Intelligent Reflecting Surface Sharing for Multi-Base-Station Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G and 6G networks face challenges in controlling wireless channels and high power consumption, lack optimal utilization of emerging technologies, and do not provide for efficient sharing of Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS) resources between base stations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for sharing IRS resources among multiple base stations, enabling effective communication between base stations and User Equipment (UEs) through a network interface, allowing control of IRS resources by base stations, and facilitating efficient deployment and user experience enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If IRS resources are shared among multiple base stations, then network coverage and resource utilization are improved, but control complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
An IRS manager entity is introduced as an intermediary between multiple base stations and the IRS controller. The IRS manager receives scheduling data requests from base stations, determines IRS resource allocation, and sends commands to the IRS controller. This mediator approach enables resource sharing among multiple base stations while centralizing control logic to manage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control function is segmented into separate entities: base stations that generate scheduling requests, an IRS manager that makes allocation decisions, and an IRS controller that executes commands. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized responsibilities, improving manageability while enabling multi-base station coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If IRS technology is deployed to improve network coverage, then the need for additional base stations is reduced, but the complexity of IRS control and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IRS system is designed to serve multiple base stations simultaneously through a single IRS controller managed by an IRS manager. This multi-functional approach allows one IRS deployment to replace what would otherwise require multiple base station deployments, reducing the quantity of base stations while managing control complexity through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The IRS manager acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of IRS control, receiving requests from multiple base stations and translating them into coordinated IRS resource allocation. This separates the complexity of IRS management from individual base stations, enabling coverage extension without proportionally increasing base station complexity.
3Productivity
If IRS resources are allocated dynamically based on scheduling data requests, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The IRS manager determines IRS resource allocation in advance by processing scheduling data requests before actual data transmission. By pre-determining resource allocation based on received scheduling requests, the system prepares IRS resource allocation ahead of time, improving efficiency while managing processing time through advance preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses scheduling data requests as feedback from base stations about their resource needs. The IRS manager processes this feedback information to determine appropriate IRS resource allocation, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual network conditions while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
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
Improves network coverage, reduces the need for additional base station deployment, enhances user experience, and optimizes resource utilization in 5G and 6G networks by leveraging IRS technology.
Implementation Method 1
A typical IRS architecture comprises of many low-cost passive antennas that can smartly reflect the impinging electromagnetic waves for performance enhancement
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiment of network device includes one or more processors coupled to a memory storing a set of instructions which when executed by the one or more processors cause the network device to: receive, from an IRS manager, a scheduling data request. The one or more processors further causes the network device to transmit, to the IRS manager, responsive to the received scheduling data request, a scheduling data response and receive, from the IRS manager, an IRS resource command, wherein the IRS manager transmits the IRS resource command responsive to the scheduling data response. Further, the one or more processors causes the network device to transmit to an IRS controller associated with the IRS, the received IRS resource command, wherein IRS controller is configured to allocate the IRS resources to each of the plurality of UEs based on the IRS resource command.