GIS-NR Beamforming for 5G mmWave Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beam alignment procedures in 5G NR systems, especially at mmWave frequencies above 52.6 GHz, face challenges such as high latency and power consumption due to exhaustive beam searches, frequent misalignments, and the need for numerous beam measurements, which are inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing GIS-NR beamforming that proactively adjusts beams based on information from neighbor nodes and geographic information systems, reducing the need for UE-based exhaustive searches by using mmWave-trackers and GIS to estimate UE position and reposition beams, thereby conserving power and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exhaustive beam searches are performed by user equipment for beam alignment, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but power consumption and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces neighbor nodes (gNBs) as intermediary entities that assist the UE in beam alignment. Instead of the UE performing exhaustive beam searches alone, neighbor nodes provide assistance information including beam camp times and radio beacon parameters, enabling collaborative beam management that reduces UE power consumption while maintaining alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having neighbor nodes transmit assistance information in advance before the UE needs to perform beam alignment. Beam camp times are pre-computed and signaled to UEs, allowing them to prepare beam alignment procedures ahead of time rather than performing exhaustive searches when needed
2Measurement precision
If exhaustive beam searches are performed by user equipment for beam alignment, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Neighbor nodes serve as intermediaries that provide pre-computed beam alignment assistance information, eliminating the need for UEs to perform time-consuming exhaustive beam searches. The assistance information including beam camp times and radio beacon parameters is provided by neighbor nodes, significantly reducing alignment latency
Solution Approach 2:
Beam alignment parameters are prepared and signaled in advance by neighbor nodes before the UE requires beam alignment. This preliminary computation and signaling of beam camp times and radio beacon parameters allows UEs to quickly execute beam alignment without performing exhaustive searches, thereby reducing latency
3Measurement precision
If numerous beam measurements are performed for beam alignment, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Neighbor nodes act as intermediaries that provide pre-computed beam measurement results and assistance information. Instead of UEs performing numerous beam measurements independently, they utilize the measurement data and beam camp time information provided by neighbor nodes, reducing the total resource consumption while maintaining beam selection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes neighbor nodes perform multiple functions: they serve as both network nodes for communication and as assistance providers for beam alignment. Neighbor nodes transmit not only communication signals but also beam camp times, radio beacon parameters, and other alignment assistance information, consolidating multiple functions to reduce overall system resource consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for GIS-NR beamforming for mmWave. For example, certain embodiments may provide for beam realignment, through which a serving network node may be able to re-position its beam towards a UE without the UE explicitly measuring and signalling to the network node the need for realignment. Instead of performing the traditional UE-based exhaustive beam search, the serving network node may proactively switch the beam in an attempt to track the UE movements. The serving network node may do this by corroborating information from two types of sources: 1) a set of neighbor mobile or fixed network nodes and 2) a geographic information system (GIS).