Network-Assisted Sidelink Beamforming via gNodeB SRS Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current New Radio (NR) V2X systems face challenges in achieving reliable and efficient unicast sidelink communication between vehicles and infrastructure without network assistance, particularly in managing beam alignment and channel state information for sidelink communication.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a gNodeB configuring sidelink sounding reference signals (SRS) for user equipment (UEs) to facilitate network-assisted beamforming, which includes generating SRS configuration signals with specific parameters and scheduling signals to manage beam alignment and channel state information, enabling effective sidelink communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network-assisted beamforming is implemented for sidelink unicast communication, then reliability and data rate are improved, but device complexity and network infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gNodeB acts as an intermediary that facilitates beamforming between UEs by configuring SRS resources and processing channel state information. The network infrastructure mediates the complex beam management tasks, allowing UEs to achieve reliable directional communication without implementing complex beamforming algorithms themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The gNodeB performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring SRS resources, determining channel state information, and preparing beamforming parameters before actual sidelink communication occurs. This advance preparation enables UEs to immediately engage in reliable beamformed communication without performing complex calculations in real-time.
2Measurement precision
If sidelink sounding reference signals are configured for beamforming, then channel state information accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SRS resources configured by the gNodeB serve multiple functions: they enable channel state information acquisition, support beamforming, and facilitate sidelink communication setup. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated reference signals for each purpose, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If beam alignment management is performed by the network, then communication quality is improved, but network processing load and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gNodeB serves as an intermediary that centralizes beam alignment management functions. By processing SRS configurations and determining channel state information, the network mediator handles the computational complexity of beam management, relieving UEs of this burden while ensuring high communication quality through coordinated beamforming.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured to be employed in a gNodeB associated with a new radio (NR) system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises one or more processors configured to configure one or more sidelink sounding reference signals (SRS), for one or more user equipments (UEs) associated with the gNodeB, to be utilized by the one or more UEs for transmission or reception, or both, over sidelink. The one or more processors is further configured to generate one or more sidelink SRS configuration signals to be provided, respectively, to the one or more UEs, wherein each sidelink SRS configuration signal comprises sidelink SRS configuration information on the one or more sidelink SRS configured for a respective UE. The apparatus further comprises a radio frequency (RF) interface, configured to provide, to a radio frequency (RF) circuitry, the one or more sidelink SRS configuration signals, for subsequent transmission to the one or more UEs, respectively.