NR Beam Reciprocity for Reliable Random Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The severe path loss and non-line-of-sight losses in millimeter wave systems, such as diffraction loss, penetration loss, and oxygen absorption loss, limit the coverage area and reliability of 5G wireless communication systems, particularly in emerging use cases like eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining beam reciprocity in wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) by using downlink beams for synchronization, TRP TX/RX beam correspondence information, and selecting appropriate WTRU TX beams for data transmission, based on NR-PBCH reception and resources, to enhance beamforming and random access in New Radio (NR) systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beamforming is used to overcome path loss in millimeter wave systems, then coverage area and signal strength are improved, but system complexity and beam management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage reliabilityVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs beam correspondence determination in advance before random access procedures. The WTRU determines whether TRP TX and RX beams are reciprocal beforehand, allowing it to pre-select appropriate TX beams for uplink transmission. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time beam management during random access, as the beam selection is already optimized based on pre-determined correspondence relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The WTRU autonomously determines its own TX beam selection based on beam correspondence information and downlink beam measurements. The device self-manages the beam reciprocity determination and uses this information to independently select optimal TX beams for random access preamble transmission, reducing the need for network-controlled beam management and thereby simplifying overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple beams are used for random access in beamforming systems, then access reliability is improved, but processing time and computational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access reliabilityVSAvoidbeam processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent determines beam correspondence information and selects appropriate TX beams before the random access procedure begins. By pre-determining which TX beams are suitable based on downlink beam measurements and beam correspondence status, the WTRU avoids time-consuming beam searching and evaluation during the actual random access process, thus maintaining high access reliability while minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters based on beam correspondence determination. When beam correspondence is established, the WTRU uses specific TX beam selection strategies (e.g., using the same beam direction for TX as for DL reception). This parameter adaptation allows the system to efficiently select from multiple beams without exhaustive processing, balancing reliability with reduced computational overhead and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260006589A1Random access in new radio (NR) and other beamforming systems
Publication Date: 2026.01.01 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • US20260006589A1 patent drawing
  • US20260006589A1 patent drawing
  • US20260006589A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and system for determining beam reciprocity for a beam of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) are disclosed. A WTRU may determine a downlink (DL) beam for synchronization. Then, the WTRU may determine transmission reception point (TRP) transmit (TX)/receive (RX) beam correspondence information (BCI) using the determined DL beam. Further, the WTRU may determine a number of WTRU TX beams based on at least the TRP TX/RX BCI. Also, the WTRU may determine a set of WTRU TX beams based on at least the DL beam and the TRP TX/RX BCI, wherein determining the set includes determining one or more WTRU TX beam directions. In addition, the WTRU may transmit data using the determined set of WTRU TX beams. In an example, the determination of the TRP TX/RX BCI may be based on a received TRP TX/RX BCI.