Pathloss Information Provisioning for Faster Beam Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing beam switching and transmissions due to inadequate pathloss estimation, leading to suboptimal network efficiency and user experience, particularly in 5G systems with AI/ML-based beam management.
Innovation Solution
Provisioning of pathloss information, including pathloss values or information for determining pathloss values, to facilitate beam switching and transmissions between apparatuses, enabling faster and more accurate adjustments in beam management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pathloss estimation is performed using conventional methods, then beam management can be maintained, but network efficiency and user experience deteriorate due to suboptimal pathloss estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs pathloss estimation in advance for multiple candidate beams and stores the results before beam switching is needed. When beam switching occurs, the pre-estimated pathloss values are directly utilized, eliminating the need for real-time estimation and thereby improving network efficiency while maintaining reliable beam management.
2Device complexity
If beam switching is performed without pre-provisioned pathloss information, then system complexity is reduced, but transmission performance deteriorates due to inadequate pathloss estimation
Solution Approach 1:
Pathloss information is estimated and provisioned in advance by the network device for multiple candidate beams. This preliminary estimation ensures high measurement precision is available when beam switching occurs, without requiring complex real-time estimation mechanisms at the moment of switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary that calculates and provides pathloss information to the user equipment. This mediator approach allows the UE to perform beam switching with accurate pathloss values without needing to implement complex pathloss estimation algorithms itself, thus reducing UE complexity while maintaining high estimation accuracy.
3Speed
If pathloss information is provisioned in advance for beam switching, then beam switching speed is improved, but information overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pathloss information is provisioned selectively for specific candidate beams that are likely to be switched to, rather than for all possible beams. The network device provides pathloss estimates for a limited set of relevant beams based on current channel conditions and beam management configurations, thereby reducing information overhead while maintaining fast beam switching capability.
4Loss of information
If real-time pathloss estimation is performed during beam switching, then information overhead is reduced, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs pathloss estimation in advance and maintains a buffer of pathloss values for candidate beams. During beam switching, the UE can immediately use the pre-provisioned pathloss information without waiting for real-time estimation, thereby reducing transmission latency. The information is updated periodically or when channel conditions change significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatuses, methods, devices and computer readable storage medium for pathloss information provisioning. In a method, a first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, pathloss information for at least one of: a beam switching of the first apparatus, or a transmission from the first apparatus to the second apparatus. The pathloss information comprises at least one of: a pathloss value for the beam switching, or information for determining the pathloss value. The first apparatus performs, based on the pathloss value, at least one of: the beam switching, or the transmission.