Inter-Band Beam Management for SSB-Less Secondary Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, secondary cells (SCells) configured without synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) face challenges in beam management due to the inability to perform Layer 1 (L1) RSRP measurements, leading to potential beam misalignment and reduced communication reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method for a user equipment (UE) to perform L1 signal quality measurements on synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) or channel-state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) associated with a first cell, and use these measurements as a proxy for beam management of SCells not associated with SSB transmissions, mitigating beam squinting effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If SCells are configured without SSB transmissions to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but beam management capability deteriorates due to inability to perform L1 RSRP measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anchor cell as an intermediary that transmits SSBs or CSI-RSs. These reference signals from the anchor cell serve as a substitute for SSBs that would otherwise need to be transmitted by each SCell, enabling beam management measurements without requiring energy-intensive SSB transmissions from every SCell.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor cell performs multiple functions: it serves as a regular communication cell while simultaneously providing reference signals (SSBs or CSI-RSs) that enable beam management for multiple SCells. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for each SCell to independently transmit SSBs, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining beam management capability.
2Reliability
If proxy measurements from anchor cell are used for SSB-less SCells, then beam management reliability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to frequency band differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts measurement parameters based on the frequency relationship between the anchor cell and SCell. When cells operate in the same frequency band, L1 RSRP measurements are used. When operating in different frequency bands, the system switches to L2/L3 RSRP measurements with appropriate compensation, optimizing measurement precision for each scenario while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of wireless communication at a UE is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a configuration for reporting at least one L1 signal quality measurement for at least one SSB or at least one CSI-RS associated with a first cell. The method includes transmitting, based on the configuration, the at least one L1 signal quality measurement for the at least one SSB or the at least one CSI-RS associated with the first cell. The method includes receiving, based on the at least one L1 signal quality measurement, data or at least one signal via at least one DL beam associated with a SCell, where the SCell is not associated with a transmission of a corresponding SSB, where the first cell and the SCell are associated with different frequency bands.