Dynamic Beam Failure Recovery via MAC CE Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beam failure recovery procedures in wireless networks are not sufficiently dynamic, leading to prolonged link recovery times when a user equipment (UE) moves out of coverage, as the set of candidate beams is static and not easily updated, resulting in time-consuming contention-based random access and RRC reestablishment.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution dynamically reconfigures the candidate beam set by using RRC signaling and MAC control elements to activate or deactivate candidate beams for uplink bandwidth parts (BWP), allowing for faster link recovery by identifying and utilizing strong beams, and reduces signaling overhead through cell-specific PRACH resource configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a static set of candidate beams is used for beam failure recovery, then the system complexity is reduced, but the link recovery time is prolonged when UE moves out of coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static candidate beam set to a dynamic one that can be updated through MAC CE signaling. The network can activate or deactivate candidate beams dynamically based on UE movement and channel conditions, allowing the system to adapt quickly when UE moves out of coverage without requiring complex RRC reconfiguration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring a larger set of candidate beams through RRC signaling than what is actively used. The network prepares multiple candidate beams in advance and uses MAC CE to activate only the necessary subset, enabling fast recovery without requiring time-consuming RRC reconfiguration when beam failure occurs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RRC signaling is used to reconfigure candidate beams dynamically, then the adaptability is improved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the beam reconfiguration process into two parts: RRC signaling for initial configuration of the candidate beam set, and MAC CE for dynamic activation/deactivation of specific beams. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adaptability while reducing signaling overhead, as MAC CE is more efficient for frequent updates than RRC signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring the complete set of candidate beams through RRC signaling in advance. This allows subsequent dynamic updates to be performed using more efficient MAC CE signaling with smaller payloads, reducing the signaling overhead while maintaining full adaptability when beam failures occur.
3Reliability
If all candidate beams are kept active, then the reliability of beam recovery is improved, but the signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by activating only the specific candidate beams that are currently suitable for the UE's location and channel conditions, rather than keeping all candidate beams active. The network uses MAC CE to selectively activate beams with appropriate qualities for the current situation, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining reliable recovery options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by maintaining a larger pre-configured set of candidate beams through RRC signaling than what is actively used at any given time. The MAC CE activates only the necessary subset of beams for current operations, providing sufficient reliability for beam recovery while minimizing signaling overhead and processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of this disclosure include systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for use in a wireless network for facilitating beam failure recovery procedure. Some embodiments are directed to a method, the method including detecting a beam failure instance. The method further including initiating a beam failure recovery procedure by dynamically activating or deactivating candidate beams per uplink bandwidth part (BWP) associated with a user equipment (UE). Moreover, the method further includes generating a control signal to identify the one or more activated or deactivated candidate beams for at least one BWP associated with the UE. The method also includes transmitting the control signal to the UE.