Inter-Frequency L3 Measurement Using Rx Beam Sweeping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inter-frequency layer 3 (L3) Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) measurements in high-frequency bands, such as FR2-2, face challenges due to the lack of clear guidelines for Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state configuration and beam management, particularly when performing measurements on carriers outside the current serving cell bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
The UE performs Rx beam sweeping and determines RSSI measurements based on strongest Rx beams or averages, using local Rx beams to measure reference signal power, quality, or signal-to-noise ratio, and reports results to the network node, or uses beam information from existing serving cells to perform RSSI measurements on inter-frequency carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE performs RSSI measurements on inter-frequency carriers without clear TCI state configuration guidelines, then measurement coverage is expanded, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces QCL (Quasi-Co-Location) type-D information as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the gap between TCI state configuration and RSSI measurement. This intermediary allows the UE to derive appropriate measurement parameters from serving cell reference signals when direct TCI configuration is unavailable on the target inter-frequency carrier, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while expanding coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE first identify and measure reference signals on the serving cell before performing measurements on the inter-frequency carrier. The UE uses the QCL type-D information from the serving cell to configure and interpret measurements on the target carrier, preparing the measurement framework in advance to ensure accuracy without requiring direct TCI configuration on the inter-frequency carrier.
2Reliability
If the UE uses beam sweeping to determine optimal Rx beams for RSSI measurements, then measurement reliability is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the UE perform beam sweeping only when necessary and use a limited number of reference signals for initial beam determination. Once optimal beams are identified through partial beam sweeping, the UE can proceed with RSSI measurements using those predetermined beams, avoiding the need to exhaustively test all possible beams and thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE measures reference signal power and quality parameters, evaluates beam performance based on these measurements, and uses the feedback to select optimal beams for subsequent RSSI measurements. This feedback loop allows the UE to efficiently converge on the best beams without requiring exhaustive beam sweeping, reducing overall measurement time while ensuring reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE performs comprehensive beam sweeping and RSSI measurements on all inter-frequency carriers, then measurement comprehensiveness is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the UE perform beam sweeping and comprehensive measurements only on specific inter-frequency carriers that are relevant to the current service area and network configuration. The UE uses QCL type-D information from the serving cell to determine which inter-frequency carriers require detailed measurement, focusing computational resources locally on the most pertinent carriers rather than universally analyzing all possible frequencies, thereby reducing overall processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) may be configured to perform layer 3 measurements on an inter-frequency carrier when configured by a long term evolution (LTE) serving cell or a new radio (NR) Frequency Range 1 (FR1) serving cell. The user equipment may perform reception (Rx) beam sweeping, and determine one or more inter-frequency carrier L3 measurements based on the Rx beam sweeping. The UE may report the one or more inter-frequency carrier L3 measurements to a network node.