Network-Controlled Repeater Access-Beam Selection to Reduce Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G mobile communication systems face challenges in enhancing cell coverage due to severe signal fading at higher carrier frequencies, particularly in millimeter wavebands, and existing RF repeaters cause interference and energy consumption issues without effective beam management for access links.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater (NCR) system that includes a receiving unit to receive a beam index from a network device and a repeating unit to perform forwarding using the corresponding beam, along with a network device indicating the beam index to the repeater, enabling controlled beam management and interference reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If RF repeater is used to amplify and forward signals, then cell coverage is enhanced, but interference to other devices increases and energy consumption cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The base station controls and instructs backhaul link beams and access link beams of the NCR-Fwd, creating a closed-loop feedback system where the network device receives reports from the repeater about beam conditions and adjusts beam configurations accordingly, enabling controlled forwarding that reduces interference while maintaining coverage enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and configures beams for backhaul and access links based on current channel conditions and interference levels, allowing the repeater to adapt its forwarding behavior in real-time rather than operating in a fixed state, thus reducing interference while maintaining coverage
2Area of stationary object
If RF repeater is used to amplify and forward signals, then cell coverage is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam management mechanism operates periodically with configured reporting intervals, allowing the repeater to report beam conditions at specific intervals rather than continuously, and enabling the base station to adjust beam configurations in periodic cycles, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective coverage enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater autonomously performs beam reporting and measurements based on configured parameters, and the base station automatically adjusts beam configurations based on received reports, creating a self-managing system that reduces the need for continuous high-power operation while maintaining coverage enhancement
3Measurement precision
If beam management mechanism is implemented for access links, then forwarding accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station pre-configures beam parameters, reporting intervals, and measurement criteria for the repeater before operation begins, allowing the repeater to perform structured beam reporting without real-time complex decision-making, thus improving forwarding accuracy while limiting complexity growth through advance planning
Solution Approach 2:
The beam management functionality is segmented into distinct components: the NCR-MT handles reporting and measurements, while the base station handles configuration and control decisions, separating complex functions into manageable modules that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining forwarding accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A network controlled repeater (NCR) includes: a NCR-MT (Mobile Termination) processor circuitry configured to receive a beam index of an access link from a network device; and a NCR-Fwd (Forwarding) processor circuitry configured to perform forwarding on the access link by using a beam to which a received beam index corresponds.