mmWave Beam Repetition for Extended Communication Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly those operating in millimeter wave frequencies, face challenges in extending the range of highly directional beams due to physical impediments like walls and objects, with current solutions not adequately addressing computational and power constraints of modern telecommunication devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing novel repetition procedures that account for information such as repetition number, time/frequency location, and QCL information to support range extension in communication systems using highly directional beams, particularly in 5G networks with multiple antennas and antenna arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If beamforming techniques are used to extend communication range in mmWave systems, then directional signal transmission is improved, but signal attenuation and penetration loss worsen due to physical impediments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring QCL information and repetition parameters before actual communication occurs. The network node provides QCL information indicating spatial relationships between antenna ports, and repetition parameters indicating time/frequency locations of repeated transmissions. This allows the UE to pre-configure its receive beams and processing resources, enabling effective communication range extension while managing signal attenuation through proactive preparation rather than reactive adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting repetition parameters (time/frequency locations, number of repetitions) and QCL information based on channel conditions. The network node can modify these parameters to adapt to varying signal attenuation conditions caused by physical impediments. This allows the system to optimize communication range by changing transmission parameters rather than relying solely on fixed beamforming configurations.
2Length of stationary object
If optimized antenna array geometries are used for range extension, then beam amplitude is improved, but device complexity and power consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by transmitting repeated versions of the same signal through different antenna ports with different QCL relationships. Instead of using a single complex antenna array configuration, the system creates multiple simplified copies of the transmission signal, each associated with different spatial parameters. The UE combines these repeated copies to achieve the desired beam range extension effect, thereby reducing individual antenna array complexity while maintaining overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by making the QCL information and repetition parameters applicable across multiple antenna ports and multiple transmission instances. A single set of QCL information parameters can describe spatial relationships for multiple antenna ports, and repetition parameters can govern multiple repeated transmissions. This multi-functional approach allows the same configuration to serve multiple beamforming purposes, reducing device complexity while achieving range extension.
3Reliability
If beamforming is applied to compensate for physical impediments, then directional transmission is improved, but power consumption increases due to computational constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously determine the appropriate receive beam configuration based on pre-configured QCL information. The QCL information provides the UE with spatial relationship parameters that allow it to self-configure its beamforming weights and receive beam directions without requiring continuous network control or complex real-time computations. This self-service approach maintains signal reception reliability while significantly reducing computational power consumption at the UE.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network node monitors channel conditions and adjusts QCL information and repetition parameters accordingly. The network can infer channel quality from uplink transmissions and adjust downlink QCL configurations to maintain reliable communication. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while keeping computational complexity manageable by performing adjustments at the network side rather than requiring complex real-time processing at the UE.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A range extension method and apparatus for highly directional beams are disclosed. In one aspect, a first network node that is suitable for supporting mmWave transmissions to a wireless device such as a UE may extend the range of at least one transmit beam to a UE by selecting a suitable repetition configuration that transmits repetition versions of an original signal. The first network node sends information about the repetition configuration to a second network node which can transmit a portion of the repetition configuration information to the UE using sub-6GHz transmissions. The UE can configure a receive beam to receive mmWave communications from the first network node by using the portion of the repetition configuration information received from the second network node.