Dynamic Beam Switching for Millimeter Wave Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In millimeter wave communication systems, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in receiving broadcast information due to rapid signal attenuation, especially when transitioning between broadcast and unicast coverage areas, leading to interference and reduced data transmission rates.

Innovation Solution

The UE and network device determine the type of coverage area (broadcast or unicast) and adjust their beam usage accordingly, using a processing unit to identify the coverage area based on signal quality and sending appropriate indication information to switch between broadcast and unicast beams for optimal information transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If broadcast beam is used to transmit broadcast information, then coverage area is improved, but data transmission rate deteriorates due to rapid signal attenuation in millimeter wave band

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroadcast coverage areaVSAvoiddata transmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam switching between broadcast and unicast modes based on UE location. The network device determines whether UE is in broadcast coverage area or unicast coverage area, and dynamically selects the appropriate beam type to maintain both coverage and transmission rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the beam transmission parameter (broadcast beam vs. unicast beam) based on the coverage area type. By switching between different beam parameters according to UE location, the system optimizes both coverage area and data transmission rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If unicast beam is used to transmit broadcast information, then data transmission rate is improved, but coverage area deteriorates as unicast beam covers smaller area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between unicast and broadcast beams based on real-time UE location assessment. When UE enters unicast coverage area, the system transitions to unicast beam for high-rate transmission; when UE moves to broadcast coverage area, it switches to broadcast beam for broader coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If beam switching is implemented between broadcast and unicast, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to coverage area determination and beam selection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device autonomously determines UE coverage area type and selects appropriate beam without requiring complex UE-side decisions. The UE simply receives indication information from the network device, reducing UE complexity while maintaining reliable communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3641354B1Information transmission method, device, and system
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3641354B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3641354B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3641354B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an information transmission method, a device, and a system. The method includes: determining, by UE, a type of a coverage area in which the UE is located, where the type of the coverage area is a first coverage area or a second coverage area, the first coverage area is an area that is covered by a broadcast beam sent by a network device, the broadcast beam is a beam used when the network device sends broadcast information in a broadcast manner, the second coverage area is an area that is not covered by the broadcast beam sent by the network device and that is in an area that is covered by a unicast beam sent by the network device, and the unicast beam is a beam used when the network device communicates with the UE in a unicast manner; and receiving, by the UE by using a corresponding beam according to the type of the coverage area in which the UE is located, the broadcast information sent by the network device. Therefore, when the UE is covered in the different coverage areas, the broadcast information sent by the network device can be received, and this ensures normal communication between the UE and the network device. When the UE and the network device need cross-carrier scheduling, the network device sends DCI to the UE in a first TTI of a scheduling cell, where the DCI indicates radio resource allocation information in K consecutive second TTIs of a scheduled cell, and K is an integer greater than or equal to 2.