Relay Device Beam Allocation for 5G Coverage and Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current relay devices, particularly repeaters, face challenges in expanding communication coverage and eliminating dead zones in 5G wireless communication systems, especially when using millimeter waves, due to limitations in beamforming configurations and power management, leading to incomplete coverage and increased noise.
Innovation Solution
A relay device with processor circuitry that allocates transmission timing and beam allocation for signals, allowing simultaneous transmission of multiple SSBs using different beams, enabling efficient coverage expansion and reducing power consumption by optimizing beam usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a repeater is used to expand coverage and eliminate dead zones, then service area coverage is improved, but noise increases and the repeater operates as an interference source
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater is controlled to operate periodically rather than continuously. The base station sends activation requests at specific intervals, and the repeater activates only when needed for coverage extension. This periodic operation reduces noise and interference while maintaining coverage expansion capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the base station monitors coverage requirements and sends control signals to activate or deactivate the repeater accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the repeater operates only when necessary, minimizing noise and interference while maintaining adequate coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If beamforming control is implemented on the repeater to improve coverage efficiency, then network coverage expansion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of beamforming control. Instead of the repeater handling complex beamforming configurations independently, the base station sends control signals that simplify the repeater's operation while achieving effective beamforming for coverage expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on coverage requirements. The base station adjusts beamforming parameters, activation timing, and power levels by sending control signals to the repeater, allowing flexible coverage optimization without permanently increasing repeater complexity.
3Reliability
If the repeater is constantly turned on to ensure coverage, then service availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater operates periodically based on activation requests from the base station rather than running continuously. This periodic operation maintains service availability when needed while significantly reducing overall power consumption during periods when coverage expansion is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater is designed to activate automatically upon receiving control signals from the base station without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability ensures reliable coverage expansion when needed while minimizing power consumption by remaining dormant during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay device includes: communication circuitry; and processor circuitry coupled to the communication circuitry, the processor circuitry being configured to perform processing including: first communication processing to receive a plurality of signals from a first wireless communication device via the communication circuitry; communication control processing to allocate, to each of the plurality of signals received by the first communication processing, a corresponding transmission timing and beam used for wireless communication; and second communication processing to transmit each signal to a second wireless communication device via the communication circuitry by using the beam allocated by the communication control processing, at the transmission timing allocated by the communication control processing, wherein the communication control processing includes receiving first information that includes a beam index indicating the beam.