Network-Controlled Repeater Timing for Low-Interference 5G Forwarding
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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 suboptimal signal amplification and increased interference, especially in millimeter wavebands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network-controlled repeater (NCR) scheme with aperiodic forwarding resources, utilizing DCI formats to configure time domain resources, RNTI for scrambling, and search spaces for monitoring, to enhance signal forwarding and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a legacy RF repeater is used for coverage enhancement in 5G systems, then signal amplification is achieved, but beam direction and width cannot be dynamically adjusted leading to increased interference and reduced network throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic beamforming capabilities to the repeater through network control. The gNB configures the repeater with TCI states and beam information, enabling the repeater to dynamically adjust its beam directions and widths according to real-time channel conditions and network requirements, thus reducing interference while maintaining signal amplification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the repeater reports channel state information and beam measurement results to the gNB. The gNB uses this feedback to optimize beam configurations and adjust TCI states, creating a closed-loop control system that minimizes interference while maximizing signal quality
2Area of stationary object
If a legacy RF repeater with wide beams is used, then signal coverage area is increased, but interference to other devices in the network is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the repeater to apply different beamforming characteristics to different spatial regions. Through network-configured TCI states and beam information, the repeater can focus signal energy in specific directions where coverage is needed while using narrower beams or nulling techniques in directions where interference would occur, thus achieving localized quality optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater dynamically adjusts beam widths and directions based on real-time network conditions. The gNB can configure different TCI states with varying beam parameters and switch between them according to traffic patterns and interference conditions, allowing the coverage area to be optimized without causing excessive interference
3Device complexity
If an RF repeater with fixed beam directions is deployed, then device complexity is reduced, but the repeater performance in matching dynamic beam directions and widths of network device and terminal equipment is not significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the gNB as an intermediary that manages the complexity of beamforming operations. The gNB performs the complex calculations for beam direction and width determination, then provides simplified configuration parameters (TCI states, beam information) to the repeater. This distributes the computational complexity from the repeater to the network side, maintaining low repeater complexity while achieving high amplification performance
Solution Approach 2:
The gNB pre-configures the repeater with multiple TCI states and beam information before the repeater needs to switch beams. This preliminary preparation allows the repeater to quickly switch between pre-calculated beam configurations without performing complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining simple repeater architecture while achieving dynamic beam adaptation
Data Source
AI summary
A repeater includes: a receiver configured to receive first configuration information used to configure a list of time domain resources; and the receiver is further configured to receive downlink control information (DCI) format indicating a first time domain resource from the time domain resources configured by the first configuration information, a second slot where the first time domain resource is located being determined according to a first time position, the first time position being determined according to a second time position.