Open-Loop RF Repeater Beam Selection for Low-Overhead SSB Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF repeater devices in wireless communication networks amplify both signal and noise equally, leading to increased interference and complexity in network management, while smart repeater devices require a complex RRC connection with network access nodes, increasing processing overhead.
Innovation Solution
An open loop RF repeater device that acquires side control information without establishing an RRC connection, allowing it to operate efficiently with minimal network access node intervention, using a reduced number of beams for synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If RF repeater devices amplify signals to extend network coverage, then coverage area is improved, but interference and noise are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful amplification of noise and interference by introducing a selective signal processing mechanism. The repeater device distinguishes between desired signals and noise, selectively amplifying only the useful signal components while suppressing noise amplification, thus resolving the contradiction between extending coverage and reducing interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the amplification parameter from uniform amplification to selective amplification based on signal characteristics. By modifying the amplification behavior to be parameter-dependent (signal quality, frequency, direction), the system achieves coverage extension without proportionally increasing noise and interference.
2Reliability
If smart repeater devices establish RRC connection with network access nodes for coordinated operation, then communication performance is improved, but processing overhead and device complexity are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the repeater device to autonomously perform signal processing and coordination functions without requiring continuous RRC connection with network access nodes. The repeater independently manages its operation, selecting beams and processing signals based on local conditions, thus reducing processing overhead while maintaining communication performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential functionality from the complex RRC connection mechanism. By identifying and separating the core signal processing tasks from the connection management overhead, the system achieves coordinated operation without the full complexity of traditional RRC-based control, reducing processing requirements while maintaining performance.
3Area of stationary object
If repeater devices use multiple beams for SSB transmission to improve coverage, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a reduced number of beams for SSB transmission compared to the maximum possible. Instead of exhaustively using all available beams, the system selects an optimized subset that provides sufficient coverage, reducing processing requirements while maintaining adequate coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam configuration parameter from maximum beam usage to optimized beam selection. By adjusting the number of beams and their directions based on network conditions and coverage requirements, the system achieves effective coverage with reduced processing complexity compared to using all possible beams.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects relate to exchanging beam-related information for a repeater device. A network access node may configure a repeater device to transmit multiple synchronization signal blocks using different beams. The network access node may determine the number of beams that the repeater device can use for its operations. A repeater device may indicate how many beams the repeater device supports, how many antenna arrays it has, and a mapping of beam indices to antenna array indices. A repeater device may indicate which beam pairs cannot be used for simultaneous transmission and/or reception and/or which beam groups can be used for simultaneous transmission and/or reception. A network access node may determine which beam pairs the repeater device cannot use for simultaneous transmission and/or reception and/or which beam groups the repeater device can use for simultaneous transmission and/or reception based on signal measurements and/or beam configuration feedback from the repeater device.