DRX Beam Training for Antenna Array Signal Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems with a large number of antennas, devices face challenges in determining the appropriate receive beam pattern after waking up from a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, as the previously used receive direction may no longer be effective, leading to potential signal loss.

Innovation Solution

The method involves waking up from an inactive state before the on-duration of a DRX cycle, performing beam training to determine the optimal receive beam, and receiving signals through the trained beam during the on-duration, ensuring effective communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the device uses the previously used receive direction after waking up from DRX mode, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of signal reception deteriorates because the previously used receive direction may no longer be effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsignal reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing beam training before the on-duration of the DRX cycle. The UE wakes up before the scheduled on-duration and performs beam training to determine the appropriate receive beam pattern in advance. This ensures that when the actual reception begins, the device is already configured with the correct beam, resolving the contradiction between maintaining low complexity and ensuring reliable signal reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the device performs beam training after waking up from DRX mode, then the reliability of signal reception is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the additional training process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception reliabilityVSAvoidtime loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the time loss issue by performing beam training before the on-duration rather than after waking up. The UE is configured with a wake-up time earlier than the on-duration start time, allowing beam training to complete before actual data reception begins. This eliminates the time loss during the critical reception period while maintaining reliable signal reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device wakes up before the on-duration of DRX cycle, then the adaptability of receive beam pattern is improved, but the use of energy increases due to earlier activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceive beam pattern adaptabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes energy consumption by performing beam training before the on-duration but still within the DRX cycle framework. The UE wakes up earlier than the on-duration to perform beam training, then returns to sleep mode until the actual on-duration begins. This approach provides the necessary beam adaptability while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the device in low-power state as much as possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3393178B1Apparatus and method for discontinuous receive in communication systems with large number of antennas
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3393178B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3393178B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3393178B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

A method for operating a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network is provided. The method includes waking up from an inactive state before a on-duration of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, after waking up, performing beam training before the on-duration, and receiving signals through a beam determined by the beam training during the on-duration.