Multi-Panel Uplink Beam Management for Simultaneous UL RS Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NR UL beam management procedures are inadequate for multi-TRP and D-MIMO deployments, failing to determine which UE beams can be used for simultaneous DL transmission or UL reception, and lack precision for AI/ML-based beam prediction due to uncertainties in UE panel usage and reporting.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for improved UL beam management that allows a wireless device to indicate its capability for simultaneous transmission and/or reception from multiple panels, and a network node to configure UL RS resources accordingly, enabling precise beam determination and facilitating ML-based prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current NR UL beam management procedures are used, then beam management can be performed, but the procedures lack precision and cannot determine which UE beams can be used for simultaneous DL transmission or UL reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UE's antenna system into multiple panels, each capable of independent beamforming. This segmentation allows the network to separately evaluate and determine beam pair links for each panel, enabling precise identification of which beams can be used for simultaneous DL transmission or UL reception without interference between panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to beam management by considering multiple spatial layers simultaneously. Instead of evaluating beams in a single dimension, the system evaluates beam pair links across multiple panels in different spatial directions, enabling the network to determine simultaneous transmission/reception capabilities across three-dimensional space.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple panels with different orientations are installed to increase omni-directional coverage, then coverage is improved, but the complexity of determining suitable beam pair links increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the antenna system into multiple independently controllable panels, the patent simplifies the beam management process. Each panel can be evaluated separately for beam pair link suitability, and the network can aggregate these evaluations to determine overall system capability, reducing the complexity of analyzing the entire multi-panel system as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes that each panel can serve multiple functions: it can be used for DL reception, UL transmission, or both simultaneously depending on the beam pair link determination. This multi-functionality allows a single panel to contribute to multiple communication scenarios, reducing the need for separate evaluation procedures for each function.
3Reliability
If the network evaluates beam pair links from multiple APs/TRPs, then communication reliability is improved, but insufficient data is available for well-informed evaluation if the UE sounds only beams associated with one panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires the UE to perform preliminary sounding of UL beams from multiple panels before final beam pair link determination. By conducting these preliminary measurements in advance, the network receives complete data about all available beams from all panels, enabling well-informed evaluation of beam pair links from multiple APs/TRPs without information deficiencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE reports beam measurement results from multiple panels to the network. This feedback loop ensures that the network receives comprehensive data about channel conditions from all panels, allowing accurate evaluation of beam pair links from multiple APs/TRPs and enabling reliable communication decisions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If UL RS configuration includes multiple UL RS resources from different panels, then simultaneous transmission capability is enabled, but the signaling and configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration of multiple UL RS resources from different panels into a single unified UL RS configuration structure. This combining approach allows the network to specify multiple beams across different panels using a single configuration message, enabling simultaneous transmission capability while avoiding the complexity of separate configuration procedures for each panel.
Data Source
AI summary
Uplink beam management for enabling simultaneous transmission or reception from multiple antenna panels A method in a wireless device (120) for facilitating an uplink reference signal, UL RS, based beam management procedure, the method comprising: indicating to a network (110) a capability of simultaneous transmission and/or reception from multiple panels (126), each panel representing a group of related antennas; receiving from the network an uplink reference signal, UL RS, configuration indicating at least two UL RS resources to be transmitted from different panels; and transmitting on one or more of the UL RS resources using the different panels in accordance with the UL RS configuration.