Radar-Assisted Beam Failure Avoidance in NLoS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in dynamic environments like vehicular networks, face beam failures due to obstructions that are not detectable by base stations within their line-of-sight, leading to unreliable communications.
Innovation Solution
Equipping both base stations and user equipment with radar devices to perform radar detection for potential obstructions in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight portions of communication links, allowing for proactive switching to alternative beams before blockages occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base stations use traditional line-of-sight detection methods, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates due to undetectable obstructions in non-line-of-sight portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radar devices as intermediary detection tools that operate independently from traditional line-of-sight detection systems. These radar devices detect obstructions in non-line-of-sight portions of communication links and provide this information to base stations, enabling comprehensive obstruction detection without replacing the entire detection system. This resolves the contradiction by adding reliability through radar while maintaining relatively simple base station architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes base stations multi-functional by equipping them with both traditional line-of-sight detection capabilities and radar detection capabilities. This allows the base station to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously - monitoring both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight portions of communication links. The multi-functional approach improves reliability by covering all possible obstruction scenarios while consolidating detection functions in a single device.
2Reliability
If radar detection is deployed to detect all obstructions, then reliability improves, but use of energy increases due to continuous radar operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic radar detection instead of continuous operation. The base station performs radar detection at specific intervals or triggered by certain conditions, such as when beam failures are detected or at predetermined time periods. This periodic approach maintains reliable obstruction detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous radar operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses radar detection to perform preliminary obstruction detection before beam failures actually occur. By detecting potential obstructions in advance in non-line-of-sight portions, the system can proactively switch to alternative beams or alert the network, preventing beam failures before they happen. This preliminary action approach improves reliability by anticipating problems while allowing the radar to operate less frequently than would be needed for continuous monitoring.
3Loss of time
If reactive beam management is used, then device complexity is low, but loss of time occurs due to delayed beam switching after obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements proactive beam management by using radar detection to identify potential obstructions before they cause beam failures. When obstructions are detected in non-line-of-sight portions, the system proactively switches to alternative beams or prepares backup communication paths before the current beam fails. This preliminary action eliminates beam switching delays by acting in advance, and the added complexity is confined to the detection and decision-making layer rather than the communication infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces beam failures by enabling proactive management of communication links, improving reliability and stability in dynamic environments by predicting and mitigating obstructions that would otherwise cause communication disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
perform radar detection for the potential obstruction to the set of one or more beams
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus, and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for radar-assisted beam failure. A second wireless device may transmit, to a first wireless device, a configuration to monitor for a potential obstruction for a set of one or more beams for the wireless communication with the second wireless. The first wireless device may receive, from the second wireless device, the configuration to monitor for the potential obstruction for the set of one or more beams for the wireless communication with the second wireless device. The first wireless device may perform radar detection for the potential obstruction to the set of one or more beams for the wireless communication with the second wireless device.