Co-located Radio Node Channel Information Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless systems, the transition to higher frequency bands like mmW frequencies poses challenges in providing full channel state information (CSI) for beamforming and antenna array precoders, leading to delayed access, less accurate channel estimation, and increased blocking by objects, especially when co-sited with lower frequency access technologies like LTE.
Innovation Solution
A method for sharing channel information between co-located radio nodes operating on different frequency bands, where one node obtains and uses channel information from a third node in a first frequency band to determine and interpolate channel characteristics in a second frequency band, enabling improved beamforming, synchronization, and handover management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam sweeping is used for initial access at high frequencies, then access and reconnection can be established, but access and reconnection are considerably delayed and utilization of frequency bands is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs channel estimation and obtains channel state information (CSI) in advance during idle periods or using lower frequency bands before high-frequency communication is needed. This preliminary action allows the system to have channel information ready, eliminating the need for time-consuming beam sweeping when access is required, thus reducing access delay while maintaining reliable connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lower frequency bands as an intermediary to obtain channel information that can then be applied to high-frequency bands. The lower frequency channel measurements serve as a mediator that provides preliminary channel state information, allowing the high-frequency system to skip the initial beam sweeping process and directly utilize the pre-obtained CSI for faster access.
2Measurement precision
If full channel state information is provided for all beamforming directions at high frequencies, then accurate channel estimation is achieved, but system complexity and measurement time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential channel information from lower frequency bands that can be applied to high-frequency bands, rather than performing complete channel measurements at high frequencies. By taking out and reusing the relevant channel state information (such as angle of arrival/departure and path loss characteristics) from lower frequency measurements, the system achieves accurate channel estimation without the complexity of full beamforming matrix measurements at high frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the channel information obtained from lower frequency bands universally applicable to high-frequency bands. The same channel measurements performed at lower frequencies serve multiple purposes: they provide channel state information for both lower and higher frequency operations, eliminating the need for separate complete measurements at each frequency band and reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If channel information is measured and estimated accurately for high frequency access, then transmission can be adapted to radio channel conditions, but initial delays in transmissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs channel measurements and estimates in advance using lower frequency bands before high-frequency transmission is needed. By obtaining channel state information preliminarily, the system has accurate channel characteristics ready when high-frequency transmission begins, eliminating the need for time-consuming measurements at the start of high-frequency communication and thus reducing transmission delays.
4Productivity
If co-siting of 5G and LTE base stations is implemented, then spectrum utilization is improved, but full channel state information for high frequency access becomes difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the channel measurement capabilities of LTE and 5G systems by having the LTE base station perform channel measurements that are then shared with and applied to the 5G system. This combining approach allows both systems to operate from co-located sites while the LTE channel information serves the 5G system, ensuring full channel state information is available for high-frequency access without requiring separate independent measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the LTE system as an intermediary to provide channel state information to the 5G system. The LTE base station acts as a mediator that performs the measurements and communicates the channel information to the 5G base station, ensuring that full channel state information is available for high-frequency access even though the 5G system itself may not be performing separate measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of sharing channel information between co-located radio nodes are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a second radio node (111, 200, 300a, b, 1111) of sharing channel information between a first radio node (101, 500, 600a, b, 1101) and the second radio node that are co-located (107) may include obtaining (403), by the second radio node, first channel information characterizing a communication channel (105a-c) between a third radio node (121, 1121) and the first radio node in a first frequency band. Further, the method may include using (405), by the second radio node, the first channel information for communication with the third radio node or a fourth radio node (123) in a second frequency band.