DCI Beam Activation Timing for Lower-Latency Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in reducing latency and delay associated with beam activation commands, particularly when using medium access control element (MAC-CE) based methods, which are not suitable for scenarios requiring low latency and low overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a downlink control information (DCI) based beam activation command, where a new beam ready time is determined to ensure the beam is ready for communication after the activation command, reducing latency by enabling timely communication using DCI based activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If MAC-CE based beam activation command is used, then beam activation can be performed, but latency and delay are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam activation command from the MAC-CE layer and moves it to the DCI layer. This extraction allows the beam activation to be handled through a more direct control mechanism, reducing the processing steps and associated latency while maintaining the necessary control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new beam ready time parameter that is determined in advance based on the DCI based beam activation command. This preliminary determination of the beam ready time allows the system to prepare for beam switching proactively, reducing the actual activation latency by having timing information ready before the beam switch is needed.
2Loss of time
If DCI based beam activation command is implemented, then latency is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing DCI structure and format to carry beam activation commands, utilizing an already established control mechanism for a new function. This approach avoids creating entirely new complex signaling structures while still achieving the goal of reduced latency through the more direct DCI path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new beam ready time parameter that changes the timing characteristics of beam activation. By defining this parameter in relation to the DCI command, the system achieves more predictable and reduced latency without fundamentally altering the DCI processing architecture, thus managing complexity while improving performance.
3Productivity
If new beam ready time is determined, then beam readiness timing is optimized, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously determine the new beam ready time based on the received DCI based beam activation command and the defined relationship between the command and the ready time. This self-determination approach eliminates the need for additional signaling from the base station to convey timing information, reducing processing complexity while maintaining optimized timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The new beam ready time is determined in advance as part of the beam activation process, allowing the UE to prepare for beam switching proactively. This preliminary timing determination optimizes beam activation efficiency by ensuring the beam is ready exactly when needed, without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the activation process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may determine a new beam ready time that indicates a time at which a beam is to be ready for use in communicating with a base station. The beam may be activated by a downlink control information based beam activation command received by the UE. The UE may communicate with the base station using the beam after the new beam ready time. Numerous other aspects are provided.