Distributed Mobility Sets for Beamforming Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell selection and reselection mechanisms in high-frequency New Radio (NR) networks, particularly for beamforming-based access, face challenges in detecting and determining cell quality, beam pairing, and beam training due to the increased path loss and unfavorable scattering environments at higher frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A distributed mobility solution is implemented, where user equipment (UE) maintains multiple mobility sets containing TRP and beam identities, operating frequencies, and beamforming parameters, allowing for UE-controlled or network-controlled beam changes and mobility decisions, facilitated by Single Frequency Network (SFN) broadcast of initial access signals with or without beam sweeping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beamforming-based access is used in high-frequency NR networks, then connectivity and data rate are improved, but path loss and detection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple TRPs (Transmit Receive Points) with distinct beam identities. The UE maintains multiple mobility sets, each associated with different TRPs and beams, allowing independent evaluation and selection of the best beam without requiring comprehensive detection of all network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
SFN (Single Frequency Network) broadcast signals serve as an intermediary mechanism for initial access. These broadcasts enable the UE to detect and evaluate cell quality across multiple TRPs simultaneously without requiring complex individual beam detection procedures.
2Measurement precision
If multiple mobility sets are maintained with detailed TRP and beam information, then mobility decision accuracy is improved, but device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mobility information is segmented into multiple mobility sets (e.g., first mobility set, second mobility set) with different scopes and purposes. Each set contains information relevant to specific TRPs or beam groups, reducing the complexity of managing all mobility information in a single structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to mobility set organization, with NR-level mobility sets and PHY-level mobility sets. This multi-dimensional structure allows the UE to manage complexity by operating at different levels of abstraction depending on the mobility scenario.
3Speed
If UE-controlled beam changes are implemented, then response speed to mobility events is improved, but signaling overhead and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures multiple mobility sets with TRP identities, beam identities, and associated parameters before the UE needs to perform beam changes. This preliminary configuration enables the UE to quickly switch beams by selecting from pre-evaluated mobility sets without requiring extensive real-time signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is empowered to autonomously select and switch between mobility sets based on measured signal quality and mobility events, without requiring continuous network control. This self-service capability reduces signaling overhead while maintaining fast response to mobility conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple mobility sets are maintained for nodes of radio networks. The sets comprise information such as: transmit and receive point identities; cell identities; beam identities; frequency channels; channel bandwidth; and black lists. The sets may be defined at different levels, such as network and physical (PHY) level. A network mobility set, e.g., a new-radio (NR) mobility set may, be determined by the gNB, the cell, the UE, or another device. Multiple radio access network nodes and UEs may exchange mobility set information to achieve a distributed mobility solution. A UE may monitor its orientation relative to a TRP, e.g., via use of an onboard MEMS gyroscope, and alter its beamforming parameters in response to changes in orientation and/or changes in TRP connection strength. Cell selection and reselection for beam based networks may use Single Frequency Network (SFN) broadcast of initial access signals without beam sweeping.