Radio Link Monitoring QCL Beam Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G mobile communications, the determination of receiver beams for radio link monitoring (RLM) based on available spatial quasi-co-location (QCL) information is inefficient, leading to extended evaluation periods and increased time and power consumption due to the need for beam sweeping, which can be time-consuming and may not guarantee optimal signal quality, especially in high-frequency ranges like FR2.

Innovation Solution

A method where the user equipment (UE) determines whether to extend the RLM evaluation period based on QCL association provided in downlink signaling, allowing it to skip RX beam sweeping if QCL conditions are met, thereby using existing RX beams for RLM and optimizing the RLM evaluation period by checking TCI state IDs and RS configurations for time-division multiplexing and spatial quasi-co-location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beam sweeping is performed for RLM in BM, then optimal signal quality can be achieved, but the evaluation period is extended and time and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidevaluation period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining RX beam information through beam management procedures before RLM evaluation. The UE uses QCL associations established during beam sweeping to identify suitable RX beams in advance, so that when RLM needs to be performed, the beam selection is already determined without requiring additional beam sweeping time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses QCL (quasi-co-location) association as an intermediary between beam management and RLM. The QCL relationship provides a link that allows the UE to infer RX beam information from reference signals without performing complete beam sweeping, thus bridging the gap between beam selection and link monitoring while reducing time requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If beam sweeping is performed for RLM in BM, then optimal signal quality can be achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining RX beam information through beam management procedures before RLM evaluation. The UE uses QCL associations established during beam sweeping to identify suitable RX beams in advance, so that when RLM needs to be performed, the beam selection is already determined without requiring additional beam sweeping time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses QCL (quasi-co-location) association as an intermediary between beam management and RLM. The QCL relationship provides a link that allows the UE to infer RX beam information from reference signals without performing complete beam sweeping, thus bridging the gap between beam selection and link monitoring while reducing time requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If QCL association is used to determine RX beam for RLM, then evaluation period can be reduced, but beam sweeping may not be performed adequately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation periodVSAvoidbeam selection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining RX beam information through beam management procedures before RLM evaluation. The UE uses QCL associations established during beam sweeping to identify suitable RX beams in advance, so that when RLM needs to be performed, the beam selection is already determined without requiring additional beam sweeping time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses QCL (quasi-co-location) association as an intermediary between beam management and RLM. The QCL relationship provides a link that allows the UE to infer RX beam information from reference signals without performing complete beam sweeping, thus bridging the gap between beam selection and link monitoring while reducing time requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240121642A1Spatial Quasi-Co-Location For Radio Link Monitoring In New Radio Mobile Communications

Publication Date: 2024.04.11 HFI INNOVATION INC

AI summary

Techniques and examples of determination of receiver (RX) beam for radio link monitoring (RLM) based on available spatial quasi-co-location (QCL) information in New Radio (NR) mobile communications are described. An apparatus receives downlink (DL) signaling from a network. The apparatus determines whether to extend an evaluation period of RLM based on a quasi-co-location (QCL) association provided in at least the DL signaling. The apparatus then executes extension of the evaluation period of the RLM, or not, based on a result of the determining.