Multi-Panel SS Block Transmission for Beam Sweeping Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in new radio (NR) networks, the high power consumption due to beam sweeping for system information broadcasting and beam management is a challenge, as user equipment (UE) needs to monitor beam directions and power across a wide range of frequencies, leading to increased energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A base station with multiple panels configures primary and secondary panels with specific synchronization signal (SS) block time indices and beam indices, allowing for simultaneous multi-panel SS block transmission, thereby reducing the beam sweeping period and minimizing the risk of bad channel conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam sweeping is performed across wide frequency ranges for system information broadcasting and beam management, then beam coverage and management capability are improved, but user equipment power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam sweeping process into multiple SS blocks transmitted from different panels with different beam directions. Each SS block carries beam-specific information, allowing the UE to selectively process only relevant beams rather than monitoring all beam directions continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining comprehensive beam management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic beam sweeping where SS blocks are transmitted in periodic intervals rather than continuously. The UE only needs to monitor during these periodic sweeping periods, significantly reducing the time the receiver needs to be active and thus lowering power consumption while still achieving complete beam coverage over time
2Reliability
If single-panel SS block transmission is used, then device complexity is reduced, but beam sweeping period increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SS block transmission function across multiple panels, with each panel responsible for transmitting SS blocks in specific beam directions. This segmentation enables parallel transmission of multiple SS blocks simultaneously, shortening the overall beam sweeping period and improving frame timing calibration reliability through increased redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a unified multi-panel configuration framework where multiple panels share common functionality for SS block transmission but with differentiated beam directions and time indices. This universal framework allows the system to achieve improved reliability through multi-panel diversity while controlling complexity through standardized configuration procedures
3Reliability
If beam sweeping is performed across all beam directions, then complete beam coverage is achieved, but the beam sweeping period increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete beam sweeping task across multiple panels, with each panel handling a subset of beam directions. Multiple panels transmit SS blocks in parallel simultaneously, reducing the total time required to cover all beam directions compared to sequential single-panel sweeping, thus achieving complete beam coverage with a shorter sweeping period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by deploying multiple panels that can transmit in different spatial directions simultaneously. This transforms the beam sweeping process from a one-dimensional sequential scan to a multi-dimensional parallel operation, significantly reducing the time required to achieve complete beam coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling a multi-panel SS block transmission comprises the instructions of the BS transmitting a configuration set to the communication device, wherein the configuration set comprises a plurality of panel configurations; the BS configuring a primary panel with a primary SS block time index set and a primary time index order according to a first panel configuration; the BS configuring at least one secondary panel with at least one secondary SS block time index set and at least one secondary time index order according to at least one second panel configuration; the BS configuring the primary panel with a first association between a first beam index and a primary SS block time index; and the BS configuring the at least one secondary panel with at least one second association between at least one second beam index and at least one secondary SS block time index.