RIS Beam Selection Using Device Signature Values

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communications systems face challenges in efficiently supporting a wide range of devices with diverse data traffic profiles and requirements, particularly in scenarios requiring low latency and high reliability, such as Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) services.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a signature value associated with a communications device and selecting appropriate beams for signal transmission between infrastructure equipment and the device, including direct beams and beams involving a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). The RIS configuration is controlled to generate these beams, optimizing signal transmission and reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple beams are used for signal transmission between infrastructure equipment and communications device, then signal coverage and transmission reliability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidbeam selection and RIS configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple RIS reflection paths and storing their associated signature values in advance. During operation, the infrastructure equipment simply needs to select the appropriate pre-configured path based on the communications device's signature value, rather than configuring paths in real-time. This reduces operational complexity while maintaining multiple beam options for improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses signature values as copies or representations of the communications device's channel characteristics. Instead of directly analyzing complex channel state information in real-time, the system uses pre-computed signature values (which are simplified representations) to select appropriate beams. This copying approach reduces processing complexity while preserving the essential information needed for reliable signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If RIS configuration is dynamically adjusted for each communications device, then transmission efficiency and coverage are improved, but processing time and system latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidRIS configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple RIS reflection paths and storing their associated signature values in advance. During operation, the infrastructure equipment simply needs to select the appropriate pre-configured path based on the communications device's signature value, rather than configuring paths in real-time. This reduces operational complexity while maintaining multiple beam options for improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the communications device provides its signature value (derived from channel state information) to the infrastructure equipment. This feedback allows the system to quickly identify the appropriate pre-configured RIS path without requiring time-consuming real-time analysis, thus reducing configuration time while maintaining high transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If signature value-based beam selection is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but measurement and detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice power consumptionVSAvoidsignature value determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses signature values as copies or representations of the communications device's channel characteristics. Instead of directly analyzing complex channel state information in real-time, the system uses pre-computed signature values (which are simplified representations) to select appropriate beams. This copying approach reduces processing complexity while preserving the essential information needed for reliable signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple RIS reflection paths and storing their associated signature values in advance. During operation, the infrastructure equipment simply needs to select the appropriate pre-configured path based on the communications device's signature value, rather than configuring paths in real-time. This reduces operational complexity while maintaining multiple beam options for improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250183943A1Methods, infrastructure equipment, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, reconfigurable intelligent surface controllers, communications devices, and systems

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method for operating infrastructure equipment in a wireless communications network is provided. The equipment transmits and receives signals from a communication device and a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). During operation, a signature value associated with the communication device is determined, and one or more beams for signal transmission are selected based on the signature value. The selected beams include a direct beam between the infrastructure and the communication device and beams involving the RIS. The infrastructure equipment controls the RIS configuration to generate these beams, enabling efficient signal transmission between the communication device and the infrastructure.