Network-Controlled Repeater Backhaul Beam Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network-controlled repeaters (NCRs) face performance degradation due to invalid control information when moving or experiencing environmental changes, as they continue to use outdated beam directions, leading to noise and unintended signal forwarding, which is not detected by the network node without cell reselection.
Innovation Solution
An NCR evaluates the condition of its backhaul beam by performing measurements and comparing them to a threshold, ceasing RF signal forwarding if unsuitable, and resuming the RRC connection to obtain updated control information from the network node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the NCR continues to use outdated beam directions without cell reselection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of RF signal forwarding deteriorates due to invalid control information
Solution Approach 1:
The NCR performs preliminary beam measurements and evaluations before the control information becomes completely invalid. By proactively assessing backhaul beam conditions and comparing measurements against stored control information, the NCR can detect invalidation early and trigger cell reselection or control information updates before performance degradation occurs, thus maintaining reliability without requiring continuous complex monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the NCR continuously monitors backhaul beam conditions and compares actual measurements with expected values from control information. When discrepancies indicate invalid control information, the feedback loop triggers appropriate actions such as cell reselection or control information refresh, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple operations and ensuring reliable signal forwarding
2Reliability
If the NCR performs continuous beam measurements and evaluations, then the reliability of RF signal forwarding is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the NCR performs beam measurements and evaluations at periodic intervals or triggered by specific events such as control information updates or threshold violations. This periodic approach maintains adequate reliability by detecting invalid control information when it occurs, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the monitoring parameter from continuous to event-triggered or threshold-based evaluation. By setting thresholds for beam measurement values and only performing full evaluations when thresholds are violated or control information is updated, the NCR maintains reliability for detecting invalid control information while minimizing energy expenditure on unnecessary measurements
3Ease of operation
If the NCR releases the RRC connection to reduce complexity, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information occurs when updated control information is needed
Solution Approach 1:
Before releasing the RRC connection, the NCR performs preliminary actions including storing current control information and establishing criteria for detecting its invalidation. This preliminary preparation enables the NCR to operate independently with reduced complexity while maintaining the ability to detect when updated control information is needed, preventing information loss without requiring continuous connection maintenance
4Productivity
If the NCR uses outdated control information, then the productivity is maintained, but the harmful factors increase due to noise and unintended signal forwarding
Solution Approach 1:
The NCR implements feedback monitoring of backhaul beam conditions to detect when control information becomes outdated. By continuously comparing actual beam measurements with expected values from control information, the system can identify invalidation and trigger corrective actions before noise and unintended signal forwarding occur, thus eliminating harmful factors while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by detecting and responding to invalid control information before it causes harmful effects. Through proactive beam evaluation and comparison with stored control information, the NCR can prevent the generation of noise and unintended signals by triggering cell reselection or control information updates before outdated information is used for signal forwarding
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a network-controlled repeater (NCR) may receive, by an NCR mobile termination (NCR-MT) and via a control link, control information. The NCR may release, by the NCR-MT, a radio resource control (RRC) connection of the NCR-MT with a network node. The NCR may perform, by an NCR forward (NCR-Fwd), a radio frequency (RF) signal forwarding to the network node via a backhaul beam based at least in part on the control information. The NCR may cease the RF signal forwarding on the backhaul beam based at least in part on an evaluation of a condition associated with the backhaul beam for the RF signal forwarding to the network node. Numerous other aspects are described.