Group-Based Beam Reporting for mmWave Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beam management in Millimeter Wave (mmWave) beamforming systems faces challenges in efficiently reporting channel state information due to the need for extensive beam training and resource utilization, particularly in directional communication networks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves grouping base station (BS) TX beams into groups to enhance beam reporting efficiency, allowing user equipment (UE) to report reference signal quality in these groups, thereby reducing the reporting burden and improving resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If beam reporting is performed for each individual beam in mmWave beamforming systems, then complete channel state information feedback is achieved, but reporting overhead and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual beam reports into group-based reports. Specifically, multiple beams are grouped together and reported as a single entity with aggregated channel state information, reducing the total number of reports while preserving essential channel characteristics through combination of beam measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam reporting process into two levels: intra-group beam measurements and inter-group aggregated reporting. Within each group, individual beam measurements are taken, but the final feedback reports are segmented by group rather than by individual beam, reducing overall reporting overhead
2Reliability
If extensive beam training is performed to ensure accurate beam alignment in directional communications, then communication reliability is improved, but time consumption and resource utilization efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beam grouping and aggregation configuration before actual data transmission. Beam training and channel measurements are conducted in advance, with results aggregated into group-level information that can be reused for multiple transmissions, reducing the need for repeated extensive beam training
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial beam training by focusing measurements on representative beams within each group rather than exhaustively training all possible beam combinations. This partial action approach achieves sufficient alignment accuracy for group-based communication without the time cost of complete beam space exploration
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of group-based beam reporting is proposed. The BS TX beams are grouped into groups to increase beam reporting efficiency. After measuring reference signals for beam management, UE reports RS quality to the network in beam groups. The beam grouping can be done either implicitly or explicitly. The grouping within the beam report is done by the UE with or without help from the network. According to principles of grouping mechanism, the grouping methods can be divided into two different categories. A first category is referred to as beam set based group, where UE groups TX beam information in a beam report based on its RX beam set(s). A second category is referred to as antenna group-based grouping, where UE groups TX beam information in a beam report based on UE antenna group.