Network-Controlled Repeater Uplink Metrics for UE Mobility Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved coordination between UEs and gNBs in 5G/NR communication systems to determine UE presence and mobility within the coverage area of network-controlled repeaters, as local measurements by the repeaters are not directly available to the gNB, necessitating the exchange of UE-specific configuration information and local measurements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network-controlled repeaters (NCRs) that include a transceiver and processor to receive and transmit UL signals or channels, allowing for the determination of measurement metrics and reporting, enabling better mobility management and UE configuration through coordinated information exchange with the gNB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network-controlled repeaters perform local measurements of UL signals, then measurement accuracy for UE presence determination is improved, but the complexity of information exchange between repeater and gNB increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater acts as an intermediary that performs local measurements and reports results to the gNB, eliminating the need for direct UE-gNB measurement exchange in covered areas. The repeater measures UL signals locally and provides measurement reports containing metric values (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ) to the gNB, which uses these for UE presence determination and mobility management decisions.
2Reliability
If the gNB receives detailed measurement reports from repeaters, then mobility management accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead and loss of time for information exchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater autonomously performs measurements and generates measurement reports without requiring explicit triggering for each measurement. The gNB configures the repeater with measurement parameters (e.g., reference signal resources, reporting criteria), and the repeater independently executes measurements and sends reports when configured conditions are met, reducing signaling overhead and time delays.
3Area of stationary object
If the repeater determines UE presence locally, then coverage extension capability is improved, but the device complexity of the repeater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides measurement and determination functions between the repeater and gNB. The repeater handles local measurement execution and basic presence detection, while the gNB performs higher-level mobility management decisions. This segmentation allows the repeater to extend coverage with enhanced capabilities without requiring full gNB-level complexity at the repeater site.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for assistance information from repeaters. A method for a network-controlled repeater (NCR) includes receiving, by an NCR mobile termination (NCR-MT) entity first information for reception parameters of a set of uplink (UL) signals or channels and second information for reporting a metric corresponding to the set of UL signals or channels and receiving, on an access link of an NCR forwarding (NCR-Fwd) entity, based on the first information, an UL signal or channel from the set of UL signals or channels. The method further includes determining, by the NCR-MT entity a measurement for the UL signal or channel and a value for the metric based on the measurement and transmitting, by the NCR-MT entity, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) that provides the value.