) are used for beam refinement, then beam refinement can be performed, but the process is slow and latency is high due to sparse or infrequent reference signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the data channel to serve dual purposes: transmitting user data and performing beam refinement. The DMRS resources within the data channel are utilized for both data demodulation and beam measurement, eliminating the need for separate dedicated reference signal resources and enabling faster beam refinement without sacrificing data transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous useful action by integrating beam refinement measurements into ongoing data transmissions. Instead of periodic or sparse reference signal transmissions, the beam refinement process occurs continuously alongside data traffic, utilizing every data transmission opportunity to perform measurements and refine beams, thereby reducing latency while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Productivity
If data channel resources are restructured to include multiple non-overlapping RE groups for beam sweeping, then beam refinement speed improves, but resource structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data channel's resource elements into multiple non-overlapping RE groups, where each group can be transmitted using a different beam. This segmentation enables beam sweeping across multiple directions within a single data channel transmission, accelerating beam refinement speed while maintaining manageable structural complexity through systematic organization of the RE groups
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. For example, a first wireless device may transmit, via a first beam, a first set of data and a first reference signal associated with the data on a data channel for beam refinement. The first wireless device may further transmit, via a second beam, a second set of data and a second reference signal on the data channel for beam refinement. A second device may receive the first set of data and first reference signal in addition to receiving the second set of data and second reference signal. The second device may transmit, to the first device, beam refinement feedback information for the first beam and the second beam based on receiving the first reference signal and the second reference signal on the data channel. Thus, the first device may refine beams based on a data transmission over a data channel.