Radio Access Method for Narrow Beam Network Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In high-frequency scenarios, the narrow beams formed by massive MIMO antennas in cellular networks fail to cover all user equipment (UE) within a cell, leading to delayed network access due to increased path loss and the need for precise beam alignment.

Innovation Solution

A radio access method that employs a double-loop beam access technique, where the base station sends first signal sets on multiple resources to synchronize UE with the network, reducing access delay by using indication information to instruct the base station to send system messages on valid space resources, thereby minimizing outer loop beam scanning overheads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If narrow beam transmission is used to compensate path loss in high-frequency scenario, then antenna gain is improved, but coverage area deteriorates causing delayed network access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna gainVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cell coverage area into multiple beam coverage areas, with each beam covering a specific spatial region. The base station sends first signal sets on multiple space resources corresponding to different beams, allowing UE to access the network through beam-specific resources rather than requiring a single wide beam to cover all users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spatial dimension by using multiple space resources (beams) for transmitting first signal sets. Instead of using a single wide beam in the horizontal plane, the system utilizes vertical beamforming dimensions to create multiple narrow beams that collectively cover the entire cell, enabling simultaneous service to multiple UEs in different spatial directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If wide beam is used to cover all users in cell, then coverage area is improved, but antenna gain deteriorates causing insufficient path loss compensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidantenna gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple narrow beam coverages to achieve the effect of wide beam coverage. By transmitting first signal sets on multiple space resources corresponding to different beams, the system ensures that all UEs in the cell can be covered while each beam maintains high antenna gain for path loss compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If system message is sent on all space resources to ensure UE access, then network access reliability is improved, but system overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access reliabilityVSAvoidsystem overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by sending system messages on beam-specific space resources rather than all space resources. Each beam's first signal set includes indication information tailored to its spatial region, allowing UE to receive relevant system messages through beam-specific resources, thereby reducing overall system overhead while maintaining access reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If UE detects synchronization channels on all beams to access network, then access reliability is improved, but access time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess reliabilityVSAvoidaccess time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring beam-specific first signal sets with indication information that guides UE to the correct space resources for system message reception. UE can quickly identify and access the appropriate beam without exhaustively detecting all beams, significantly reducing access time while maintaining reliability through beam-specific resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3349522B1Radio access method, UE, and base station
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3349522B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3349522B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3349522B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a radio access method, user equipment (UE), and a base station, and relate to the communications field, so as to resolve at least a problem that user equipment accesses a network in time in narrow beam transmission. The method includes the following steps: sending, by a base station, N first signal sets, where one first signal set is sent on each first space resource, M first signal sets in the N first signal sets are second signal sets, each of the M second signal sets includes indication information, the indication information is used to indicate that system messages are to be sent on M second space resources, or the indication information is used to indicate that the M first space resources on which the second signal sets are to be sent are valid space resources, M and N are positive integers, and M is less than or equal to N; and sending, by the base station, M system messages on the M second space resources, where the M system messages are used to instruct user equipment UE to access a network. The present invention is used to implement timely access of a second wireless network device in narrow beam transmission.