Discovery Reference Signal Beam Switching for Coverage and Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting diverse user environments and high communication capacity due to the need for precise beam alignment with very short wavelength transmission, which reduces coverage when using narrow beams and increases latency in ultra-reliable and low-latency communications.
Innovation Solution
A method for adaptively transmitting discovery reference signals (DRS) using either a switching mode or a repetition mode, allowing for various beam widths and enabling the base station to select the appropriate mode based on antenna configuration and network environment, thereby optimizing cell coverage and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a narrow beam is transmitted using very short wavelength, then beamforming gain and coverage are improved, but beam alignment complexity and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between repetition mode and switching mode based on beamwidth information. In repetition mode, the same DRS is transmitted multiple times with the same beam, reducing latency for beam alignment. In switching mode, different beams are transmitted in sequence, enabling comprehensive coverage scanning. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between coverage and latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mode (repetition or switching) is changed based on the beamwidth parameter. When beamwidth is narrow, repetition mode is used to reduce latency. When beamwidth is wide, switching mode is used to improve coverage. This parameter-based adaptation allows the system to optimize the trade-off between coverage and latency.
2Reliability
If a wide beam is transmitted using the same transmit power, then coverage is improved, but beamforming gain decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between repetition mode and switching mode based on beamwidth. In repetition mode with narrow beams, beamforming gain is maximized through repeated transmissions. In switching mode with wide beams, coverage is expanded by transmitting different beams in sequence. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction between coverage and beamforming gain.
3Productivity
If precise beam alignment is performed, then communication capacity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device autonomously measures DRS signals from multiple beams and autonomously determines the best beam based on measurement results. The base station simply transmits DRS in different modes without complex coordination. This self-service approach achieves precise beam alignment while reducing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a device for transmitting a discovery reference signal (DRS) are provided. The device selects, as a DRS transmission mode, either a switching mode for transmitting a narrow beam or a repeating mode for transmitting a wide beam. The narrow beam covers greater coverage than that of the wide beam. The device transmits the DRS in a plurality of time resources according to the selected DRS transmission mode.