Reference Signal Channel Configuration for Millimeter-Wave Beam Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-band millimeter-wave communication systems face challenges such as link attenuation and increased beam indication overheads, which affect spectral efficiency and communication robustness.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for configuring channel characteristics of a reference signal, involving determining and sending a first type signaling with a set of index elements to configure beam indications, using a bitmap to activate or combine sets, and employing QCL assumption or strong constraint indication to reduce beam indication overheads and increase system flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional beam indication methods are used in high-band millimeter-wave communication, then beamforming gain can be achieved to counteract signal transmission loss, but beam indication overheads increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam indication process into two parts: (1) implicit beam indication using TCI states that are pre-configured and activated, and (2) explicit beam indication only when needed. This segmentation reduces the frequency and volume of beam indication signaling, thereby reducing overhead while maintaining communication robustness through the pre-configured beam information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring and activating Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) states before actual beam indication is needed. The gNB configures a set of TCI states and activates a subset of them in advance, so that when beam indication is required, the UE can quickly select from the pre-activated states without requiring extensive new signaling, thus reducing overhead.
2Productivity
If multiple antenna weight pairs are provided for multi-channel data transmission, then spectral efficiency improves, but the complexity of channel state information feedback and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces TCI states as an intermediary between the gNB and UE for antenna weight pair indication. Instead of directly exchanging complex channel state information, the gNB configures TCI states that encapsulate channel information, and the UE provides feedback on these TCI states. This intermediary simplifies the feedback process while enabling the use of multiple antenna weight pairs for multi-channel transmission, thus improving spectral efficiency without proportionally increasing processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for configuring channel characteristics of a reference signal, and a communication device are described. The method includes determining first type signaling, where the first type signaling carries a first type set and the first set includes a plurality of index elements; and sending the first type signaling to a second communication node.