PUCCH Beam Configuration Switching for Link Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In millimeter wave (mmW) wireless communication systems, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmissions face reliability issues due to sudden beam degradation, leading to failed communications and link losses, as conventional techniques do not allow user equipment (UE) to autonomously select alternative beams when the initial beam configuration's performance falls below a threshold.
Innovation Solution
The UE is configured with multiple beam configurations, allowing it to autonomously select a secondary beam configuration for PUCCH transmissions if the primary beam's performance metric falls below a threshold, with the option to use the secondary beam at a subsequent transmission occasion after a time offset, thereby ensuring reliable PUCCH signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE uses a single beam configuration for PUCCH transmissions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when the beam suddenly degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures multiple beam configurations (first beam configuration and second beam configuration) for the UE before PUCCH transmissions occur. When beam degradation is detected, the UE can immediately switch to the pre-configured alternative beam without complex real-time decision-making, thus improving reliability while keeping the switching mechanism relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously monitors the quality of the current beam configuration and independently decides when to switch to the alternative beam configuration based on pre-configured criteria, without requiring continuous network intervention or complex centralized control, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE autonomously selects beam configurations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam configuration is segmented into multiple independent configurations (first beam configuration and second beam configuration), each with its own reference signal resources. The UE can selectively activate different segments based on channel conditions, achieving adaptability without requiring complex unified beam management
Solution Approach 2:
The UE adapts by changing the beam configuration parameter (switching between first and second beam configurations) based on monitored quality metrics. This parameter-based adaptation is simpler than full beamforming optimization because it only requires switching between pre-defined configurations rather than continuously optimizing beam parameters
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive a signal identifying a first beam configuration and a second beam configuration to be used for performing a beamformed transmission of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) signal. The UE may determine, for a first PUCCH transmission occasion associated with the first beam configuration, that a communication metric associated with performing the beamformed transmission of the PUCCH signal using the first beam configuration fails to satisfy a threshold. The UE may perform, at a second PUCCH transmission occasion and based at least in part on the determining, the beamformed transmission of the PUCCH signal according to the second beam configuration.