mmWave UE-Centric Cloud Cell for Link Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millimeter wave (mmWave) communications systems face link fragility due to high-frequency signals being easily blocked by stationary or moving objects, leading to unreliable connections.
Innovation Solution
The system and method involve a mmWave user equipment (UE) measuring beam-formed reference signals from multiple transmission points (TPs), sending a cloud cell formation request to a central controller, and establishing a cloud cell with selected TPs, where a data connection is maintained with a slave TP and a control connection with a master TP, enabling dynamic adaptation and low-latency operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If millimeter wave communications operate at high frequencies (6 GHz and above), then data transmission speed and capacity are improved, but link reliability deteriorates due to easy blocking by stationary or moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the coverage area into multiple transmission points (TPs) and forms a cloud cell structure where multiple TPs cooperate to serve a UE. This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple potential communication paths, reducing the impact of blockage on any single link and improving overall link reliability while maintaining high-frequency operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple transmission points into a unified cloud cell structure that jointly serves a UE. By combining resources from multiple TPs including master and slave TPs, the system creates redundant communication paths that mitigate the fragility of individual millimeter wave links while preserving high data transmission capabilities.
2Reliability
If multiple transmission points are coordinated to form cloud cells, then link reliability and adaptability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary that manages cloud cell formation, TP selection, and resource allocation. This centralized coordination simplifies the complexity by providing a single point of control that handles the coordination between multiple TPs and UEs, reducing the burden on individual TPs and UEs while maintaining reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic cloud cell formation where TPs are selected and configured based on real-time channel conditions and UE requirements. The master TP and slave TP roles can be dynamically assigned and reconfigured, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while managing complexity through flexible, condition-based coordination rather than fixed configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic cloud cell formation is implemented, then adaptability to changing environments is improved, but signaling overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of beam-formed reference signals from multiple TPs before cloud cell formation. UEs report measurement results to the central controller in advance, allowing the controller to pre-determine optimal TP selections and configure cloud cells proactively. This preliminary action reduces the time required for dynamic adaptation when conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs continuously report channel measurements and cloud cell performance to the central controller. This feedback enables the system to adapt to environmental changes efficiently by making informed decisions based on real-time conditions, balancing adaptability with minimized signaling overhead through targeted, condition-triggered updates rather than continuous reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining that a change is needed to a configuration of a user equipment (UE) centric cloud cell, where the determining is in accordance with measurement reports of beam-formed reference signals transmitted by mmWave TPs of a measurement set, and when the change comprises a change to a modulation coding scheme (MCS) level of a communications link associated with the UE centric cloud cell, adjusting the MCS level of the communications link. The method includes when the change comprises at least one of a change to a communications beam or a mmWave TP change, sending a change query requesting the at least one of the change to the communications beam or the mmWave TP change, and receiving from a central controller a confirmation message. The method includes updating a mmWave UE and second mmWave TPs of the UE centric cloud cell regarding the change.