Network Controlled Repeater Beam Control via DCI

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deployment of 5G systems faces challenges in enhancing cell coverage due to the severe fading of wireless signals at higher frequencies, and legacy RF repeaters fail to dynamically adjust beam directions and widths, causing interference and reducing network throughput.

Innovation Solution

A network-controlled repeater (NCR) scheme is implemented, using DCI formats to control time domain resources, subcarrier spacings, and reference slot positions to enhance signal amplification and reduce interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a legacy RF repeater is used to amplify signals in a 5G system, then signal amplification is achieved, but beam directions and widths cannot be dynamically adjusted causing interference to other devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal amplificationVSAvoidinterference to other devices
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam direction adjustment by introducing a beam indication field in DCI format 5_0 that points to specific SSB or CSI-RS resources. This allows the repeater to dynamically switch beam directions based on current communication needs, transforming the static legacy repeater into a dynamic system that can adapt to changing spatial requirements and avoid interfering with other devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the repeater by introducing configurable beam widths and directions through higher-layer parameters (ssb-PositionsWithinBundle, csi-RS-PositionsWithinBundle, ncr-BundleSize). These parameter changes enable the repeater to adjust its beam characteristics to match the specific requirements of 5G millimeter wave communication while minimizing interference to surrounding devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If a legacy RF repeater with wide beams is used, then signal coverage area is increased, but interference to other devices in the network increases and network throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coverage areaVSAvoidnetwork throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling the repeater to form focused directional beams rather than omnidirectional coverage. Through beamforming technology and directional antenna arrays, the repeater concentrates signal energy in specific spatial directions where needed, providing localized high-quality coverage while reducing signal strength in other directions, thereby minimizing interference and improving overall network throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If beam directions of the repeater are not matched with network device and terminal equipment, then device complexity is reduced, but signal amplification effect is not significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeater control complexityVSAvoidsignal amplification effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network device as an intermediary that manages the complexity of beam direction control. The network device determines the appropriate beam directions based on channel conditions and communicates these directions to the repeater through standardized DCI format 5_0 messages. This intermediary approach allows the repeater to achieve effective signal amplification without requiring complex autonomous beam management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4694434A1Information sending method, information receiving method, repeater and network device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 FINITY INC
  • EP4694434A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP4694434A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4B
  • EP4694434A1 patent drawingFigure 4C~6A

AI summary

Embodiments of this disclosure provide an information transmitting method, an information receiving method, a repeater and a network device. The information receiving method includes: receiving, by the repeater, first configuration information and/or second configuration information and/or third configuration information related to a first DCI format used to control the repeater, and the transmitting unit further transmits downlink control information using the first DCI format, (a position of) a second slot where a first time domain resource is located indicated by the downlink control information being related to a first time position and/or a second time position and/or a third time position, and/or being related to a first parameter and/or a second parameter, and/or being related to a first subcarrier spacing and/or a second subcarrier spacing and/or a third subcarrier spacing.