Network-Controlled Repeater Beam Timing for 5G Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of 5G systems faces challenges in enhancing cell coverage due to the use of legacy RF repeaters, which fail to dynamically adjust beam directions and widths, leading to reduced network throughput and increased interference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network-controlled repeater (NCR) scheme that uses time-domain resource indications to manage access link beams, ensuring they do not overlap with flexible symbols and align with terminal equipment signals, thereby improving signal amplification and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If legacy RF repeaters are used to amplify and forward signals in 5G systems, then cell coverage can be enhanced, but beam directions and widths cannot be dynamically adjusted to match terminal equipment signals, leading to reduced network throughput and increased interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic beam management for network-controlled repeaters, where the repeater can dynamically adjust its beam directions and widths based on control information from the network device. This allows the repeater to track and match the dynamic beam parameters of terminal equipment, ensuring optimal signal amplification while maintaining high network throughput. The dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the repeater to adapt to changing communication conditions rather than using fixed beam parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network device provides control information to the repeater regarding terminal equipment positions and beam parameters. The repeater uses this feedback to adjust its beamforming characteristics in real-time, ensuring that its amplification behavior aligns with the dynamic requirements of the 5G network. This feedback loop enables the repeater to maintain high network throughput while enhancing cell coverage.
2Power
If legacy RF repeaters with wide fixed beams are used, then signal amplification can be achieved, but interference to other devices in the network increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the repeater to concentrate its amplification power in specific directional beams rather than using wide fixed beams. By adjusting beam directions and widths based on terminal equipment positions, the repeater applies signal amplification locally to the intended receiver while minimizing interference to other devices. This local quality approach allows high signal amplification power to be delivered precisely where needed without proportionally increasing network-wide interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater dynamically adjusts its beamforming parameters including direction and width based on real-time control information from the network device. This dynamic beam adjustment ensures that high amplification power is directed only toward the intended terminal equipment rather than being radiated in wide fixed patterns that would interfere with other devices. The dynamic nature of the beam parameters allows the system to maintain high signal power while controlling interference through precise spatial targeting.
3Device complexity
If legacy RF repeaters are deployed without network control, then deployment complexity is reduced, but the repeater cannot flexibly match beam directions and widths to terminal equipment positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the network device as an intermediary that manages the complexity of beam control. Rather than requiring complex autonomous beam management at the repeater, the network device acts as a mediator that provides control information to the repeater. This intermediary approach allows the repeater to achieve high beam parameter adaptability while keeping its own control complexity low, as it simply follows instructions from the network device regarding beam directions and widths.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater autonomously adjusts its beam parameters based on control information received from the network device, without requiring complex centralized control architecture. The repeater serves itself by independently implementing beamforming adjustments according to the provided control information, achieving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device complexity. This self-service capability allows the repeater to flexibly match beam parameters to terminal equipment positions using straightforward control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A repeater includes: a receiver configured to receive a first indication indicating a first time-domain resource, the first time-domain resource overlapping with a second time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource being indicated by a second indication or the first indication; and processor circuitry, configured to use a beam in the second time-domain resource and the first time-domain resource for transmissions and/or receptions on an access link, wherein beams associated with the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are identical.