Network Node Transmit Timing Adjustment for Beam Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communications networks face challenges in maintaining performance and capacity, particularly in point-to-multipoint systems where beam link failures due to blockages lead to complex and time-consuming beam management procedures, resulting in communication outages and inter-carrier interference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mechanisms for efficient beam switching by allowing network nodes to adjust transmit and receive timing, using reference signals with unique signatures to detect Channel Quality Indicators, and switching to alternative beams with pre-configured modulation and coding schemes, minimizing handshaking delays and ensuring correct timing for ongoing communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam management procedures are performed to find alternative beams when LOS path is blocked, then communication reliability is improved, but communication delay increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple alternative paths (secondary beams) with their corresponding timing adjustments before beam link failure occurs. When the primary LOS beam is blocked, the network nodes can immediately switch to a pre-identified alternative beam without performing complex real-time beam management procedures, thus maintaining communication reliability while minimizing delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by establishing backup communication paths and pre-calculating timing adjustments for alternative beams in advance. This creates a cushion or buffer that allows immediate switching when the primary path fails, preventing communication outages and reducing the time penalty associated with reactive beam management.
2Reliability
If beam switching procedures are performed when primary beam is blocked, then communication continuity is improved, but handshaking delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing alternative beams and their timing characteristics before failure occurs. The network nodes store information about secondary beams including their timing adjustments, so when switching is needed, no handshaking or negotiation is required - the pre-configured alternative is immediately activated, maintaining continuity while eliminating handshaking delays.
3Reliability
If transmit timing is adjusted for beam switching, then communication reliability is improved, but timing synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing timing adjustments for each alternative beam before switching is needed. The network nodes maintain a database of timing offsets for different beams, so when switching occurs, the pre-computed timing adjustment is simply applied without complex real-time calculations, maintaining reliability while managing synchronization complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided mechanisms for transmit time adjustment. A method is performed by a second network node. The method comprises obtaining an indication of a need for transmit time adjustment with a first network node during ongoing communication with the first network node. The method comprises providing a first notification to at least one third network node to adjust its receive timing for receiving a signal from the second network node as part of ongoing communication with the second network node. The method comprises adjusting transmit timing for transmitting a first signal to the first network node as part of the ongoing communication with the first network node and for transmitting at least one second signal to the at last one third network node as part of the ongoing communication with the at least one third network node.