Relay Beam Control for High-Frequency Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently extending coverage using relay apparatuses due to the lack of effective control techniques for relay apparatuses, particularly in high-frequency bands where radio signals have high rectilinearity, leading to reduced coverage areas.
Innovation Solution
A control terminal and base station system that includes a control terminal to manage a relay apparatus, such as a Network-Controlled Repeater (NCR), which relays radio signals between a base station and user equipment, utilizing configuration information to control beamforming and operation modes, enabling efficient coverage extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a repeater apparatus is used to extend base station coverage in high frequency bands, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for beam direction control
Solution Approach 1:
A control terminal is introduced as an intermediary device that manages the repeater apparatus. The control terminal receives configuration information from the base station and controls the beam direction of the repeater, thereby distributing the complexity from the repeater to a dedicated control entity. This allows the repeater to focus on signal amplification and relay functions while the control terminal handles the complex beam management tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system functionality is segmented into distinct components: the base station for signal transmission, the control terminal for beam management, and the repeater apparatus for signal relay. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining coverage extension capabilities.
2Reliability
If beam direction control is implemented in the relay apparatus, then communication quality is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater apparatus autonomously adjusts its beam direction based on configuration information received from the control terminal. The beam management function is self-contained within the repeater, which automatically orientates its antenna array according to the provided parameters without requiring continuous external control intervention, thereby simplifying the overall control architecture.
3Measurement precision
If configuration information is transmitted from base station to control terminal, then beam directing accuracy is improved, but information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration information is structured to include only the essential parameters needed for beam direction control, such as beam indices and directional parameters. By transmitting optimized parameter sets rather than complete channel state information, the system achieves accurate beam directing while minimizing the overhead associated with information transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
An NCR-UE (control terminal) that controls an NCR apparatus (relay apparatus) that relays a radio signal between a gNB (base station) and a UE (user equipment) in a mobile communication system receives, from the gNB, configuration information used by the NCR apparatus to direct a beam to the UE, and controls the NCR apparatus to direct the beam to the UE, based on the configuration information.