MBS Beam Failure Detection and Recovery for Multicast UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack efficient methods for distinguishing and recovering from beam failures in Multicast and Broadcast Services (MBS) compared to unicast operations, particularly in managing beam failure detection and recovery for MBS UEs, which are critical for maintaining transmission to multiple UEs in an MBS group.
Innovation Solution
The system configures distinct Beam Failure Detection Reference Signals (BFD-RS) for MBS, allowing explicit or implicit differentiation from unicast BFD-RSs, with enhanced counters and timers for declaring MBS beam failure, and supports transparent and non-transparent recovery processes involving autonomous UE actions and gNB communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If distinct BFD-RS are configured for MBS to enable separate beam failure detection, then beam failure detection accuracy for MBS is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam failure detection mechanism by configuring separate BFD-RS specifically for MBS operations, distinct from unicast BFD-RS. This allows independent detection and handling of MBS beam failures, improving detection accuracy for multicast/broadcast services while maintaining the ability to handle unicast failures separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the beam failure detection parameters and procedures specifically for MBS operations. Different counters, timers, and threshold criteria are established for MBS beam failure detection, allowing optimized detection characteristics suited to the multicast/broadcast nature of the service rather than using generic unicast parameters.
2Reliability
If separate counters and timers are used for MBS beam failure detection, then reliability of MBS beam failure declaration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate counters (e.g., MBS beam failure counter) and timers (e.g., MBS beam failure detection timer) that are independent from unicast beam failure mechanisms. This segmentation ensures that MBS beam failures are detected and declared based on MBS-specific criteria, improving reliability by preventing misclassification of failure types while adding manageable complexity through modular counter and timer structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters by introducing MBS-specific counter thresholds and timer durations that are optimized for multicast/broadcast service characteristics. These parameter adjustments enable reliable beam failure declaration for MBS by accounting for the different transmission patterns and reliability requirements of multicast services compared to unicast.
3Productivity
If transparent recovery process is implemented for MBS beam failure, then service continuity is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements transparent recovery where the UE autonomously detects MBS beam failures and executes recovery procedures without requiring continuous gNB intervention. The UE monitors BFD-RS, detects failures based on configured criteria, and autonomously switches to alternative beams or activates alternative MBS services, improving service continuity while managing control complexity through UE-based autonomous decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares for recovery by pre-configuring alternative beams and alternative MBS services before beam failure occurs. The gNB provides advance information about available alternative beams and services, and the UE pre-establishes monitoring capabilities, enabling rapid transition during beam failure and minimizing service interruption through preliminary preparation.
4Device complexity
If MBS beam failure detection is integrated with unicast detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision for MBS-specific failures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains segmentation between MBS and unicast beam failure detection mechanisms by configuring separate BFD-RS, counters, and detection procedures. This segmentation ensures that MBS-specific failure characteristics are captured with high precision, as the detection parameters are optimized for multicast/broadcast service patterns rather than being diluted by generic unicast detection logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by establishing a unified framework that can handle both MBS and unicast beam failures through common infrastructure elements while maintaining separate detection logic. The shared framework reduces overall device complexity through common hardware and software platforms, while separate detection counters and criteria preserve MBS-specific detection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed to manage beams in a Multicast and Broadcast Services (MBS) wireless communication network. A first device receives a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) for MBS communications in a Common Frequency Resource (CFR). The first device also receives a configuration sent by the second device that is for a MBS Beam Failure Detection Reference Signal (BFD-RS). The first device may then detect a MBS Beam Failure Incident (BFI) of a first MBS beam using the MBS BFD-RS configuration. In response to detecting the BFI, the first device may autonomously connect to a second MBS beam. Alternatively, the first device may communicate the BFI to the second device in order to recover a MBS beam. In one embodiment, the first device is a User Equipment (UE), and the second device is a Next Generation NodeB (gNB).