Fast Beam Tracking for 5G Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 4G wireless networks are inadequate for handling the increasing demands of high-bandwidth and low-latency applications, particularly with the introduction of 5G networks using higher frequency EM waves, as signal strength is rapidly attenuated by atmospheric conditions and physical obstructions, leading to challenges in maintaining effective beamforming parameters due to rapid channel changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing fast beam tracking by reserving a second air interface resource unit for beamformer training, allowing for the maintenance of fresh beamforming parameters before each downlink data delivery, using a user equipment's uplink tracking communication to train the base station's beamformer, ensuring the signal beam remains effective despite changing channel conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If higher frequency EM waves are used to increase data bandwidth, then data bandwidth is improved, but signal attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary beam tracking by allocating a second air interface resource unit for beamformer training before downlink data delivery. This preliminary action ensures that beamforming parameters are updated and maintained in advance, compensating for the rapid signal attenuation characteristic of higher frequency EM waves used in 5G networks.
2Reliability
If beamforming parameters are updated frequently to maintain signal quality, then reliability is improved, but air interface resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air interface resources are segmented into two distinct parts: a first air interface resource unit for downlink data delivery and a second air interface resource unit for beamformer training. This segmentation allows the system to allocate resources efficiently, updating beamforming parameters only when necessary without consuming excessive air interface resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic beam tracking by allocating the second air interface resource unit at specific intervals before downlink data delivery. This periodic action maintains beamforming parameter freshness and reliability while controlling resource consumption through regular, scheduled updates rather than continuous monitoring.
3Reliability
If beamforming parameters are updated in advance, then signal beam effectiveness is improved, but air interface resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allocates the second air interface resource unit for beamformer training in advance, before the first air interface resource unit is used for downlink data delivery. This preliminary allocation ensures that beamforming parameters are updated and stored ready for use, improving signal beam effectiveness without requiring complex real-time resource allocation during data transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
To employ beamforming to increase signaling distances, one wireless device trains a beamformer using a signal being received from another wireless device. The trained beamformer can then communicate with the other device via a signal beam until channel conditions change. In example implementations, a base station (BS) (104) reserves an air interface resource unit (322) for beamformer training in conjunction with allocating a resource unit (321) for downlink data (706). The BS transmits a downlink control channel communication (602) to a user equipment (UE) (102) with a downlink data grant (702) indicative of the allocated unit. During the reserved unit, the UE transmits an uplink tracking communication (604), which can include a pilot signal, to the BS for beamform training. The BS then uses the freshly trained beamformer to transmit the downlink data as a downlink data channel communication (606) via a downlink beam (526) during the allocated unit.