PSS-Based Beam Scan Method for 5G UE Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G New Radio (NR), face challenges in efficiently refining user equipment (UE) beams during beam management, leading to prolonged beam scan times when relying solely on secondary synchronization signals (SSS) due to the need for multiple measurements across different receive beams.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a primary synchronization signal (PSS) into the beam scan process, along with demodulation reference signals (DMRS) carried in physical broadcast channels (PBCHs), allows for faster beam refinement by using multiple beams to measure the PSS and DMRS, significantly reducing the time required for beam selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If SSS-only beam scanning is used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but beam scan time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The beam scanning process is segmented into multiple measurement opportunities within a single SSB period. Instead of completing all beam measurements using only SSS, the system divides measurements across PSS, SSS, and DMRS resources, allowing parallel measurement progress and reducing total scan time while maintaining measurement accuracy through multiple reference signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The PSS is measured in advance before SSS and DMRS measurements are completed. By performing preliminary measurements on PSS with multiple receive beams early in the SSB period, the system establishes initial beam quality assessments that guide subsequent measurements, enabling faster beam refinement without sacrificing final measurement accuracy.
2Productivity
If multiple beams are used to measure PSS and DMRS, then beam refinement speed increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reference signals (PSS, SSS, DMRS) are assigned universal roles in the beam management process. Each signal type serves both its primary function (synchronization or demodulation) and an additional beam measurement function. This multi-functionality allows the system to perform comprehensive beam refinement using existing signal structures without adding separate dedicated measurement signals, thus increasing productivity while limiting complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing PSS, SSS, and DMRS signals are made self-sufficient for beam measurement purposes. Each signal carries inherent properties that enable beam quality assessment without requiring additional assistance signals or complex processing infrastructure. The signals serve themselves for dual purposes (original function plus beam measurement), simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling faster beam refinement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) includes determining a first synchronization signal block (SSB) to monitor beam management. The first SSB comprises a primary synchronization signal (PSS), multiple physical broadcast channels (PBCHs), and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The method also includes determining a list of receive beams for measuring the first SSB. The method further includes measuring the first SSB by measuring the PSS with a first beam from the list of receive beams, measuring, with a second beam from the list of receive beams, a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) on a first PBCH symbol of a first of the PBCHs, measuring the SSS with a third beam from the list of receive beams; and measuring, with a fourth beam from the list of receive beams, a second DMRS on a second PBCH symbol of a second of the PBCHs.