5G NR Rx Beam Sweep Scaling for Faster Beam Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently performing reception (Rx) beam refinement in frequency range 2 (FR2) due to the lack of a standardized scale factor for Rx beam sweeps, leading to prolonged evaluation periods and inefficient resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Introduce a new scale factor N for Rx beam sweeps based on the number of resources in the CSI-RS set and the UE's MaxNumberRxBeam capability, allowing for optimized Rx beam refinement by adjusting the number of sweeps required, ranging from 1 to 8, depending on resource availability and UE capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed scale factor of 8 is used for Rx beam sweeps, then the UE can perform comprehensive beam refinement, but the evaluation period becomes prolonged (8*TCSI-RS)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scale factor N variable rather than fixed. The gNB dynamically determines N based on the number of CSI-RS resources configured and UE capability (MaxNumberRxBeam), allowing the evaluation period to adapt from 8*TCSI-RS down to TCSI-RS when sufficient resources are available, thus resolving the contradiction between comprehensive beam refinement and evaluation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of scale factor from a fixed value of 8 to a variable parameter N that depends on resource configuration and UE capability. This parameter change enables the system to reduce the evaluation period when the number of CSI-RS resources is sufficient, while maintaining beam refinement reliability when resources are limited.
2Measurement precision
If multiple Rx beam sweeps are performed to ensure comprehensive beam refinement, then beam selection accuracy improves, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the necessary number of beam sweeps (N) rather than always performing the maximum 8 sweeps. The scale factor N is determined by the actual number of CSI-RS resources and UE capability, allowing the system to perform partial beam refinement when sufficient resources are available, thus improving resource utilization while maintaining adequate beam selection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of CSI-RS resources is increased to support more beam sweeps, then beam refinement capability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a flexible system where the same CSI-RS resource configuration can support different numbers of beam sweeps (from 1 to 8) depending on UE capability and resource availability. The gNB determines the appropriate scale factor N based on the actual resources configured, allowing the system to adapt to different scenarios without requiring separate configurations for each case, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for use in a wireless network for determining a reception (Rx) beam sweep scale factor, N, that enables a user equipment (UE) to perform Rx beam refinement. Some embodiments are directed to a 5G Node B (gNB) that includes processor circuitry and radio front end circuitry. The processor circuitry can be configured to receive, using the radio front end circuitry, a MaxNumberRxB cam capability of the UE. The processor circuitry can determine based at least on the MaxNumberRxBeam capability of the UE and/or a Channel-State Information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) set with a repetition parameter configured to be ‘ON’, the value of N. The processor circuitry can generate a message comprising the value N, and encode the message for transmission to the UE, where N Rx beam sweeps enable the UE to perform Rx beam refinement.