Network-Controlled Repeater Beam Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, especially in mmWave spectrum, managing beamforming and transmitter power for repeaters is challenging due to directional transmission requirements, leading to issues with coverage extension, interference, and optimization in outdoor-to-indoor scenarios, where repeaters are transparent to user equipment (UE) and base stations, making it difficult to coordinate beam management and power control effectively.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a 'smart repeater' system that includes network-controlled repeaters (NCRs) with advanced beam management and power control mechanisms, allowing for adaptive beamforming, ON/OFF signaling, and dynamic slot indication, enabling efficient communication by coordinating backhaul and access links through control channels and CSI-RS feedback, while minimizing impact on UE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If repeaters are deployed to extend coverage in mmWave spectrum, then coverage extension is improved, but beamforming management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gNB acts as an intermediary that centrally manages beamforming for both the backhaul link (gNB-repeater) and access link (repeater-UE). The gNB determines beamforming parameters based on feedback from UEs about received beam quality, and controls the repeater's beamforming through control signaling, thereby resolving the complexity of coordinating multiple directional transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where UEs measure and report the quality of received beams from the repeater to the gNB. This feedback enables the gNB to make informed decisions about beamforming configuration, allowing adaptive optimization of coverage while managing complexity through centralized control based on actual channel conditions.
2Ease of operation
If repeaters operate transparently to UE and gNB, then ease of operation is improved, but beam management coordination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gNB serves as a mediator that maintains transparency for UEs while enabling coordinated beam management. The gNB receives beam quality feedback from UEs, processes this information, and translates it into control commands for the repeater, allowing the repeater to operate transparently while still achieving coordinated beamforming through the gNB's intermediary role.
3Use of energy by moving object
If directional transmission is used in mmWave spectrum, then power efficiency is improved, but interference to neighboring cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by configuring different beamforming parameters for different spatial directions and cells. The gNB determines cell-specific beamforming settings based on feedback from UEs in each cell, allowing directional transmission to be optimized for local coverage needs while minimizing interference to neighboring cells through spatially selective beamforming.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured for communicating in a wireless communication network is configured for obtaining, based on a reception of a signal, information about an on/off mode and/or obtaining, based on a reception of a signal, information about a communication mode. The apparatus is configured for operating according to the obtained information to amplify and forward a received signal to repeat the received signal.