Power Offset Signaling for AGC Stability in 5G Beam Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G New Radio (NR) beam-based access systems, the abrupt change in receive power from control channels to data channels causes automatic gain control (AGC) jitter in user equipment (UE) due to different beamforming gains, leading to degraded performance without proper power offset information.
Innovation Solution
A method where a transmit point determines and signals a relative effective transmit power offset between control and data beams to the UE, enabling the UE to perform fast AGC by anticipating the power difference between the control and data channels, which are often transmitted using different beams with varying beamforming gains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If different beams are used for control channels and data channels, then beamforming gain is improved, but AGC jitter occurs due to abrupt receive power change
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-calculates and signals the power offset between control beam and data beam to the UE before the actual transmission. This preliminary provision of power relationship information allows the UE to prepare appropriate AGC settings in advance, preventing AGC jitter when switching between beams with different power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
A power offset indicator is introduced as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the control channel and data channel transmissions. This indicator provides the UE with advance knowledge of the power relationship between different beams, enabling smooth AGC adaptation without abrupt adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If beam switching between control beam and data beam is performed, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but performance degradation occurs due to unexpected power change
Solution Approach 1:
The network signals the power offset information to the UE in advance through RRC signaling or DCI formatting, allowing the UE to configure its receiver appropriately before the actual beam switch occurs. This preliminary preparation maintains resource allocation flexibility while preventing performance degradation from unexpected power changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors UE reception quality and adjusts power offset signaling accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that resource allocation decisions maintain optimal performance by adapting to actual channel conditions and UE capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for resource and power allocation indication in a beam-based access system is provided. In an embodiment, a method for signaling power allocation in a beam-based access system includes determining, by a transmit point (TP), a relative effective transmit power offset between a control beam and a data beam. The method also includes signaling, by the TP, the relative effective transmit power offset to a user equipment (UE). The UE performs automatic gain control (AGC) on a control channel and a data channel according to the relative effective transmit power offset signaled by the TP.