Radio-Based Sensing for Beam Management in High-Frequency Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, especially at higher frequency ranges beyond 52.6 GHz, beam management is hindered by blockages due to the attenuation and blocking of signals by obstacles, leading to frequent beam failures and high latency in beam-management procedures, particularly due to the mobility of user equipment (UE) and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of radio-based sensing techniques that utilize time-division duplexing between sensing signals and data/control channels, allowing for the identification and localization of blockages through the transmission and reception of radio signals, enabling proactive beam selection and refinement, and reducing overhead and latency in beam management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If beam-based communication is used at higher frequency ranges, then data transmission capability is improved, but beam management reliability deteriorates due to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sensing actions by transmitting sensing signals before establishing beam-based communication. The RAN node and UE exchange sensing signals to detect potential blockages in advance, allowing the system to proactively identify obstacles and adjust beam directions before communication failures occur, thereby maintaining reliability while using high-frequency beam-based transmission
2Measurement precision
If constant/periodic reference signal exchange is performed for beam management, then beam tracking capability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges beam management functions with sensing operations by using the same sensing signals for both blockage detection and beam tracking purposes. The reference signals exchanged between RAN node and UE serve dual functions: characterizing the wireless channel for beam management and detecting blockages for sensing, thereby achieving accurate beam tracking while significantly reducing signaling overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing signals are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they characterize the wireless channel for beam management, detect blockages for sensing applications, and provide information for both communication and sensing operations. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain precise beam tracking without requiring separate dedicated signaling resources
3Measurement precision
If sensing signals are transmitted separately from data channels, then sensing accuracy is improved, but time resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges sensing signal transmission with data channel transmissions by configuring the UE to transmit and receive sensing signals along with uplink and downlink data channels using the same time resources. The TDD pattern alternates between sensing phases and data transmission phases within the same frame structure, allowing the system to maintain sensing accuracy while fully utilizing available time resources for both sensing and communication purposes
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 enhances beam management by providing real-time information on blockages, allowing for better beam selection and tracking, thereby reducing beam failure occurrences and improving communication efficiency in high-frequency wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a radio-based sensing signal
Implementation Method 2
utilize time-division duplexing between sensing signals and data/control channels, allowing for the identification and localization of blockages through the transmission and reception of radio signals
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for radio-based sensing and joint communication. One apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor that receives a first configuration from a Radio Access Network (“RAN”) node, where the first configuration includes a time-division duplex pattern with a set of symbols for radio-based sensing and a set of symbols for data/control channels. The processor receives a second configuration from the RAN node that includes one or more of: a waveform type indication, a sub carrier spacing (“SCS”) value, a carrier bandwidth for transmission and/or reception of radio-based sensing signals, and combinations thereof. Via the transceiver the processor transmits a radio-based sensing signal and a data/control channel according to the received configurations.