Radio Transceiver Beam Selection Balancing Link Quality and Robustness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beam selection procedures in communications networks face challenges in balancing link quality and robustness, particularly when narrow beams suffer from poor robustness characteristics due to movement, rotation, or blocking, while wide beams offer weaker links due to lower beamforming gain.

Innovation Solution

A method for beam selection that considers both link quality and robustness by incorporating a compensation value to balance the choice between narrow and wide beams, allowing the selection of a wide beam if its performance is not significantly worse than the narrow beam, thereby enhancing communication reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If narrow beams are used for beamforming, then antenna gain and link quality are improved, but robustness against movement, rotation, or blocking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink qualityVSAvoidrobustness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of beam width by introducing a compensation value that adjusts the effective beam width dynamically. When robustness is needed, the compensation value increases the effective beam width, making the beam more tolerant to movement and rotation. When link quality is prioritized, the compensation value is reduced to maintain narrow beam characteristics. This resolves the contradiction by making beam width adjustable based on operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by continuously adjusting the compensation value based on measured signal quality and robustness requirements. The system transitions between narrow and wide beam modes dynamically, selecting the optimal beam width for current channel conditions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the static contradiction between narrow beam gain and wide beam robustness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If wide beams are used for beamforming, then robustness against movement, rotation, or blocking is improved, but antenna gain and link quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverobustnessVSAvoidlink quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a compensation value that effectively widens the beam width when robustness is required. The compensation value acts as an adjustment factor that increases the beam width from its base configuration, allowing the system to maintain robustness while minimizing the loss in antenna gain. This resolves the contradiction by providing controlled beam widening only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by introducing only the necessary amount of beam widening through the compensation value, rather than using fully wide beams. The compensation value provides just enough additional robustness to handle movement and rotation while preserving as much antenna gain as possible. This partial adjustment resolves the contradiction by avoiding excessive beam widening that would unnecessarily degrade link quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Area of stationary object

If beam width is increased to improve robustness, then coverage area is improved, but beamforming gain decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbeamforming gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by introducing a compensation value that selectively increases beam width only in dimensions or directions where robustness is needed, rather than uniformly widening the beam in all directions. This targeted parameter adjustment increases coverage area where necessary while preserving beamforming gain in other dimensions, resolving the contradiction between coverage and gain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3852283B1Beam selection for a radio transceiver device
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3852283B1 patent drawingFigure 1~10
  • EP3852283B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3852283B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

There is provided mechanisms for beam selection. A method is performed by a first radio transceiver device. The method comprises obtaining link quality estimates of a radio signal conveyed to the first radio transceiver device from a second radio transceiver device by means of at least a first beam taken from a first beam set and a second beam. The second beam is wider than the first beam. The method comprises selecting which one of the first beam and the second beam to use for continued communications of radio signals with the second radio transceiver device in accordance with a comparison between the link quality estimates of the first beam and compensated link quality estimates of the second beam.