Dynamic Beam Switching via PUCCH Resources for 5G mmWave
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR networks do not support communications above 52.6 GHz, facing challenges with phase noise, propagation loss, and power amplifier efficiency, which requires narrow beamforming but struggles with dynamic beam tuning for periodic transmissions on the physical uplink control channel.
Innovation Solution
Configuring user equipment (UE) with multiple periodic PUCCH resources each corresponding to a different beam, allowing the base station to activate one resource for dynamic beam switching, enabling communication above 52.6 GHz.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If narrow beamforming is used to communicate above 52.6 GHz, then communication capability at high frequencies is improved, but dynamic beam tuning capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam switching by configuring multiple PUCCH resources with different spatial relations (beams) and dynamically selecting which resource to use based on current communication conditions. The network can activate specific PUCCH resources to switch beams dynamically, enabling the system to adapt to changing propagation conditions at high frequencies while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the PUCCH resources into multiple separate resources, each associated with a different spatial relation or beam. This segmentation allows the system to divide the uplink control channel into multiple beam-specific resources, enabling selective activation of appropriate beams for different transmission scenarios at frequencies above 52.6 GHz.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PUCCH resources are configured for beam switching, then beam adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple PUCCH resources with different spatial relations before actual communication occurs. The network provides the UE with a set of configured PUCCH resources and their associated beams in advance, so that when beam switching is needed, the UE can immediately activate the appropriate pre-configured resource without complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the PUCCH resource configuration universal by creating a multi-functional framework where a single PUCCH resource configuration can serve multiple beams/spatial relations. The same PUCCH resource structure is reused across different spatial relations, reducing the need for completely separate configurations for each beam and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) and a base station exchange communications to enable the UE to switch beams. The UE receives a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource configuration from the base station, wherein the PUCCH resource configuration includes a plurality of PUCCH resources, receives a signal from the base station based on which one of the plurality of PUCCH resources is activated, performs a beam switching operation to change a transmission beam to a beam corresponding to the activated PUCCH resource and transmits periodic uplink (UL) data using the beam corresponding to the activated PUCCH resource.