Network Controlled Repeater Configuration for Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF repeaters are limited in their ability to enhance wireless communication coverage, as they primarily perform simple amplify-and-forward operations without considering factors that could improve performance, such as semi-static and dynamic configuration information and adaptive beamforming.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater configuration that allows a network entity, such as a base station, to control the repeater's configuration by receiving and processing side control information. This enables the repeater to perform an amplify-and-forward operation more efficiently, mitigating noise amplification, improving spatial directivity, and simplifying network integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional RF repeaters perform simple amplify-and-forward operations, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but coverage enhancement capability and noise mitigation performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater transitions from static amplify-and-forward operation to dynamic network-controlled operation, where configuration parameters (gain, beamforming weights, timing advance) are dynamically adjusted based on network instructions received via F1 interface, enabling adaptive coverage enhancement while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The F1 interface acts as an intermediary between the network and repeater, transporting control messages that carry configuration information for amplify-and-forward parameters, beamforming settings, and timing adjustments, thereby enabling sophisticated control without direct network-repeater integration complexity
2Area of stationary object
If network-controlled repeaters process side control information, then coverage extension effectiveness and spatial directivity are improved, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality is segmented into network-side decision-making (configuration generation) and repeater-side execution (configuration application), with the F1 interface carrying segmented control messages that divide complex control tasks into manageable information elements (e.g., separate messages for timing advance, beamforming, gain control)
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater's operational parameters (amplification gain, beamforming weights, timing advance values) are changed based on network-provided configuration information, allowing the same hardware to adapt to different coverage scenarios without increasing physical complexity
3Productivity
If repeaters use semi-static and dynamic configuration information, then amplify-and-forward efficiency and noise mitigation are improved, but information processing requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary analysis of coverage requirements and pre-calculates optimal configuration parameters (gain settings, beamforming vectors, timing advance) before transmitting them to the repeater via F1 interface, allowing the repeater to simply execute pre-processed configuration instructions rather than performing complex real-time calculations
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a repeater node in a network that receives a first configuration of common control search space. and receives a second configuration of control search space for control information. The first configuration of the common control search space indicates where to locate the second configuration of the control search space. as well as decoding information to decode repeater dedicated downlink control information. A controller of the repeater decodes the control information from the second configuration of the control search space as repeater downlink control information. The controller of the repeater can then apply the control information on a forwarded link between a base station and a user equipment.