NTN Beam Management via BWP Segmentation and CSI-RS Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beam management in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for 5G wireless communication systems faces challenges such as determining common resource block offsets, resource-intensive beam measurements, and beam switching, especially when frequency reuse occurs, affecting adjacent satellite beams and requiring efficient resource allocation and reporting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using a 'SSB_subcarrieroffset' value in the master information block and an 'offsetToPointA' value in System Information Block 1 for common resource block offset indication, minimizing BWP switching by including CSI-RS in a single configured BWP or using SRS measurements, allowing for flexible beam reporting, and implementing group common DCI signaling or MAC CE for joint beam switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beam measurements are performed for multiple satellite beams in NTN, then beam management capability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments beam measurement operations by configuring different bandwidth parts (BWPs) for different satellite beams. Each BWP contains CSI-RS resources specific to a particular beam, allowing the UE to measure only the beams relevant to its current location and service requirements, rather than all available beams. This segmentation reduces the overall measurement burden and resource consumption while maintaining comprehensive beam management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial beam measurement by allowing the UE to measure a subset of satellite beams based on configuration parameters and current network conditions. The network can configure the UE to measure only certain beams (partial action) rather than all beams, reducing resource consumption while still providing adequate beam management for the specific service scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If BWP switching is performed for beam measurements, then measurement flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges beam measurement functionality into the initial BWP configuration, allowing beam measurements to be performed without requiring separate BWP switching operations. By combining beam measurement resources with the initial BWP, the system achieves measurement flexibility while reducing the number of BWP switches and associated signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of CSI-RS resources and BWP parameters during initial access and connection setup. By pre-configuring the necessary measurement resources and BWP parameters before beam measurements are needed, the system reduces the need for dynamic BWP switching and associated signaling during actual beam measurement operations.
3Productivity
If frequency reuse is implemented for satellite beams, then spectral efficiency is improved, but interference management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different frequency resources and CSI-RS parameters for different satellite beams based on their specific interference environments. Each beam can have locally optimized frequency reuse patterns and measurement configurations, allowing spectral efficiency to be maximized in each local area while managing interference appropriately for that specific beam's conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques discussed herein can facilitate beam management for non-terrestrial networks (NTN). One example aspect is A baseband processor, comprising: a memory interface; and processing communicatively coupled to the memory and transceiver interface and, while connected to a base station (BS) within a cell of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) and, where the cell comprises a plurality of bandwidth parts (BWPs) associated with a plurality of beams, configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a signaling from the base station (BS) comprising a channel state indicator reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration associated with a first BWP of the plurality of BWPs, where the CSI-RS configuration comprises a beam measurement configuration for the plurality of beams, switching from a second BWP of the plurality of BWPs to the first BWP according to the CSI-RS configuration and measure one or more of the plurality of beams according to the beam measurement configuration; and generating a measurement report that includes a layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) measurement from the measured one or more of the plurality of beams.