Non-standalone 5G Initial Access via Relay Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for initial access to 5G NR carriers in non-standalone 5G networks are complex and time-consuming, especially due to the need for extensive cell and beam search operations, and are hindered by high radio frequencies' inability to penetrate obstructions, leading to inconsistent connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and method that provides low-power and low-latency non-standalone initial access to 5G NR carriers by acting as a repeater or relay node, using directional beamforming and a wide range of frequency support, including millimeter wave frequencies, to establish connections through a short-range wireless link, thereby overcoming obstructions and simplifying the initial access process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive cell search and beam search operations are used in initial access procedure, then connection reliability is improved, but access latency increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network pre-configure multiple candidate beams and beam failure recovery resources before beam failure occurs. When beam failure detection happens, the UE can immediately use the pre-configured candidate beams for recovery without performing extensive new beam search operations, thus reducing access latency while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-preparing beam failure recovery configuration including multiple candidate beams and associated resources. This cushioning ensures that when beam failure occurs, the system has pre-positioned alternatives ready for immediate use, preventing the need for time-consuming reactive beam search and reducing recovery latency.
2Reliability
If extensive cell search and beam search operations are used in initial access procedure, then connection reliability is improved, but device power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs the energy-intensive beam configuration and candidate beam preparation in advance, before the UE would need to perform exhaustive beam search. This shifts the energy burden from the mobile device to the network infrastructure, reducing UE power consumption while ensuring reliable connections through pre-configured beam options.
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-configuring beam failure recovery resources and candidate beams beforehand, the system avoids the need for the UE to perform energy-intensive beam search operations at the moment of failure. The cushioning effect provides ready-to-use beam alternatives that require minimal processing power from the UE, thus reducing device power consumption.
3Speed
If high radio frequencies are used for 5G NR, then data rate is improved, but signal penetration capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beam failure detection and recovery mechanisms as intermediaries that monitor and maintain connection quality. When signal degradation due to poor penetration is detected, the system activates pre-configured candidate beams that may have better propagation characteristics, thus maintaining reliable connectivity while using high-frequency bands for data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different beam configurations based on real-time channel conditions. When high-frequency signals experience penetration issues, the system can dynamically activate alternative beams with different spatial directions or frequencies, adapting to changing propagation conditions to maintain both high data rates and reliable connectivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables cost-effective, efficient, and rapid deployment of 5G services with improved coverage and reliability, even in areas with signal obstructions, by facilitating faster 5G FWA service rollout and reducing operating costs.
Implementation Method 1
the first beam of RF signals that has the highest RSSI for beam reception at the communication device in a NR carrier frequency and for beam transmission to the FWA UE
Implementation Method 2
execute a beam measurement and ranking operation for a plurality of different beams of RF signals that are received at the communication device
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device that establishes a short-range wireless communication link with a user equipment (UE) or a mobile UE that is in a specified proximal range of the communication device and acquire control information of signal synchronization blocks from the at least one UE over the short-range wireless communication link. The communication device detects whether a first new radio (NR) carrier is assigned to the FWA UE or the mobile UE which is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state over LTE network, without using the communication device. The communication device controls assignment of a second NR carrier to the mobile UE for non-standalone initial access to a beam of RF data signals in the second NR carrier at the mobile UE.