Measurement Gap Configuration for NR Beam Subarray Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems, particularly in New Radio (NR) systems, face challenges in efficiently measuring and reporting directional beams due to the high directionality of millimeter wave (mmW) or extremely high frequency (EHF) radio bands, which complicates the identification of the optimal beam and subarray pair for communication, especially with limited RF chains.
Innovation Solution
A procedure is implemented where a base station instructs a user equipment (UE) to measure reference signals during measurement gaps, configuring different types of measurement gaps to enable intra-cell, inter-cell, and inter-frequency measurements using various antenna subarrays and RF chains, allowing the UE to determine the beam and subarray pair with the highest signal strength without interfering with ongoing communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional DRS transmission techniques are used, then base station discovery and connection can be established, but the high directionality of millimeter wave communications cannot be effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam management process into distinct measurement gap types (intra-cell, inter-cell intra-frequency, inter-cell inter-frequency) and separates DRS transmission into multiple beams across different antenna subarrays. This segmentation allows the system to handle directional beam measurements systematically without compromising connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic measurement gap configurations that adapt to different measurement scenarios. The base station can configure different measurement gap types based on UE capabilities and network conditions, enabling flexible adaptation to directional beam requirements while maintaining reliable connections.
2Measurement precision
If measurement gaps are configured for reference signal measurements, then accurate beam and subarray identification can be achieved, but ongoing communications may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement gaps configured by the base station, where measurements are performed at specific periodic intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach allows accurate beam measurement while minimizing disruption to ongoing communications, as the UE can resume normal communication immediately after each measurement gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs preliminary configuration of measurement gap parameters before actual measurements begin. This includes setting the measurement gap type, duration, and timing based on predicted measurement needs, allowing measurements to be executed efficiently without ad-hoc interruptions to communication.
3Measurement precision
If multiple antenna subarrays and beams are measured simultaneously, then optimal beam and subarray pair can be identified, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex measurement task into separate measurement gaps for different scenarios (intra-cell, inter-cell, inter-frequency). Each measurement gap focuses on a specific measurement objective, reducing the complexity of simultaneous multi-dimensional measurements while maintaining accurate beam pair identification through systematic evaluation.
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described for reference signal measurement and reporting for new radio systems. A user equipment (UE) and a base station may coordinate for identifying a particular beam and subarray pair for communication. A user equipment (UE) may receive a measurement gap configuration from a base station specifying a measurement gap type of a plurality of different measurement gap types, and measure, in a measurement gap corresponding to the specified measurement gap type, a reference signal to generate a measurement using a first subarray of a plurality of subarrays of an antenna array of the UE. The UE may generate a measurement report that indicates the measurement. The UE may transmit the measurement report to the base station. The base station may use the measurement report for selecting a beam and subarray pair for communication.