New Radio Smart Repeater OTA Management for Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional repeaters in 5G NR networks face challenges in deployment and management due to interference issues, beamforming complexity, and the need for precise time-alignment, especially in TDD bands, which are exacerbated by dynamic analog and digital beamforming at gNodeBs and user-specific channel status information acquisition.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of smart repeaters with over-the-air configuration and management, utilizing layer-1 forwarding and multiplexing techniques to adapt physical layer parameters, allowing for efficient multiplexing of access and repeater links in time, frequency, and space, and enabling dynamic resource allocation through IAB signaling protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional repeaters use layer-1 forwarding to replicate the repeater link received signal on the access link, then the signal strength of the parent node is increased, but interference to neighbor cells is potentially increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic beamforming adjustment where the repeater node dynamically adapts its beamforming parameters based on real-time channel conditions and interference measurements. The system performs beam sweeping and selects optimal beam directions that maximize signal strength for user equipment while minimizing interference to neighboring cells, transforming the static beamforming into a dynamic adaptive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical layer parameters including beamforming weights, transmission timing, and frequency resources to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can steer signals to achieve the desired signal strength enhancement while controlling interference through parameter optimization rather than fixed replication.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If repeater transmissions are time-aligned with donor DU transmissions to avoid cross-link interference, then cross-link interference is reduced, but deployment and management complexity increases due to dynamic beamforming and user-specific CSI acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater node performs self-configuration and self-management by autonomously acquiring channel state information, performing beam sweeping, and determining optimal transmission parameters without requiring complex centralized control. The system uses built-in measurement capabilities to automatically adjust timing and beamforming, reducing the management burden despite the dynamic environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the repeater node continuously monitors channel conditions, user equipment responses, and interference levels. This feedback information is used to automatically adjust transmission parameters, beamforming directions, and timing alignments, creating a closed-loop system that manages complexity through adaptive control rather than static configuration.
3Reliability
If dynamic analog and digital beamforming is utilized at gNodeBs and UE devices, then network performance is improved through adaptive signal directionality, but the deployment and management of conventional repeaters becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the repeater node to perform multiple functions including signal reception, beamforming, channel state information acquisition, and signal transmission using the same physical infrastructure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to dynamically adapt to changing network conditions through unified control.
Data Source
AI summary
The described technology is generally directed to over-the-air configuration and management of new radio smart repeaters. To facilitate data forwarding, a smart repeater is configured to generate a forwarding layer that is logically above a physical layer of a mobile termination function (corresponding to a repeater link) and a physical layer of distributed unit function of the repeater equipment (corresponding to an access link). Via the forwarding layer, when traffic is received from a parent node, the traffic is forwarded via the access link to user equipment, and when traffic is received from a user equipment, the traffic is forwarded via the access link to a parent node. A smart repeater control management function/interface manages control plane signaling and configurations for the mobile termination function and distributed unit function.