Fast Beam Selection for 5G Retransmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication networks, especially those using high-frequency bands above 6 GHz, beamforming techniques are complex and time-consuming, making it challenging to achieve fast beam selection and adjustments for low latency applications, where time is limited for selecting and adjusting beams.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fast beam selection process using a scheduling entity and user equipment (UE) that performs downlink data retransmission by transmitting an uplink feedback in a beam sweep manner, allowing the scheduling entity to measure and select the best beam for retransmission based on beam qualities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming techniques are used in high frequency bands, then signal transmission quality is improved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary beam sweeping and quality measurement during uplink feedback transmission. The UE transmits feedback signals in multiple beam directions beforehand, allowing the base station to pre-measure and evaluate beam qualities before actual downlink data transmission, thus avoiding time-consuming beam selection during critical data transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE transmits uplink feedback signals in a beam sweep manner across multiple directions. The base station measures the quality of these feedback signals from different beam directions and uses this feedback information to determine the optimal beam for downlink transmission, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes beam selection
2Reliability
If traditional beam selection process is used, then beam quality is optimized, but latency increases for low latency applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam selection process with the uplink feedback transmission process. Instead of performing beam selection as a separate operation, the system combines beam quality measurement with the existing feedback mechanism, where UE transmits feedback signals in multiple beam directions simultaneously, allowing the base station to obtain beam quality information without additional time overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs beam quality measurement in advance during the uplink feedback phase. By measuring beam qualities before downlink data transmission begins, the system prepares the optimal beam selection ahead of time, enabling rapid response to channel conditions without introducing latency to the critical data transmission path
3Measurement precision
If beam sweeping is performed to measure multiple beams, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The uplink feedback transmission serves multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys acknowledgment information for received downlink data and performs beam quality measurement for subsequent transmission. By making the feedback signal multi-functional, the system achieves accurate beam measurement without requiring separate dedicated measurement time resources
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by performing beam measurement during the existing feedback transmission window. Rather than interrupting data transmission for separate measurement phases, the beam sweeping occurs continuously alongside the feedback signal transmission, ensuring that measurement activities do not create gaps or delays in the communication flow
Data Source
AI summary
A base station retransmits data to a user equipment (UE) using a fast beam selection process before the retransmission. The UE transmits an uplink feedback in a beam sweep manner to facilitate fast beam selection in retransmission. The base station can measure the beam sweep patterns from the UE to decide the best beam for retransmission. The UE can send a negative acknowledgment (NACK) or a reference signal in a beam sweep manner to facilitate beam selection at the base station for retransmission.