Unified Beam Indication for NR Signaling Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In New Radio (NR) technology, especially in Frequency Range 2, the faster attenuation of high-frequency channels requires beam-based transmission and reception, leading to increased signaling overhead due to independent indication of Physical Downlink Control Channel, Physical Downlink Shared Channel, Physical Uplink Shared Channel, and Physical Uplink Control Channel beams and reference signals.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for beam indication, where a terminal device receives first indication information using a first receiving beam to determine a second receiving beam, and a network device sends first indication information using a first sending beam to indicate a second receiving beam, both corresponding to different Transmission and Reception Points (TRPs), allowing for shared beams to reduce signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated beams are used for indicating multiple channels and reference signals independently, then beam indication accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam indication of multiple channels (PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, PUCCH) and reference signals into a single common beam indication mechanism. Instead of independently indicating beams for each channel and signal, the system uses a unified beam indication approach that reduces the total number of indication signals while maintaining accurate beam configuration for all communication components.
2Quantity of substance
If a common beam is used for indicating multiple channels and reference signals, then signaling overhead is reduced, but beam indication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam indication process into two distinct phases: a first phase where a first beam is used to receive first indication information, and a second phase where a second beam is used to receive second indication information. This segmentation allows the system to manage beam switching complexity by dividing the indication process into manageable steps, reducing the overall complexity of implementing common beam indication while maintaining reduced signaling overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beam switching is performed during communication process, then communication adaptability is improved, but reception reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal device receive beam indication information before actually switching beams. The first indication information indicates a first beam for receiving second indication information, and the second indication information indicates a second beam for actual communication. This preliminary beam indication allows the system to prepare and plan beam switches in advance, ensuring reliable reception during the transition and maintaining communication adaptability without compromising reception reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A beam indication method is performed by a terminal device, and includes: receiving, using a first receiving beam, first indication information sent by a network device, wherein the first indication information indicates a second receiving beam; wherein the first receiving beam corresponds to a first Transmission and Reception Point (TRP) or a second TRP, and the second receiving beam corresponds to the second TRP.