Beam Pairing in FR2 Sidelink Using Directional Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Higher frequency ranges in wireless communications, such as Frequency Range 2 (FR2), face challenges with high path loss, requiring directional antennas for compensation, but existing methods struggle with initial beam pairing and synchronization between user equipment (UEs) due to the absence of a central controller and high mobility in sidelink communications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using directional antennas with multiple procedures for initial beam pairing between NR UEs, including Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) transmissions and special slots for beam sweeping, to facilitate sensing and resolve reservation conflicts, enhancing synchronization and resource selection in FR2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If directional antennas are used in FR2 to compensate for high path loss, then signal strength is improved, but initial beam pairing and synchronization between UEs becomes difficult due to absence of central controller and high mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having UEs pre-configure multiple beam directions and pre-sweep beams before actual data transmission. The transmitting UE performs beam sweeping in multiple directions and pre-establishes beam pairs with receiving UEs before communication begins, allowing synchronization to occur in advance rather than during active transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses synchronization signals and beam indication messages as intermediaries to facilitate beam pairing. These signaling messages carry beam direction information and synchronization data between UEs, enabling them to establish directional connections without requiring a central controller to coordinate the process.
2Measurement precision
If beam sweeping is performed in multiple directions to establish beam pairs, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but transmission time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam sweeping process into distinct phases and directions. Instead of performing exhaustive beam sweeping in all possible directions, the UE divides the angular space into multiple sectors and performs targeted beam sweeping in each sector, reducing the total time required while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic beam sweeping where UEs perform beam pairing operations at predetermined intervals and use pre-established beam pairs for subsequent transmissions. This periodic approach allows the system to balance synchronization accuracy with time efficiency by not continuously performing beam sweeping.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for beam pairing. In some embodiments, the method includes: accessing, by a first User Equipment (UE), configuration data indicating a slot structure including a plurality of resources for transmissions in different directions; and based on the configuration data, transmitting, by the first UE, in a single slot, a first transmission portion using a first resource of the plurality of resources with a first beam direction and a second transmission portion using a second resource of the plurality of resources with a second beam direction, different from the first beam direction.