FR2-Assisted Beam Management for 5G NR
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G New Radio (NR) systems, beam acquisition and tracking for higher frequency bands, such as FR4-a or FR4-1, are complex due to the large number of potential beam pair links, leading to increased power consumption and reduced mobility, as existing methods require scanning all beams in the higher frequency band, which is inefficient and power-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of FR2-assisted beam management, where the UE receives spatially directional beams in a lower frequency band (FR2) to select coarse candidate beam pair links, and then refines these in a higher frequency band (FR4-a or FR4-1) using narrower beams, allowing for more efficient beam acquisition and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beam scanning is performed in higher frequency bands (FR4-a/FR4-1), then beam acquisition capability is improved, but power consumption increases and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beam scanning in lower frequency band FR2 to identify candidate beam directions before conducting refined scanning in higher frequency bands FR4-a/FR4-1. This preliminary action in FR2 provides advance information about potential beam directions, allowing the system to limit the scope of subsequent high-frequency scanning to only those candidate directions, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining beam acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam scanning process into two distinct stages: (1) coarse scanning in lower frequency band FR2 to identify candidate beam directions, and (2) refined scanning in higher frequency bands FR4-a/FR4-1 to precisely determine the optimal beam direction. This segmentation allows each stage to perform its specific function efficiently, avoiding the need to perform exhaustive scanning in the power-intensive higher frequency band.
2Measurement precision
If exhaustive beam scanning is performed in higher frequency bands, then beam tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary beam direction identification from lower frequency band FR2 to pre-determine candidate beam directions before performing refined beam tracking in higher frequency bands FR4-a/FR4-1. This preliminary action reduces the number of beam directions that need to be scanned and evaluated in the higher frequency band, thereby reducing computational complexity and processing requirements while maintaining accurate beam tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lower frequency band FR2 as an intermediary that assists the beam management process in higher frequency bands. The FR2 band acts as a mediator that provides coarse beam direction information, which then guides the more precise but complex beam tracking operations in FR4-a/FR4-1. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system complexity by breaking down the complex high-frequency beam management into manageable steps.
3Measurement precision
If all beams in higher frequency band are scanned, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary scanning in lower frequency band FR2 to identify candidate beam directions before conducting refined scanning in higher frequency bands FR4-a/FR4-1. This preliminary action in FR2 quickly narrows down the search space to only those directions that are likely to contain the optimal beam, allowing the system to achieve accurate beam selection in the higher frequency band without having to scan all possible beam directions, thereby reducing total acquisition time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam acquisition process into two time-efficient stages: (1) rapid coarse scanning in lower frequency band FR2 to identify candidate directions, and (2) focused refined scanning in higher frequency bands FR4-a/FR4-1 to precisely select the optimal beam. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the faster propagation characteristics of lower frequencies for initial search and then concentrate resources on precise measurement only in the directions that matter, reducing overall acquisition time while maintaining selection accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces power consumption and improves mobility by faster beam acquisition and refinement, utilizing FR2 to provide coarse directions for higher frequency bands, resulting in less power consumption and enhanced communication efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Beamforming is a signal processing technique used with an antenna array for spatially directional signal transmission and/or reception
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of second transmit beams each have a respective second downlink spatial direction within at least one of the respective first downlink spatial directions
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects relate to assisted beam management between frequency bands that each utilize spatially directional beams. A user equipment (UE) may be configured to receive a plurality of first transmit beams on each of a plurality of first receive beams within a first frequency band to select at least one first beam pair link in the first frequency band. The UE may then receive a plurality of second transmit beams on each of a plurality of second receive beams within a second frequency band different than the first frequency band to select a second beam pair link in the second frequency band on which to communicate with a transmission and reception point. Each of the second transmit or receive beams has a respective spatial direction within a spatial direction of at least one of the first transmit or receive beams of the first beam pair links.