Network-Controlled Repeater Beam Timing for Low-Interference Forwarding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional repeaters in wireless communication systems continuously forward signals without considering meaningful transmissions, leading to power wastage and unnecessary interference.
Innovation Solution
Implement a network-controlled repeater (NCR) that operates based on control messages from a base station, specifying beam and time domain resources for forwarding operations, ensuring the repeater is in an ON state only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional repeater continuously forwards signals, then signal coverage is maintained, but power consumption increases and interference is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater transitions from a static continuous forwarding mode to a dynamic ON-OFF mode, adjusting its operation state based on received control messages from the base station. The repeater can be activated or deactivated for specific time resources and beams, enabling adaptive power consumption while maintaining signal coverage only when and where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater changes its operational parameters (ON/OFF state, time resources, beam directions) based on control messages from the base station. By receiving indications about which time resources and beams require forwarding, the repeater adjusts its parameters dynamically, consuming power only during necessary operations rather than continuously.
2Reliability
If conventional repeater continuously forwards signals, then signal coverage is maintained, but interference to neighboring devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater dynamically adjusts its forwarding operation based on control messages from the base station, transitioning from continuous operation to selective ON-OFF operation. By activating only during specific time resources and beam directions indicated by the base station, the repeater maintains necessary signal coverage while minimizing interference generation to neighboring devices during non-operational periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater applies different operational characteristics to different spatial and temporal regions. By receiving beam-specific and time-resource-specific control messages, the repeater forwards signals only in the specific directions and time intervals where coverage is needed, rather than uniformly in all directions continuously, thereby reducing interference in areas where it is not required.
3Reliability
If NCR operates in ON state without explicit instruction, then signal forwarding is maintained, but ambiguity in operation understanding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides explicit control messages to the repeater indicating when and how to forward signals. This feedback mechanism eliminates ambiguity by clearly specifying the ON-OFF states, time resources, and beam directions for repeater operation, ensuring both the base station and repeater have the same understanding of the forwarding behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station sends control messages in advance to the repeater, specifying the forwarding operations to be performed. By providing preliminary instructions about which time resources and beams require forwarding, the base station ensures the repeater operates with clear, unambiguous guidance before the actual forwarding occurs, preventing any misunderstanding about operational states.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and an apparatus for operating an NCR in a wireless communication system. The NCR includes NCR-MT and NCR-Fwd. The NCR receives a control message from a base station through the NCR-MT, and performs a forwarding operation through the NCR-Fwd on the basis of the control message. The control message indicates a beam applied to the forwarding operation of the NCR-Fwd and a forwarding resource in a time domain to which the beam is applied. The NCRFwd is in an OFF state in a time resource other than the forwarding resource. That is, if there is no explicit or implicit instruction from the base station, the NCR-Fwd is always expected to be in an OFF state.