5G NR Beam Alignment via Two-Stage Indication

Solution Overview

Problem

In next-generation 5G NR wireless communication systems, the conventional beam alignment procedure for multi-carrier transmission is time-consuming and power-intensive, especially for secondary cell activation and primary secondary cell addition, due to the need for extensive RX beam sweeping and frequent beam adjustments, which increases latency and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where user equipment (UE) receives a Synchronization Signal block bitmap from a primary cell, measures secondary cell blocks based on the bitmap, and provides measurement reports to the primary cell, allowing the base station to transmit beam information via a two-stage indication, reducing the need for extensive beam alignment procedures by pre-identifying qualified beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional beam alignment procedure is used for secondary cell activation, then beam alignment can be achieved, but power consumption and latency increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam alignment qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs RX beam sweeping and identifies qualified beams in advance before SCell activation. The identified beam information is stored and reused when SCell needs to be activated, eliminating the need for the UE to perform time-consuming RX beam sweeping at activation time. This preliminary action by the base station resolves the contradiction by preparing beam alignment data beforehand, reducing both power consumption and latency during actual SCell activation while maintaining reliable beam alignment quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional beam alignment procedure is used for secondary cell activation, then beam alignment can be achieved, but latency increases due to extensive RX beam sweeping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam alignment qualityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs RX beam sweeping and identifies qualified beams in advance before SCell activation. The identified beam information is stored and reused when SCell needs to be activated, eliminating the need for the UE to perform time-consuming RX beam sweeping at activation time. This preliminary action by the base station resolves the contradiction by preparing beam alignment data beforehand, reducing both power consumption and latency during actual SCell activation while maintaining reliable beam alignment quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If beamforming gain is used to compensate for pathloss, then data rate can be maintained, but beam width is reduced requiring extra alignment procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidbeam alignment procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station autonomously performs RX beam sweeping and identifies qualified beams without requiring the UE to participate in the beam sweeping process. The base station self-generates and stores beam alignment information, which is then provided to the UE for reuse. This self-service approach by the base station reduces the overall system complexity and eliminates the need for complex coordinated beam alignment procedures between UE and base station, while maintaining high data rates through beamforming gain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11737130B2Methods, devices, and systems for network assisted transmission with multiple component carriers

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 SHARP KK

AI summary

A method performed by a serving cell of a base station (BS) is provided. The method receives a measurement report from a user equipment (UE). The measurement report includes measurements associated with another cell. The method then transmits, to the UE, beam information based on the received measurements via a two-stage indication. The beam information includes at least a synchronization signal (SS) block bitmap having one or more SS block bits corresponding to one or more SS block indices for the another cell.