RIS Beam Configuration for Blockage-Resilient Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving ultra-high speed and large capacity communication while ensuring ultra-reliable communication is challenging, especially at high frequencies due to potential blockage by obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A method performed by a network node to handle beam-based communication between a terminal and a radio network node in a wireless communications network, utilizing a Reflective Intelligent Surface (RIS) to reflect radio signals. The network node predicts and configures communication parameters to ensure optimal beam-based communication, adapting to changes in the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high frequency (mmWave) is used to achieve wide bandwidth and ultra-high speed communication, then data rate and capacity are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to blockage by obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Reflective Intelligent Surface (RIS) as an intermediary component to reflect radio signals between the terminal and radio network node. The RIS acts as a mediator that creates alternative signal paths, allowing high-frequency signals to reach the destination even when direct paths are blocked by obstacles, thus maintaining both high data rates and communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The network node predicts future communication parameters and proactively configures the RIS and communication beams before actual blockages occur. By anticipating network changes and pre-configuring reflective surfaces and beam directions, the system maintains uninterrupted high-speed communication without experiencing reliability degradation
2Productivity
If beam-based communication is used to improve directional signal strength, then data rate is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to blockages and network changes
Solution Approach 1:
The network node predicts future communication parameters including beam directions and RIS configurations in advance. By pre-configuring multiple potential beam paths and reflective surface states before network changes occur, the system maintains directional signal strength while being prepared to adapt quickly to blockages or movements
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beam directions and RIS configurations based on predicted network changes. The network node continuously updates communication parameters including beamforming vectors and RIS reflection patterns, allowing the directional communication to adapt to moving terminals or emerging obstacles while maintaining high data rates
3Reliability
If the network node continuously monitors and updates communication parameters to maintain reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but signaling overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously monitoring and reacting to network changes, the network node uses prediction algorithms to anticipate future communication parameter requirements. By calculating and configuring beams and RIS states in advance based on predicted terminal movements and network conditions, the system maintains reliability while significantly reducing real-time signaling overhead and processing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the performance of wireless communications networks by efficiently handling beam-based communications, improving data rates, capacity, and reliability, even in the presence of obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless communications network comprises a Reflective Intelligent Surface (RIS) for reflecting radio signals between the terminal and the radio network node
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a network node for handling beam-based communication between a terminal and a radio network node in a wireless communications network. The wireless communication network includes a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface, RIS, for reflecting radio signals between the terminal and the radio network node. The RIS is controlled by the network node which predicts for each terminal, one or more first communication parameters to be used for the beam-based communication between the terminal and the radio network node. The network node configures each terminal, radio network node and RIS based on the predicted parameters. In response to a predicted change the network node estimates for each terminal, one or more second communication parameters to be used for the beam-based communication. Based on an evaluation of the predicted change, the network node updates the configuration of each terminal, radio network node and RIS according to the second communication parameters.