Mobility Reference Signal Allocation for Beam Quality Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In future cellular communication networks with advanced antenna systems using narrow transmission beams, continuous transmission of mobility reference signals (MRS) leads to interference, high power consumption, and inefficient handover processes, as existing methods are not optimized for beam-specific signal quality measurements.
Innovation Solution
A network node method that obtains information on frequency, time, and antenna diversity to select and transmit MRS patterns tailored to individual wireless communication devices, optimizing MRS allocation and transmission to reflect average beam quality, thereby minimizing unnecessary beam switches and resource over-allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mobility reference signals are continuously transmitted in all individual transmission beams, then beam signal quality measurement accuracy is improved, but network interference increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting MRS only in specific beams that are relevant to particular wireless communication devices rather than continuously in all beams. The network node determines which devices need beam measurements and transmits MRS only in those specific beams, making the signal quality measurement capability localized to where it is actually needed rather than uniformly distributed across all beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by transmitting MRS in a non-continuous, scheduled manner rather than continuously. The network node determines when beam measurements are needed and transmits MRS at those specific times and in those specific beams, creating a periodic or event-driven transmission pattern that reduces overall network interference and power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy when needed.
2Measurement precision
If mobility reference signals are continuously transmitted in all individual transmission beams, then beam signal quality measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces power consumption by applying local quality - transmitting MRS only in specific beams for specific devices that need measurement capabilities rather than continuously in all beams. This localized approach ensures measurement accuracy is maintained where needed while avoiding unnecessary power expenditure in beams without active devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by transmitting MRS in a scheduled, non-continuous manner. The network node determines when measurements are required and transmits MRS at those specific intervals or events, significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous transmission while maintaining the ability to perform accurate measurements when needed.
3Speed
If mobility reference signals are transmitted in all transmission beams at the same time, then measurement speed is improved, but network capacity is consumed and interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting MRS only in specific beams for devices that require measurement capabilities, rather than in all beams simultaneously. This selective approach preserves network capacity for data transmission in beams where MRS is not transmitted, while still enabling measurements in the specific beams where they are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by transmitting MRS in a scheduled manner rather than continuously in all beams. This time-based selection allows the network to alternate between MRS transmission and data transmission in different time slots, maintaining measurement capabilities while preserving network capacity for productive data communication.
4Adaptability or versatility
If MRS are transmitted in all beams, then all devices can perform measurements simultaneously, but MRS allocation becomes over-dimensioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing MRS transmission capability selectively to specific devices in specific beams rather than uniformly to all devices in all beams. The network node determines which devices need measurement capabilities and allocates MRS resources accordingly, ensuring adaptability for devices that need it while avoiding over-dimensioning for devices that don't require beam measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method and a network node for allocating and transmitting Mobility Reference Signals, MRS, for a communication device to measure beam signal quality in a wireless communication network. The network node obtains information on one or more of a frequency diversity, a time diversity of a channel between the network node and the communication device, an antenna spatial diversity of the communication device. The network node selects an MRS pattern out of a set of candidate patterns based on the received information, signals the selected MRS pattern to the communication device and transmits the MRS according to the selected MRS pattern.