Millimeter Wave Base Station Backhaul Discovery via Timing Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millimeter wave (mmW) base stations with limited or no direct links to a network entity face challenges in discovering neighboring base stations for backhaul operations due to the directional nature of mmW communications and limited access to network entities, which affects the quality and availability of links.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first mmW base station determines timing and propagation parameters associated with a second mmW base station to initiate a discovery procedure, either through blind detection, network-assisted, or UE-assisted modes, allowing for the establishment of a wireless backhaul communication link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If mmW base stations are deployed in large numbers to provide acceptable coverage areas, then coverage quality is improved, but link quality and availability to network entity deteriorates due to limited bandwidth links or no links in some deployment areas
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple components: mmW base stations providing local coverage, millimeter wave relay stations providing backhaul connectivity, and network entities providing core functions. This segmentation allows base stations to be deployed densely for coverage while relay stations ensure reliable network links without requiring every base station to have direct bandwidth-intensive connections to network entities.
Solution Approach 2:
Millimeter wave relay stations serve as intermediaries between mmW base stations and network entities. These relay stations establish wireless backhaul links to base stations that lack direct network connectivity, enabling discovery and communication without requiring direct wired or wireless links from every base station to the network entity.
2Ease of manufacture
If wireless discovery operations are implemented to enable mmW base stations to discover other base stations, then deployment feasibility is improved by reducing wired connection requirements, but discovery complexity increases due to directional nature of mmW communications
Solution Approach 1:
Beam training and beam refinement procedures are performed preliminarily to establish directional communication paths before discovery operations. The relay station and base station perform beam sweeping and beam pairing to identify optimal directional links, which simplifies subsequent discovery procedures by pre-establishing reliable communication channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery procedure incorporates feedback mechanisms where receiving devices send feedback messages indicating successful detection of transmitting devices. This feedback enables iterative refinement of discovery parameters and confirms establishment of directional links, reducing the complexity of managing bidirectional communication in a directional system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mmW base stations perform discovery procedures without direct network entity links, then deployment flexibility is improved, but timing synchronization difficulty increases due to lack of centralized coordination
Solution Approach 1:
Timing synchronization is performed preliminarily during the discovery procedure itself. The discovering base station and discovered base station exchange timing information messages that include synchronization parameters, allowing both stations to align their timing without requiring pre-established network entity connections for coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
When direct synchronization is not feasible, the millimeter wave relay station acts as an intermediary that relays timing synchronization information between base stations. The relay station collects timing data from base stations and distributes synchronized timing information, enabling coordination without direct network entity links.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method, systems, and apparatuses are described for discovery operations in a millimeter wave wireless communication system. A first base station of the millimeter wave wireless communication system may determine a timing parameter and a propagation parameter associated with a second base station of the millimeter wave wireless communication system. The first base station may perform a discovery procedure with the second base station based at least in part on the timing parameter and the propagation parameter. At least a portion of the discovery procedure may be performed wirelessly via the millimeter wave wireless communication system. The first base station may establish a backhaul communication link with the second base station based on the discovery procedure.